Sloth Hang in There Card

This time of years isn't always cheerful. I know a lot of people who struggle with the holidays, myself included. Right now my brother is going through a difficult time and I didn't get to see him over Christmas. In efforts to lift his spirits I made this Sloth Hang in There Card for him.

The sloth image is by Lawn Fawn from the Hang In There stamp set and it was die cut with the coordinating dies. Copic markers were used to color the image and distress inks in Tumbled Glass and Chipped Sapphire for the oval area. The patterned paper is from the Land of the Sahara paper pad by The Paper Studio. An oval frame accents the focal area and that's it, simple and easy to ship. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Creative Knockouts: Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes
• Simon Says: Wednesday Anything Goes
• The Creative Crafters: Anything Goes

Saying Good-bye to Jessi

This morning I was saddened to hear that Jessi Fogan from OneCraftyMama passed away. She was always supportive of my creativity and I enjoyed her sense of humor. Her diverse work was inspiring and I was always amazed at her beautiful quilling skills and use of buttons. We crossed paths at Tuesday Morning Sketches and Shopping Our Stash challenge blogs. I always looked forward to her next creation. Her struggle the past several months was heart wrenching. When she shared details of her health decline I found myself amazed by her strength and in disbelief that there was nothing to help her. My prayers are with her family and friends. I was blessed that our lives crossed paths and her story has left a lasting imprint on my heart.

Card is by Jessi from July 12, 2016.     

Snowflake Winter Birds Card

Oh my! I stayed up way too late last night trying to get some things accomplished. One item finished was making a card for the current Inky Paws challenge to use Silver and/or Gold. This Snowflake Winter Birds Card features the Winter Birds stamp set by Newton's Nook and the coordinating dies were used along with a Big Shot. Copic markers were used to color the little Chickadee and Red-Breasted Nuthatch. The gold foil patterned paper is from American Crafts (2016) and was matted to a piece of Basic Gray cardstock. The focal oval was created using distress inks and splattered with watered down acrylic paint, once dry it was die cut with a pierced oval by Avery Elle and the sentiment was heat embossed. That's it! So glad you stopped by!

Challenges entered:

• Crafty Gals: Anything Goes
• Double D: Let it Snow
• Inky Paws: Use Silver and/or Gold
• The Cutie Pie: Add a Little Sparkle
• Watercooler Wednesday: Anything Goes

Elephant Christmas Card - TMS Anything Goes

Well... it's one week before Christmas, are you ready? If you're doing some last minute crafting we would love for you to share your project with us at Tuesday Morning Sketches! This week the challenge is anything goes, so no new sketch but you're welcome to use a past sketch (click here) if you need some inspiration for a layout. The design team has some inspiration for you and you can link your crafty creation  HERE. There are a few rules so make sure you read them before you add your link.

This Elephant Christmas Card was made for my nephew who is three. During the summer he went to the zoo and his favorite animal was the elephants. When I saw this image by Bugaboo Stamps I knew it was perfect for him. The image was colored with Copic markers and some diamond Stickles added to the white part of the elephant's hat and Christmas stockings. A piece of plaid paper by Lawn Fawn (Winter paper pad 2016) was used along with Basic Gray and Balmy Blue cardstock by Stampin' Up!. The Merry Christmas sentiment is by Hero Arts and that's pretty much it. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Allsorts: Christmas Trees
• Cards in Envy: Hang Your Stockings with Care
• Crafty Animals: Anything Goes
• Crafty Cats: Anything Goes/Do What You Like Best*
• Crafty Cardmakers: Christmas
• Use Your Stuff: Christmas/Holidays

*One of the things I like best is coloring and I love playing with patterned paper.

Bunny Christmas Card

Christmas will be here in less than two weeks! Have you mailed your cards yet? I always mail mine about ten days before Christmas, but I still have a couple of cards to make. Then I'll have to decorate and address the envelopes to get the cards in the mail on time. 🎄

This afternoon I made this Bunny Christmas Card using a digital image by Lee Holland. The image was colored with Copic markers and then the image was die cut with an Alterations square die by Tim Holtz. After cutting the snowflakes with a Cricut machine some acrylic glitter paint was painted on and some added to the snow on the image . To accent the bunny's hat some Stickles were added and a dot of stickles in the center of the snowflakes for extra sparkle. All papers are from the Holly Jolly 6 x 6 paper pad by American Crafts (2015). That's it! So glad you stopped by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Addicted to Stamps: Make Your Mark
• City Crafter: Snowflakes
• Color Throwdown: Colors- Red, Green, Kraft & White 
• Cute N' Crafty Christmas: Anything Christmas
• Simon Says: Christmas

For those of you who have followed my blog for awhile you know I love bunnies and have several who live in my backyard. Here is a photo I took last month of one under my sage bush eating some alfalfa hay.

In My Thoughts Card - TMS #483

Happy happy Tuesday! It's the start of another challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches. This weeks sketch has a lot of fun elements to play around with. My card was started by choosing the sentiment and unfortunately I needed a sympathy card. A friend from high school passed away and I wanted to make her mother a card. Once the sentiment was selected I decided to use the Flourish Thinlits along with a brick stencil by Stampin' Up! A couple small butterflies from my stash were added and the edges were punched with a decorative punch from Creative Memories. The final detail was adding the bow and that's it. For all the challenge details and design team inspiration click HERE. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Sketch #483:

Cardinal Joy Card

When Newton's Nook unveiled their November release I knew I had to have the Winter Birds and Poinsettia Blooms stamp sets! So when Black Friday arrived I didn't hesitate to place my order. Then last Friday Ellen Haxelmans posted four stunning cards using the Winter Birds stamp set and I was inspired again by her designs. Tonight I made an inky background and used my new stamp sets to make this Cardinal Joy Card. The layout is from the Inky Paws Sketch #86 Challenge and patterned papers are from the Merry Merry 6 x 6 paper pad by Pebbles (2016). The sentiment was heat embossed and everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. That's it! Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for stopping by.

Challenges entered:

• Aud Sentiments: Anything Goes + Sentiment
• Inky Paws: Sketch #86
• Simon Says: 'B' us For? (Bird)
• The Crafty Addicts: Anything Christmas
• Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes

Sketch #86:

Warm Fuzzies Christmas Card

Good day! The Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop started last Friday and I finally had time to make a card. This Warm Fuzzies Christmas Card features the Warm Fuzzies stamp by Gerda Steiner. The image was colored with Copic markers and then fussy-cut. A die cut circle was used for the focal area and then some Tumbled Glass distress ink applied for some color. The cup and stocking patterned paper is from the Recollections Fireside 6 x 6 paper pad , Merry Christmas text paper is by The Paper Studio, the Shaded Spruce polka dots are by Stampin' Up! and the papers were matted to a piece of Shaded Spruce cardstock. To add a little sparkle three white snowflake sequins were added and that's it. So glad you stopped by.

Challenges entered:

• Coffee Lovers Winter Blog Hop
• Crafty Gals Corner: Anything Christmas
• Crimbo Crackers: Anything Christmas
• Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes
• Moving Along With The Times: Anything Christmas

Penguin Joy Card - TMS #482

Hello and happy Tuesday! Today is the start of a new sketch challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches and the design team has some wonderful inspiration for you. You can see all their creations and find the challenge details HERE. The sketch was designed by Melissa Craig and I thought it was perfect for some die cut snowflakes to go along with the Poppi Xmas Snowballs image by Bugaboo Stamps. We would love for you to join us this week! I hope you have time to play along.

Challenges entered:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: Anything with Critters
• Cards in Envy: Spirit of Christmas
• Cupcake Inspirations: Photo Inspiration
• Dream Valley: Christmas

Sketch #482:

Photo Inspiration:

Joyful Snowman Card

This time of year can be very hectic! I started making this Joyful Snowman Card on Saturday and I just finished it this evening. It took me awhile to decide on the colors and I finally decided on non-traditional blue and purples. The patterned papers are from the Altitude Collection by Bo Bunny and the image is called Snowman and Birds by Bugaboo Stamps. A mix of Copic and Stampin' Blends markers were used to color the image. Then a stitched rectangle die was used to cut the image which was then matted to a piece of Rich Razzleberry cardstock. The snowflakes were die cut with a Cricut machine and to give them a little sparkle I painted them with sugar cube glitter paint by Martha Stewart (it dries quickly which helps speed things along). The final addition was the Joy to the World sentiment by Stampabilities which was matted to a piece of Night of Navy cardstock. That's it! So glad you stopped by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Catch The Bug: Holiday Flurry of Chaos
• 4 Crafty Chicks: Anything Goes
• Make My Monday: Non-Traditional Christmas Colours
• Sweet Stampin': Snowmen and Snowladies
• The Paper Girls: Die Cuts

Slothy Christmas Card

Welcome! This afternoon I found a sketch at Sunday Stamps and I decided to play along. For the focal area I went with a circle to feature the sloth image from the Slothy Christmas stamp set by Newton's Nook. Copic markers were used to color the sloth (E30, E31, E43, E44, E49 and E50) and then it was die cut with the coordinating dies. To add sparkle to the sloth's hat I used some diamond Stickles. Then two die cut trees from the Forest Scene Builder set by Newton's Nook were added to give the sloth something to hang onto. The patterned paper is from the Merry Merry paper pad by Pebbles (2016). To finish off the card the sentiment was added along with three snowflake sequins. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Cute N' Crafty Christmas: Anything Christmas
• Simon Says: Anything Goes
• Sunday Stamps: Sketch, SSC192
• Tuesday Throwdown: Photo Inspiration
• Watercooler Wednesday: All About Holidays

Sketch:

Meow to the World Card - TMS #481

This past week went by super fast and now it's time to start another new challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches. The sketch this week was designed by Melissa Craig and it has a nice large focal area for you to play with. I decided to use a new stamp called Caroling Newton and coordinating dies by Newton's Nook. The patterned papers are from the Let It Snow paper pad by American Crafts (2015). We would love for you to join us this week! For all the challenge details and design team inspiration click HERE. You have until 8 pm (EST) on Sunday to link your creation. I hope to see your card in the gallery!

Challenges entered:

• Always Fun: Anything Goes
• Crafting From The Heart: Anything Goes
• Hiding In My Craft Room: Any Holiday!

Sketch #481:

Llama Christmas Card

Hello and happy Friday! If you live in the United States, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. After spending time with family and traveling back home I wanted to make a card for the Inky Paws color challenge before it ends. I decided to use the Llama Delivery stamp set by Newton's Nook to make this Llama Christmas Card. The images were colored with Copic markers and then die cut with the coordinating dies. A piece of snowflake vellum was die cut with an oval die and adhered to the fun plaid paper. Two green presents and a North Pole sign (from the Santa Paws Newton stamp set) add a little more detail. The Merry Christmas sentiment is from the retired Snow Place stamp set by Stampin' Up! and some stickles was added under the Llama to add sparkle to the "snow." That's it! I have the early shift today at work so it's off to bed for me. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Challenges entered:

• Aud Sentiments: Christmas or Winter Sentiment
• Fab 'n' Funky: Christmas
• Inky Paws: Color (red, white, green & black)
• Simon Says: Baby It's Cold Outside
• Sweet Stampin' Christmas: Anything Christmas 

Christmas Card with Penguins

Oh my! I just finished baking sugar cookies for my family Thanksgiving on Thursday and decided to share my latest card while the cookies cool. This Christmas Card with Penguins features one of my favorite images from Bugaboo Stamps called Little Penguin Decorate Tree and it was colored with Copic markers. All patterned papers are by American Crafts, Granny Apple Green cardstock by Stampin' Up! was used along with a Merry Christmas sentiment by Hero Arts. I added some twine and a snowflake charm for detail and that's about it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Cardz 4 Guyz: Christmas Critters
• Catch The Bug: Bingo (top row across)
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: Anything with Critter 
• Holly and Ivy Christmas: Anything Christmas

Grateful Heart Card - TMS #480

Good day and happy Tuesday! A new sketch challenge starts today at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's perfect to use with your patterned paper scraps. The Doodlebug Designs plaid paper on my card was actually cut for last weeks sketch card but then I changed my mind. Since it was still on my craft desk I decided it was perfect for this weeks challenge. The paper strips were cut at 1.25" x 5.25" each and matted to a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock by Stampin' Up!. The Grateful Heart sentiment was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and matted to a piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock. When it came to the bow detail, I decided to use some stamped and die cut leaves to go with the flower. That's it! We would love for you to join us this week. For all the challenge details and design team inspiration click HERE. You have until 8 pm (EST) on Sunday to link your creation. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Cute N Crafty: Anything Goes
• Just Add Ink: Big Bold Sentiment
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes 

Sketch #480:

Simple Grateful Heart Card

It's hard to believe next week is Thanksgiving! Over the next couple of days I'll be playing catch up on making my cards so I can get them in the mail on time. Needless to say when I'm pinched for time I love to utilize my patterned papers. This Simple Grateful Heart Card features patterned papers by Simple Stories from the Pumpkin Spice collection (2015) and a sentiment by Stampin' Up! from the Falling for Leaves stamp set. I've had the sentiment stamped for awhile and it was just waiting to be used. The papers were cut with the intent of using the opposite sides and I was going to use a sketch, but I turned them over, started playing around and this is how it turned out. It's simple, it's easy and it's flat for easy shipping. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Crafty Hazelnut's: November Patterned Paper
• Creative Knockouts: Thankful Thoughts
• The Creative Crafters: Anything Goes

Other versions:

Be Thankful Card - TMS #479

Hello and happy Tuesday! It's time for this weeks sketch challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches. This weeks sketch was designed by Melissa Craig and features a fun diamond shape focal area. Luckily one of my Cricut cartridges had a diamond shape that was cut at 5" then I hand trimmed the mat. We would love for you to join us this week and I can't wait to see how you use the focal area. For all the challenge details and design team inspiration click HERE.

Sketch #479:

Be Thankful Card Supplies:

• Paper: Fall Friends paper pad by Doodlebug Design Inc. (2015), Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler cardstock by Stampin' Up!
• Stamps: Harvest Tails by Newton's Nook
• Ink & Coloring: Memento black ink and Copic markers
• Other Stuff: Cricut machine, Big Shot and Harvest Tails die cuts by Newton's Nook

Challenges entered:

• Always Fun: Pumpkins
• Brown Sugar: Thankful
• Cute N Crafty: Thanksgiving/Thankful
• Inkspirational: Photo Inspiration
• Simon Says: Thanks/Thanksgiving

Poppi Cocoa Card

A warm cup of cocoa always sounds good on cold winter days! Although winter is more than a month away, the weather here in Oklahoma feels like it has arrived. That's all the excuse I need to make me a cup of cocoa and stay in my craft room.

This Poppi Cocoa Card features an image by Bugaboo Stamps called Poppi Xmas Cocoa and it was colored with Copic markers. All patterned papers are retired by Stampin' Up! and the sentiment is by Lawn Fawn from the Winter Fox mini stamp set. To add some sparkle, three light green sequins were added and stickles was used on Poppi's hat. That's it! So glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• 4 Crafty Chicks: Holiday Treats
• Catch The Bug: Something Yummy!
• Crafting With Friends: Anything Goes
• Crafty Catz: Anything Goes/Ready for Christmas Twist

Harvest Happiness Card

Well... the cooler weather has officially arrived. Yesterday it was sunny and nice and today it's rainy and cold. When I ran errands this afternoon I didn't bring a jacket and regretted it each time I got out of the car. The root beer freeze I was drinking definitely didn't help me stay warm. So, when I got home my spare jacket went in the back seat of the car. Now I'm prepared!

This Harvest Happiness Card will be one of my Thanksgiving Cards I sent to family and friends. The images are from the Harvest Tails stamp set by Newton's Nook. Copic markers were used to color the images and then they were die cut with the coordinating dies. The patterned paper is from the Fall Friends paper pad by Doodlebug Design Inc. and it was matted to Cherry Cobbler cardstock by Stampin' Up!. To add an interesting border, I tore the patterned paper in half and adhered the reverse side to peek out of the torn edges. Distress inks in Tumbled Glass and Peeled Paint were used on mixed media paper for the focal area. Once everything was adhered together the linen twine was added. That's it! So glad you stopped by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Cardz 4 Galz: Pumpkins
• City Crafter: Woodland Animals
• Creative Knockouts: Border Time
• Inky Paws: Use Burlap or Twine
• Unicorn Challenge: Use a Sentiment 

Fall Butterfly Birthday Card

Good day crafty friends! There are still a few butterflies fluttering around my flowers, but a hard freeze is expected in the next few days. The freeze will definitely put and end to the remaining annuals that have been trying to hang on. So, I was inspired to use a butterfly on this Fall Butterfly Birthday Card. The floral patterned paper is by Bo Bunny (Stay Awhile Collection) and the Granny Apple Green polka dots is by Stampin' Up!. Using Memento black ink the butterfly from the Beautiful Day stamp set by Stampin' Up! was stamped and then colored with a mix of Stampin' Blends and Copic markers. The butterfly was fussy-cut and adhered flat to the card. To finish the card the Happy Birthday Wishes sentiment from the retired Avant-Garden stamp set by Stampin' Up! was matted to a Granny Apple Green scalloped oval and adhered flat for easy shipping. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Addicted to Stamps: Make Your Mark
• Crafts Galore Encore: Anything Goes
• Creative Moments: Anything Goes
• Love To Craft: Anything Goes
• Watercooler Wednesday: Feminine Anything Goes

Happy Birthday Card - TMS #478

Hello and happy Tuesday! A few weeks ago I was invited to join the Tuesday Morning Sketches design team and today is my first share as part of the team. Sketch challenges have been a favorite of mine since I started making cards. It was Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge #184 when I started playing along back in February 2013. When I looked back through I noticed several sketches that I've used more than once. A good sketch saves time and makes my creative process much quicker. I sure hope you will join us this week and link your creation using sketch #478. For all the challenge details and design team inspiration click HERE.

To start this Happy Birthday Card I was determined to use the circle mini garland by Doodlebug Designs for the pennant detail. The hardest part was deciding what color to use for the background paper. After playing around for awhile, the gray stripes by Stampin' Up! became my choice. The Birthday Puppies image is by Bugaboo Stamps and it was colored with Copic markers. Using Memento black ink the Happy Birthday sentiment by Lawn Fawn was stamped and matted with Crushed Curry cardstock to match the twine. That's it! So glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Always Happy Birthday: Birthday Anything Goes
• Catch The Bug: Anything Goes
• Crafty Animals: Anything with Animals
• Dragonfly Dreams: Anything Goes
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes

Sketch:

Happy Hoppy Halloween!!!

Happy Hoppy Halloween!!! The trick-or-treating has begun and a sugar rush is sure to follow. We always decorate our yard and try to make it fun for the kids. Unfortunately, it is raining and that may keep some of the ghouls and goblins away. That could mean leftover candy... which I'm sure my hubby will have no problem polishing off.

After I mailed my Halloween cards to family and friends, I decided to make one more card using some of the scraps. Everything was laying around my craft desk and the image was already colored. All I had to do was trim a few pieces, die cut the bats, stamp the sentiment and adhere everything together. The orange polka dot paper really soaked up the Memento black ink I used with the sentiment. It started out much darker, but it's much lighter now. Well, that's it! I hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Challenges entered:

• Always Fun: Halloween
• Crafty Catz: Anything Goes/Halloween
• Fab 'n' Funky: Halloween
• Shopping Our Stash: Witching Hour/Halloween 

Our decorated front yard

Birthday Card with Flowers

Good day crafty friends! Today I want to share this Birthday Card with Flowers I made following the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches. To make this card I decided to use already stamped flowers from the stash I started back in 2011 of extras. Sometimes I'll just stamp a bunch of additional flowers to use later but then I forget to use them. So, after sorting through the flowers I found three that were stamped with the same ink color and selected them to use on this card. The Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede leaves were stamped using the Fab Flowers stamp set by Lawn Fawn and die cut with the coordinating dies. Following the sketch I took the literal approach and used polka dots and stripes as shown using paper by Stampin' Up!. The damask background paper is from the Double Dot Damask paper pad by Bo Bunny. The Happy Birthday sentiment is by Print Works Collection and some Nuvo Crystal Drops in Chocolate Fondue was added to the center of the flowers. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Addicted to Stamps: Anything Goes
• Die Cuttin Divas: Anything Goes
• Simon Says: Anything Goes
• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #477
• Watercooler Wednesday: Anything Goes

Sketch:

Stash of stamped flowers

Just a Note Card with Cat

Hello and happy Monday! Today is National Cat Day and we are certainly a pro cat household. Our cats are a constant source of entertainment and joy. Although, there is a lot of work involved in keeping the litter boxes clean, washing their blankets and providing for all their needs. We wouldn't change a thing... they are our family and life would be boring without them.

This Just a Note Card with Cat was made using the color challenge at Catch The Bug. After selecting the patterned papers and layout, I decided to add stitching for extra detail. The digital Cute Kitty image by Bugaboo Stamps was colored with Copic markers and die cut with a stitched circle die. A retired sentiment from Stampin' Up! was added along with a small butterfly from the Newton's Birdbath stamp set by Newton's Nook. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Cardz 4 Galz: Let's Go Digital
• Catch The Bug: Colors
• Sunny Day Crafting: Use an Animal 

Halloween Cards are Mailed!

After all the cards have been carefully made it's always a big relief to get them mailed! This year I ended up making fourteen cards. I made a few extras because there are a couple I didn't want to give away. Here is the last card I made using the Halloween Trio stamp set by Newton's Nook:

It's one I'm keeping or I'll give it to my hubby. The background was made with distress oxide inks and the patterned paper is from the Trick or Treat paper pad by Pebbles (2016). Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered: Crafty Creations (Anything Goes), Crafty Gals Corner (Halloween Colours), Simon Says (Halloween/Spooky) and Watercooler Wednesday (All About Holidays). 

BOO Halloween Card

Happy Monday! This morning I made this BOO Halloween Card using a die cut set (DIE325-V) by Impression Obsession. I wanted a simple and quick card to send to the younger boys in the family. The ghost patterned paper has been in my stash for many years and it's by Adorn It from the Hocus Pocus collection. Silver glimmer paper by Stampin' Up! was used for the BOO die cut. The little bat is from a punch by Stampin' Up! and the ghost and cat are both dies from the set. That's it!

Challenges entered: Lil Patch of Crafty Friends (Anything Goes), Pause Dream Enjoy (Cards Any Theme),  Simon Says (Halloween/Spooky) and Die Cut Divas (Autumn/Halloween).

Candy Rabbit Halloween Card

Hello! Hopefully you're having a great week. I'm still working on my Halloween cards so I can get them in the mail on time. To make this Candy Rabbit Halloween Card I used the sketch from the Inky Paws Challenge. The images and sentiment are from the Hoppy Halloween stamp set by Newton's Nook. Since mixing patterned papers is one of my favorite parts about making handmade cards, I used three different papers on this card. The candy paper is from the Trick or Treat paper pad by Pebbles (2016), purple watercolor by Ms. Sparkle & Co (Joann's) and Cool Lime paper by The Paper Studio. Some retired Halloween twine from Stampin' Up! was added and then the focal circle adhered with dimensionals. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Cute Card Thursday: Food/Drink
• If You Give a Crafter a Cookie: Photo Inspiration
• Inky Paws: Sketch #83
• Simon Says: Animal Antics
• Southern Girls: Critter Crazy

Halloween Trio Card

Good day crafty friends! It's getting closer to Halloween and I'm behind on making my cards. I got a really bad sinus cold a couple of weeks ago and I'm just now starting to feel better. It's been years since I got a cold that bad and I didn't want to contaminate my crafting supplies. So that means I'll start making multiples of the cards I create instead of many different designs. I made three of this Halloween Trio Card. The design is all the same but the patterned papers change and the colors used on the image vary some. Distress oxide inks were used to create the background and then it was die cut with a deckle die by Tim Holtz. The image is by Newton's Nook and it's called Halloween Trio. A coordinating die was used the cut out the image and the little bats are from the same set. The yellow moon was added and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Aud Sentiments: Halloween/Fall Sentiment
• Cards in Envy: Something Spooky
• Cute Card Thursday: Halloween
• Sweet Stampin': Halloween  
• The Sisterhood of Crafters: Cute Spooks

Another version:

Fab Flowers Birthday Card

Hello and happy Wednesday! Today would have been my sister's 42nd birthday and although she has passed on I made this card in honor of her birthday. I had just started making cards before she passed away in 2011. The only handmade card I gave her was for Valentine's Day the month before she passed. Making cards became a form of therapy after she passed away and it continues to help me cope with everyday stresses.

For this Fab Flowers Birthday Card I selected colors I thought my sister would like for the flowers and used the Fab Flowers stamp set by Lawn Fawn. The Happy Birthday die cut is by Stampin' Up! and Blueberry Bushel cardstock was used. It took awhile to get the die cuts positioned and everything was adhered flat. The background paper is a subtle gray woodgrain and frayed burlap distress ink was sponged along the edges. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Always Happy Birthday: Anything Birthday Goes
• City Crafter: Into the Woods
• Pause Dream Enjoy: Any Card
• Tuesday Throwdown: Anything Goes
• The Cutie Pie: Going Girly
• Watercooler Wednesday: All About Occasions