Something Sweet Photo Inspiration Challenge

Welcome back to our next challenge. It's been said that chocolate is a girl's best friend and since Valentine's Day is quickly approaching you're sure to enjoy this photo inspiration challenge. Even if you're allergic to chocolate, you're certain to find Something Sweet to help inspire your handmade card creations. We hope you will play along in our Something Sweet Photo Inspiration Challenge.

Inspirational Designs:

Erin's Card using Bugaboo Chocolate image

Andrea's Card using Doodle Pantry Chocolate Box image

Chocolate Chip patterned paper by Paper Pizazz.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Create a New card using the challenge theme, no linking to old posts. 
2. Only one entry per blog address.
3. This is a card only challenge.
4. You must use a stamp, either rubber or digital.
5. You can combine this challenge with other challenges.
6. Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to this challenge. Please provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
7. All brands of stamping products are welcome.
8. HAVE FUN!!!

The challenge will run for 12 days, 1/31/2014 - 2/11/2014.

Furry Friends Winner

A big heartfelt thanks to everyone who entered their creations in the Furry Friends Challenge. There was a lot of furry cuteness going on and it was a pleasure to visit your blogs. The winner of the challenge is:

Susan Kennedy from Scraps A Thousand Words

Susan's card is full of detail and dimension and her coloring is marvelous. Thanks for playing along Susan! I'll send you an email to request your address for the challenge prize.

Come back tomorrow for a new photo inspiration challenge.

Handmade Anniversary Card

One of my coworkers asked me to make her a Handmade Anniversary Card to give her husband. I found this request to be quite challenging. The only detail she gave me was the color maroon, it was their wedding color. I started by searching for the right image and was delighted to find this Milk Shake image by Kenny K. I colored the image with Copic markers and a classic stampin' pad in Baja Breeze applied with a blender pen. The patterned papers are from my retired stash of Stampin' Up!. For the sentiment I used a stamp by Verve Stamps and used the scissors to cut the banner. The scalloped border is a die cut from the Adorning Accents Edgelits set by Stampin' Up! The layout isn't fancy but I really like the Baja Breeze and Bravo Burgundy colors together. I guess that about sums it up. Thanks for stopping by!

My Handmade Anniversary Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Party Time Tuesdays: Anything Goes
• Everybody-Art Challenge: Heart
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes
• My Craft Spot: Polka Dots

Kitty Cat Thank You Card

***Click here for the Furry Friends Challenge***

It's celebration time!!! I've reached 100 followers and that makes me very happy. In fact, I'm so happy that if you're one of my followers and you leave me a comment on this post I'm going to randomly give away a prize. The prize is a surprise but I think that makes it fun. 

Okay, onto my card. This Kitty Cat Thank You Card was made for the vets and staff at Feline Specialties in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They really helped us with my late crafting buddy and I wanted to show our appreciation. It's been four weeks and I've tried several times to color this kitty image but every time my eyes would well with tears and I just couldn't do it, until today. One small step in the healing process. Well, I really appreciate you stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

My Kitty Cat Thank You Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Kenny K: Use Black
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes
• Sweet Stampin': In Stitches
• Moving Along with the Times: Cats
• Pile it On: Animals

My late crafting buddy.

Cute Dragon Birthday Card

My intentions were not to stay up late making a card....but, I realized I only had 5 hours to enter my fourth card in the Bugaboo Birthday Celebration. So, I made this Cute Dragon Birthday Card for the kids birthday card challenge. I had my youngest niece in mind when I made it, her birthday is in April. Well, it's late! Thanks for stopping by!!!

This Cute Dragon Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Seize the Birthday: Coloring
• CCEE Stampers: Bright Flowers
• Creative Knockouts: Birthday Time
• Sister Act: Anything Goes

Collecting Wrinkles Birthday Card

Time really got away from me tonight! I just looked at the clock, so this is going to be a super quick post. I made this Collecting Wrinkles Birthday Card for my boss. He is turning 50 next week. I had a hard time deciding between a classy traditional card or a humorous card. As you can see I went with humor. This Collecting Wrinkles Birthday Card features a Bugaboo Digi Stamp called Gus Birthday - Collect Wrinkles. The Gus image cracks me up and since Gus is holding a clock, I used clock patterned paper. Well, it's getting late. Thanks for stopping by!!!

My Collecting Wrinkles Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Catch the Bug: Humorous Birthday
• Creative Knockouts: Birthday Time
• Charisma Cardz: It's a Boy Thing!
• Digi Sketch: One for the Men
• Ooh La La: A Man Card

Chubby Mouse Birthday Card

This afternoon I had some spare time to make this Chubby Mouse Birthday Card. I was inspired by the color challenge at the Bugaboo Birthday celebration. The bright colors are a nice change from the winter hues. When trying to decide on an image, I remembered I had this Fat Mice - Flower image by Bugaboo Digi Stamps that I had never used. I colored the fat mouse with my Copic Markers and paper pieced the flower. The sentiment stamp is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set by Stampin' Up! I used a polka dot embossing folder on the lime green paper and a Fiskars three petal corner punch on the black background paper. I decided to use a layered center focused design. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Well...I hope you have a great night and thanks for stopping by!

My Chubby Mouse Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Catch the Bug: Color Challenge
•   Divas by Design: Anything Goes
• Crafty Sentiments Designs: Birthdays
• The Paper Shelter: Digi Image + Sentiment

Sweet Cupcake Valentine Card

Welcome to all my new followers! I'm only one follower shy of hitting 100. Whoo hoo!!! Today I have another card I made for the Cards from the Heart card drive. This Sweet Cupcake Valentine Card is a simple layout with minimal supplies. I'm trying really hard to adhere to the rules and that means no bling. The black scribble heart patterned paper is from The Paper Studio and the cupcake stamp is from the dollar bin at Michael's. The cupcake liner was paper pieced using some scrap paper from my stash. I used a 2" circle punch and a 2-3/8" scalloped circle punch. The XOXO sentiment stamp is by Stampabilities and the final touch was a smidge of cherry cobbler dazzling details on the cupcake heart. Well that about sums it up. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

My Sweet Cupcake Valentine Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Throwdown: Baked Goods
• Sweet Stamps: Anything Goes
• Just Inspirational: Anything Goes
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes

Robot Valentine's Card

Hello! I hope you had a marvelous Monday. This evening I made this Robot Valentine's Card for the Cards from the Heart card drive. You still have a few days left to make some cards and get them in the mail, just click the link for the rules and mailing address. The robot image is a sticker that I found at Target in their seasonal Valentine's area. The patterned papers are by American Crafts and the sentiment is from the Little Lovin' stamp set by TPC Studios. Thanks for stopping by and have a great night and pleasant tomorrow!







My Robot Valentine's Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Make It Monday: Anything Goes
• Simply Create Too: Valentine's Day or Hearts
• My Time to Craft: All About Love
• Dream Valley Challenge: Boys/Men
• A Gem of a Challenge: For the Boys

One Layer Valentine's Card

The thought of a one layer card can be a little scary! I love using patterned paper and layers in my creations. When you take all those options away it can be hard to figure out where to start. This weeks challenge at The Paper Players is to create a One Layer Valentine's Card. I decided to play along and to focus on one of my favorite techniques of embossing to create my card. The supplies for this card are very minimal. I used the Framed Tulips embossing folder, Dazzling Details, the new Flowerfull Heart stamp, classic stampin' pad in Strawberry Slush, VersaMark stamp pad, Iridescent Ice emboss powder, Love You sentiment by TPC Studios, and classic stampin' pad in Smoky Slate.  All the supplies except one stamp are by Stampin' Up! I have to admit that even without layers the sparkle and embossing on this card creates enough interest. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

My One Layer Valentine's Card is entered into the following challenges:

• The Paper Players: One Layer Valentine
•  CAS on Sunday: Lovey Dovey
• Simply Create Too: Valentine's Day or Hearts

Yummy Cupcake Birthday Card

My favorite cupcakes are chocolate cake with white icing... yum! One of the challenges to celebrate Bugaboo Digi Stamp's fourth birthday is a bingo challenge. When I read the choices (I went with the bottom row across) I knew I had to make a card using their Cupcake - Cherry on Top image. To create this Yummy Cupcake Birthday Card I paper pieced the cupcake liner with striped paper, used puffy paint for the icing and added some dazzling details to the cherry. To add some contrast I stitched around the edge of the card with black thread and added three black candy dots. The sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts and all patterned papers are retired by Stampin' Up!. Thanks for stopping by and have a great night and pleasant tomorrow!!!

My Yummy Cupcake Birthday Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Catch The Bug: Bingo - Birthday Theme
• Stampin' for the Weekend: Happy Birthday
• Digi Designs: Spots and Dots
• Digitally Sweet: Anything Goes
• Frosted Designs: Polka Dots
• Patti's Creations: Stitching, Faux or Real

Furry Friends Challenge

Welcome to Savvy Handmade Cards. We have a theme challenge for you this time. The theme is to use Furry Friends on your handmade card creation. This challenge is in honor of my late Crafting Buddy who passed away on Dec. 30th, 2013. I know many of you have a beloved pet who hangs out with you as you're crafting. They become part of our creative process and their absence can make that process difficult. I hope you will play along with this challenge and take this chance to honor your crafting buddy.

My late Crafting Buddy loved boxes!!!

Inspirational Designs:

Erin's Card using Bugaboo - Dog Heart Topper

Andrea's Card using From the Heart - Kitten with Heart

Entered into the From the Heart: January Challenge

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Create a New card using the challenge theme, no linking to old posts. 
2. Only one entry per blog address.
3. This is a card only challenge.
4. You must use a stamp, either rubber or digital.
5. You can combine this challenge with other challenges.
6. Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to this challenge. Please provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
7. All brands of stamping products are welcome.
8. HAVE FUN!!!

The challenge will run for 12 days, 1/17/2013 - 1/28/2013.

Feather Photo Challenge Winner

A BIG thank you to each participant in our Feather Photo Inspiration Challenge. We really enjoyed visiting your blogs and admiring your creations. It's always fun to see all the different interpretations that each of you come up with. The winner of the challenge is:

Sharna W. from Sharna Anne's Blog of Cards & Crafty Things

Sharna's casual design and die cut feathers captured the criteria for the challenge perfectly. Thanks for playing along Sharna and I will send you an email to request your mailing address for the challenge prize. 

Come back tomorrow for a fun theme challenge.

Chevron Heart Card

Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a wonderful day. It is super windy today which has made for a great day to stay inside and make a few cards. I hope you've decided to make some cards for the Cards from the Heart Card Drive. If you need more information you can see my post below or click the link provided. To create this Chevron Heart Card I used the sketch from the challenge at Your Next Stamp. The Chevron Heart stamp is by Hero Arts. I used the rock and roll technique with classic stampin' pads in Real Red and Cherry Cobbler and then I fussy cut the image. I added some stitching detail, glitter tape, and to add a little pizzazz I used the Dot Flourishes stamp by Inkadinkado. The checkered patterned paper is from American Crafts and the polka dots are from the retired neutrals dsp by Stampin' Up!. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.

My Chevron Heart Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Your Next Stamp: Sketch/Photo Inspiration 
• DL.ART Thankful Thursday: Hearts
• Pattie's Creations: Stitching Faux or Real
• The Crafter's Cafe: Anything Goes
• Sister Act: Anything Goes
• Pile It On: Holidays/Celebrations

Heart Monkey Valentine's Card

It's time again to start making cards for the children at the hospital on Valentine's Day. The last two years I have participated in the Cards from the Heart Card Drive organized by Winter Sims. I urge you to participate! It's a lot of fun to make cards for a good cause. This Heart Monkey Valentine's Card is my first card for this year. I usually make several of each design and I stay with simple details to make sure I follow the rules. She is accepting cards until January 31st. Here are the rules and details that I copied and pasted from her blog:

As always, here are some of the guidelines from the hospital's and a few of mine. (Please read carefully.)
* Cards need to be a Valentine theme.
* Cards can't have anything about 'Get Well Soon', 'Feel Better', or anything reminding them of being sick. (Only Valentine Cards)
* Please make cards that can be used for any gender or age. (This could be a little tricky, but I think you can handle it!) :)
* No buttons or anything that can be pulled off and become a chocking hazard.
* Cards MUST be able to fit into a 4 1/2 X 5 3/4 envelope (A2 size, but can be smaller, just not bigger). I CANNOT use them if they are bigger! (I will provide clear envelopes for each card, so there is no need to send one with your card.) The clear envelopes make it easier when they hand them out to the kids.
* You can include a message in the inside, but please remember, nothing reminding them of being sick. (Maybe just a Valentine sentiment.) You can also sign your first name and what state you are from.
*I will be excepting cards for the whole month of January. ( Jan. 1 - Jan. 31, Please don't send any after that, because I have to send them off so they will get to the hospitals in time for Valentine's Day.) At the end of the month, I will draw names for prizes.The more cards you send, the more times your name goes into the drawing to win prizes. Let your kids get involved too! I will be adding more prizes and sponsors, often.  :)
* Please send a piece of paper with your name, address, email address, and the amount of cards you sent. (It will help when I have the drawings.) A lot of the prizes will be sent from the sponsor, so I NEED to have your email address for sure!
*Please send cards to me at:

Winter Sims
"Cards from the Heart Card Drive"
P.O. Box 754
Warren, TX 77664

* If anyone wants to donate a prize for the drawings, please email me with the details at wintersims1@aol.com .
*You are welcome to use the Card Drive badge on your blog to spread the word, just remember to save it to your computer first.

I know it seems like there are A LOT of rules, but they are the hospital's rules and we want to obey them, to keep the kids safe. So I hope you will join us again for another great year and help us put some smiles on those sweet kids faces on Valentines Day! :)
Go here to check out the Sponsors and Prizes.

If you have any questions, please just send me and email at: wintersims1@aol.com

My Heart Monkey Valentine's Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Simply Create Too: Anything Goes
• Sister Act: Anything Goes
• Polkadoodles: Anything Goes

Feather Photo Inspiration Challenge

Welcome to Savvy Handmade Cards bi-weekly challenge. Today is the start of a Feather Photo Inspiration Challenge. You can use stamps, digital stamps or real feathers on your card. We can't wait to see how this photo inspires your creativity.

Inspirational Designs:

Erin's Card using Owls on a Fence digital stamp

Andrea's Card using rubber stamp by Inkadinkado

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Create a New card using the challenge theme, no linking to old posts. 
2. Only one entry per blog address.
3. This is a card only challenge.
4. You must use a stamp, either rubber or digital.
5. You can combine this challenge with other challenges.
6. Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to this challenge. Please provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
7. All brands of stamping products are welcome.
8. HAVE FUN!!!

Challenge Prize, 6 x 6 papers and punched hearts.

The challenge will run for 12 days, 1/3/2013 - 1/14/2013.

Reindeer Games Winner

December was a busy month and I really appreciate each of the challenge entries for the Reindeer Games challenge. The winner is:

Lols from Lorraine's Loft

The crisp look of Lol's card and the adorable red nosed reindeer were perfect contenders in our reindeer games challenge. I will send you an email with your prize code to Bugaboo Digi Stamps. Thanks to Bugaboo for sponsoring the Reindeer Games challenge.

 

Come back tomorrow for a new photo challenge! Have a wonderful day!!!