Happy Mail Card

There are only hours left to play along in the Inky Paws Challenge. It's a sketch challenge and the Newton's Nook design team created some wonderful examples. I decided to play with the Newton's Happy Mail stamp set along with the coordinating die and the tiny flowers are from the Winston's Honeybees stamp set. After selecting the stamp sets I decided on patterned paper by Doodlebug Designs. The gingham was a scrap from an older paper pad and the polka dots are from the Spring Things paper pad. A white piece of cardstock was turned blue using a brayer and Tumbled Glass distress ink. The images and sentiment were stamped using Memento black ink and then colored with Copic markers. After layering the patterned papers onto a piece of Daffodil Delight cardstock by Stampin' Up!, some pink twine by was wrapped around and secured to the back with tape. Finally, it was ready to adhere to the card base and the bow was tied. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Happy Mail Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Inky Paws: Sketch
• Just Add Ink: Just Add Critters
• Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes

Keepsake Box with Photo Tutorial

Do you have lots of patterned paper scraps laying around waiting to be used? If so, a Keepsake Box is a fun project and makes a great gift. I made this Keepsake Box for my youngest niece's birthday. She keeps all the cards I send to her and now she has a special Keepsake Box made especially for her. The list of supplies are simple: Mod Podge, foam brushes, plain photo storage box, patterned paper, embellishments, your favorite Bugaboo Digi Stamps and markers.

First, gather your supplies and layout some newspaper to protect your work surface.

Second, decide how you want to arrange your patterned papers and trim as needed. I found the thinner papers work best on areas that you need to bend.

Third, start painting the photo box with the Mod Podge in sections, place your patterned paper and smooth with your fingers as you go. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the top of the paper making sure the sides seal. Continue this process over the entire storage box.

Fourth, select your digital images. I used colored images because they are vibrant and quick. However, you have to be careful applying the Mod Podge to the top because the ink has a tendency to smear. I colored one image with Copic markers and had no problem with smearing. Die cut images to the desired size.

Fifth, select any embellishments you desire. I used sticker letters to spell my niece's name and several punched butterflies from my box of extras.

Note: You will need to allow drying time for the sides of the box before turning and working. A second coat of Mod Podge can be applied after the first coat is dry.

Here is the finished Keepsake Box:

Front

Lid/Top

Side

Side

Back

Thanks for stopping by and I hope this project has inspired you to use those paper scraps along with a few of your favorite Bugaboo Digi Stamps.

Stop and Smell the Coffee Card

If there is a flower that smells like coffee I would want that flower! The smell/aroma of coffee is one of my favorites! I love grinding my own coffee beans, it makes the kitchen smell yummy and makes a good cup of coffee. I still have a drip coffee maker by Bonavita and I really like it. I make a strong pot and then put the leftovers in the refrigerator for iced coffee the next day. Truth be told, I prefer cold brewed or iced coffee. It has to be really cold outside before I drink hot coffee. Okay, I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know about my coffee preferences.

Onto this Stop and Smell the Coffee Card! I was inspired by several rainbow colored coffee cards at the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and I decided to use an image by Bugaboo Digi Stamps called Coffee Time - Smell The Coffee. This image has been in my stash since 2011 and it's still one of my favorites. I colored the image with Copic markers and then it was die cut using a stitched rectangle die by Lil' Inkers. The plaid patterned paper is by Lawn Fawn and I added some punched grass using a Fiskars punch with Green Apple cardstock from Simon Says Stamp. Some purple twine from The Twinery, the sentiment from the image set and three sequins finished the card. That's it! I thought about adding a butterfly and then forgot until after I took the pictures. So, if you want to envision a little yellow butterfly on the right top corner of the image it just might live there. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Stop and Smell the Coffee Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Cute Card Thursday: Spring Fever!
• Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes
• Aud Sentiments: Any Sentiment except Birthday
• Coffee Loving Cardmakers: Spring Blog Hop

Color Challenge and Card

Happy Saturday! I hope you have some time this weekend to get crafty and play along with the color challenge starting today at Catch The Bug. To get all the challenge details and design team inspiration click here.

The colors are bright and cheerful! When I first saw the color inspiration photo I knew I wanted to use the Cute Dragon image to make my card. It's perfect to color green and add the purple flower. However I didn't realize the image is retired, sorry. Although, Bugaboo has several other really cute dragons to choose from click here. To work the remaining colors in I relied on patterned paper scraps for the background. Then I added three die cuts: Stitched Sun by Lil' Inkers, Sending Smiles sentiment and grass both by Impression Obsession. That's it!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a happy and crafty weekend!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Pattie's Creations: Image with Wings
• 4 Crafty Chicks: Punches or Dies
• Southern Girls: Use a Die Cut

Card using Complementary Colors

Crafty coffee lovers unite four times a year to have a fun and inspiration filled time at the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop organized and hosted by the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog. The Spring hop started today and there are already some amazing inspiration to get your crafty mojo going. For this card I used my two favorite Complementary Colors... Purple and Yellow. A little green and orange were used for a pop of color. The digital image is by Jessica Lynn Original and she is offering it as a freebie during the hop, so hurry to get yours click here. Copic markers were used to color the image then it was die cut with a cross-stitched oval die by My Favorite Things and matted to a scalloped frame by Avery Elle. Two green banners and purple brads were used to accent the image. The corners of the purple polka dot paper by Echo Park were punched with a decorative corner punch by Creative Memories and that's about it. Thanks for stopping by I hope you have time to join the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Simple Coffee Themed Card

Hello crafty friends! Today is the start of the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, so I made this Simple Coffee Themed Card to share. The patterned papers are from the Cream & Sugar paper pad by Doodlebug Design Inc. and I used a digital image from Craftin Desert Diva called Coffee Time Bunny. The sentiment is from a stamp set called Coffee Break by Your Next Stamp. Three heart sequins finished off the card and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and have fun during the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Birthday Wishes Card

Happy Friday! I have a quick post to share this Birthday Wishes Card I made using the Bugaboo Digi Stamps Freebie Friday image called A Little Sketchy - Izzy Balloons. My niece is turning thirteen soon, so I made this card with her in mind. The image was colored with Copic markers, trimmed and matted to gray cardstock. A Birthday Wishes die cut by Impression Obsession was added along the side and adhered flat to the card. As usual I've mixed several different patterned papers, added some twine for detail and three pink sequins for sparkle. That's it!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Garden Cat Hugs Card

Hello crafty friends! Since I started this blog back in 2012 I've been playing along with challenges at Catch The Bug and the Stella Says Sketch  challenge has always been one of my favorites. I'm excited to share this Garden Cat Hugs Card with you as a Guest Designer for the challenge. Click here for the sketch, challenge details and design team inspiration. It's a bi-weekly challenge, so you have some time to play along. I hope to see your card in the gallery!

This Garden Cat - Plant Pot image is one of the first digital images I purchased and I've used it several times. I think the cat looks sad, so I usually use it for an encouragement card. The image was colored with Copic markers, trimmed and matted to Watermelon Wonder cardstock by Stampin' Up!. All patterned paper is from the Echo Park Just Be You paper pad. Other cardstock colors include: Daffodil Delight and Mint Macaroon by Stampin' Up!. The {{HUGS}} sentiment is from a Fiskars Hello Fabulous stamp set. A stamped flower from the Flower Shop stamp set by Stampin' Up! was added with a circle glitter sticker by Jolee's in the center and that finishes the card. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

I'm entering this Garden Cat Hugs Card into the following challenges:

• Hiding in My Craft Room: 3 Designer Papers
• Brown Sugar: Anything Goes
• Crafty Catz: Anything Goes w/ Twist: Touch of Pink

Bingo at Catch The Bug

Happy Saturday! Do you like bingo challenges? They are one of my favorites! Today is the start of a bingo challenge at Catch The Bug and you're invited to play along. Click here for all the challenge details and design team inspiration.

When selecting which row to play with, I could have gone several different ways but selected the right hand row down: Bugaboo Image, Flower and Stripes. The deciding factor was the colors in the Bo Bunny striped paper from the Butterfly Kisses paper pad. I really wanted a purplish boot and the paper had the right color stripe to match my Copic markers. The Bugaboo image is called Spring Boot and it's the FREEBIE this week, so make sure to get yours click here. Once the image was colored it was die cut with a pierced oval and scalloped frame set by Avery Elle. Cardstock colors include: Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi and Whisper White by Stampin' Up!. The Blushing Bride Flower was stamped using a retired set called Polka Dot Pieces by Stampin' Up! and the sentiment is from the current Watercolor Wings stamp set. The last detail was adding the polka dot butterfly along with three tiny adhesive pearls. That's it! I do hope you will play along with the challenge this week.

This Spring Boot For You Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Alphabet Challenge: A for Anything with Wings
• Craft Rocket Challenge: Make It Feminine
• Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day! 

Love and Luck Card

Hello and happy St. Patrick's Day! I know not everyone celebrates this occasion but I enjoy making St. Patrick's Day Cards. Probably because one of my favorite colors is green. To make this Love and Luck Card I used a freebie image courtesy of IKEsART and colored it with Copic markers. One of my kitties was the inspiration for the coloring. He really has unusual markings and is the sweetest kitty. He loves to lay on a green cotton rug and request a belly rub, so I colored some green underneath the image.  I added a few gold accents along with a pot of gold sticker by Jolee's. The papers and sentiment stamp have been in my stash for a long time. Thanks for stopping by and....

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

This Love and Luck Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Shopping Our Stash: Luck O' the Irish
• Show Us Your Pussies: Anything Goes or St. CAT-rick's Day
• Unicorn Challenge: Go Green

Newton's Cake Day Card

There are many things that make my "favorite" list and two of those things are Cats & Cupcakes!  When Newton's Nook recently released their Newton Loves Cake stamp set it was quickly added to my shopping cart. This card was made to play along with the current Inky Paws Birthday Challenge. I wanted to keep the colors more masculine to join the Crafting By Designs Challenge and because I'll probably give this card to my hubby on his next birthday.  I'm also entering it into the Crafty Creations Anything Goes Challenge. To color the image I used Copic markers, Newton is colored to look like our first kitty we had together using warm gray tones. The rest of the colors were selected to coordinate with the patterned paper. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Newton's Cake Day Card Supplies:

• Paper: Whisper White cardstock, patterned paper from We R Memory Keepers Cakes and Candles paper pad, and X-Press It Blending Cardstock. 
• Stamps: Newton Loves Cake by Newton's Nook
• Inks & Coloring: Memento Black ink and Copic markers.
• Other Stuff: Taylored Expressions frame 2 frame cutting plate, yellow sequins and adhesive. 

Be Joyful Gift Tag

Tag and/or bookmarks is the theme for this weeks challenge at Tuesday Throwdown. It's fun to switch things up and do something different and we would love for you to join the challenge this week. Our wonderful sponsor is Joy Clair and they graciously provided the design team with the Uh-Oh Ink Splatter Clear Stamp Set to make our inspirational creations. Click here for all the challenge details and design team inspiration. You have until mid-day on Monday, March 20th to link your tag and/or bookmark.

To create this Be Joyful Gift Tag I started with a precut chipboard gift tag by East of India. They are really sturdy, so I decided to paint a base layer of Martha Stewart glitter paint. Once it was dry I stamped the splatter design using Staz On Jet Black ink and then it was outlined with Nuvo Crystal Drops in Caribbean Ocean. Joy Clair also provided the cute Be Joyful Bird stamp but I couldn't find it on their website. The bird was colored with Copic markers and then punched with a 2" circle punch. A piece of Pool Party cardstock was die cut with a slightly larger stitched circle die and used to mat the bird image. Two yellow gingham banners were punched and adhered to the back of the circle for detail. Dimensionals were used to adhere the image to the tag, that's it!

This Be Joyful Gift Tag is entered into the following challenges:

• Get Creative: Favorite Color Combo 
• Love to Create: Anything Creative/Mixed Media Goes
• 613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes/Twist: Stamped Images Only

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Spring Duck Hi Card

Hello and thank goodness for Saturday! I hope you get to enjoy the day and do something crafty. You're welcome to play along in the new challenge starting today at Catch The Bug, the theme is Birds, Bees or Butterflies. The design team have made some wonderful inspiration to share with you! Click here for all the challenge details and design team creations. I hope you can join the fun!

The Spring Duck image is one of my favorites! It was colored with Copic markers and then die cut with a stitched square by Lil' Inkers. I combined papers from several different companies. First is a layer of Daffodil Delight cardstock by Stampin' Up!, second is red gingham by Pebbles (America the Beautiful Collection), third is Field of Flowers by Photo Play (Happy Glamper Collection) and last is Grass Paper by Creating Keepsakes (date on the paper is 2002, so it's been around for awhile). The Hi (that's all) sentiment is from the retired Sale-A-Bration Party Pants stamp set by Stampin' Up!. Some twine and three green sequins are the finishing accents and that's it.

This Spring Duck Hi Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Crafting by Designs: Use 3 Patterned Papers
• Make My Monday: Colours of the Rainbow
• Color Inspiration Monday: Hand Colored Image

Skunk Thinking of You Card

Spring is a busy time at Wild Heart Ranch, they are a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group in NE Oklahoma. I've probably "liked" all their posts on their Facebook page and I enjoy following the work they do. Every animal has a story and most end up in their care because of an injury or weather event that separates them from their mother's care. Most animals are treated and released when they can make it on their own. Recently, I read about their blind skunk who had lived with them for several years passing away. He was allowed to roam free in their clinic and his passing has left many of their staff heartbroken. Well, shortly after I read their post I came across this cute skunk stamp by Unity Stamps called That Stinks and I knew I needed to make them a card. So, here it is a Skunk Thinking of You Card.

All patterned papers are from American Crafts (Spring collection 2013), Copic markers were used to color the image and then it was die cut with a stitched circle die by My Favorite Things. The sentiment stamp and little butterfly are both from stampin' Up! and that pretty much sums it up. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Skunk Thinking of You Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Crafty Gals Corner: Polka Dots and/or Stripes
• Addicted to Stamps: Make Your Mark
• C.R.A.F.T.: Easter/Spring

RIP- Skunk from Wild Heart Ranch

Shamrock Sheep Card

Happy Friday! I have a quick post to share a card I made for my parents for St. Patrick's Day. My parents raise sheep, so I used the cute Shamrock Sheep image from Bugaboo Digi Stamps. The layout is from Stella Says Sketch #505 and it's perfect to use paper scraps from that ever growing pile. Copic markers were used to add some color to the sheep image and then it was die cut with a stitched circle die by My Favorite Things. To add some texture I used a new Spellbinders embossing folder (which I found out isn't compatible with a Big Shot), so I had to cram it through my Texture Boutique. Green glitter tape was added before the image was adhered with dimensionals. Accents were added in accordance with the sketch and that's it!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Shamrock Sheep Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Catch The Bug: Stella Says Sketch
• Creative Knockouts: Lots of Green
• Cut It Up: Think Green!

My niece at the Tulsa State Fair 2016.

Fun Pot Holders

This past Christmas I made pot holders as gifts for family. After Christmas I posted some photos to Facebook and one of my friends from high school asked if I would make her a couple. I had her share a picture of her favorite kitchen decor items to give me an idea on color and patterns she likes. Having a picture made it easy to select fabrics that would coordinate with her kitchen. These two fun pot holders are the finished product. I hope she loves them!

In the mailing package I included a card to thank her for letting me make her pot holders. Almost all the supplies on the card are retired by Stampin' Up! with the exception of the bitty butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set.

This Just for You Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Making Memories: Lots of Layers
• Scrapper's Delight: Anything Goes
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Anything Goes at Catch The Bug

Hello crafty friends! I'm excited to be a Guest Designer at the Catch The Bug Challenge for the next two months. Bugaboo Digi Stamps was my very first purchase of digital images and they remain one of my favorites to use. If you haven't heard of Bugaboo... then you must check them out HERE.

Today is the start of an Anything Goes Challenge at Catch The Bug and that means all you have to do is link your new creation to the challenge. Using a Bugaboo image is not required, but if you have them you know you want to use them. Click here for all the wonderful design team inspiration and challenge details. Three winners will be randomly drawn for three digi prize packs.

To make this card I used the Raggedy Angel - Stars image and colored it with Copic markers. I made the image fairly large and framed it with Basic Gray cardstock die cut with a Scalloped Frame by Taylored Expressions. The starry paper is from Recollections and the plaid is by Lawn Fawn. To finish off the card a Thinking of You sentiment by Stampin' Up! was adhered with dimensionals and three sequins added for sparkle. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Angel Thinking of You Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Little Red Wagon: March Birthstone
• Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
• Simply Papercraft: Anything Goes

Lots of Green at Simply Create Too

The month of March is well on it's way and this month is notorious for shamrocks, leprechauns and the color green. Although St. Patrick's Day is not celebrated by everyone, we would love to see Lots of Green in your crafty creations for the challenge at Simply Create Too. The challenge is open for a month, so you have until March 31st to link your creation. Click here to enter the challenge and for all the lovely green inspiration from the design team.

When deciding on the occasion for this card I considered making a St. Patrick's Day card because I do mail a few. However, I send a lot more Easter cards and really wanted to use the hatching chick image by Angie's Stamps. The image was colored with Copic markers and then die cut with a stitched circle die by My Favorite Things. After searching through patterned papers I decided on the small green floral paper by American Crafts from their Heartland Farm collection. To add some contrast I used some Garden Green patterned paper by Stampin' Up! accented with a white scalloped die cut edgelit. The Easter Wishes sentiment is by Studio G and has been in my stash for many years. To finish off the card I added a paper flower with leaves cut with a Cricut machine and a bitty butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set by Stampin' Up! accented with three small pearls. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see your creation in the gallery at Simply Create Too.

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• 4 Crafty Chicks: Green
• Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes
• Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes

Special Day Dragonfly Card

Hello and happy March 1st! It's time to break away from those red and pink colors and go for some green. I was glad to see a few green challenges already started. This card is entered into the SU-Only Challenge and Crafty Cardmakers Challenge to use green.

All supplies used for this Special Day Dragonfly Card are from Stampin' Up!. I love all shades of green, so it was hard to pick. The patterned paper from the Blooms & Bliss DSP was the inspiration to use Mint Macaroon. All stamps and dragonfly die cut are from the Dragonfly Dreams stamp set and Detailed Dragonfly Thinlit Dies (bundle #144728). The layout is simple and one I've made before using different colors, you can see it HERE. It's fun to make similar cards in different colors to see the difference color makes. To finish the card three retired Pistachio Pudding sequins were adhered for a little sparkle. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!