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:

Dog Sympathy Card

Last night before I went to bed I checked my Facebook feed and was heartbroken to read one of the dogs from Animal Aid of Tulsa named Stella passed away. Her story is tragic as she was shot in the head and left to die. Animal Aid and veterinarians worked with her and ended up removing one of her eyes. It had been seven months since her rescue but she had night terrors from her abuse, phantom nerve pain and so much psychological damage that she was miserable. Her caregivers made the hard choice to free her of her suffering. She was a victim of abuse and abuse is what killed her. May she rest in peace!

This Dog Sympathy Card was made for Stella's caregivers. I know they put a lot of love, time and effort into her recovery and their hearts are broken. Their work is so important and I hope this card helps in some way. The layout for this card came from this weeks sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. If you have animals give them an extra hug today. Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges entered:

• Crafty Animals: Anything with Animals
• Sunny Day Crafting: Anything with Animals
• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #471

Photo of Stella

Sketch

Stay Cool Card

Hello and happy Friday! Last week we had a brief cool down with some rain and now the heat is back. So, if you're like me and counting the days until Fall arrives, there is 29 days until the first day of Fall. Until then... Stay Cool!

Several years back I won a challenge at Pattie's Creations and selected this Dog Days of Summer image for my prize. Isn't she cute? The image was colored with Copic markers and die cut with a square Tim Holtz Alterations framelit. All patterned paper is from the Sweet Summertime paper pad by Echo Park (2014). Some twine was added for detail and the sentiment was created on the computer, printed, punched, matted and added to the card. That's it! Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Challenges entered:

• Creative Knockouts: Twine
• Dragonfly Journeys: Dog Days of Summer
• Pattie's Creations: Anything Goes
• Stinkin' Inkers: Steamed Heat

Let it Snow Card

There is still plenty of summer left but I would take a few snowflakes about now. We were lucky today and it stayed overcast and it wasn't blazing hot, it was actually nice for a change. The forecast for the weekend includes rain and my flowerbeds would be really happy if that happened. So, I'm thinking positive thoughts for rain!!!

It was nice making this Let it Snow Card and thinking about a snowy day. I started by selecting the Winter Cat and Puppy Dog image by Bugaboo Stamps. Then I selected the patterned papers by Doodlebug Designs which have been in my stash for quite some time. The image was then colored with Copic markers to coordinate with the papers. To play along with the Catch The Bug Christmas in July Day 4 Bingo Challenge I added sparkle die cut snowflakes and blue rhinestone brads for bling and I used a Bugaboo image, so I went diagonal from right to left. The Let it Snow sentiment is from the retired Snow Place stamp set by Stampin' Up! and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• A Snowflakes Promise: Anything Goes
• Catch The Bug: Bingo
• Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday: Too Cute!
• Use Your Stuff: Anything Goes with Title/Sentiment

Candy Cane Charlie Card

Hello! I've made another Christmas card for a few Christmas in July challenges. Starting early really does help me get a good start on my Christmas cards and the challenges are a fun motivator. The layout for this Candy Cane Charlie Card is from day 2 of the Catch The Bug Christmas in July challenges. I used an image that was already printed in my stash, it's called Candy Cane Charlie by Bugaboo Stamps. The image was colored with Copic markers and die cut with a stitched circle die. Patterned papers were selected to coordinate with the image. The candy cane paper is by The Paper Studio, red polka dots from the Welcome Christmas paper pad by Pebbles and the gray stripe was a scrap from my bin. A piece of white glitter cardstock was cut for the banner detail. To finish off the card the Merry Christmas sentiment by Hero Arts was stamped with Memento black ink. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Addicted to Stamps: Make Your Mark
• Catch The Bug: Sketch
• Crafty Gals: Christmas in July
• Creative Moments: Anything Goes
• Watercooler Wednesday: All About Holidays

Birthday Pug Card

Hello! My birthday card stash is really low, so I made this Birthday Pug Card. Although I was thinking masculine when I made it, I really think it works for male or female.

The cute little pug image is from the Pug Hugs stamp set by Newton's Nook, it was colored with Copic markers and die cut with the coordinating dies. To make the background distress inks in: Tumbled Glass, Broken China and Salty Ocean were used along with the Bubbly stencil by Newton's Nook. A little black and white paper along the edge and the panel was matted to Tempting Turquoise cardstock by Stampin' Up!. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Cards in Envy: Feeling Blue and "Distressed"
• Cute Card Thursday: Circles
• Inky Paws: Cute Animals
• The Cutie Pie: Spots & Dots

Puppy Love Cards

If you're thinking you've seen this image on another one of my cards today then you're right. This post is mainly to remind me what my cards for the Cards from the Heart Card Drive looked like. I always look back on previous years to see what I made because my memory isn't that great.

I'm hoping these Puppy Love Cards will bring a smile to the recipients on Valentine's Day. For details about the card drive click here. The Puppy Love image can be found HERE. I'm entering this card in the Dragonfly Journeys challenge (The Power of Red) and Tuesday Throwdown (Anything Goes). Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Valentine Cards for Kids

Hello! I have a quick post and reminder about the Cards from the Heart Card Drive. If you can make a few Valentine Cards and get them mailed in the next couple of days then you still have time to participate. Here is the link (click here) with all the rules/guidelines for the cards, please read carefully before making your cards.

My approach to making the cards are to keep it simple and cute. Since you can't use embellishments, glitter, etc. I have fun with patterned papers and make sure the image is something kids will enjoy. This last week a fellow crafter/blogger posted a darling Valentine Card (click here) using this Puppy Love image and I immediately decided it would be perfect for the card drive. It comes precolored and since I am running short on time I knew I needed to eliminate hand coloring images. The XOXO sentiment is by Stampabilities and it's punched with a 1" circle punch and then matted to a 1 1/4" scalloped circle. I used a simple layout that I've used before and I usually make multiples of a couple different designs. That's it! I hope you have time to make a few cards and thanks for stopping by!

Challenges entered:

Dream Valley: Love
Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts: Anything Goes

Cute Manly Birthday Card

Well... it seems my seasonal part-time job may have turned into a permanent part-time job. They had someone give notice and that opened up a permanent position. It would give me extra dollars for stamps and crafting supplies which is nice, but I'm still dealing with the bone spur on my hip. So, I'm not sure what I want to do!

I'm still making birthday cards and this Cute Manly Birthday Card was made with my dad in mind. It features a digital image called Charlie Birthday by Bugaboo Stamps. The image was colored with Copic markers and then die cut with a stitched rectangle die. All patterned papers are from the Snippets collection by Studio Calico. The layout came from a sketch from Paper Play Sketches #017. I added the sentiment by Hero Arts and three glitter (dot) stickers by Sticko. That's it, thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Watercooler Wednesday: Masculine Anything Goes
• Catch the Bug: Bingo (die cut/player's choice/dots & stripes)
• Crafty Catz: Anything Goes/Male Birthday
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes

Fall Need a Pug Card

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I have a fun Fall Pug Card to share with you today. It features the cute Pug Hugs stamp set and Falling Leaves stencil by Newton's Nook. The card was inspired by the following challenges:

• Inky Paws: Fall Theme
• Simon Says Stamp: It's a Dogs Life
• Stamping Sensations: Autumn Glory 

There are a few trees turning colors in our area but we probably have another week before the majority of the trees start to change. I love the colors of Fall and had a lot of fun using the stencil with distress inks. The ink colors used include: Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Aged Mahogany and Vintage Photo. The pug and small leaves from the Autumn Newton stamp set were colored with Copic markers and then die cut with the coordinating die sets. A strip of brown patterned paper and some green grass were added to break up the leaves. I decided to add circles behind the pug for a place for the sentiment. It could be an Autumn Sun setting on the horizon. Three brown sequins were added for sparkle and that's it. Thanks again for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day! 

Cute Puppy Birthday Card

Hello and happy Friday! My nephew will turn two later this year, so I thought I would go ahead and make his birthday card. The image is from the Birthday Puppies set by Bugaboo Digi Stamps and it was colored with Copic markers. I used some fun bright papers from the Playlist paper pad by Hampton Arts (2013). A scalloped die cut from by Taylored Expressions frames the image. The sentiment is by Hero Arts and some sequins were added for sparkle. That's it! I'm glad you stopped by my blog and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!!!

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

• Cute Card Thursday: Bright Colours!
• As You Like It: Fur of Feathers*
• Die Cuttin' Divas: Birthday Celebration
• Crafting Circle: Bugaboo Image 

* When it comes to choosing between fur or feathers that's a hard choice for me. I love them both, but I guess I love the furry animals more than our feathered friends. 

It's Been Forever Card

This It's Been Forever Card was made for the Stella Says Sketch Challenge. My time as a guest designer is finished but I wanted to play along with this fun sketch.

Here's the sketch:

Sketch challenges are one of my favorites because the foundation has already been decided, all you have to do is assemble the pieces. I started this It's Been Forever Card by selecting the darling Flower Puppy image for the focal area. The hardest part is always deciding what patterned papers I'm willing to cut into (I have a hard time cutting my favorites!). Most of the patterned papers on this card are from the Happy Day! paper pad by Pebbles with the exception of the middle strip by Stampin' Up!. The sentiment is from a Fiskars stamp set called Hello Fabulous and was stamped using Memento black ink. I used some of my retired and hoarded candy dots for detail and that's it. I'm glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day

Valentine Card for Kids

This morning I woke up to a thin layer of ice on the trees in my yard. The roads are slick which makes for a good morning to stay indoors and cuddle up with a nice cup of coffee. Our weather forecast for the next week looks good, we just have to get past the cold today and rain tomorrow.

My goal this weekend is to finish my Valentine Cards for the Cards from the Heart Card Drive. I usually make 12-18 cards. This card has black scribble heart paper by The Paper Studio with some scrap red by Stampin' Up! The dog stamp is by Recollections (several years ago) and I colored it with Copic markers. To finish it off I added the XOXO sentiment by Stampabilities. If you have time I definitely encourage you to make a few cards for the card drive. It's for a great cause! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Valentine Card for Kids is entered into the following challenges:

• Brown Sugar: Anything Goes
• Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes
• Pattie's Creations: Animal Image

Valentine Card Drive

Hello and happy Thursday! For the last several years I have made Valentine's cards for a Card Drive called Cards from the Heart. If you have some time and enjoy making Valentine's cards for kids I encourage you to make cards for the drive. Please be aware there are very specific rules, CLICK HERE for all the details. The cards need to be made for any age or gender which can be a little tricky, so I went with a cute dog which I colored with Copic markers. The layout is simple and three punched hearts were the only embellishments. To speed things along I usually make three or four of the same design. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will make some cards for the card drive!!!

This Handmade Valentine Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Crafty Gals: Patterned Paper

Simple Miss You Card

Hello and happy Tuesday! It's time for a new challenge at Tuesday Throwdown and this week we want you to make something Clean and Simple. Our sponsor is Fred, She Said Designs and I'm using the adorable Rosey with Flower image. The coloured set comes with four different versions of Rosey. I printed them all out and because they are all so cute, I let my hubby decide which one I used. Keeping in mind this is a clean and simple challenge, I went with a scalloped frame die cut by Taylored Expressions and a die cut Miss You sentiment by Impression Obsession. The big debate was over the sequins, to use or not to use was the question... well, I went for it.

We would love for you to join us this week! Click here for all the challenge details and design team inspiration. You have until mid-day Monday, September 5th to play along. Hope to see your creation in the gallery.

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

Casual Just for You Card

Each of us have our own interpretation of how casual is defined on our card creations. To me it's simply having one main focal area with minimal embellishments. When it comes to patterned paper... I say use it! This Casual Just for You Card is a good example of my casual definition.

Update: Okay, I now know that CAS means clean and simple. Ha! I should have looked this acronym up. So, for those of us who love patterned paper and struggle to leave enough "white space" we can just call our cards casual.

All supplies for this card are by Stampin' Up! The Bella & Friends image was stamped using Memento black ink and colored with ink pads and a blender pen. On either side of the turtle and Bella I added some flowers from the Sprinkles of Life stamp set. The patterned paper is from the Affectionately Yours dsp, Cardstock colors used include: Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, Night of Navy and Daffodil Delight. Two retired items were used to add detail... the Sizzix butterfly embosslit and the decorative scalloped edgelit. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and come back again soon.

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

• SU-Only: Cute and Cuddly
• Addicted to Stamps and More: Make Your Mark

Simple Hi Card

The last week my creativity has been pretty low. It seems I just can't get motivated! I'll look up challenges and check out my blog feed for inspiration but... nothing. I'm blaming the summer heat and maybe I just need a creative break.

This afternoon I was able to follow the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. Everything on this card was already printed or punched and on my craft desk. All I had to do was cut some paper, adhere everything together and stamp a sentiment. Pretty simple! The patterned paper is from the May Berry paper pad by American Crafts and the Polka Dot Bella digital image from Paper Creator came pre-colored. This image reminds me of one of my baby pictures. My mom had tied a "do rag" on my head and handed me a couple of toothbrushes while I was sitting on a green washing machine (see below). The photo was taken when I was 14 months old in 1975.

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

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #361
• A Gem of A Challenge: Animals
• Let's Craft and Create: Four Legged Friends

Funny Christmas Card

Hello crafty friends! I'm trying to play along with all of the Christmas in July challenges at Catch The Bug. This Funny Christmas Card is for day 5 to use humor and a recipe for: scallops, bling and layers. I've used another favorite Christmas image by Bugaboo called Puppy -Enough Reindeer and it was colored with Copic markers. The image was then die cut using a cross-stitched oval by My Favorite Things. Three different patterned papers were used, the plaid is by The Paper Studio and the holly and squiggly lines are by Pebbles from the Welcome Christmas paper pad. I added a red stitched scalloped layer for some detail. The paper layers were assembled and the image and sentiment adhered. For some bling I added six red rhinestones by Recollections on either side of the sentiment and that was it!

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

This Funny Christmas Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Catch The Bug: Humor/Recipe
• Christmas at Sweet Stampin': Anything Goes
• ABC Christmas: N is for No Rules!

Candy Cane Charlie Card

Hello! I started making this Candy Cane Charlie Card on Sunday but then our air conditioner started having problems and we went to a hotel. The heat index outside was 105 degrees but thankfully it only reached about 85 degrees in the house before it was fixed this afternoon. I was beginning to worry about my adhesive and stash of finished cards, but all is well.

While the house was cooling down I decided to finish this card. The layout is from the sketch challenge for day 2 of the Christmas in July challenge at Catch The Bug. Using Copic markers the Candy Cane Charlie image was colored and then die cut using a stitched circle die by My Favorite Things. The patterned papers have been in my stash for a very long time! I stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment from the retired Good Greetings set by Stampin' Up! directly onto the patterned paper. Once all the layers were assembled three gold sequins were added for a little sparkle. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Catch the Bug: Sketch
• Crafty Boots: Christmas in July
• Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes

Chevron Cup Coffee Card

There are already over 180 card entries at the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and it's only day 2. This Chevron Cup Coffee Card is my second entry. I've used a stamp set by Your Next Stamp called Coffee Break. It was one of the stamps sets I found during the last hop that made my list. The layout is from Tuesday Morning Sketches #356 and all patterned paper are from the Sunshowers collection by Heidi Grace Designs. Instead of coloring the image I decided to paper piece it to add the chevron to the cup. The image was stamped three times, once on the white backround cardstock, second onto the chevron paper and third onto Crumb Cake cardstock. I did use Copic markers to color the nose and ear. The polka dot area was stamped using the Kinda Eclectic stamp set and Lost Lagoon ink by Stampin' Up! Three rhinestone flower stickers by Jolee's were added for the final touch. That's it!

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