Newton's Ice Cream Card

This week I was really excited to receive my recent Newton's Nook order! The new Newton's Summer Treats stamp set is super cute! When I was growing up I remember my mom would eat ice cream almost every night. I'm pretty sure her motto is "ice cream solves everything," so when I saw this set I knew it would be perfect for numerous cards. This Newton's Ice Cream Card was created using the sketch challenge at Inky Paws. I was definitely feeling a sherbet vibe with the colors selected. All patterned paper are from the Sugar & Spice paper pad by Doodlebug Designs. Some Lemon Ice Stickles was added to the strip of yellow paper for some sparkle. Copic markers were used to color the image and I colored the kitty to look like my first house cat. That's it, no other embellishments were added and everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. Thanks for stopping by and may the rest of your day be wonderful!

Challenges entered:

• Alphabet Challenge: Ice Cream
• Cardz 4 Galz: Food and/or Drink
• Crafting with Dragonflies: Spots and Stripes
• Inky Paws: Sketch #77

My first house cat, she was so pretty and sweet.

Use Punches or Dies at Crafty Catz

Happy Friday! It's time for a new challenge at Crafty Catz. The challenges are always anything goes with an optional twist. This weeks option is to Use Punches or Dies, super easy! The sponsor this week is A Day For Daisies and I've used their Hoppity image. We would love for you to play along. Click HERE for all the challenge details and design team inspiration.

Challenges entered:

• Cute Card Thursday: Bugs or Butterflies
• Crafting By Designs: Anything Goes
• Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes

The last couple of days have been super hot here in Oklahoma. In the morning my outdoor rabbits will be eating grass but in the afternoon they are laying around in my flowerbeds where it's shady. I like to watch them, so I usually check on them several times a day. Below is a picture out my back window of one laying down by the bushes. My hubby put the white piece of lattice up to help give more shade and the rabbit will lay under it. The birds love to use the lattice to rub their head and bodies on, it's fun to watch. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

If Flowers were Hugs Card

Happy Tuesday! We had a wonderful rain shower this morning and it cooled the air temperature, so I ran a couple of errands to take advantage of the cooler weather. With the gloomy skies it seemed like a good time to make a bright and cheerful card. A couple of weeks ago I received my order from the new Stampin' Up! catalog and I finally inked up the Abstract Impressions stamp set. Using new colors: Mango Melody, Granny Apple Green, Shaded Spruce, Grapefruit Grove and Pineapple Punch. To accent the stamped image both ends of the Mango Melody cardstock was embossed with one of the Petal Pair embossing folders. A retired butterfly stamp and punch were used for the little butterfly and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This If Flowers were Hugs Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Dragonfly Dreams: Anything Goes
• Stamping Sensations: Anything Goes

Mouse Big Flower Card

When life gets tough as it sometimes does, it's best to take it one day at a time. I love using this sentiment by Verve Stamps. It makes a wonderful card to send a few weeks after a sympathy card. When I was looking through my stash this past weekend I realized I had no cards ready with this sentiment. So, I used one of my favorite Bugaboo images called Mouse Big Flower to create this card.

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Crafty Animals: Anything with Animal
• Crafty Sentiments: Anything Goes
• Tuesday Throwdown: Anything Goes
• Catch The Bug: Bingo (Sentiment, Player's Choice and Stitching)

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

Encouragement Card

Life can be hard sometimes! My youngest niece is in the eighth grade and recently a father of one of her friends passed away. Her friend has really leaned on my niece because she lost her mother, my sister, when she was six years old. It's times like these when all those feelings of loss and grief resurface. I made this Encouragement Card for my niece to give her friend. There is nothing that makes this time easier but support and kindness makes a big difference.

Encouragement Card Supplies:

• Paper: White, black and red cardstock along with patterned papers from Simple Stories Life In Color paper pad.
• Stamps: Mouse-Big Flower image by Bugaboo Digi Stamps and One Day at a Time sentiment by Verve Stamps.
• Inks & Coloring: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers.
• Other Stuff: Cross-stitched oval die by My Favorite Things, Fiskars Deckle scissors, blue twine from The Twinery and dimensionals.

Challenges entered: 

• Crafting Circle: Bugaboo Images
• Brown Sugar: Anything Goes
• Allsorts: Forest Friends
• Catch The Bug: Bingo (Dots/Stripes, Flowers & Sentiment)

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

Dreams Come True Card

Hope you're having a wonderful day! I'm still recovering from surgery and each day I'm feeling a little better. It's still hard to sit for long periods of time, so it took me awhile to finish this Dreams Come True Card. I made this card to play along in the following challenges:

• Newton's Inky Paws: Color 
• Simon Says Stamp: Add a Sentiment
• Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
• Show Us Your Pussies: Furrything Goes

To create this card I started with a piece of white cardstock and a quarterfoil stencil by Clear Scraps along with Peacock Feathers distress ink and Melon Mambo ink by Stampin' Up!. Then I stamped the Newton's Naptime with Memento black ink and colored with Copic markers. A stitched rectangle die by Lil' Inkers was used to cut the image and it was matted to a slightly larger piece of black cardstock. The sentiment was stamped, punched and matted to a scalloped oval punch and then everything was adhered flat for easy mailing. For the final touch three pink sequins were added for sparkle and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Choose Happy Card with Pig

Hello and happy Tuesday! Today is the start of an Anything Goes challenge at Tuesday Throwdown. After two years as part of the design team at Tuesday Throwdown this will be my last post as part of their team. It's been a lot of fun and it went by really quickly! Thank you for following along over the last couple of years and I hope to continue to see each of you around blogland.

Our sponsor this week is DRS Designs and I'm using their Leonard Pig Blowing Bubbles image. It's such a cute image and could be used for multiple different occasions. We would love for you to join the challenge this week! Click HERE for all the details and design team inspiration. You have until mid-day on Monday, August 21st to link your creation.

This Choose Happy Card with Pig was made almost completely while standing up. Last week I had an outpatient surgery and the plan was to finish my card before, but I totally procraftinated!!! There was some cleaning but mostly procrastination. My pain level after surgery has been more than I expected and sitting is challenging. So, I was able to sit to color the image at my computer desk but after that I stood while I made this card. Everything used was on my craft desk or at a level that I didn't have to bend over. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see your creation in the gallery at Tuesday Throwdown.

Challenges entered:

• Dragonfly Dreams: Animals
• Crafty Friends: Anything Goes
• Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes

Give You Strength Card

It's been awhile since I've made a sympathy card but this week a church friend, from my high school days, lost her husband. Although I haven't seen her in a very long time I want to send her a card. This Give You Strength Card was inspired by and example on Verve Stamps website for their Forever in Our Hearts stamp set, click here. The butterflies are from my favorite stamp set by Stampin' Up! called Watercolor Wings and they were stamped using Peekaboo Peach and Cajun Craze classic stampin' pads. The patterned paper is by Quick Quotes and the Fancy Fan embossing folder is retired by Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Inky Chicks: Sentiment Instead of Image
• Shopping Our Stash: Butterflies, Bees & Bugs
• Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Happy Together Toucans Card

When the mail arrived today I was thrilled to see my Newton's Nook order!!! Last week when they revealed their new July release I couldn't wait to order the Toucan Party stamp set and coordinating dies. So I immediately went into the house and got inky with my new goodies. This Happy Together Toucans Card was made for the following challenges:

• Newton's Inky Paws: Tropical
• Creative Knockouts: Sew It Up 
• Through The Purple Haze: Anything with Wings

The finished size of the card is 5.25" square. I started by using the Newton's Nook Tropical Leaves Stencil and a piece of retired Pistachio Pudding cardstock by Stampin' Up!. The ink colors include both distress inks and Stampin' Up! classic ink pads in several shades of green. Copic markers were used to color the Toucans, leaves and flower and then the images were die cut. I decided to cut a heart into the middle of the stenciled paper and then added a piece of tumbled glass inked cardstock. A piece of Garden Green cardstock was used as a mat and then I stitched around the edges. Then I dug through the scrap bin to find the right piece of woodgrain paper for a little ledge for the toucan image to sit on. The Be Happy Together sentiment was stamped using Memento black ink and three blue sequins were added for sparkle. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

For more Toucan inspiration visit the Newton's Nook Toucan Party Stamp Set reveal!

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

Pink You've Got This Card

October is breast cancer awareness month and here in the United States 1 in 8 women will experience invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. To support the awareness campaign I've made this Pink You've Got This Card using the You've Got This stamp set by Stampin' Up!. 

Last year I made a very similar card (click here) using purple for domestic violence awareness month, which is also in October. Each of these awareness campaigns are very important to the physical and mental health of countless women. Early detection and education can help in both accounts. Knowledge is power!

This Pink You've Got This Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Dragonfly Dreams: Think Pink
• Unicorn Challenge: Pretty Pinks or Halloween
• The Corrosive Challenge: Pink for Awareness
• Sunny Day Crafting: Anything Goes

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

You are Stronger Card

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Becca at The Damsel of Distressed has once again organized The Hop to Stop to bring attention to the cause. Domestic Violence can be closer than you think, with 1 of 3 women experiencing domestic violence over the course of their lifetimes, chances are you know someone who has or will be a victim. Click here to visit Becca's blog and for details about The Hop to Stop.

When deciding on a design for my card, I knew I wanted to use this sentiment by Stampin' Up! from the Heartfelt Sympathy stamp set. To me, it makes a great encouragement card for more than just sympathy. When you pair the sentiment with some pretty purple flowers... hopefully it's uplifting for someone who has experienced domestic violence.

You are Stronger Card Supply List*:

• Paper: Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum and Perfect Plum cardstock, green cardstock by Bazzill Basics along with striped paper by My Mind's Eye.
• Stamps: Heartfelt Sympathy and Falling Flowers.
• Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum, Perfect Plum and Wild Wasabi.
• Other Stuff: Big Shot, May Flowers framelit dies, Scalloped Frame by Taylored Expressions, Perfect Plum enamel dots and dimensionals. 

*All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted.

This card is linked to the following challenges:

1. Brown Sugar: Handmade Flowers
2. Creative Knockouts: Anything Goes
3. Crafting by Designs: Add a Sentiment

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

Learn, Live, Hope Card

From the first time I saw the sneak peeks of the new Live the Life You Dream About Spirit Animal stamp set by Jessica Lynn Original, I knew I would be making my oldest niece a card with the cattle skull. The last time I was in her room I saw one she plans on painting to hang on her wall. One of her favorite colors is turquoise/aqua and although the color I used is lighter, I think she will love it.

Creating this card started with the color choices and finding the right patterned papers. The plaid is from the new Fall Perfectly Plaid paper by Lawn Fawn and the wood is from the Bella Rosa Collection by Bo Bunny. Copic markers were used to color the image and then it was cut with a stitched circle die by My Favorite Things. Everything else is pretty basic. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Learn, Live, Hope Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes
• Crafting with Friends: Anything Goes
• Crafting with an Attitude: Anything Goes

Fall Butterfly Card

Hello! This week when I saw the color challenge at Create with Connie and Mary it was obvious I had to play along. The design team inspiration is outstanding and the colors immediately intrigued me. Create with Connie and Mary is a Stampin' Up! only challenge, so all supplies on this Fall Butterfly Card are from Stampin' Up!. Everything except the patterned paper (retired Venetian Romance) is current and include: Watercolor Wings stamp set, Love & Affection stamp set (sentiment), Flourish Thinlits, gold sequins, Soft Suede & Delightful Dijon ink, Emerald Envy, Delightful Dijon and Very Vanilla cardstock.

To create this card I knew I wanted to make a Fall Butterfly using Delightful Dijon and Soft Suede. The biggest issue was the card layout. After searching through a few sketches, I decided to use one of my previous layouts in a new way, click here for previous card. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Fall Butterfly Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Create with Connie and Mary: Color, CCMC424
• Creative Knockouts: Winged Wonders
• Crafty Gals Corner: Freestyle!
• Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes

Pansy Turtle Smile Card

Hello to the month of August! At this point I'm counting down the days until Fall/Autumn, which will arrive this year on September 22nd! I don't enjoy the summer heat in Oklahoma, so I spend a lot of my summer indoors in my craft room. :) This weekend I cleaned my craft room and found several digital images that I printed and set aside to use later. Then they got covered up and forgot about. This darling Pansy Turtle by Doodle Pantry was one of them. The size of the image was perfect for the sketch I found in the archives at Sketch Saturday. The sketch was from the April 6, 2013 challenge #253. I love using circles and this sketch was a lot of fun to use. This Pansy Turtle Smile Card was created for the following challenges:

• Sketch Saturday: Archive Sketch Week
• Doodle Pantry: Any Digital Image Goes
• Love To Scrap: Take Two, two butterflies
• Crafting When We Can: Squares
• Glitter 'N' Sparkle: Include a Butterfly

The finished size of this card is 5.25" square. All patterned papers are from the Dots & Stripes paper pads by Echo Park. The little butterflies were stamped using the Papillon Potpourri stamp set by Stampin' Up! and punched with the Bitty Butterfly punch. The sending a smile your way sentiment is from the new Love & Affection stamp set by Stampin' Up! and the final touches were some sequins and rhinestones for sparkle. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Indigo Flower Wishes Card

Happy Thursday! This afternoon I decided to use the sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday to make a card. I had good intentions to use their optional theme of Blue and White, but after searching my paper stash I ended up using Island Indigo and Very Vanilla. I really liked how the papers from the Something for all Seasons paper pad by Authentique looked with the sketch. The stamp set is one of my favorites by Stampin' Up called Butterfly Basics and all stamps used are from the same set. The colors include: Island Indigo, Tip Top Taupe, So Saffron and Very Vanilla. The sending Wishes Your Way sentiment is nice for many different occasions and I had to add the butterfly with pearls for detail. Well, that about sums it up. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Indigo Flower Wishes Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Try Stampin' on Tuesday: Sketch  
• Fab 'n' Funky: Two or More Designer Papers
• The Crafty Addicts: Anything Goes/With Flowers
• Crafty Girls Creations: Anything Goes

Floral Sending a Smile Card

My neighbor and I got together this afternoon for a little crafting time at her house. Typically I don't like to pack my supplies but every once in awhile I give in. So, I printed the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches and brought only what I needed to complete this Floral Sending a Smile Card. I wanted to use some of my new supplies from the upcoming 2016-2017 Stampin' Up! catalog. Used on this card is the new Playful Palette patterned paper and Love & Affection stamp set both are sneak peeks at new product. For a sneak peek at all the new in colors, which I love, click here to see a card I made. When all was said and done we had a nice time visiting and I made something pretty too. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #343
• Quirky Crafts: April Showers bring May Flowers
• Artistic Inspirations: Anything Goes w/ Flower Twist

Stampin' Up! 2016-2018 In Color Card

It's getting close to the launch of the new Stampin' Up! catalog and that means five new colors will be available starting on June 1, 2016. This card will give you a sneak peek at the new Swirly Bird stamp set, Swirly Scribble Thinlits and the new 2016-2015 In Colors which include:

• Dapper Denim
• Emerald Envy
• Flirty Flamingo
• Peekaboo Peach
• Sweet Sugarplum

All five colors have been used on this card and I believe they look splendid together. There is a lot to be excited about in the new catalog. I'm counting down the days to place my order. If you want to see the retiring products click here to visit the website. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This 2016-2018 In Color Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp: Flowers
• The Sisterhood of Crafters: No Designer Paper

You're One of a Kind Card

It's always a good day when some crafting supplies are delivered to my doorstep! My Simon Says Stamp May Card Kit arrived and since my hubby was taking a nap, I played in my craft room. I used the Mojo Monday sketch, this week it's round or square and this You're One of a Kind Card is 5.25" square. Most of the supplies came in the kit but I added two scrap pieces of patterned paper to make the grass and the pink polka dot through the middle and colored the flowers with Copic markers. I love how happy this card turned out.

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday: Sketch
• Make My Monday: April Showers bring May Flowers
• Craft Your Passion: Anything Goes

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

One Day at a Time Card

Happy Friday! I'm pretty good about making and sending sympathy cards, but I also like to send a card after a month has passed. I think it's important to continue to support and encourage those who recently lost a loved one. For this card I have used a digital image from Jessica Lynn Originals called Singing in the Rain and colored it with Copic markers. The umbrella was paper pieced with a small polka dot patterned paper by DCWV. Both background papers are from the Springtime paper pad by MME. The One Day at a Time sentiment is by Verve Stamps and was stamped using Memento black ink. For the finishing touches I added three patterned banners and three coordinating sequins. That's it! Thanks for stopping by!!!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Simply Papercraft: Anything Goes
• Jo's Scrap Shack: Anything Goes
• Brown Sugar: Anything Goes