What does the fox say? (CIC258)

Come join us at Cupcake Inspirations for our new challenge! 

My Grafico is offering our randomly drawn winner a prize. Thank you!

This week our challenge is to use the colors Blush, Pistachio, and Espresso.

Spring Cupcake by Heidi Hope Photography

I printed out my image, colored him up with my Prismacolor pencils, and fussy cut him out. I hand wrote the sentiment and I do not like it at all. I didn't want to stamp out the entire thing with individual letter stamps so I thought I would do it. I have neat handwriting but I just went too fast and it got crooked and lop-sided. :) My girls are LOVING the song 'What does the fox say?' and I am leaving on a two week trip. On the inside, I put 'I miss you!' and will add a note for them to open while I am away.

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

I've gone rogue...(PIO#17)

Rogue Redhead Designs that is. :)

They are sponsoring our Ink-On-Paper Stamping challenge this week over at the 
Pile It On Challenge Blog.

I got to play with the This N That set. These stamp like a dream; clean and crisp. I loved this pair of birds and wanted to keep my card simple since it is for my husband. (I am going on a trip for two weeks and made this to leave for him to open somewhere in the middle.) I used Stampin' Up's Night of Navy cardstock and ink. The sentiment is stamped in Whisper White. My Nestabilities made the circles. I left the inside blank to write my own message. 

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
WordArt Wednesday #129 - Anything Goes
Creative Moments #41 - Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter #155 - For the Boys
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Things w/ Wings
Penny's Challenge #174 - On for the Boys
PaperTake Weekly - White plus one
The Crafting Cafe - One for the Boys
Craftitude #63 - Anything Goes w/ Spring/Easter
Crafty Creations #261 - White plus one

Chloe's Candy (GD Gig #3)

I am thrilled to have been asked by the Inspirational Challenge team to join them for their 

PINK and GREEN challenge this week. :)  

I made this card for my oldest daughter's best little buddy, Chloe. We put in a gift card as the present. I'm discovering that the older they get the more often a gift card is the gift. :)  

I used Bugaboo's Candy Jar as my main image. This has to be one of my favorites. I colored it up with my Prismacolor pencils and matted it with Melon Mambo cardstock. The layers are from my Nestabilities Oval and Scalloped Oval sets. The Green Gable piece is embossed with my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Short and Sweet set stamped in Melon Mambo ink.  

For the inside, I used Sweet Stamp Shop set Elegant Sentiments and Melon Mambo ink. 

Thank you for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Send a Smile 4 Kids - Birthday
Cut It Up #43 - Birthday cards
4 Krafty Girlz #16 - Anything Goes
A Song in Your He(Art) #5 - "Happy" Pharrell Williams
Scribbles #16 - Doodling
Pause Dream Enjoy #8 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps - Sweets
Card Und More #104 - No Flowers
Craftin' Desert Divas #29 - Photo Inspiration
Stamping Sensations: April - Use Dies and/or Punches
The Doodle Garden #2 - Spring Color Inspiration
Crafting by Designs: April - Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet #84 - Anything Goes
The Sweet Pea Stampers - Birthday
Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments #105 - Happy Birthday

Leaving on a jet plane...

I'm headed to the Netherlands and France for two weeks! 

I will miss you and see you again soon. :) 

Mwah!

YOLO (SACC54)

Welcome to another ANYTHING GOES Sister Act Challenge!

This week Digital Delight by Louby Lou is generously sponsoring our challenge.

Thank you so much for your support!

These stamps are from a Rogue Redhead Designs set called This N That. I used almost all of  Stampin' Up's Bold Brights collection in ink. With the help of my Stampamajig (LOVE it!!), I was able to create this panel, matted it on black, and used popdots to attach it to my card front. The sentiment is also from the set and is stamped in Versafine Black Onyx ink. 

I didn't get a closeup but the letters have the words on them in small print. They're very easy to see in person. 

There's nothing in the inside as this is a 'note' card and I plan to write the note. :) 

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

MilkCoffee - Bright Colors

Happy Earth Day!!

In honor of Earth Day, how about a little gardening? 

I used an old image I got in a RAK a million years ago called Veggie-bella by Stamping Bella. I colored her up with my Prismacolor pencils and layered her on a solid green from Basic Grey's 'Gypsy' line. I used my Nestabilities circle dies to achieve my layering look. The striped paper is from the same line but the harlequin is Stampin' Up, a freebie I received for buying so many dollars worth or something of that sort. :) I punched the hearts out of a Starbucks cup wrapper. The ribbon is forever old with no label left. This card is 5.5 inches square.

For the inside, I used a stamp from the 'Twisted Sentiments' set by My Favorite Things. Hopefully, I don't offend anyone; that is certainly not my intent. I would hope you find the humor that is meant to be found in this card. :)

I just ran around the park. Now, I think I'll find a tree to plant. :)

Thank you so much for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Casology #92 - Garden
Stamping Sensations: April - Use Dies or Punches
Stamping w/ Dragon: April - Springtime
A Creative Romance - Egg-Cellent Spring
A Gem of a Challenge #117 - Spring
My Sheri Crafts #131 - A Moment of Laughter
Scribble and Scrap #16 - Anything Goes
Craftin' Desert Divas #29 - Bright Color
The Crazy Challenge #169 - Spring is Here
Seize the Sketch #18
The East Wind #5 - Humor
Ruby's Rainbow #77 - Ladies
Crafter's Cafe #59 - CAS
Red Rubber Inspirationals #116 - Back to Nature
Crafty Ribbons # 85 - Anything Goes w/ Ribbon
Artbymiran #4 - Anything Goes
Craftitude #63 - Anything Goes or Spring/Easter
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards #63 - Spring
Creative Fingers #32 - Anything Goes
Card Makin' Mamas #85 - Recycle
Totally Gorjuss #232 - Die Cuts and/or Punches
Pumpkin Spice #68 - Coloring
The Squirrel and the Fox #68 - Use a Die Cut or a Punch
Glitter N Sparkle #81 - Easter/Spring
Robyn's Fetish #208 - Square Cards
One Stitch at a Time #209 - Favorite Things (Playing in the dirt.)
Created with Love #80 - In the Garden
Artistic Inspirations #88 - Anything Goes w/ CAS

Make-a-Card Monday: I still love you...

...no matter how old you get.  

Pretty simple card but I love it. I used DCWV's Birthday Wishes Stack and dyed my seam binding to match. Stamped my sentiment with Versafine. That's about it. :)

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Artistic Inspirations #88 - Anything Goes w/ CAS
Hobby Cutz #44 - CAS
Dream Valley #80 - Say it with Words
Send a Smile 4 Kids - Child's Birthday
The Stamping Boutique #13 - Birthday
Totally Papercrafts #215 - Tags
Crafty Catz #227 - B is for...(Birthday, Bow)
4 Crafty Chicks #190 - Sentiment Only
Crafty Ribbons #85 - Anything Goes w/ Ribbon
A Song in Your He(Art) #5 - "Happy" Pharrell Williams
WordArt Wednesday #128 - Anything Goes
Crafting for all Seasons #75 - Ribbons and/or Lace
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Pause Dream Enjoy #8 - Anything Goes
The Eastwind #5 - Humor
Cards Und More #104 - No Flowers

Little Bunny FooFoo (CIC257)

It's that time!!! A new challenge has started over at Cupcake Inspirations! 

This week we challenge you to use BUNNIES.

Bunny Cupcakes by The Gourmet Mom

Our sponsor this week is May Arts. 

They are offering our randomly drawn winner 2 spools of their choice of ribbon. Wow!

Thank you for sponsoring our challenge, May Arts!

I made bookmarks for my daughters' Easter baskets. :) I started with white scrap cardstock and cut out four tags from Tim Holtz's die. I layered two together and then added the green unknown designer paper on top, creating a more stable tag (or bookmark in this case). The bunny die is from Top Dog Dies called Bunny & Eggs die set and the ribbon is May Arts, of course! I love the little "knobbies" on the ribbon; it gives it such texture. I added a little hemp bow to keep the ribbons in place. On the back I wrote them a note that starts with "Somebunny loves you!" 

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
4 Krafty Girlz #16 - Anything Goes
Sassy Studios #225 - Easter
Crafty Ribbons #85 - Anything Goes w/ Ribbon
Oddball Art - Easter
Simon Says Stamp - Animal Antics
WordArt Wednesday # 128 - Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter #154 - Spring
Crafting for All Seasons # 75 - Ribbons and Lace
Penny's Challenge #173 - "Ice Cream" Colors
Crafter's Cafe #59 - CAS
Hobby Book Designer Challenge - Easter
Pause Dream Enjoy #8 - Anything Goes
Sunshine Mail - Anything Goes
Oldie but a Goodie - Easter (I have had that DP for at least 10 years. :))
Sparkles #55 - Favorite Color Combo (Pink and Green)
PaperTake Weekly - Easter
Cuttin' and Stampin' 14.15 - Easter
Cure for the Monday Blues #13 - Photo Inspiration
My Craft Spot #133 - Tags and/or Banners
The Crazy Challenge #169 - Spring is Here
Craft Your Passion #209 - Bunnies, Chicks and/or Eggs
The Shabby Tea Room #214 - Easter w/ Polka Dots and/or Stripes
Cutie Pie #67 - Bunnies on ABC
Craftin' Desert Divas #29 - Photo Inspiration
Ooh-La-La Creations #154 - Easter/Spring
The Pink Elephant #246 - Easter
Catered Crop - Think Green
That Craft Place - Anything Goes w/ Easter
A Gem of a Challenge #117 - Spring
Open-Minded Crafting Fun #8 - Easter or Pastel Colors
Simply Create Too #59 - No Images
Alphabet Challenge - E is for Easter
Crafty Hands #12 - Anything Goes
A Creative Romance - Egg-cellent Spring
MilkCoffee - Easter
Crafty Bloggers Network: April - Diecuts or Embossing
Eclectic Ellapu: Purple - Easter
Crafty Catz #227 - B is for... (Bright, Bunny, Bow)
Creative Fingers #32 - Anything Goes
Craftitude #63 - Anything Goes or Spring/Easter

I've got my eye on you... (SACC53)

Welcome to another ANYTHING GOES Sister Act Challenge!

This week J.W. Illustrations is generously sponsoring our challenge.

Thank you so much for your support!

This is a card for a little guy who turns one next month. I think he'll enjoy chewing on it. :) 

This is a digi from Jessica's Monster Mongrels collection. They are so cute!! I went to put a squiggle eye on him and can't find them so just now that before I give away this card there will be a squiggly eye on it. :)

The card base is Real Red and the papers are from DCWV's Birthday Wishes stack. Let me tell you, cutting those triangles was HARD. Never in a million years thought I would have as much trouble with those as I did. Think I wasted about half the stack trying to figure it out. Will definitely do a little research before trying those again. 

My monster is colored up with Prismacolor pencils. I initially left him less blended; I like the "childish" look it creates. The sentiments are typed up on my computer. 

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Inkspirational #54 - Sketch

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #24 - Anything Goes

My Sheri Crafts #131 - A Moment of Laughter

Craftin' Desert Divas #29 - Photo Inspiration

Use Your Stuff #131 - At the Movies (Monsters, Inc. or Monsters University)

One Stitch at a Time #208 - Use a Digi

Time Out #3 - Happy Birthday

Deep Ocean #75 - Inspired by a Movie (Monsters, Inc. or Monsters University)

Fitztown #30 - Spots and Stripes

Without Words: April - Gentleman Only 

Eclectic Ellapu: Pink - For the Boys

Aurora Wings #1 - Anything Goes

Just Keep on Creating: April - Anything Goes

Crafting by Designs: April - Anything Goes

The Crafting Cafe: April - One for the Boys

Make-a-Card Monday: Ballerina Birthday

So, the girls and I went to a ballet-themed birthday party this weekend. My mommy friend went all out with the decor. She transformed her home into a little girl's dream house. There was a "back stage" with a make up and hair table and some arts and crafts. Her living room was the "stage", complete with curtains! She even hired her friend's daughter, who happens to dance for the Houston Ballet, to give the girls a lesson. She started by showing them what she has in her dance bag, all the different ballet shoes she has and what she wears them for, and then trying on the pointe shoes for them. I thought the girls were going to wet themselves. The floor was too slick for her to wear them long (we didn't want anything to happen to those precious Prima feet, ankles, or knees :)) so she moved on the her "class" shoes and taught the girls some moves. It was super cute. And a lot of fun. And an amazingly cool idea.

Anyhoo, this is the card I made for the birthday girl's gift card.

I am using an image from Bugaboo called Brat Ballerina. I have no idea why they call them "brats" because I think they are super cute. And I don't think brats are cute. At all. I colored her up with my Prismacolor pencils and used my Copics for the floor and her outline. The sentiments, both inside and out, are from My Favorite Things Birthday Girl stamped in Melon Mambo. I also added baubles; haven't used those in FOREVER. Rounded all my corners and let the girls have at it on the interior. :)

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Catch the Bug #207 - Sketch
4 Krafty Girlz #15 - Anything Goes
The Paper Girls #53 - Photo Inspiration
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Creative Moments #40 - Anything Goes w/ Girly
WordArt Wednesday #127 - Anything Goes
Deep Ocean #75 - Inspired by a Movie (Center Stage)
Paper-Crafting Journey - For a Special Lady
Art Impressions #133 - Best of Friends
Aud Sentiment #104 - Sentiment for a Friend
Open-Minded Crafting #8 - Easter or Pastel Colors
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #24 - Anything Goes

I'm draggin'. (CIC256)

It's time for a new challenge over at Cupcake Inspirations!! This week our sponsor is 

Bugaboo Digi Stamps!

They are offering our randomly drawn winner SEVEN digital images. Wow!!

Thanks for sponsoring our challenge, Bugaboo! 

This week our challenge is to use the colors Poppy, White, and Chartreuse. 

Easter Bunnies and Toadstool Cupcakes by Nicola

I am using Bugaboo's Clyde; love him! He is perfect for a little boy's first birthday which is where this card is going. I colored him up with my Prismacolor pencils and cut out different layers to give him a 3-D effect. He was cut out with my Nestabilities circle and scallop circle dies and the name is cut out with my Memory Box Alphabet Soup dies. I haven't added a birthday sentiment on the inside because I plan to hand-write the 'greeting'.

Should I have added more dimension in-between my layers??

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Wags'n Whiskers #126 - CAS
4 Krafty Girlz #15 - Anything Goes
Crafting for all Seasons #74 - Dies and Punches
A Song in Your Art #4 - 'Everything Grows' (First birthday, he's growing.)
Crafting by Designs: April - Anything Goes
Pause Dream Enjoy #7 - 3-D Projects
Just Keep on Creating: April - Anything Goes
Craftin' Desert Divas #28 - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Cute
Stamping Sensations: April - Use Dies or Punches
Eclectic Ellapu: Pink - One for the Boys
Without Words: April - Gentleman Only
Crafty Bloggers Network: April - Diecuts or Embossing
Paper Makeup Stamps #135 - Anything Goes
The Paper Girls #53 - Photo Inspiration; birthday

Butterfly Wishes (PIO#15)

There's new challenge over at Pile It On!!!

This week our sponsor is Inky Impressions. 

The Inky Impressions Online Store features original digital and rubber stamps, as well as many of your favorite embellishments and papers. You can also play along with their Weekly Challenge.

They are giving our randomly drawn winner $10 to their online shop. Wow!!

Thanks so much for sponsoring our challenge, Inky Impressions! :)

This week we are challenging you to use TULLE or MESH.

I colored my Inky Impression's Butterfly LiLi image with Copic markers. I initially intended to use both Copics and Prismacolor pencils but it worked out with just the markers. I don't have a whole lot of Copics so I've started mixing my mediums.

The designer papers are from DCWV's Birthday Wishes stack. The pendants were part of the paper and fit perfectly. I punched the butterfly with a Martha Stewart punch. The tulle is light pink and I have no idea where I got it, I've had it so long. :) 

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Pile It On #15 - Tulle or Mesh
Crafting by Designs: April - Anything Goes
FairyTale Challenge #89 - Butterflies
Crafty Hands #12 - Anything Goes
A Creative Romance - Egg-cellent Spring
Aud Sentiments #104 - For a Friend
Timeout #3 - Birthday
Paper Crafting Journey - For a Special Lady
Art Impressions #133 - Best of Friends
The Crafter's Cafe #58 - Spring
Creative Moments #40 - Anything Goes w/ Girly
The Stamping Chef #24 - Anything Goes
PaperTake Weekly - Spring
Fan-Tastic Tuesday #30 - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew #59 - Spring
Cure for the Monday Blues #12 - Quirky Cuttles (Photo Inspiration)
Paper Makeup #135 - Anything Goes
Always Playing with Paper #4 - Sketch (see below) - moved my pendants up and rotated 90*
Craftin' Desert Divas - Anything Goes
The Paper Girls #53 - Photo Inspiration
The Doodle Garden #2 - Spring Colors
3 Girl Jam - Spring
Artbymiran #3 - Anything Goes
A Song in Your Art #4 - Everything Grows
Crafty Calendar - Things with Wings

Vroom, vroom. (GD Gig #2)

I am super excited to be joining the CMC Challenge design team today as a guest designer. This is a very talented group, and I am honored to be among them for the week. :)

The challenge theme is ANYTHING GOES and I hope that you will go over and play along with us.

I don't mean to toot my own horn (pun totally intended!!) but I'm loving this card. :) I used Bugaboo's Monster Truck digi stamp colored up with my Copics. I used DCWV's All About Boys paper stack and Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Pumpkin Pie cardstock for matting. The card is 5.5 inches square.

For the inside, I mimicked the exterior by using the same layout set differently. Haven't stamped a sentiment yet though I am pretty sure we have a two year old's birthday party coming up in the near future. And if not, I might have to keep it for myself...bummer.

Thank you so much for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Ooh-la-la #153 - For a Child
Crafting by Designs: April - Anything Goes
2 Cute Ink #103 - Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy #111 - All About Travel
Unscripted Sketches #251 - sketch
Inky Impressions #154 - Dots and Stripes
TopTip Tuesday - Cute
Eclectic Ellapu: Pink - One for the Boys
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Fan-Tastic Tuesday #30- Anything Goes
Fitztown #30 - Spots and Stripes
WordArt Wednesday #127 - Anything Goes

An Unexpected Arrival

So my neighbors are responsible for our neighborhood "emergency" email list. For example, if there's a break in or someone suspicious in the hood, they send out an email warning/cautioning everyone of what's going on. Also, if someone loses a pet, an email will go out about that as well. Well, this time the stray found its way straight to their house. A man brought this adorable puppy that had been hanging around a construction site all day to my friends' house.

Now, the back story is that they lost their family dog of 10 years the day after Christmas, so my friend's heart is still pretty tender. She is not ready for a new dog but has exhausted every outlet to find it a home (or its original owners). Her three kids have named it. Her husband has said they can keep it. So though she hasn't said the words, they have a new puppy. :)

Hence, this card...

 I used this freebie from All Dressed Up and colored her with Copics. I've tried to do the whole "fur" thing and I'm not sure that I have succeeded. I used Classic Calico 6x6 paper pad by Studio Calico.

I left the inside blank and will write my own note. I am going to add a gift card to a pet store as well. :)

Welcome to the neighborhood, Cutie Pie!! (That's what they named her, the kids.)

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
The Sweetest Thing #214  - Sketch
All Dressed Up #12 - Monochrome
4 Krafty Girlz #15 - Anything Goes
Crafty Card Makers #113 - Framed
Challenges 4 Everybody #40 - Anything Goes
The Squirrel and the Fox #67 - Any Creature
Paper Makeup Stamps #135 - Anything Goes
Love to Create #110 - Anything Goes w/ For the Kids
Aud Sentiments #104 - For a Special Friend
Crafty Catz #226 - Animals

Are we there yet? (SACC#52)

Welcome to another ANYTHING GOES Sister Act Challenge!

This week DeeDee's Designs is generously sponsoring our challenge.

Thank you so much for your support!

So this card was inspired by the fact that my mom and I head off to The Netherlands in a couple of weeks and I can't wait!! So excited. And to top it all off, I am extending our trip for a long weekend in Paris for her birthday. :) Paris has got to be one of my favorite cities EVER. This will be my third time and it never gets old. Anyhoo, enough about me, on to my card...

My digi set was appropriately named 'Are We There Yet?'. I printed out all my images and colored them using my Prismacolor pencils. I fussy cut them out and arranged them on the postcard image. I have collected postcards for a very long time and so I wanted to make this card look very "Greetings From ___". :) I thought about creating a postcard with the image but changed my mind last minute. Will do that next time.

Note to self: Self, you do not know how to color a plane. Duly noted.

The sentiment kills me. Reminds me of road trips with my parents. I would ask just to see how my dad would react. I was such a rebellious child. :)

Thank you so much for looking! I hope this finds you healthy and happy. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Love to Scrap #27 - Anything Goes
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #23 - Anything Goes
Just Keep on Creating: April - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Journey

From my previous France trips...

My first trip to the Eiffel Tower -2010

My second trip to the Eiffel Tower -2012