Spread a Little Cheer...

Welcome!

Sit, relax and stay awhile!

This is the second posting for me today!

That doesn't happen very often anymore does it?

A quick reminder that today is also the mid way blog post for our current challenge at Unstampabelles.  Please scroll down to see the details for that challenge and to see the unique creation I've made.

Getting back on track...

...we have a new challenge starting today at Pile it On!

It's a terrific one!

Ready?

"Cheerful/Uplifting Message"

We all have days where we could use a smile from a stranger, a face to face visit with a close friend or ladies night out with a bunch of friends...you know something positive to lift our spirit.

Well, this week you have a chance to create a card to do exactly that for someone.

I was working with some beautiful sunflower papers from Heartfelt Creations the other night and decided that the uplifting sentiments they had included in the Classic Sunflower Collection paper pack would be perfect for this challenge.  I came across a sentiment that read "Sending you Sunshine"...and got to thinking that the bright and cheerful rays from the sun are one of the fastest ways for one to feel great about life.  It always amazes me how on a cloudy day you can feel nothing but doom and gloom...but bring on the sun and the whole world just becomes a better and brighter place!  Throw in a beautiful flower garden with those rays of sunshine and life is good!

Here's how I used the sentiment and some sunflower florals to create my cheerful and uplifting card!

I've done some fussy cutting of various elements and have popped up the bucket over a larger version of the same image with 3D pop up dots, giving the card some dimension.  

I've added some yellow Stickles to the sunflowers to give the card an extra dose of cheer!

 

I've also popped up the sentiment on the card to add further dimension.

 Before I go, a few housekeeping tid bits about this weeks challenge.

We are sponsored by...

...who is offering one lucky winner 3 single digis of their choice!

I hope I've been able to inspire you to create a cheerful and uplifting project for a friend or loved one. 

Wouldn't it just brighten your day to receive a card of encouragement in the snail mail...so go ahead and make that feeling happen for someone!

We all need encouragement from time to time.

Then remember to link up with us at Pile it On!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

Paper Pretties..."Friendship"

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges..."Anything Goes"

Whimsy Stamps..."Anything Goes"

Word Art Wednesday..."Anything Goes"

Fan-Tastic Tuesday..."Anything Goes with the Twist to add Yellow"

Scrap Creations..."Pop it Up"

Through the Craft Room Door..."Anything Goes"

Crafting From the Heart..."Anything Goes"

Craft Your Passion..."Love/Hope/Encouragement" 
D. L. Art Thankful Thursdays..."October Anything Goes Challenge"
MilkCoffee Challenges..."Lots of Layers"
Anything Goes with a Twist..."Shimmer & Sparkle"

Pick up Your Pencil...

The kids have done a bit of pencil pushing already in their first few days of school.  I'm happy to report that they have been enjoying themselves and their new teachers.  

Now that they are back into routine, it's time for me to jump back into routine as well...which means I have stepped back into my design team position with Pile it On once again!

And our theme for this weeks challenge couldn't be more fitting for the kiddos going back to hitting the books.

This week we are challenging you to...

"Use a Pencil"

The possibilities are endless...color with pencils, incorporate a pencil die cut into your creation, feel free to even sketch with a pencil.  

We are welcoming back one of our wonderful sponsors...

 

...who are offering one lucky winner a prize of 2 digis.

I decided to go a different direction than a card for this challenge.  I fell in love with a pencil shaped box I found in the Silhouette online store and knew I wanted to work with it. I got the Cameo humming and began assembling the box.  I decided I would use the sponsor image to create a tag to attach to the gift box.  I used pencil crayons to color it...trying to stay true to our challenge theme.

Are you ready to see how it turned out?

and here's another view from a different angle...

 

...and a view of how the eraser slips off the box for you to add your special gift...

...and lastly a close up view of the tag and sponsor digi I used...

I know my daughter's teacher mentioned to them that she loves diet Coke, and I'm hoping one will slip into here perfectly.  I think it would be adorable presented in this pencil box.  I'm actually thinking I may make some of these to put on my craft table when I'm at my show in November.  I think these would make awesome teacher gifts...throw in a few erasers, pens, pencils, small sticky notes and some chocolate and you're done!

The rest is up to you my friend.  I hope after seeing this those crafty gears are churning and you're ready to do some creating.  Be sure to check out the Pile It On blog for more inspirational ideas from my fellow design team members!  You have one week to play along!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

Crafty Girls Challenges..."Anything Goes"

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge Blog..."Back to School"

DL. Art..."Back to School"

MilkCoffee Challenges..."Back to School"

Crafting by Designs..."Anything Goes"

Creative Moments..."Back to School"

Little Red Wagon..."Back to School"

Sparkles Monthly Challenge..."Back to School"

Scrap Creations..."Back to School"

Craftin' Desert Divas..."Anything Goes"

Craft Your Passion..."Back to School"

My Craft Creations..."Anything Goes" 
Polkadoodles..."Tag, You're It"
StuckOnUSketches..."Class is In"
Sweet 7 Designs Challenge Blog..."Back to School"

Life is Easier...

...with a friend by your side!

Isn't that so true!  Especially when you wanna have a little fun or cause a little trouble!  LOL

Or when you're down in the dumps and need a little lift!

I've finally felt well enough to join back in with my design teams!  I just need this crazy cough to disappear!

So let's get down to business.  

This week we have a new challenge starting over at Pile it On!

This one is sure to get your mind whirling...I really had to think hard on this one and actually didn't come up with anything too creative...

"Wrong But So Right...Use Something in a Way it Wasn't Originally Intended"

Won't that be fun!

Hope you're not to spooked to join us!

Let me show you what I finally was able to dream up...

As I mentioned, I wasn't really too creative.  My items that were not originally intended for card making use are the button, thread and sequins! 

Isn't the little guy so cute splashing around in the water with his little frog buddy.  

This adorable image comes from our sponsor for the week...

...and they are offering one lucky winner a $7 gift certificate.

How awesome is that!

And I must make mention that the awesome sentiment used on this card comes from TLC Creations!

Now if you're needing a few more ideas for this weeks challenge be sure to check out the other DT creations!  They've had some awesome ideas!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today!  

Hope the week will treat you well.

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

Sister Act Card Challenges..."Anything Goes"

Stampin' for the Weekend..."Anything Goes"

4 Crafty Girls..."Anything Goes"

A Song in Your Heart..."Hey Brother"

Crafting By Designs..."Anything Goes"

Hambo Hoedown..."Summer"

Digi Choosday Challenges..."Use 2 Papers"

Fan-Tastic Tuesday..."Anything Goes"
Speedy Fox and Friends..."Sun Rays"
The Doodle Garden..."Summertime"
Crafting at the Weekend..."Anything Goes"
Paper Crafting Challenges..."In Summer"
Brown Sugar Challenge..."Summer"

House Keeping Humor

Hi there!

I have a quick question for you today before we get into the good stuff!

What does your typical Saturday hold for you?  

Is it full of laundry, dusting, vacuuming and cleaning?

I'll be the first to admit that I really don't spend enough time cleaning in our house.  The nooks and crannies are usually a little dusty, and there are usually a few thing sitting around.  Life is really to short to just spend all day making the house perfect.  My thought is that if you don't like the dust, the few things laying around...you have two choices...you can either clean for me or not come back for a visit!  LOL

You must be wondering where I'm going with this!

It's a new challenge over at Pile it On!

Our theme for this week is ...

"Humorous"

What a great theme!

We are sponsored by 

who has some of the most humorous stamps around!

They are offering one lucky winner 2 digis of their choice.  

I had the fun of creating with Deirdery Dunderton!

Let's take a peek at her humorous words of wisdom about house cleaning!

Oh...don't you just wish!  LOL

Visit with your company in the dark so they don't see the mess!

The awesome sentiment comes from TLC Creations.

It's your turn now to come up with something funny!  Be sure to check out the other DT creations so you can have several good chuckles!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

Crafty Catz..."Anything Goes"

Sister Act Card Challenges..."Anything Goes"

Stampin' for the Weekend..."For the Girls"

4 Crafty Chicks..."Anything Goes"

Crafty Girls Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"

DL Art..."Anything Goes"

Inky Impressions..."Anything Goes"

Fan-Tastic Tuesday..."Anything Goes"

Through the Craft Room Door..."Anything Goes"

A Shabby Chic Collection

Welcome!

Glad you're here!

Today I want to introduce to you a new challenge over at Pile it On!
 It is...

"Shabby Chic"

I want to share with you a collection of cards I created to teach at our local craft store.
They have been created with digital collage sheets that you can find in many Etsy stores.

Here is a close up of each card...my apologies for the poor quality as I quickly snapped the photos in the cellophane envelopes with my camera phone before delivering them for display at the store...

I have to admit that Vintage/Shabby Chic cards are my most favorite to create and play around with!
I hope you've enjoyed these and have been inspired to play along with us at Pile it On this week.

We are sponsored by...

 

who are offering one lucky winner a $20 gift certificate!

So come join in on the fun!  And, don't forget to check out the other DT creations!

Until next time...

These cards have been entered in the following challenges...

Crafty Girls Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"
DL Art..."Feminine"
DL Art..."May Challenge - Anything Goes"
It's All About the Vintage..."Anything Goes" 
Sister Act Card Challenge..."Anything Goes"
Card and Scrap..."Shabby Chic"
Crafts Galore Encore..."Anything Goes"
Feeling Crafty Challenges..."One for the Girls/Ladies"
Sparkles Monthly Challenge..."Mom or Special Lady"
Live and Love Crafts..."Photo Collage Inspiration"

In the Garden

Welcome!

I'm so excited that you've been able to stop by today!

It's Sunday, which means there's another new challenge beginning at Pile it On!

Ready?

It's...

No Patterned or Designer Paper

Wow!

I have to admit that this was a tough one for me.  I don't usually make a card without any designer paper.  So, a challenge it was.  

I had the most beautiful digi to play with from our current sponsor.

My image is called "Tender Thoughts".  I just find it to be a peaceful and elegant image.  A beautiful young girl surrounded by budding flowers and butterflies.  It reminds me of spring!
When I saw this image I immediately had the words to a favorite hymn pop into my head...

"I come to the garden alone,
when the dew is still on the roses."

It then dawned on me that my daughter has a friend being baptized next month and thought I'd use this image to design that card.

Here's a look...

I printed out the image onto a floral frame with my Silhouette Cameo.   I then set about to water coloring it and matting it with the front portion of the floral frame.  I decided that I would do a white on white background with a navy mat behind that.  I decided to dry emboss the white mat with a floral embossing floral.  I then added some beaded swirls, a few white flowers and 2 white butterflies.  I colored the butterflies with my Wink of Stella clear glitter pen.  I then popped them up with pop up dots to give the card some dimension.

It's your turn now!  Push that designer paper off to the side on your craft table and get creative without it!  It's actually not so hard!  LOL
Be sure to check out the other DT members awesome projects for more inspiration!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
4 Crafty Girls..."Anything Goes"
Delightful Challenges..."Bloom/Add a Flower"
Crafting By Designs..."Anything Goes April Challenge"
Crafty Creations Challenges..."White Plus One"
Creative Moments..."Anything Goes/Girly"
Word Art Wednesdays..."Anything Goes"
Natalie and Amy Challenges..."Embossing"
Sweet Stamps..."Embossing"
Crafty Sentiments Designs..."Use Lots of White"
Party Time Tuesdays..."Die Cuts"
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards..."Spring"
Craftitude..."Anything Goes Spring/Easter"
Crafty Catz..."B is for..."  (Butterflies, bling)
Crafty Hands Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"
Fairy Tale Challenge Blog..."Butterflies"
Polkadoodles..."Springtime"
QKR Stampede..."Spring Celebrations"
Sister Act Card Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Stuck on U Sketches..."Anything Spring Die Cut Challenge" (butterflies & floral frame)
A Gem of a Challenge..."Spring is in the Air"
Paper Crafting Challenges..."No Patterned Paper"
Pumpkin Spice..."Coloring"
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenges..."Frame It" (digi has been framed with a floral frame)
Totally Gorgeous..."Die Cuts and Punches"

Accept this Challenge...

...if you dare!

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit today!

Let's do something different in this post today...just because I feel like doing something a little different and this new challenge over at Pile it On has me chuckling and maybe even hanging my head in shame a little.  

Let's start by looking at the card I created, and then I'll give you all the deets...

Here's the unveiling...

Any guesses as to what our theme for the new challenge this week is?

Ready...

 It's "Pretty Hair"!

Now you must get why I'm chuckling and hanging my head in shame ever so slightly!  I am still trying to perfect coloring with my Spectrum Noir markers and hair will definitely be on my list for awhile until it is perfected!

But, I do have to say it was fun to make this card because the little girl digi was so darn cute!  Her name is "Popcorn Ellie" who is one of the cute images we could choose to play with from our current sponsor....

 

The Paper Nest Dolls

I decided to keep this card more on the CAS side this time.  I found some awesome paper in the Silhouette Online store that I knew would suit this image perfectly!  (And they were having a half price sale so I was excited and bought a few more things!)  I printed out the digi and the sentiment through the Cameo so I could have them both sized together properly and just on one flat white sheet of cardstock.  The sentiment was a freebie from TLC Creations awhile back on "Popcorn Day".  I did not know it even gave such a day!  LOL  I then colored up Ellie, worked with some matting and lastly added a bright red ribbon.  Now I also added some red stickles to her bow in her hair...because you know she is supposed to have pretty hair...and I think I may not have done justice to her hair coloring!  For the finishing touch, I printed and cut some popcorn from a print file I purchased from the Silhouette Online store.  I thought it added a touch of funkiness to the card!

I suppose it's only fair that I give you a close up of this "Pretty Hair" attempt...

...see there really is some shading with different colors going on!  LOL

Well, what can I say other than now it's your turn to accept this challenge if you dare!  I know there are so many of you who color hair so beautifully!  C'mon show me how it's done!  Don't forget to link up with us at Pile it On and accept our other challenge which is to enter as many other challenges as you can!  I can hardly wait to browse through all the entries...and maybe pick up a tip or two!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

Challenges 4 Everybody..."Anything Goes"
The ABC Challenge..."H is for Hair"
Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog..."Use Stamp or Digi"
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenges..."March Challenge"
Digi Galore..."Anything Goes"
Doodle Pantry..."Any Digi Goes"
DL Art Thankful Thursday..."5 Word Sentiment"
The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"
Melonheadz Friends..."Girly" 
Craft-Dee Bowz..."Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow"
 Created with Love..."Girly"
Fitztown Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"
Crafty Ribbons Challenge..."Anything Goes with Ribbon"
Brown Sugar Challenge..."Anything Goes"
Crafts 4 Eternity..."Anything Goes"
Cut it Up..."Anything Goes"
Stampin' for the Weekend..."Anything Goes"
Hobby Cutz Challenges..."Girly but no Pink" 
One Stitch At a Time..."For a Woman in you Life"