Life is Good! Enjoy!

Hi!  Glad you could stop by for a visit today!

As I sit here scheduling this post to go live, it's a foggy, rainy, soggy day here in Manitoba, Canada!

We've had 3 days of this in a row, and some sunshine would be great!  

I'm back today with a new {Pin}spirational challenge...and the picture we have for you makes me hope the sun will come out and gives me a hope that spring must be lurking for us around the corner...

Let's take a look...

 

Isn't it gorgeous!!!!

I'm so ready to be working in my flower beds and to be going on bike rides!

We have a wonderful bunch of sponsors for you today...

Scribbles Designs

 

 

Fred She Said 

 

Deedee Digis

 

Be sure to check the {Pin}spirational Challenge blog for all the fabulous prizes being offered!

Awhile back while browsing the SVG Cuts store, I came across a fabulous cutting file that included a bicycle shaped card.  I just couldn't pass it up!  I knew it was perfect for this challenge!

Let's take a peek...

I chose to go with softer and muted tones even though the {pin}spirational photo is more vibrant.  

I just think it's the most adorable card!  I decided to add two sentiment stickers to the card because they just summed up how I always feel when I go on a bike ride and play among my flowers!

I'm interested to see what inspires you this challenge round.  

Be sure to link up you creations so I can stop by your little spot in blogland for a visit!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Crafting from the Heart..."Anything Goes"
The Crafty Bloggers Network..." Die Cuts or Embossing"
My Craft Creations...."Anything Goes"
Paper Nest Dolls Challenge..."Anything Goes"
The Pink Elephant..."Pastel Color Combo"
613 Avenue Create..."Anything Goes"
Amusing Challenges..."Anything Goes - No Digi"
Challenges 4 Everybody..."Anything Goes"
Sentimental Sundays..."CAS"
The Squirrel and the Fox..."Die Cuts or Punches"
Inkspirational..."Green and Pink Color Challenge"
The Doodle Garden..."Color Challenge"
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards..."Spring"
Polkadoodles..."Springtime"
Stuck on U Sketches..."Anything Spring"

Under the Sea

It certainly feels like the weeks are passing faster and faster lately!

How about for you?

We're still awaiting spring here in Manitoba, Canada...and I'm just happy that the snow they've been calling for in the last week or so has never come to pass.  

The kids and I are so ready for sunshine and green grass!

I'm glad you could stop in today to see what our new challenge over at {Pin}spirational Challenges is this week.  As you know, we always base our creations on a {pin}spiring photo.

We have a unique one for you today...so be prepared to throw on your creativity cap...

Aren't the colors beautiful?  Those teals, blues, greens...not to mention the textures!

And the possibilities with turtle digis seem to be endless these days!

I decided to use some cutting files for my Silhouette Cameo which I purchased on sale at

 Designs on Cloud 9.  This under the sea themed set was a file that was being retired and I just couldn't let it slip through my fingers.  

But, before I show you what I created for this challenge, let me bring you up to speed on our wonderful sponsors for this week...

Imagine That!

as well as...

 Bugaboo

and last but not least...

2 Cute Ink

 

Be sure to check out the {Pin}spirational Challenge blog to see the wonderful prizes are sponsors are offering this week!

Now, back to my creation! 

Let's take a look!

and here's a closer peek at the sentiment I used from our sponsor Imagine That...

and lastly a closer look at the grouping in the shadowbox as well as the turtle on the front...

I had purchased a shadow box cutting file from the Silhouette online store that I thought would be perfect for this card challenge.  The different layerings and the fact that it was a shadow box I felt would give you that under the sea water feeling like in our {pin}spiring picture.  Since I was a little short on time with this one, I decided to use the PNG files that were included with the cutting files rather than paper piece for this project.  I've popped up the sea horse, as well as some of the seaweed so the background looks dimensional.  I've cut some extra waves for the front of the card and added the turtle so it looks like he's swimming through the scene as well.  Lastly, I've added a print out of the sentiment from our sponsor Imagine That.  All in all, I thought it came out kinda cute!

Are you ready to tackle this under the sea challenge?  Needing more {pin}spiration?  Don't forget to check out the other DT members creations on the blog!
I'm looking forward to seeing where your creativity takes you with this photo!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Alphabet Challenge..."D is for Die Cuts"
Bloggers Challenge..."Animals"
Crafty Catz..."Anything Goes"
Sister Act Card Challenge..."Anything Goes"

Crafting by Designs..."Colors of the Sea Recipe" (inspiration photo, sea creatures, water & bubbles)
The Sisterhood of Crafters..."Animals"
Creative Card Crew..."Animals"
Crafty Calender Challenge..."Animal Antics"
Open-Minded Challenges..."Animal Antics"
2 Cute Ink..."Anything Goes"
The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog..."Cute with Dies/Punches"
Use Your Stuff..."Die Cuts"

Lessons from a Teddy Bear

Do you ever think about that childhood teddy bear you had?  You know the one whose one eye was missing and his fur had been completely loved off by you and the washing machine?  My daughter has a stuffed puppy that she's had since she was small and he has been loved to pieces...almost.  He's thread bare and has had some stitching done in a few places.

Our photo to inspire you at {Pin}spirational Challenges this go round reminds me of my daughter.  She used to carry her puppy around with her like this little girl carries around her teddy bear.
Isn't this such a cute photo!

 

We are once again sponsored by some absolutely awesome companies...

BUGABOO

Prize 7 digis 

...as well as...

 ANNE'S DIGITAL ART

Prize 5 digis

...and last but not least...

 A RANDOM FAN

Prize- 3 digis

 Now I landed up not using a sponsored image this week because I had come across a digi at TLC Creations that I was wanting to use.  I also knew that I had background paper that resembled the girls dress.  This picture just made me think of childhood and simple times, so I decided to keep my card simple this week as well. 

Here's a look...

and here's a close up of that adorable bear...
(I had such fun watercoloring him with my Tim Holtz Distress markers!)

lastly, a close up of the sentiment...

I just love that sentiment!  

For the finishing touch I decided to add 3 simple buttons.

I hope I've challenged you to find something in the {pin}spiring photo to incorporate in your creation.  There's really no doing it wrong...it's what jumps out at you...colors, patterns, teddy bears, little girls in beautiful dresses...the possibilities are endless.  Just remember to share your creation with us over at the {Pin}spirational Challenge blog.  And, while you're there be sure to check out the other DT creations.  I promise those will lead to more {pin}spiration.

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards..."Teddy Bears"
Crafty Catz..."Anything Goes"
Daring Cardmakers..."Sentimental"
Digitally Sweet..."Anything Goes"
Sister Act Challenges..."Anything Goes" 
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog..."Color Challenge"
Digi Makeover Challenge..."Anything Goes" 
Eureka Stamps..."Anything Goes"
House of Cards..."Cute/Shabby/Vintage Card with a Button"
Through the Purple Haze..."Use a Digi"

Need an Umbrella?

One does have to wonder how a person can have all of their design team projects due all in the same week! The blog stays quiet for a week...and then boom...all of a sudden there's been some more creating going on! LOL

I'm glad you're back with me today!

I want to share with you the new challenge over at {Pin}spirational Challenges this week...I know it's one of your favorites...ready?

Yup...it's a free for all this week with "Anything Goes"

Our fantastic sponsors this week are...

Crafty Sentiments

offering one lucky winner 3 digis of their choice!

...and

Di's Digi Downloads

offering one lucky winner a $12 gift voucher

....and last but not least

 A & T Digital Designs
 
offering one lucky winner 2 digis of their choice!

I had the priviledge of choosing a digi from A&T Digital Designs and fell in love with the fairy image called "Pip".  I decided to use the image of the "Anything Goes" photo and the water droplets in this image were perfect!

Here's a peek...

...and here's a closer look at the sweet little fairy...

I water colored her with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  I was looking through a Recollections vintage stack and found this paper that totally matched the colors I had used and also reminded me of water droplets!  Then as luck would have it, TLC Creations posted this free sentiment for "Umbrella Day"...did you know it gave such a day...I did not!  LOL
I loved the sentiment though and thought it would be perfect to send to a close friend...it just suited the digi perfectly!

I finished the card off by inking the edge with a green color, put some Glitter Ritz on the fairy's wings and then I added some Glossy Accents to the rain drops.  The finishing touch was to add the 3 rhinestones under the sentiment. 
Not a complicated card, but rather simplistic and straight forward!

Now it's your turn!
Please join us at {Pin}spirational Challenges this week where "Anything Goes".
Looking forward to see what you create!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Created with Love Challenges..."Friends"
Stamping Sensations..."Wings"
Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog..."Bling"
Digi Galore..."Wings"
Winter Wonderland..."Fairies"
Creative Card Crew..."Keep it Simple and Sweet"
Tuesday Throwdown..."Wings"

How's The Weather?

How's the weather out in your neck of the neighbourhood today?
Here in Manitoba, Canada we have been having a mixed bag of strange weather.  The other day we had a storm watch, a thunderstorm warning, a blowing snow warning and a wind warning all in effect at once....and it really did do all of the above.  A friend in the neighbouring town did say she actually heard thunder.  I know it rained quite hard for a period of time during the night and we had some nasty winds and snowfall as well.  I've never seen or experienced weather like this.  And for the last few days, we have been having unseasonably warm weather.  We bounce from +3 degrees  Celsius and thawing ice and snow to the next day being -25 degrees Celsius with a windchill of -42.  It's just crazy!

Well, enough chit chat about the weather...and on with our new challenge over at {Pin}spirational Challenges.  Wait until you see the cute pic we have for your {pin}spiration this week...



Aren't they adorable!
I loved their decor...and I have used their picture on the wall and their couch for my inspiration.  I knew I would have paper to match the sofa, and I just loved the snowy scene in the framed picture on their wall.  I found a cute design over at TLC Creations and decided to turn this into a card.  The penguin was in a frame which was perfect to mimic the portrait on the wall.  I colored up the image with my Spectrum Noir markers (still practicing!), and then decided to add some sequins for some sparkle.  I thought it turned out pretty cute!
Take a look see...

Now, take another look at that cute little picture again and create a card with what elements pop into your sight first. It's such fun...and I so enjoy visiting your entries to see what has inspired you!
And don't forget, we have some awesome prizes from some awesome sponsors this week...

 Scribbles

offering 3 digis to one lucky winner...

...and

Aurora Wings

offering one lucky winner $10 worth of digis!
 
Lastly, be sure to check out the other fantastic creations the {Pin}spirational DT has created to jump start your creative juices!  Enjoy creating!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Lia Stampz..."Color Scheme/Picture Challenge"
613 Avenue Create..."Anything Goes/Winter Blues"
One Stitch at a Time..."Use a Digi"
Robyn's Fetish..."Winter Card"
Created with Love..."Winged Things"
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog..."Use Blue"
Paper Makeup Stamps Digi Challenges..."Snowflakes"
MilkCoffee Challenges..."Monochromatic"
The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog..."January Blues"
Melonheadz Friends..."Winter Fun"
Stamp and Create..."Winter Wonderland"