Recipe challenges

Hello and I hope you have all had a great day. I've been doing some crafting after cleaning house this morning. I'm beginning my Valentine's projects. I hope to send some little treats to family this year and maybe pass some out to our Sunday School class members. Here is a fry box I made to hold some candy (or cookies if I get some baked).




I made my box using the recipe challenges from Paper Sundaes (brown, pink, lace, and flowers) and The Pink Elephant (polka dots, a bow, and pink.) I also have some die cut hearts on my box- Secret Crafter Saturday has set a heart theme challenge.

As promised, the blog candy has been increased. More will be added as more enter, so make sure you stop by this post for a chance.

Friday Feature- Red Hot

Valentine's Day will be here soon, so I thought it would be fun to search for some decor in the traditional red to set the mood about the home.


Bright HEARTS COASTER SET by peganders



E. Isabella Designs. Hearts and Stripes Dessert Pedestal by elizalee17



Red and White - Sweetheart - Cotton Dinner Napkins - set of 6 by MaryLittfin



15in Valentine LOVE heart-shaped pillow with customizable lettering and FREE SHIPPING by derilyn



Sent with Love Quilt Valentines Special Free US Shipping by Quiltville

Enjoy your day

I am constantly discovering new (to me) stamp companies and challenge blogs. I recently discovered Hambo Stamps. Here is my card I made for their sketch challenge. I used their free cool cat. I also made this for Dutch Dare "Summer in Winter". This cat sure makes me think of the lazy days of summer. I colored him with Copics sketch markers and the paper is BasicGrey Lime Ricky. The sentiment is a rub on. Thanks for looking.

Some sketch challenge cards

I'm sharing a couple of cards that I made for sketch challenges. They combine a few other challenges too. First, it is sketch time at Papertake Weekly. They always have such fun sketches. Here is my card with a TGF digi using the sketch.

I pierced some holes and highlighted them with black pen.

Stamp: TGF
Paper: K&Co.
Tools: Nestabilities, Copics, paper piercer

Next is a card that I made for Card Patterns. Stamp Something wants to see "funny" somethings and Digital Tuesday is challenging us to make funny masculine birthday cards. This image from KLM Digital Designs was perfect for both. I came up with the sentiment myself!




Stamp: Scared Ella KLM Designs
Paper: BasicGrey
Tools: Nestabilities, Copics
Accent: Button (Making Memories)

A color challenge

Mo's Digital Pencil issued this color challenge:



I made my card based on the Inspirational Card Sketches #51. I used BG Wisteria Papers and Bazzill cardstock. The image is from Digital Pencil and I colored it with my copics. Sorry for the short post- it's way past bedtime.

Coloring with copics

I recently discovered the Copics Creations challenges. They link great tutorials for their challenges. This will be a great way for me to learn to use my new Copics. This challenge is for ethnic skin tones. This is my first try at this. I used E39, E13, E11, and E21 to color Charlotte's skin. The layout of my card is based on Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch #53.

Stamp: TGF
Paper: We R Memory Keepers
Tools: Nestabilities
Accents: Brads

Two for Tuesday

Valentine's Day is approaching. Looking for something that's not your traditional red and pink? Try this combo for a very elegant gift.

Silver Filigree Necklace by RachellesJewelryBox



Love Binds card by SouthernScraps

Spread some sunshine

"Sunshine" is a theme for two challenges this week- The Greeting Farm Farm Fresh Friday and Saturday Spotlight. Here is my card for the two using Chibi Cupcakes by TGF. TGF wanted anything shiny or happy and Saturday Spotlight wanted mostly yellows. I put a touch of gray with mine. I love that combo. I used the sketch from Sketches by Tamara as my layout.




Stamp: TGF digi
Paper: K&Co.
Tools: Copics, EKSuccess border punch
Accents: Ribbon

Thinking of you in pink

Here is a card I've made based on the sketch from a brand new challenge blog Paper Sundaes. I used most pink for the challenge at Papertake Weekly, and I put a button (with a pearl in its center) in the flower for the Little Paper Shop challenge.

I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils. I sanded and inked the edges of the two patterned paper layers for a little distressed look. Thanks for looking and register for the candy HERE if you like.



Stamps: Whiff of Joy, Studio G sentiment
Paper: K%Co.
Tools: Nestabilites; EKSuccess oval punch, Ranger Antique linen distressing ink
Accents: flower, pearls, lace

Big Announcement

I'm excited to announce that I have been chosen to serve on a design team for Digital Stamp Oasis from Feb. 1- April 1. I'm going to have so much fun playing with these great digi images and sharing them. One of my first digi purchases was from Digital Stamp Oasis- Sammy Squirrel eats strawberries. Even though the term hasn't started, I used Sammy to make a card for a few challenges. Here he is:




This is for the Digital Tuesday sketch, Charisma Cardz- use fruity colors/fruit images, and Simon Says - use punches. I used my MS zig zag border punch.

I colored Sammy with Prismacolor pencils. The coral color panel was embossed with my Sizzix Texture Boutique machine.

Thanks for looking. I'll be back later to add my DSO design team blinkie and a list of the other team members to my sidebar. For now, please visit the DSO blog My Creative Moments to meet the other team members and pay them a visit!

And don't forget I have BLOG CANDY!! I may really beef this up now in celebration of my new honor.

Spaced out

I'm quickly sharing a card that I made for this week's High Hopes challenge- use spacey colors. I made my card based on the CPS150 sketch. I used BasicGrey Lime Ricky papers. With all those funky patterns and colors, Ace looks like he's ready for a space flight, lol. I've colored him with Prismacolor pencils.



Stamp: High Hopes Ace
Paper: Lime Ricky BG
Tools: Prismacolor pencils, Nestabilities petite and large circles
Accents: Brads

Friday Feature- Crafty Organization

Looking again at organization products for the new year. Here are some finds many of us crafters could use.


Plum Paisley Mini Organizer by victoriawilde



Shadow Box Organizer - Solid Poplar Distressed Finish by NellieCorrine




Scrapbooking Craft Cubbie Storage Organizer by organizemore



They've got versions of these for ink pads, ribbon and punches.

And for yourself when your doing a show- a stylish apron:

Skeleton Painters Union Vendor Apron by yoopers

Hello friend

I'm quickly sharing my card for Stampin for the Weekend's sketch challenge. I've used Suzette Ketto from Stamping Bella for my image and "blinged" her up a bit. Papers are by BasicGrey Sugar Rush. Thanks for looking. Gotta go, it's bedtime.

Two for Tuesday

Know someone who loves to cook? Here's the perfect gift/ card combo.

1984 Vintage -The Southern Heritage Celebrations Cookbook By Oxmoor House by sassygirliegirl



Cupcakes..Greeting card by SouthernScraps

Snow Angel

I'm back again with another card. This one was made for four challenges, two of which are new to me. Flutter by Wednesday is open and I chose to use this Snow Angel by Sketching Stamper that I had colored with my new Copics the day after Christmas. I added stickles for some sparkle. I used the sketch at Card Patterns and the colors are for the blue and white color challenge at Stamp Something. I've also added snowflakes for the challenge at Saturday Spotlight. I die cut the snowflakes and added rhinestone stickers to them.



Stamp: Digi stamp- Sketching stamper
Paper: BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses
Tools: Sizzix snowflakes die, nestabilities large rectangle and scalloped rectangle, Copics
Accents: Rhinestones, stickles

All Occasion set

First a reminder that I have candy. Check it out here!

I'm sharing my set of cards that I made with the crazy 4 challenges sketch. I had to make a slight tweak to it as I thought it looked better not to have my sentiment overlap my image. I made the cards and a belly band for them for the StampTV Anything but a card challenge. I went with a set of those sentiments you often need at the last minute and don't have time to make up- sympathy, get well, thanks, and a thinking of you. Here they are:







Stamps: A Year of Flowers GKD; MFT sentiments; SeeD's (Get well sentiment)
Paper: K&Co. Amy Butlery
Accent: Ribbon
Tools: Nestabilities Large Rectangle; Ribbon tags trio; scallop punches; lace doily punch (Martha Stewart)

Whiff of Joy challenge card

Good morning. If you are fortunate enough to have this day off, I hope you are enjoying it and doing something fun. I just finished up a simple little card for the Whiff of Joy challenge #62. I used Henry celebrating mouse for my image and a piece of K&Co. patterned paper with Bazzill cardstock.

Brand new challenge

Dustin Pike is starting up a brand new challenge. The first one calls for Love/Valentine. I've used the image that was given out in the blog hop. It's so darling. I based my layout on the sketch at Papertakeweekly. I've been coloring with Primsacolor pencils again ( don't tell my hubby, he just spent a lot of money on Copics for Christmas, lol.) I used the BasicGrey Sugar Rush paper.

Not too shabby

I made a card for a couple of challenges. One of the challenges is Simon Says - Shabby Chic. I love this style but it is not my style. I rarely create this way. I don't think I pull it off too well, but I am pleased with this card. For a shabby chic effect on this card, I did some sanding to the edged of my paper, some stitching, and put a corsage pin through the ribbon. I've used a stamp from Starving Artist. I have challenged myself to go through my stash and use the never used or rarely used stamps.

I also used the sketch from Friday Sketchers. For the Charisma Cardz challenge to use anything new, I've used my new label trio die.

Stamp: Starving Artist; sentiment- SeeD's
Paper: Bazzill cardstock, PXS
Tools: Nestabilities label trio die, prismacolor pencils
Accents: Button, ribbon, flower, corsage pin

Do you want this sunflower stamp? It has only been used this once and I've decided that it won't get much more use so I'm adding it to my blog candy. Please go here to enter.

Digital Challenges

I'm sharing a card a made for a few digital challenges. I've used an image from Digital Pencil for Mo's Challenge- a sketch. Dare you 2 Digi Stamp is asking for buttons and Digital Tuesday challenged us to use embossing.
I embossed the two cardstock panels with a Cuttlebug folder in my Big Shot. I also swiped some ink across the embossing on the blue panel for a little distressing. The image was colored with Prismacolor pencils. Here is the card.



Stamp: Mo's Digital Pencil
Paper: K&Co., Bazzill cardstock
Tools: Cuttlebug Spots and Dots folder
Accents: Buttons

High Hopes release and blog candy

High Hopes is adding rubber stamps by Dustin Pike to their line! Sneaks peaks will take place on the High Hopes blog and on the Design Teams blogs this coming Sunday.... continue Monday and Tuesday... then explode with a blog hop on release day!!!


Do you want to win a package bursting with new release stamps? Of course you do :-) Help them spread the news about the blog hop and release on Wednesday 20th January.

See my previous post for a High Hopes image! I love to color these!

Learning to color

I've been studying some Prismacolor tutorials and have been trying to improve my coloring skills. Here are a few good tutorials I've found:








I've colored this image with Prismacolor pencils, desparately trying to apply what I've learned. I actually do thing this is my best colored pencil job yet. This card is made for the High Hopes challenge- use a bow, The Pink Elephant Birthday theme challenge, Creative Inspirations use something new (my new item is the label trio die) and for Aly's Sketch challenge. I had to tweak the sketch a little but I started with it for my inspiration.

Stamp: High Hopes Gavin the Birthday dragon
Paper: BasicGrey Lime Ricky
Tools: Prismacolor pencils, Nestabilities oval, scallop oval, and labels trio
Accents: Ribbon

Friday Feature- Papers and Purses

Get those unruly purses and papers- bills, coupons, you name it, organized and under control with these great etsy finds.


New Style...Beautiful Petite Address Card File with Colorful Patterns and Printed Address Cards by rfrantzdesign



Hooty Hoot Owl Eye Candy Customizable Organizer by crabappledesign



2010 Desk Calendar by heatherkintner



NEW UPDATED SIZE Quilted Purse Organizer by andsewmuchmore



The Original Hands-Free List Maker/Coupon Organizer (Lush) by TheOrganizedShopper

Quick announcement

You know I love Victoria Case images. You've seen me use some of her digital images. There will be a big release tomorrow. The Aurora collection for SCACD. Find links to details and candy here.

BIrthday girl

Well, not me for another six months. But this little cutie on this card seems to be exicted about a birthday. This is for Mo's Digital Challenge using the sketch from Little Paper Shop. I tweaked the sketch just a bit.




Stamp: Mo's Digital Pencil
Paper: Basic Grey
Tools: Prismacolor pencils, OMS, Nestabilities Large square and scalloped square, circle punch
Accents: Ric rac

Two for Tuesday

Are you thinking ahead to Valentine's Day? Here is a great combo. The card has a masculine touch and even the most macho guy couldn't turn down this cute owl, so here's a perfect combo for your guy.

Oliver Owl - amigurumi crochet by wigglysee





















Owl always love you card by SouthernScraps

Back with some rubbah!!

Told ya I'd go back to rubber in a bit. Here is a card I made for the Whiff of Joy challenge (colors aqua and red) using the sketch saturday sketch. I love this color combo. I've colored the image with my Copics- sorry I didn't keep up with the colors this time.

Stamp: Whiff of Joy Melinda Hugging Heart; sentiment- Verve
Paper: K&Co., Bazzill Cardstock
Tools: Nestabilities; EKSucess punch; copics
Accents: Ribbon; button, brads

Here's another quick share. I found another Challenge blog- Just Us Girls. They are calling for stitching. I love this technique but haven't done it in quite a while so I added some faux stitching to this card. Coloring was done with Prismacolor pencils on this one.

Stamp: MFT
Paper: K&Co.
Tools: Nestabilities
Accents: Brads

Warm wishes

I'm quickly sharing another card I made for several challenges. I'm saying quickly because it is way past bedtime. This card uses another digi image. I'm addicted to these- instant gratification, easy storage, no mess. Don't get me wrong- I still like my rubber stamps and I'll be back with some of those soon.



This was done in pink, brown, and cream for the Charisma Cardz challenge and Simon Says. I used Taylored Expressions Sketch #97 and the recipe from The Pink Elephant.

Stamps: Image- digi Cappucino Pippin from Digital Delights; Sentiment- TCP
Paper: Making Memories
Tools: Copics- E40, C10, C6, C8, RV21, E57; Nestabilities
Accents: Ribbon, buttons(Making Memories)

Yes I did..

I dug deep into that old stash of papers for this one. This is some really old K&Co. paper. I must have gotten it 6-7 years ago and off ebay at that. (Please tell me I'm not the only one holding on to paper for 6-7 years.) This paper had the colors I was looking for. I made this card for the color throwdown challenge. Here are the colors I'm attempting to use:



And that new punch I mentioned in my previous post- I used it too. My layout is based on the sketch at Stamp Something- this week's challenge is "sketch something". This is an anniversary card for my parents and for the Creative Inspirations challenge to make an anniversary card. Thanks for the push to get this done early. My parents have an anniversary at the end of this month. They are not as old as the folks in the image, but I thought it was so sweet.




(Note and tip about the image: if it looks funny, it is in no way due to the quality of Mo's work. It is totally my fault. When I printed this, I pasted it along with others into a new page in Photoshop elements. I forgot to check the resolution. It was at 72dpi. UGH! Always set your document to 300 for good results.)

Stamp: Digi-Digitalpenciltoo
Paper: Bazzill cardstock, K&Co., Making memories
Tools: Copics- B41, YG67, YG17, N3, E35, E13, E39, E21, E31, E00, Y00, R59, RV34, BV04, C0, V17, R20, B18, B45, C8; Nestabilities squares and scalloped squares large; Martha Stewart doily hearts border punch
Accents: pearls (Michael's)

A Digi Valentine

Hi. Hope you have had a great Saturday. I colored some images this morning, did a workout, went out for lunch with hubby and ran some "errands", haha- that included a trip to Michaels. Hubby asked what do we "need" to get at Michael's? I said I didn't "need" anything but I had coupons. Go sign up for the newsletter and get a 20% off coupon good on your entire purchase- regular, sale or clearance. It's good tomorrow too. I got some Cosmo Cricket paper on clearance, some card bases and envelopes on sale, and a new punch. My hubby is good about checking out separately for me with my second coupon so I can use two in one day.



Now about that card you came to look at... I made this one using Mercy's Sketch #55. It's also for the Digital Tuesday challenge- a Valentine for a loved one. I think this one is going to my niece. The image is a Pure Innocence from Digi Stamp Characters. The paper is from Basic Grey's Sugar Rush. I colored with my copics and did some piercing around the circle.

Thanks for looking.

Stamp: Pure Innocence digi
Paper: BasicGrey Sugar Rush
Tools: Copics, Martha Stewart punch, Nestabilities
Accents: Ribbon

Friday feature - contain it

One of the issues involved in organizing is finding containers to store stuff in. I like mine to be pretty. Here are some great etsy finds for storage and organization.


Little Pink Sparrow Bucket by henryandzoestudio




Large Comfy Fabric Storage Bins with Oilcloth by sewingmomma



Recycled/Upcycled Sweater Basket Square Brown with Vintage Buttons by craftinator



Soda, Pop, or Coke by conformityinfraction



Magazine Storage Bins by decorativeinstincts