Inspired By Story ~ Heidi

Hi Guys!

I'm back with another gorgeous image by Mo Manning, called Heidi. I love this image!

It fits in perfectly with our theme this week at Mo's DP2 which is:

Inspired by a Book or Story

Recipe:

Papers: K&Co

Image: Heidi by Mo Manning

Sentiment: Whimsy Stamps

Dies: Spellbinder's Nestabilities

Colors: Prismacolor Pencils and Distress inks (on sentiment)

Buttons and ribbon : from stash

I am also using this card as my Catered Crop project.

This week we are casing delightful Crystal's card which you can see below:

Isn't it a lot of fun? 

Here's your FTR15 recipe:

(I have shown you in red the ingredients Ive used. You can use any or all)

• Colors – red, orange, yellow, green (bring out those fun, bright summer colors)
• Stamps and Stickers – shrooms! (fungi, garden or just anything that grows in the ground)
• Patterns – hearts, polka dots
• Color Mediums – Prisma pencils
• Embellishments – buttons, bakers' twine
• Tools – digital stamps, dimensional adhesives
• Theme – love and friendship

 So what do we have up for grabs this week?

As always, the winning entry gets an "I Baked it Best" button to put on their blog and will be the inspiration for the next challenge. At Catered Crop there are always two ways to win. You could also be the randomly chosen winner of a prize package. We have an extra delicious treat this time: CUPCAKES! It's a crazy fun package of K.I. Memories Cupcake Puffies embellishments, a cupcake-shaped note pad, and there's also a bookmark: "Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake"

So!  

Here's the plan!

Why not join in Mo's challenge and make you card based on your fave book.Mo's got lots of great book characters in her shop. And then once you've chosen your image, its the perfect opportunity to grab  an ingredient or two from the Catered Crop recipe and then you'll have the chance to win a fabby prize from two challenges. How great is that!

 A few challenges this card fits in:

Bearly Mine -- Summer Time

Craft Your Passion - Seeing Red (use Red)

Stamps R Us - There was a little girl

Thanks for visiting!

In Sympathy

OK, so I've decided that I'm not going to make any more cards with colored images!

What do you think of that?

Kidding!

Had you worried, didn't I?

Truth is, I needed a sympathy card quickly for a male friend of ours and not having an appropriate digi or the time to color one I decided to go "clean and simple". This is about as clean and simple as it gets in my world.

The papers are DCWV and the sentiment from TLC. The lovely paper flower was made by Laura. 

Thanks, Laura!

The dies are Nesties and the corner is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Sympathy cards are always difficult for me to make cos I never know whether the person is a "black sympathy " person or a "cheer me up sympathy" person. Since this is a  grown male who I think is pretty traditional I went with the safety of black/gray but punched it up a bit with yellow.

If he's like most men I know he'll only glance at it anyway and chuck it. lol

(my husband just kinda stared at with eyebrows pulled together.....)

Another reason not to spend two hours coloring an image!

I hope you all have a peaceful  and happy week.

Whimsy And Stars ~ Balloons

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a good weekend. We had some terrific thunderstorms last night. The kind of lightning that is so bright it almost hurts your eyes. But we got lots of rain which we desperately needed.So its all good.

So today I am showing you my second card as GD for Whimsy and Stars. This is a new release that just came out last week. Its called "Balloon Baby" and you can buy it here. I love coloring balloons so this one was a lot of fun for me.

OK so my recipe!

Papers: K& Co.

Corner Die: Sizzex

Image: Whimsy and stars

Sentiment: Whimsy Stamps

Twine: The Twinery

Colors: Prismacolor Pencils on Kraft Cardstock

Card Candy: gift from Annika (love this stuff!)

A few challenges this card qualifies for:

Aly's Sunday Challenge - - Kids

Crafty Pad -  - Bold and Bright or soft pastels

Creative Inspirations Paint -  - Babies

Pile It On - Going Round In Circles 

Challenge Up Your Life -- Circles 

Our Creative Corner -  Your Style 

Delicious Doodles -- Cute & cuddly.

THanks for stopping by!

Phindy's Place ~ Going Around In Circles

Hi Again!

So today my project was made for the weekly challenge at Phindy's Place which happens to be:

Going Around In Circles

Its perfect for me cos I usually feel like thats what I'm doing. lol

So I thought that this vintagy type image really lended itself to the homey muted colors of a circle quilt. I think it worked out quite well.

My recipe:

Papers: DCWV

Image: Phindys

Ribbon: Crafty Ribbons

Charm: the Charm Barn

Dies: Spellbinders nestabilities

Buttons: From stash

Pop dots

And a close up:

A few challenges:

Little Miss Muffet Challenges -  - Red, orange, yellows.

Meljens Designs -- Stripes and/or plaid.

Rainbow Lady's - - Use a digi

Southern Girls - - Anything goes.

Crafts and Me - stitches

Creative Inspirations -  Stitching

Together Is The Best Place

Hi Guys!

I hope your week is going well. We've been doing quite a bit of swimming over at my sister's and today I had another turtle to relocate, this time a three legged one. (I had nothing to do with it, in case you're wondering).

Ok! So back to business!

Today's card I made for some friends of ours who were having an anniversary. It's so nice that Mo does some multicultural images, this is a new one and I thought it was perfect!

So the challenge this week at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge is FFFF. In other words,

Fancy fold, Flutters, Fairies, Flowers

All or any.

I chose fancy fold.

My recipe:

Image: Mo manning

Colors: Prismacolors

Papers: K&Co

Ribbon: Crafty Ribbons

Butons: from stash

Punch: Martha Stewart

Charm: Charm Barn

Sentiment: Scrapalicious

And a close up:

And a few challenges:

Amber's Crafts and Stuff -  summer

Crafts and Me - stitches

Fab 'n' Funky - Summer Lovin'

Little Red Wagon - anniversary cards

The Paper Variety -  Summer

A Spoonful Of Sugar -  Ribbons & Bows 

Anita Be Stampin' - Shaped Card + Optional extra Buttons 

Corrosive Challenges - 2E - Ribbons and Bows

Thats it from  me today! I'll be back tomorrow with a new Phindy's Challenge that I think you'll love! Until then, have fun!

Stacey's Humungus Blogaversary

Hey all!

Just wanted to pass along a serious candy alert!!

My buddy Stacey is having her very first blogaversary and is hosting quite a bash! There are multiple prizes and no strings attached just a "how craftsick are you"? quiz.The funnier your answers the better chance you have of winning some yummy goodness. 

You'll really want to check it out!

See you tomorrow!

Making Your own Cheap Photo Box

So I'd been thinking of investing in a proper photobox (still might for all that) when I came across this guys tutorial on making your own. You can find it here. I decided to give it a go.

All you need is a cardboard box, some tape, sharp knife and some fabric.

First cut windows in the top and sides. Leave the base and back solid.

Then cover with white paper.

Even the sides..

Then hang fabric in the windows...

(this is upside down btw; remember you want the base solid.)

Turn it right side up and hang a piece of fabric or bristol board from the top back to the front so that it drapes. You can cover the whole outside with fabric as well but I haven't.

So it looks kinda like this when you have your card inside:

 Here is the finished card (an older one; don't want to ruin any surprises ;-) using the photo box.

If I was to make another one I would do some things differently. 

*I would make it bigger. This size barely gives you enough room to breathe. And as for the draping fabric well you have to push it back to get your card truly inside the box. Which in turn exposes the sides of the box. Bummer #1.

* I would use a fabric that doesn't wrinkle so badly. I ironed this fabric and I can still see the wrinkles and unfortunately they do come out in the photographs as well. Bummer #2.

*It doesn't collapse for easy storage. So would be inconvenient for small spaces. Bummer #3

Bottom Line: You get what you pay for. LOL 

 It's pretty good actually,  it just has some quirks. I think it would be great if you lived in a place where the lighting is undependable. Here at my craft workstation I have good lighting with windows all around me so that I think my normal way of taking pictures ( 4 sheets of white cardstock propped up) doesn't look much different that pics taken with this photobox.

But if any of you need a photobox and can't afford one, this is really pretty simple to make.

So will I buy a photobox?

Weeeeeell I may just invest in a large piece of posterboard to eliminate my "seam" when I take pics with my cardstock. 

59 cents and my troubles are over! Packs flat too. :-)

But it was cool playing around!

A Cup Of Kindness

Hi Guys!

I hope you all had a great weekend! It was our 18th wedding anniversary yesterday so we were out and about for much of the weekend but last night, Stacey and Aaron came over to share a meal with us which was real nice. There's no better way to celebrate than with friends. :-)

Plus, she brought chocolate cream pie and icecream. Like I'm gonna turn that away! lol

OK! Back to the card!

Remember last week I gave you all a sneak peak at Mabelle R.O 's  new summer releases? Well this card is made using one of them. You can find it here.

My recipe:

Image: Whimsyand Stars

Colros: Prismacolors

Papers: K&Co

Ribbon: Crafty Ribbon

Die: Spellbinders

Sentiment: My own

Charm: The Charm Barn

Metal corner: Wild Orchid Crafts

The sentiment was a real quickie but you're welcome to it!

To grab the sentiment, click, right click and save or go to Free Sentiments box in sidebar.

A few challenges:

Card Cupids - Summer

Creative Inspirations - - Stitching

Creative Inspirations Paint - - Bright Colours

Just Some Lines  - Spots & Dots 

Secret Crafter - Images Containing Household Items (a cup)

ECP Challenges  Inspiration*

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge -- Use embellishments starting with "R". (ribbon)

Just Add Ink - Add colouring.

Thats it for today! Its supposed to get nauseatingly hot today so I plan on going swimming. :-)

Have a great week!

Midnight Gardening

So I think this is a first for me:

 Making a card thats all Black and White except the image. It was a little challenging but at the same time took out the guess work. No matching colors to papers, just B&W. It was quite liberating. lol

Anyway the theme this week at Phindy's is, you guessed it:

All Black and White Except Image

So for a recipe we have as follows:

Image: Phindy

Colors: Prismacolors

Sentiment circle: Whimsy Stamps

Charm: a gift from Iulia

punches: Martha Stewart

Ribbon: Crafty Ribbons

brad: Recollection (I think)

A few challenges:

Alota Rubber Stamps - -  Summertime

 Always Something Creative - The beginning of Summer 

By the Cute & Girly -- In the garden

Tiffany Doodles - Steppin in to summer

Crafting for all Seasons - Summer

Little Darlings Challenges - Summer (2nd week

Paper Shelter Challenge -  punches and dies

7 Kids College Fund -summer card but no Magnolia stamp

Anything Goes Challenge  Here Comes Summer

Creative Card Crew - Ribbons & brads

Thanks for coming by to visit! Happy Crafting!

A Bucket Of Sunshine

Hi Everyone!

Today's challenge at Mo's Digital Pencil is to 

make or use a tag in your creation.

I'm not one for making many tags and didn't know quite what to do which is why you find a bucket shaped sentiment that I hope will pass for a tag. :-)

The flip flop started off as an ingenious idea until I stuck it down (with scortape need I add) and couldn't remove it. :-/

Anyway!

My recipe:

Image: Mo Manning

Colors: Prismacolors

Papers: Doodlebug Designs

Ribbon: Crafty Ribbon

Charm: The Charm Barn

Flip Flop: free form from my own not so brilliant imagination

A close up:

The sentiment is yours if you'd like it. You know the routine, click, right click and save or go to my FREE SENTIMENTS box in the sidebar.

 Challenges:

Amber's Crafts and Stuff -  Vacation

Crafting for all Seasons - Summer

Little Darlings Challenges -Summer (2nd week)

7 Kids College Fund -  summer card but no Magnolia stamps

Color Throwdown - color* 

A Spoonful Of Sugar -Splish Splash

Anything Goes Challenge - Here Comes Summer 

Clear It Out! - - Paper Piecing 

Design Dollies -  Summer

Aly's Sunday Challenge -- All About Kids

What Would I Do Without You

Hi All!

Today I'm introducing you to a new designer.

 Mabelle R.O. of WhimsyAndStars.

She's actually not a new designer at all, she's just new to me and before you ask, no, her shop is not related to Whimsy Stamps. Totally different. So today (and this summer as Guest Designer) I have the privilege of showcasing one of  her cutie patootie images called "Girl With Kitty". You can find it here.

My recipe:

Image: Maybelle RO 

Colors: prismacolors with paper piecing

Papers: K& Co.

Postage stamp sentiment: Whimsy Stamps

'Without You' Sentiment: Scrapalicious

Die: Spellbinders

Sewing: Machine done on a Singer Touch and Sew

Twine: The Twinery

Buttons and ribbon: from stash

Isn't she adorable? And kitty too?

So I'm also using this card as part of my DT assignment over at The Catered Crop.

Here's what's cooking today:

This was the card of inspiration  created by Hannah Clark:

And here is the ingredients Hannah utilized which we'll be mixing and matching to make our own creation with:

(My ingredients are in red)

 Colors – blue, brown, kraft and green
* Stamps and Stickers – nature, birds and birdy things
* Color Mediums – Copic, craft aint
* Embellishments – pearls, beads, stick pins, crocheted/lace ribbon, recycled cardboard (fun!) 
* Tools – paper piercer, sewing machine, distress tools, die cuts
* Techniques – paper piercing, sewing, distressing
* Theme – nature, birds, shabby chic

OK, so I know my card looks nothing like Hannah's and you're probably wondering why I didn't jump on the egg and fowl theme. Just givin you all a beak, I mean break. I'm not sick or anything:-)

So I hope you can all join in the fun at Catered Crop as well as pop over to Maybelle's etsy shop and check out her goods. She's got something for everybody unless you like ugly scary monsters or something, but hey, even so she's got some flies on a picnic, who would've thought flies could be cute? I think its the big drippy eyes. The "puss in boots" look lol  

Anyway check it out. :-)

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Also , before you all run away I have a teaser sneak peak for you of Mabelle's upcoming new Summer release on JUne 18th. All being well I will have a card to share with you on the day. :-)

A few challenges:

Aly's Sunday Challenge - All About Kids

Paper Sundaes -- Girly Girl

Totally Papercrafts - Summer.

Cupcake Inspirations - Inspirational Photo *

Happy Crafting!

Cuddly Buddly ~ New Home

Hi Guys!

Am I on a roll this week or what?

This is a card I made for our other friends who lost their home in the tornado. They're in the process of rebuilding so I thought this would be perfect. It's also an introduction card I made for the DT at Cuddly Buddly.  Just loooove their images!

My recipe:

Image: Cuddly Buddly

Colors: Prismacolors

Papers: DCWV

Ribbon: Crafty Ribbons

Banner: die set from Whimsy Stamps

Buttons : from stash

Sorry for the blurriness on the close up:

The inside sentiment: 

Just click, right click and save or go to Free Sentiments box in sidebar.

OK! Gotta run! Got grocery shopping to do!

Have a great weekend!!