Featured on Operation Write Home

How pleased and honored I am to be the featured cardmaker on OWH today.  I've told you before how much I love this organization and now it has really risen in my book (just kidding).  They chose a few of my cards from one of the last packages of cards I sent.  Here are 2 more cards that will be going to OWH.  The weekly challenge at OWH is for hero cards and I needed to make some anyway so I will send these out soon in the next box I have made up.  I do hope you will check out the blog site http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2011/04/featured-cardmaker-marsha-d-everson-wa.html  for a peek at my cards but more importantly check out http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/ and consider supporting this great organization.  Now on to the two Hero cards:

Simple card.  Used the star Cuttlbug folder for the background and this wonderful digital sentiment offered at OWH
Challenges: Digital Doodles http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-56-anything-goes.html
Digital Delights http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/04/distressing.html
Simon Says http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=de|en&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&client=tmpg
Sentimental Sundays http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

 I used the Cuttlbug forder again on this one.  The string of stars is really a piece of rickrack that came from my neglected sewing supplies.
challenges:  Simon Says http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=de|en&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&client=tmpg

Spring Blossom Time

The trees are finally budding and showing their beautiful, little dainty blossoms.  And I love hearing the birds tweet and chirp and sing (even in the rain).  This digi says it all.  The digital image is by Heartsong.  I pieced the yellow bird and the pink flowers, adding pearl centers.  Papers are DCWV.

Challenges: Sweet Stop http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/ sketch
Stamping Boutique http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-5winged-things.html  winged things.
Paper Pretties http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/paper-pretties-wednesday-challenge_27.html paper piecing
Simon Says http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=de|en&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&client=tmpg anything goes
Pink Gem http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ pearls.

Spring is Here - That's Toadally Awesome

Weekly digital by Designed2Delight - so cute.
I embossed a piece of DP but then did not like the busyness so I flipped it around to the light lilac side.  Not very often that I even have double sided paper, so this worked out great.  I made the buttoned flowers the same colors as the flowers I colored on the digital image.  It doesn't show much in the photo but the butterflies and the flower centers all have yellow Stickles on them and the ribbon is edged with a glitter thread.

Challenges:  http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/2011/04/bullfrogs-and-butterflies-free-stamp-of.html image
Stamping Boutique  http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-5winged-things.html  winged things
Simon Says http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=de|en&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&client=tmpg emboss
Daisy Doodles http://daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.com/ May Flowers
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/ three flowers, three buttons
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges -lilacs, violets, plums
Digi Doodles Shops Best http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/  glitter, glitz

Hand Over the Chocolate and You Won't Get Hurt

Here is a fun digital by Meljen.  A quick card to make.  I embossed a piece of foil to go along with the foil wrapper on the chocolate bar. It does not show up in the photo, but I colored the outside of the wrapper with a Sakura silver gel pen and the inside of the wrapper with gray Koh-i-noor gray.   Added a little piercing in the corners to match the doodles in the image.

Challenges: Simon Says http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=de|en&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&client=tmpg emboss
Meljen Design http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-55-and-new-release.html 
masculine
Digital Delights http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/04/paper-piecing-or-paper-piercing.html piercing

Round and Round We Go

I've never been big on shaped cards but tried my hand at a few round ones.  This is a small one - will be good for a birthday present tag.  It is only 4 inches across.  I used a digital  by DigiShack, printing it off several times so I could do some piecing.  The bow is printed on a shimmer paper and I added some Stickles too.

Challenges: Stampin Sisters In Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/ Round cards
Digital Delights http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/04/paper-piecing-or-paper-piercing.html piecing
Digi Doodles Shops Best http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-55-glitter-glitz.html glitter and glitz
Clearly i Stamp http://clearlyistamp.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/04/clearly-inspired-challenge-26-cic26.html bling

So Excited to be Guest Designer

It is always fun to have one of my cards chosen by a random drawing resulting in a prize, but  really exciting  to have one of my cards chosen to be featured.  Digital Delights has done just that, chosen a card and featured me as their Guest Designer on their blog site http://digitaldelightsbyloubyloo.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-designer-day.html . They have included a link to SCS showing the card that won.

Now on to a new card for the day.  This sentiment is a digital provided by Operation Write Home. http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/ What a great sentiment to use on hero cards.  I will be using it a lot.    On this card, I used more  wood pieces that came my way recently but embossed these with silver EP. The stars in the red squares are done in Versamark.

Challenges: CPS http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/ sketch
D2D Card Ideas http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/2011/04/lets-hear-it-for-guys.html
Stampin Sisters In Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-84-winners-and-shining-stars.html
Our Daily Bread Design http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/odbdslc57-no-coloring.html
Simon Says http://translate.google.com/translate?client=tmpg&hl=en&langpair=de|en&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
Meljen http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-55-and-new-release.html

Sweet Hearts Tortoise Shell

Using a new digi by Meljen Designs.  So cute.  I challenged myself to do the sketch at Sweet Stop.  Very hard for me because I don't like to do many layers.  And did I add too many embellishments?

I have seen this Cuttlebug folder used for other turtle images.  Even though there are hearts on the shell in stead of the squares, I hope it still goes together.  What do you think ?
Challenges:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/2011/04/sss104-april-16-sketch-with-spin-prize.html
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-54-and-new-release.html
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-54-stripes.html
http://translate.google.com/translate?client=tmpg&hl=en&langpair=de|en&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Life is a Balancing Act

Most of you who will see this are women.  You are probably a wife, a mother, maybe work outside the home.  It is a balancing act, isn't it?  When my children were young, I was given some great advice that I will pass on to you :  your life as a woman is like a three legged stool.  You are you,  a wife,  a mom, .  Don't let any one of the legs get too long or you will be no good as a stool.  If you put all your energy into being a mom and forget about  your husband or yourself, your life will be out of balance.  You can apply this to any three parts of your life so if you aren't married or if you don't have children, you can still use this analogy.  Something to think about.
Okay, on to the card.  The digital is a new one by Designed2Delight.  Sentiment is by Clear Dollar Stamps.
I'm sorry the photo is not very good.  It is so cloudy outside, I could not get the white to look white even after 10 tries.  I put dew drops on the spots on the bug backs.  Wish that would show up better too. 

Challenges:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/2011/04/ladybug-balancing-act-free-stamp-of.html
http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-release-blog-hop-and-pwc149.html
http://iftheshoefitsscrapit.blogspot.com/2011/04/ff75stir-your-imagination.html
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-54-and-new-release.html
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-22-violets-lilacs-plums-oh-my.html

Little Girls

Several of my grand-daughters are quiet and very sensitive.  It makes me wonder what they are thinking and if something on their mind is bothering them.  I have those same feelings when I see this digital but it is cute.  It is by Bugaboo. 
There are so many challenges that this card fit in.  Stick with me here while I list them all and check them out for some challenges that you might enter.
Our Daily Bread - http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Latest%20%20Challenge no ribbon
Paper Pretties http://www.paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/ use 2 or more DP
Card Ideas http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/2011/04/kidding-around-challenge.html - kids
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-106-little-women.html  little women
Simon Says http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?client=tmpg&hl=en&langpair=de|en&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&u=http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/&usg=ALkJrhhZjcML_WMe9Lf-zlPbko5W28QkhQ child
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/04/color-combo-challenge-lavendar-and.html lavender and celery
Stamping Boutique http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-4-and-winners.html  pink, purple, green
OWH http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/ layers
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/ three flowers, three buttons
Card Patterns http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/04/sketch-110.html  sketch

April Showers for Sure

We are still getting our share of showers here in the Pacific NW.  It helps the mood to have cheery rubber boots to offset the gray skies.  this image is by Cheeky Radish.
This is another card that I made over the weekend with scraps of DP and left over images. Can you tell I love making flowers with button centers - I use them a lot.  

Challenges:  CPS http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/
Logian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/
ClearItOut http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/03/name-that-card-live-in-laughter.html
If the Shoe Fits http://iftheshoefitsscrapit.blogspot.com/2011/04/ff74spring-is-in-air.html

Baker's Dozen

Baker's Dozen - 13.  That's how many cards I made Sunday evening and Monday evening.  I finally was fed up with all the extra printed digitals and stamped images I had.  Some were even colored but I had never taken the time to use them.  I am also collecting way too many little scraps of DP so I concentrated on using some of those too.  Most of these cards will go to Operation Write Home http://operationwritehome.org/.  As long as I was making them, I looked for challenges to enter them in.  I will not post all of the cards on this blog site but will post some the next few days.  
The first one is my Robot card. I know  posted a card in February using him, but  I really love him. I used up pieces of paper and  stickers that have been around for awhile but I used this fiber for the first time (have had it at least 6 months).  So fun.  Hope you enjoy.

Challenges: Pink Gem http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-19.html sketch
Card Ideas http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/2011/04/kidding-around-challenge.html child
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/04/you-name-challenge.html Name the Challenge - mine Use Metal
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/03/name-that-card-live-in-laughter.html live in laughter

Somebunny Loves You

Many people think I have some crazy ideas, values, and am off the chart when it comes to some convictions but oh, well.  One of my convictions is not to mix the secular with the Spiritual so I don't do Easter eggs or bunnies.  Easter is Resurrection Sunday to me.  Having said that, I just love some of the bunnies and "easter" stamps and digis.  So I use some of them but not for Easter cards.  Is that clear as mud?  This digi is so cute and I am using it for a kids card for OWH.  It could be sent any time of the year. I printed this digi image along with several others quite some time ago and now for the life of me cannot find it in my computer in order to give credit to the artist.

challenges: Card Patterns http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/
Stampin Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-83-luke-1817.html
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-105-easter-parade.html
Meljen Design http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-53-and-new-release.html
Card Ideas http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/03/start-here-challenge-nestabilities.html

Easter Bonnet

These yellow roses were made the same time I made the pink ones so when I saw this hat digi by Doodle Pantry, I know that I should use them together.

Challenges:  Meljen http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/ Easter
Stamp Something http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ digital
Sweet Stop http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/ sketch
Clear It Out http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/ handmade flowers
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Easter
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/03/occasion-oasis-challenge-easter.html Easter
PaperCupcakes http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/

Cheery Spring Hello

Used a new digi by Designed2Delight and my new Cuttlebug folder to make this cheery Spring card.  Cutting out these flowers with a Cuttlebug die cut and adding a button is such a fun way to make your own flowers ( much less time than the roses I made and posted in a previous post.

challenges:  Card Patterns http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/04/sketch-109-super-6.html sketch
Clear It Out http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/  handmade flowers
Stamping Boutique http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-3-and-winner.html handmade flowers
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/ 3 flowers, 3 buttons
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges dies or punches and ribbon
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/04/pick-3-challenge-for-month-of-april.html
 pick three
Stamp Something http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ digital
Paper Cupcakes http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/2011/04/magical-monday-lets-use-flowers.html use flowers
Card Ideas  http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/2011/04/spotty-dotty-saturday-challenge.html  spots and dots

Spotty, Dotty Cupcake

All kids like sprinkles on their cupcakes.  I used a dig by WinkWink, printing it once on white paper for coloring and a second time on this spotty embossed paper. 

challenges: Stamp Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-83-luke-1817.html  for kids
If the Shoe Fits http://iftheshoefitsscrapit.blogspot.com/ sew
Stamp Something http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ digital
Card Ideas http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/2011/04/spotty-dotty-saturday-challenge.html spots and dots
Meljens Design http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/ sketch
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/03/extra-extra-challenge-whats-new-cupcake.html  cupcake

Take Time To Smell The Roses

How often I forget to do this.  We get so busy with work, paying bills, taking care of family, etc. that we forget to enjoy life.  Even this Spring, I have been so disgusted with our cold, rainy days, that I forget to notice that things really are in bloom - heather, tulips, hyacinths, daffodils.  It took flowering trees to catch my attention.
This digital sentiment is by Doodle Pantry.  I finally learned how to make paper roses - I love them.  Leaves are stamped (Kitchen Stamps).  "All my love" is Stampin Up.

Challenges:   Pink Gem http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/  sketch
Digital Delights http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/  flowers
Stamp Something http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/  use digital
Stamping Boutique http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-3-and-winner.html  handmade flowers
Clear It Out http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/going-floral.html  hand made flowers
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-21-use-dies-or-punches-ribbon.html  punches or dies and ribbon
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/04/pick-3-challenge-for-month-of-april.html  pick three from list, and http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/03/start-here-challenge-nestabilities.html use nestability

Doodle Pantry http://doodlepantryblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/doodle-pantry-digital-challenge-11.html
use doodle pantry digi
Paper Cupcakes http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/2011/04/magical-monday-lets-use-flowers.html
use flowers

Happy Birthday Hot Rod

Yes, a second post today  with another kid's card.  And would you believe it another digi by Doodle Pantry?  It just seemed to fit what I had in mind for this card.  I am using the banner sketch idea at CPS and the banner idea over at City Crafters for the basis of this card.   Except for the fact that I have no idea what parts of a motocycle are metalic and what parts are painted, it turned out pretty well.
The birthday sentiments and flames are from PaperCraft magazine.
Challenges: Stampi Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-83-luke-1817.html  for kids.
CPS http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/  - sketch
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-104-for-kids.html - for kids
City Crafters http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/2011/03/city-crafter-challenge-blog-week-50_29.html  banner
Digi Doodles Shops Best http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-53-happy-birthday.html Happy Birthday
Stamp Something http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-digi-day.html use digital
Stampin Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/03/clean-and-simple-challenge-no-tools.html - no tools except Cuttlebug

Happy Bird-day

Continuing on with cards for kids for OWH  http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/ , I was glad to see several of the challenges on my most visited blogs, were challenges including cards for kids and/or happy birthday themes.

This cute digi is by Doodle Pantry.  I am using my new cuttlebug folder of spots and dots, which I have wanted for quite some time  and finally broke down and purchased.
Challenges for this card:   Stampin Sisters In Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-83-luke-1817.html - For kids
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-104-for-kids.html - For kids
Card Ideas http://card-ideas.blogspot.com/2011/04/spotty-dotty-saturday-challenge.html - Spots and Dots
Stamp Something http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-digi-day.html - Digital
Digi Doodles Shop Best http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-53-happy-birthday.html - Happy Birthday
Meljen Designs http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-52-and-new-release.html - sketch
Stamping Vacation http://stampingvacation.blogspot.com/2011/04/pick-3-challenge-for-month-of-april.html - Pick 3