You are Fabulous in Black and White

As I said before, I love the black and white combo.  But here is one of the reasons - my daughter and her family:

But I also like black and white on a card and here is another one I made, this time with a Unity stamp from the set Where You Should Be.

Challenges:Unity MUPCo6 -one ribbon, one dp, one button - http://www.myunityplace.com/forum/topics/challenge-6-is-up
Our Daily Bread - piercing - http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/odbdslc69-piercing.html
Lothian - die cuts - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-month-we-lothian-crafts-online-are.html
Verve - http://vervestamps.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-diva-dare-day-1.html
Sentiment Sunday - focus on sentiment - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-65-focus-on-sentiment.html
My Grafico - anything -http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/
Stampin Sisters in Christ - black and white - http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-99-isaiah-5589.html

Easy to Smile

This is a great new sentiment by Raindrop Echo design.  I love black and white so when Stampin Sisters in Christ announced that was the challenge for this week, I was very happy.  The striped paper is digital by Jak Heath and the flower in the center of the ribbon is one I cut out of a stamped image by GKD. 

Challenges: Stampin Sisiters in Christ - http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-99-isaiah-5589.html
Clear It Out - http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html
Lothian - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-month-we-lothian-crafts-online-are.html
My Grafico - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/
Sentimental Sundays - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-65-focus-on-sentiment.html
Verve - http://vervestamps.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-diva-dare-day-1.html

Summertime - Time for Boating

I was fortunate to live on a lake while I was growing up.  Oh the fun we had in the water, with the boat, water skiing.  My husband wants a boat for cruising around, checking out lighthouses, lonely coves, etc.  But he will have to be content doing that in his dreams although we do take a ferry every once in a while up through the San Juan Island into Canada.  So beautiful.  Love the lighthouses we see.
I found an old newspaper in a packing box the other day.  Part of it was the marine section of the classifieds so I used it for this card.  It actually was yellow so I just added a little distress ink on the wrinkles.  I used the same ink on the netting and the wood corner piece.

Challenges: Pollycraft - summertime - http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
City Crafters - Shore thing http://www.citycrafter.blogspot.com/
Simon Says - use newspaper - http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-use-newspaper.html
My Grafico - anything - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/
Lothian - die cuts - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-month-we-lothian-crafts-online-are.html
Clear It Out - anything -http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html

Sending Up Prayers

First time using this balloon.  Forgot I had this digital which is crazy because I was wishing I had a hot air balloon.  Maybe that is an indication that I have too many digitals.  Now that is was is crazy - you can never have too many digitals or stamps, right?
Image and digi cloud paper are by True D Doodle Designs.

Challenges:  Clear It Out - anything - http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html
Card Patterns - sketch - http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/07/sketch-124.html
Our Daily Bread - phrase inspiration - http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/odbdslc68-phrase-inspiration-challenge.html
Pollycraft - summertime - http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-102-summer-fun-marit.html
My Grafico - anything - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/

Emphasis on Sentiments

Sentiments -guess that is what I am about today.  (Little mini-sermons to myself and anyone who wants to eavesdrop).  Now to just remember these great sayings while I am mowing the lawn and doing laundry !
This sentiment is by GKD in the set Timeless Treasures.

Challenges:  Sentimental Sundays - men in our lives - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-64-for-men-in-your-life.html
Clear It Out - anything goes - http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html
Simon Says - newspaper - http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-use-newspaper.html
Card Patterns - sketch -http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/07/sketch-124.html
My Grafico - anything - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/
Verve - http://vervestamps.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-diva-dare-day-1.html

Make Every Day The Best

Isn't that a great thing to remember?  Here in the area where we live, the weather has been cold, rainy; we have had no summer yet!  It bums me out but then I remember  to "enjoy the weather you have, it's the only weather you are going to get" .  So between these two sayings, I get an attitude check. 
Well, on to the card.  I combined the winter trees with bright colors and circles - see I do pay attention to my attitude check !  LOL

This is the first time I have used these Unity Stamps.  I think they will be fun.  Have a "Best" day.
Challenges - Unity Stamp Co. - circles -http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Clearly i Stamp - specified colors - http://clearlyistamp.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/07/clearly-inspired-challenge-32-cic32.html
Clear It Out - anything goes -http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html
CPS - sketch - http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/
My Grafico - anything goes - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/

Thankful For Our Heros

The challenge at Sentimental Sundays is to make a card based on the theme "For the Men in Your Life".  Right now with my emphasis on sending cards to OWH , our deployed military men are the important men in my life.  So here is another card that will go to one of our heros. Sorry if that stretches the meaning a bit.  I will try to make some cards for the boys and men in my family too.  The Flag background  and sentiment are stamps  by Our Daily Bread and the stars by Tami Mayberry.  It does not show but the stars and the sentiment are embossed.

Challenges:  Sentimental Sundays - men in our lives - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Clear It Out - anything goes - http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html
Crafty Creations - men to boys - http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/
Our Daily Bread - grand ole flag inspiration - http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Latest%20%20Challenge
My Grafico - anything - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/
OWH - sketch - http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2011/07/sketch-challenge-78.html
Simon Says - anything http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-anything-goes.html

Quick Card with Sweet Digitals

I love pre-colored digitals.  It makes for a quick card.  This digital image and sentiment is by Clear Dollar Stamps. The BG paper is a digital paper by GKD. A few cuts with the Cuttlebug, add some twine, and you've got yourself a card in 10 minutes or less.

Challenges: Cas ual Fridays - sweet treats - http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/07/cas-ual-fridays-challenge-cfc11.html
Lothian - die cuts - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-month-we-lothian-crafts-online-are.html
Clear it Out - anything goes - http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-goes.html
Simon Says - anything goes - http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-anything-goes.html
My Grafico - anything - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/ 

New Technique and I Love It

Gina K showed this new technique on her site http://stamptv.ning.com/ .  I decided to try it and I love the effects. I embossed with a copper  EP onto Gray cardstock, used a Cuttlebug folder, and then sanded.  So neat !!!
I used my new stamps by Our Daily Bread.  Large star is from Tami Mayberry's set, "Stars"  I will send this card onto Operation Write Home to thank one of our Heros.

Challenges: Sentimental Sundays - unusual technique- http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-63-inky-fingers.html
Crafty Creations - men or boys - http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/07/127-boyz-to-men.html
Simon Says - anythinghttp://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-anything-goes.html
My Grafico - anything -http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/

Bee-utiful Bee-Day

It has been quite awhile since I have used any of my Angels Landing digitals.  I really have fun with these bees and dragon flies.  This time I chose not to use a button on the face but always have to use Stickles on the wings.The flowers are made with several Cuttlebug dies and punches.

Challenges:
Lothian - die cuts - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-month-we-lothian-crafts-online-are.html
Digi Doodles - make your own flowers - http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/
Simon Says - anything - http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-anything-goes.html
My Grafico - anything - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/
Clear it Out - wings - http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/wings-challenge.html
Pollycraft - outdoors - http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-101-great-outdoors-emma.html

Miss You Mouse

There are so many cute mice digital images and stamps.  I like so many of them which is crazy because I hate the real thing.  Fighting them again in house and field.  Thank goodness our dog likes to hunt and catch them.  But I digress. Back to this cute digi by MelJen Designs http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-67-and-new-release.html

I used a neon Sakura pen in the flower and on the dots.  The other flowers in the corner are a StampinUp stamp.  Miss You sentiment is digital by Whimsy Stamps.

Challenges: Simon Says - anything goes - http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-anything-goes.html
My Grafico - anything - http://mygraficocrafts.blogspot.com/
OWH - Miss You - http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2011/07/miss-you.html
MelJen - buttons and bows - http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-67-and-new-release.html
Pollycraft - outdoors - http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

You Are Not Forgotten

I am uploading two cards tonight.  Only had time for a little bit of stamping this evening but I was so excited to use my new stamps from Our Daily Bread :  Old Flag Background and Not Forgotten.

On the first card I used  S/U Brilliant Blue  Real Red. Straight stitch around perimeter and each stripe section.
On this next card I used S/U Night of Navy and Real Red and zig-zaged each stripe section.

Not sure which way I like best. But they were both fun to do.  I know I will keep experimenting with these sets.  I love them and so great for the cards I sent to Operation Write Home.
Challenges:  Sentimental Sundays - unusual techniques - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-63-inky-fingers.html
Simon Says - stitching - http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/07/simon-says-stitch-in-time.html
Our Daily Bread - red, white, blue -http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/odbdslc67-red-white-and-blue.html
Lothian - die cuts - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-month-we-lothian-crafts-online-are.html
 

Swiper, Yes, Swiping

A new technique for me - swiping.  Using the Direct To Paper idea but swiping across the card.  Love the effect.

 The stars and sentiment are from Tami Mayberry's set Stars. 
Challenges:   Sentimental Sundays - unusual technique - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-63-inky-fingers.html
MelJen Designs - 2 layers or less - http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-66-and-new-release.html
Lothian - die cuts - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-month-we-lothian-crafts-online-are.html
Clearly i Stamp - die cuts - http://clearlyistamp.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/07/clearly-inspired-challenge-31-cic31.html

My Heart Misses You

This is the last card I can make for the OWH weekend party.  Digital image is by MelJen Designs.  Sentiment by Rainbow Echo Designs. The challenge by Trisch at http://mouseprintcreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/owh-vitrual-card-making-party-all-about.html was to use an animal.  I have had this darling dog colored for a very long time and never used him.  So being short on time today, I was happy to pull him out of the pile and make him the star for the day.  Heart is punched with SU punch.  Heart digi paper is by Daisy Doodle.

challenges:  Meljen Design - sketch http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-65-new-release.html
Stampin Sisters in Christ - CAS http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-96-psalm-4610.html
Clear it Out - CAS http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/all-about-keeping-it-simple.html
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-62-anything-goes.html

I Love You Day and Night

What a fun challenge Marianne gave us at the OWH weekend challenge party - to use an image of a moon.  Thank goodness for this digi by PriscillaStyles and a perfect digi sentiment by Whimsy Stamps Rainbow Echo Design.

I colored the star with Sakura Silver, moon with white pen.  Love my sparkly ribbon.
Other challenges: Stampin Sisters in Christ - CAS http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/
Clear it Out - CAS http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/all-about-keeping-it-simple.html
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes - http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-62-anything-goes.html
Digi Doodles - anything goes - http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-65-anything-goes.html

Happy Fourth of July

I do hope you are enjoying this wonderful, important weekend. I meant to make a patriotic card for this post but have had very little time this weekend.  In stead, I am posting another card for the OWH challenge weekend.  This time Sarah at http://sarahvaitstamps.blogspot.com/2011/07/owh-challenge-lets-have-foodie-or.html challenged us to use food.  I get a kick out of this digi by Digital Delight.  I cut out the digital part of the ground cloth to add the checkered DP one and of course there has to be grass.

Other challenges: Daisy Doodles - summer http://daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-37.html
Clear it Out - CAS http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/all-about-keeping-it-simple.html
Stampin Sisters in Christ - CAS http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-96-psalm-4610.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon - picnic fun http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-27-picnicsummer-fun-theme.html
CES - woodland creatures (I  am sure there must be ants in the woods) http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-43-woodland-creatures.html
Digi Doodles - anything goes http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-65-anything-goes.html

Fourth of July and Childhood Memories

Marti at http://essenceofpaper.blogspot.com/2011/07/owh-4th-of-july-blog-hop-weekend.html has a challenge for OWH weekend of challenges.  Her challenge is Subway Art.  This is new to me and I hope I am interpreting it correctly - to use patterned paper with words that relate to the image.  The theme is childhood memories.

I used the sketch at Inspirational Card Sketches - http://icsketches.blogspot.com/2011/06/icsketches-121.html
other challenges: Stampin Sisters in Christ - CAS http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-96-psalm-4610.html
Clear it Out - CAS -http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/all-about-keeping-it-simple.html
Digi Doodles - anything -http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-65-anything-goes.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon - picnic summer fun - http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-27-picnicsummer-fun-theme.html

Life in a Fish Bowl

For the OWH weekend challenge party, one of the challenges by  Two Paw Prints http://2pawprints.blogspot.com/2011/07/theres-something-fishy-going-on.html was to create a card with a fish bowl.  Some of the clever gals with entries designed fish bowls.  I took a different approach and used an OLD set by Stmapin' Up.  I had a hard time choosing between the plastic bag image and the jar but finally decided the jar was a more "permanent" fish bowl than the bag.  (How many of my kids' fishes died in the bag before they could get them home to a jar or bowl?)

I covered the entire jar with a thick layer of Crystal Effects.  Wish it showed up in the photo better.  It really looks like glass.
Other challenges: Sweet Stop - sketch - http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
Play Date Cafe - colors - http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2011/06/play-date-cafe-pdcc88.html
Clear it Out - CAS - http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/all-about-keeping-it-simple.html
Pollycraft - Make a Splash - http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-99-make-splash-mary-j.html
Stampin Sisters in Christ - CAS -http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/07/challenge-96-psalm-4610.html

Second Camouflage Card

Second card for the OWH weekend challenge party.  This one uses camouflage also and is for the challenge at Brenda's Stamping Corner http://brendasstampingcorner.blogspot.com/.  My mind is so into VietNam camouflage, it is hard to think desert colors.  So this is a revert back to jungle cam.  I received a new package of SMR stickers.  This star was in it and it fit perfectly onto a wood star I have in my stash.  The sentiment is a SMR sticker too.  The stamp is from the Greeting Farm.

Other challenges: MelJen Design - sketch - http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-65-new-release.html
Cas ual Fridays - masculine and Kraft - http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/07/cas-ual-fridays-challenge-cfc9.html
Crafty Creations - thank you - http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/06/125-thank-you.html

Lots of Fun, Lots of Challenges

This is a fun weekend at OWH  - three days of challenges.  But this is a very busy weekend so I will only be able to make a few cards and enter only a few of the challenges.   The first challenge is at Brenda's Stamping Corner http://brendasstampingcorner.blogspot.com/2011/06/owh-4th-of-july-weekend-cardmaking.html
I made two cards with camouflage.  On the first, I used Private Peter from Digital Delights.  As long as I am entering one challenge, I might as well enter more for this card -  so the list is below the photo.

Other challenges: Card Patterns - sketch - http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/
Lothian - use die cut - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/
Cas ual Fridays - masculine and Kraft - http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/