Your Heart is Safe With Me

Just had to use this cute stamp of the month image by From the Heart for one of my granddaughters who loves kittens.

As is my style (and because I am running out of time for making Valentines) I kept this very simple.  Two papers from the new stack of patterned paper (no, I still have not found the top cover!), Kraft button cut with a button die, Natural Fiber twine from Kraft Outlet.  I added some stitch lines on the backing oval to tie in with the stitching on the heart.
I changed the circle for an oval in the What if Wednesday sketch:

Thanks for looking.

Challenges:

Through the Craft Room Door - anything
Simon Wednesday - twine
Penny's Paper Crafting - spots and dots
Crafty Catz - anything
Sister Act - anything
House That Stamps Built - sketch
Ribbon Carousel - showing love
Your Next Stamp - photo inspiration
What if Wednesday - kitty 

My Heart Misses You

Using beautiful Valentine paper from Doodle Pantry's Heartful Heart set, and a digital sentiment by Paula, this card was a snap but turned out really lovely.

I used the same sketch at Kraft Journal as I did yesterday

I love the strawberry bias tape.  I probable could have added some hearts or buttons or some other embellishments but decided to just keep it simple and let the sentiment speak out.

Thanks for looking.

Challenges:


Ribbon Carousel - showing love
Your Next Stamp - photo inspiration
Crafters Cafe - use ribbon
Pennys Paper Crafting - spots and dots
Word Art Wednesday - anything

Near and Far

We interrupt the regular Valentine schedule to bring you this card for the OWH box.

The base is Kraft.  The patterned paper is from a 4.5 x 6.5 DCWV Travel Stack.  I cut out a heart of the same paper to put on the black fish tail.  The postage stamp area is a rub on.   Sentiment is by Verses.
Sketch is at Kraft Journal:

Challenges:
Party Time Tuesday  - anything
Pink Gem - for the boys
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Sister Act - anything
Cuttin and Stampin - pink, orange, gray

Hearts Galore

One of the digital sets that was released January 1 (can you believe the month is almost over ?!) at Doodle Pantry was a beautiful set called Heartful Hearts.  Here is a pic of some of the images and sentiments in the set:

For my card I used a pre-colored image then added some Sakura Clear Star ink to some of the hearts.  On the ones that I covered completely with Sakura, I also added liquid glaze so they are raised and shiny. 

After I cut out the heart, I cut out a white heart just a bit bigger, put the colored heart on top of that with dimensionals.
The three glittery hears are glass and because I will not be mailing this, I was able to use them.  The pink ones match the spotted printed paper which is one of the papers included in the Doodle Pantry set.
The sketch is found at Tuesday Morning Sketch:

This is one of those cards that is so much prettier IRL.  I really like how it turned out and I know one of my granddaughters is really going to love it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion - Spots and Stripes

Penny's Paper Crafting - spots and dots
Crafter's Cafe - ribbon or lace
Frosted Designs - polka dots
Ribbon Carousel - showing love
Stamping Boutique - Valentines

Late Post Just For Ewe

Working on Valentines like crazy.  Look at this sweet digital image by Doodle Pantry. 

I used the pre-colored image and super imposed the sentiment onto the heart.

The background paper is an old piece I have had in my stash for years.  On all the printed dots on the paper, I added liquid pearls.  Originally I was not going to do the distressing on the edges but I smeared some of the liquid pearls and had to try to cover it up.  (Can  you guess where the smear is/was?) I do like the look of distressing the edges and I ended up liking it on this card.
Cardstock is SU Pretty in Pink.


Thanks for looking.

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion - spots and stripes
My Craft Spot - spots/ polka dots
Frosted Designs - polka dots
Stamping Boutique - Valentines
Without Words - CAS
Party Time Tuesday - anything

Monday Morning at Paper Makeup Stamps

Shades of Blue - that is the digi makeover challenge at Paper Makeup Stamps this week.

I love sailboats.  I should make more cards with them -they are great for masculine card.  This sentiment is so cute, though, so it makes this otherwise masculine card a little appropriate for one of my friends.
Pretty simple card using a die, patterned paper, pencils, and twine.

Let's see what you come up with for the shades of blue challenge at Paper Makeup.

Have a great week.

GO SEAHAWKS !!!

Anything Goes at Created With Love

Wow, did that last week ever get away from me.  Here it is Monday again.  And here we are with another challenge at Created With Love.  This week show us your cards - anything goes.  My anything card uses a beautiful digital image by Sparkle and Sprinkle, our sponsor this week.

I don't use purple much, but when I think of dahlias, I think of the big dinner plate dahlias my grandmother used to grow.  My favorites were purple.
I used Prisma pencils for coloring.  The BG paper is from the  DCWV "Timeless Type" stack. I added a little more distressing to some of the edges.
Scroll leaf die cut is Cherry Lynn die

Hope you will play the challenge at Created With Love. Have a great week.

GO SEAHAWKS !!!

Challenges:
Through The Craft Door - anything 
PartyTime Tuesday - use ribbon

New Challenge at Paper Makeup Stamps

What a mild winter we have had - only one small snowfall.  In fact, in has been so warm, I saw Pussy Willows the other day - a whole month earlier.  Even though I don't like the cold, I do love snow so I am a little disappointed that we have not had more. (I'm sure that those of you who have been fighting snow, power outages, a tough winter are thinking I am crazy.
Anyway, even though we aren't having much of a winter, it is still winter.  So the digi makeover challenge at Paper Makeup Stamps is Snowflakes.

I used 2 images of snowmen, three snowflakes, and sentiment all by Paper Makeup Stamps. I used pencils for coloring and added some Sakura Clear Star pen to the flakes.

Challenges:
Through the Craft Door - anything
A Blog Names Hero - new stash
Stamp and Create - winter wonderland
Open Minded Crafting - warmth, food or clothing
Cuttin and Stampin - about winter

New Challenge at Created With Love

Monday Morning and time for a new challenge at Created With Love.  This week, the challenge runs Monday through Sunday, January 20 -26 and the challenge is "wings".  Fred, She Said is our sponsor and the DT was fortunate enough to use some of the wonderful digital images.

This Hummingbird set comes with pre-colored images with flowers of three different colors.  They are so lovely.
I cut out the circle with a die, allowing the bird's tail to extend beyond the circle, then glued that circle onto the die cut outer circle. 
This beautiful lace with attached string of pearls is from my mom's old stash of lace that she gave me a few years back.  I don't often use pearls, but decided to splurge and put one in each of the holes of the die cut.
Hope you play along this week at Created With Love.


Challenges:
Die Cuttin Divas - old and new
Brown Sugar  - anything
A Blog Named Hero - new stash

Chocolate Kisses

I'm sure I am not alone in my love of chocolate.  But I have become a bit of a snob when it comes to that "food group".  As I cut out more and more sugar from my diet, I stay away from much of the chocolate I used to eat.  So it has been a long time since I have had a chocolate kiss. During the holidays, I wanted to bake some thumb print cookies and I was amazed to see how many varieties of chocolate kisses there were.  Well, here is different kind of kiss yet.

The  image and sentiment are from Doodle Pantry

Cute?  And I love the paper that comes with the set.  As you can see, I used the pre-colored image and then just cut it out to look like a chocolate kiss, distressing the edges with two shades of brown.
The sketch is Your Next Stamp, turning it sideways.

Of course, I love comments.  And just for the fun of it, tell me your favorite chocolate.   Hope you have a "sweet" day.

Simon Monday - anything
Brown Sugar - anything
House that Stamps Built - sweet treats
A Blog Named Hero - new stash (new digital set)

Warm Hearts On Ice

Still working on Valentine's cards - and making progress.  Here is one I made with the Doodle Pantry set, Loving Critters, previously CDS but now is available at Doodle Pantry.

 I used a pre-colored image, although the set comes with lined images as well.
Here is what I did inside the card:

Don't you love that there is an image with the message in the hearts?

The sketch is found at Sketch Saturday:

The rickrack is made with a die.  The heart is chipboard that I have had for YEARS.  It has a shine to it as well as the heart of glitter.  I use these hearts every year and I still have dozens left.  Patterned paper is just a piece from my stash.  Card bas is GKD Powder Blue. 

Here is a pic of some of the images in the set, Loving Critters.

Challenges:
Simon Monday - anything
Divas that Cut Paper - glitter
A Blog Named Hero - new (digital set)
Die Cuttin Divas - old and new

White On White

Every now and then, I make a super simple CAS card.  Paper Makeup Stamps has a new challenge beginning to day - White On White.  I thought this would be a good time to use one of their digital Scriptures.  I like using my ScorPal  to emboss lines when making a plain card - just adds a little class.

The first layer on the base is glued down flat but the layer with the Scripture is popped up with thin dimensional tape.
The Psalms are one of my favorite parts of the Bible.  I think David and the other authors of those songs expressed every emotion we experience.  When it comes to praising God, thanking Him for who He is, for getting a glimpse of His majesty, power, love, grace, goodness, and all He is and provides for us, it is all in the Psalms.
 I love the fonts that Paper Makeup Stamps has used on this verse.

Well, that's about it for this post.  Head over to the digi makeover challenge at Paper Makeup Stamps and join in the White on White challenge.  I know you will find some inspiration from the DT there.

Challenges:
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Simon Wednesday - ice inspiration 
Pink Gem - something new (digital sentiment)
What if Wednesday - new to me (digital sentiment)
Great Impressions - use something new (digital sentiment)

Purple, Not My Favorite

  Purple is not my favorite color but there is a challenge at Created With Love - pink or purple.  I got a kick out of coloring this digital image, Olivia Odd Socks, by Besties.  One of my granddaughters is a free spirit, not concerned with conforming to fashion.  She puts very little emphasis on "looking good"; she is more concerned with comfort.  And she likes purple and pink.  So I colored this image with her in mind. (Her socks don't match most of the time!)

Back to the CWLC challenge - it runs from January 13 - 18 and Besties is the sponsor.

Ingredients:
Various scraps of patterned paper.
Cardbase is SU Lovely Lilac
Bakers Twine
Swiss Dot embossing folder
Sentiment by Unity  

Hope each of you have a wonderful week.

Challenges:
Pink Gem - something new
What if Wednesday - new to you
Ribbon Carousel - showing love
Great Impressions - use something new

Time For Some Thank You Cards

Yes, I am behind again with the thank you cards, especially the ones to our deployed troops.  I have had this image by Unity stamped, colored, and cut for months so I finally made a card for it.

 I decided as long as I was using an Unity stamp, I might as well use the color scheme for the challenge at  Unity Stamps which are almost identical to the colors at Party Time Tuesday.

And I used the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches:

Challenges:
Party Time Tuesday - colors
Unity Stamps - colors
Word Art Wednesday - anything

Just Popping Up To Say Hello

No, I did not make a mistake with "popping up" instead of  "popping in" which is what we normally say.  It is one of the cute sentiments that goes with this new Groundhog set by Doodle Pantry.

Such a darling set:

Definitely going to make some "Groundhog Day" cards with this set.

The sketch is My Favorite Things

Thought it would be fun to use a grass die cut for one of the strips.
Ground hog is colored with pencils.
Card base is SU Chocolate. First layer - Kraft.

We are nearing the half way mark for the  Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge.  Come play with us - win a free digital set.

Hope you are having a great weekend.  Go Seahawks!!!

Challenge:
Pile It On - just because

ODBD - 2 strips, o stamps, 1 image, 4 layers
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Pennys Paper Crafting - anything
Sister Act - anything
Pink Gem - something new
What if Wednesday - new to you

The Thrill Of A Kiss

It is Friday and time for Friends with Flair at Unity Stamps. 

I used the color scheme and the sketch at Unity for this card.
Here is the sketch and colors:

Both stamps, the star and sentiment, are Unity Stamps. Card base is SU Basic Gray.  The sentiment is stamped with Flannel Gray. Within the stamped star is a tiny star brad. 

Challenges:
Unity Challenge - sketch, colors
Friends With Flair - anything
Squirrel and Fox - anything
Party Time Tuesday - colors
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Penny's Papercraft - anything
Crafters Cafe - anything
Ribbon Carousel - love

Vintage Teddy by Doodle Pantry

I am a sucker for stuffed animals.  I still have several from my childhood.  When I buy one with the purpose of giving it to a grandchild, I end up keeping it for myself!  But to my defense, none of my grandchildren are very crazy about them so I can justify my keeping them.  And besides, then they can play with them when they are here. LOL
The styles of teddy bears have changed over time.  This vintage bear by Doodle Pantry reminds me of the original Winnie the Pooh.

  Don't get me wrong - I like the round, rolly polly version too.  After all, he is a stuffed animal - duh! 

But I love the old, vintage, realistic bear. The Vintage Bear set has been re-released which now comes with pre-colored images, sentiments, and papers.

I really like this pre-colored image. IRL the GKD Honey Mustard cardstock is right on with the bear coloring. Card base and back layer is GKD Chocolate Brown.
For the next card, I lightened up the coloring first before printing, giving the bear more yellow so the SU More Mustard cardstock was a better match but looks orange in the photo.

For both of these cards I used the sketch at Mojo Monday.

The buttons on the second card are die cut from Kraft, dictionary pages from the Kraft Outlet, and the More Mustard with a die by Memory Box. The natural hemp twine from Kraft Outlet is hands down my favorite twine.

Thanks for looking and have a Beary nice day.

Challenges:
Pile It On - just because
Kraft Journal - lace
Crafty Cardmakers - Bear with me
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Penny's Paper Crafting - anything
Crafter's Cafe - anything
The House That Stamps Built - new to you (image)
Great Impressions - use something new (image)
Ribbon Carousel - love
Cards Galore - anything
Pink Gem - something new (image)

Valentine #2

Second Post for today, second Valentine.

I just love this image.  I printed this little guy out four times and this is the last of the four, using the other three for OWH cards.
He comes from the Doodle Pantry set, Doggies and Things.  I used one of the pre-colored images.

The sketch is at From the Heart

I thought I had used all the Hugs and Kisses ribbon - so happy when I found another piece and it is long enough for two more cards. Yay! 
The two designer papers are small left over pieces from other  Doodle Pantry sets.
The red dot that looks like a brad is really a paper dot, a Candi. So nice for mailing.

Back to the craft table.  Thanks for looking.

Challenges:
I Love Sketches, From the Heart 
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Crafters Cafe - animal friends
Brown Sugar - use ribbon or twine
Ribbon Carousel - show some love

Time For Valentines

Just when we think we can relax from holiday schedules, Valentine's Day looms before us.  It is especially daunting to me because I make 24 for my family.  I will do the ones for my 11 grandchildren first but I want to continue on with the tradition of giving Valentines to my children and their spouses too.
So here is the first - this one for a granddaughter who LOVES pigs.

I used the adorable Doodle Pantry set, Loving Critters, which was previously available at Clear Dollar Stamps.  This set has both pre-colored images (which I used) and lined images, sentiments, and paper.

Doodle Pantry also has a challenge at the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge blog. Play along and receive a free digital set.
I used the sketch at Mojo Monday:

 

Challenges:
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Simon Wednesday - something new
Crafters Cafe - animal friends
Cards Galore - anything
Great Impressions - use something new
Pink Gem - something new

"What's New?"

Paper Makeup is challenging you to create a card depicting "new".
This card is for a son who just moved up in his career, starting with a new company.  It involved grueling interviews and extensive reviews of his past performance.  Really proud of him.   Congratulation card - inside reads "You are beyond measure!"

Love this darling digital image; first time I have used it.  I colored it with pencils, keeping the card simple and hopefully masculine.
The sketch is MFT, which I turned on its side.

Paper Makeup's Digi Makeover challenge runs until January 12.  What is new in your life?

Challenges:
Twist of Faith - new beginnings
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Simon Wednesday - something new
Chocolate, Coffee, Cards - new beginnings
Totally Papercrafts - start of something new
What if Wednesday - new (digital image)

Can Hardly Bear It

This new digital image (freebie) by Di's Digital Designs is so cute - just had to get busy and make a card with it. 

OWH always needs cards for kids so I think I will send this off to them.  The sentiment on the tag is just an old clear stamp but with this sketch, I think that is all that is needed.  The sketch is at What if Wednesday.

Card Base is Kraft.  Designer paper is a scrap piece of Doodle Pantry digital paper.  About ten years ago, I bought a ton of organdy ribbon from SU.  I still have a ton left! 
Image is colored with pencils.

Hope you are having a great beginning to a new year.  I have so many new digital images to use, I am really having a good time printing and coloring.  I will have to remind myself to get back to this one in the near future (after I get through all the other newbies).

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion - something new
Tuesday Morning Sketch - any sketch
Twist of Faith - new
Word Art Wednesday - anything
Crafty Creations - anything
Simon Wednesday - something new
Crafters Cafe - animal friends
Brown Sugar - ribbon
House that Stamps Built - something new to me

New Day, New Month, New Release, New Year

There is something wonderful, exciting and promising about a new year.  Most of the time we resist change but when it comes to a new year, we look forward to the new. We make resolutions because we have fallen short or failed in the past;  we have hope and anticipation of doing better, being better in the new year.
But we actually can look forward to each new day no matter what time of year when we consider that "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning."  Great is His faithfulness.  (Lamentations 3:23)

January 1, 2014  Let's start it out with a new release at Doodle Pantry.  Once again Laurie Wilson has created some of the cutest digital sets.  The one I am using for these cards is called Tree Glee.  It is free with a purchase at the Doodle Pantry Store.

 I used the pre-colored tree with hearts, adding some extra shading to the hearts and veins to the leaves. It does not show up much in the photo, but I added diamond glaze to each heart.  It not only gives them a raised result but makes them shiny.  The sentiment is one of the many sentiments in the new set, "Heart For God".
The sketch is at Your Next Stamp

 For this next card, I used the pre-colored flower tree adding liquid pearls to the center and also drawing veins on the leaves. The grass is a die by Your Next Stamp.  The little flowers are part of the die cut design so I used the die on four different colored cardstocks so I could add the flowers in the grass, matching the ones that are in the tree.  Clouds are a die MFT.
 

Want to see the set you will receive free with a purchase from Doodle Pantry?

The set also comes with line images so you can color them the way you want.

Happy New Year. 

Challenges :
Pile It On - "p"  pink
Tuesday Morning Sketch - any sketch
Crafty Creations - anything
Paper Shelter - anything
Craft 4 eternity - new
Pink Gem - anything
Twist of Faith - new beginnings, anything
Craft Your Passion - something new
Sentimental Sunday - pick from previous challenges.  #141 Love is in the Air
Cards Galore - anything
Bearly Mine - anything