i hold you close

I done gone an' did it. I did a LO with NO brads, rub ons, punched randomness, or stamps.

Surprised? Me, too.

Followed Creative Scrappers Sketch No. 199. I've been considering simpler LOs for awhile and this sketch was perfect push. Am I done with my overly embellished random filled LOs? No! Papers are from Random (haha) by Crate Paper.

"I hold you" are all stickers from Authentique. "CLOSE" is from MME.

This journaling spot is from Sassafras. I'm going to miss them! 

The chipboard button is from Wild Saffron by K and Company.

Another button from K and Co. The "hugs and kisses" are stickers from 

Crate Paper's Random Collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Easter

Followed Card Sketch #16 from Let's Capture These Sketches. 

Papers are from Random by Crate Paper and Miss Caroline by My Mind's Eye. 

I used brown Colobox Chalk Ink to ink the edges and Stickles for sparkle.

The egg charm is from Making Memories.

This beautiful stamp is from Northwoods, one of my favorite rubber stamp companies! I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils and blended with OMS. The butterfly punch is from Fiskars.

Thanks for stopping by!

CHALLENGES:

Let's Capture These Sketches- Card Sketch #16

Crop Stop Challenge No. 64- Flourishes (not sure... my main image has a flourish of flowers and I embellished with a flourish of butterflies)

Deep Ocean Challenge Blog- Butterflies

I Break for Challenges- Easter

Duck In the Bird Bath

BINGO!

I played Bingo with Simons Says Stamp 

and my three in a row were: charms, punches/die cuts, and ribbon/twine.

Papers from MME. Stamps from My Heart Stamps for You. The charm is from Making Memories. 

The border punch is from EK Success.

Stamps from My Heart Stamps for You. I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils and blended with OMS, burnishing techniques, and the colorless blender marker.

CHALLENGES
Simons Says Stamp- Bingo
Cute Card Thursday- Anything Goes
Just Keep on Creating- Anything Goes

Domestic Goddess

This is for a Graphic 45 Challenge over at Paper Secrets. I so appreciate this type of challenge because it gets me around my stash more. I hardly ever work with G45. All of the patter papers are from various G45 collections. The "Glamour Girl" and "goddess" pieces are cut from G45 papers.

Added distressing, inking, Stickles around the "Glamour Girl" ephemera. The bingo card is a cardstock sticker by Tim Holtz.

I love this peek-a-boo technique. I simply tore into the paper, machine stitched, and water distressed.

CHALLENGES:

Divas By Design- Distressing

Paper Secrets- Graphic 45

hello *whimsy stamps*

I followed The Deconstructed Sketch No. 42. Papers are from Alissa by BoBunny.

This image is by Natalie (Moon Cookie Gallery) for Whimsy Stamps. I colored it with Prismacolor pencils and blended with the colorless blender marker.

I added this banner for the BoBunny's Card Challenge Tuesday. I cut the banner pieces using a diamond shape from Plantin Schoolbook. The letters are Scrap Metal.

Thanks for stopping by!

CHALLENGES:
BoBunny's Card Challenge Tuesday
Love to Create- Anything Goes

Relax...

Followed a card sketch from Paper Secrets. Papers are from Lemon Flower Stack by DCWV. 

This adorable duck is from Father's Day by Crafter's Companion. I colored him with Prismacolor pencils and blended with OMS. I used Spellbinders to cut out the image and the matting.

I just happened to have these green die cuts left over from a previous project. I accented them with Wheatfields Glimmer Mist. I used the greens for the Crafter's Companion March Challenge.

"Relax..." is a sentiment from the same Father's Day set. The iron gate punch is from Martha Stewart.

CHALLENGES:
Crafter's Companion March Challenge- Going Green
Paper Secrets- March Card Sketch

Heartfelt Creations Semi-Finalist

That's right! I'm a semifinalist for the 

Heartfelt Creations Design Team!

Click on the above link to visit their blog and check out the other semi-finalist. You will also find an opportunity to vote for your favorite designers and be entered in a drawing for 

$50 Heartfelt Creations Gift Certificate!

*panting*

I submitted the following cards for consideration.

.

Beautiful You

SUPPLIES
Paper: The ScrapCake, Bazzill, American Crafts
Stamp and Ink: Heartfelt Creations, Archival Ink, Colorbox Chalk Ink
Coloring medium: Prismacolor pencils, chalk
Tools: sewing machine
Embellishments: Prima, Little Yellow Bicycle, Pink Paislee, Sakura

This card is 4.5 by 6 inches.The papers are from Bright Side of Life by The ScrapCake. They are inked, matted and stitched to cardstock. The image is from Heartfelt Creations and colored with Prismacolor pencils. The blue accent shading is chalk. I didn’t have a Spellbinders die that fit this image perfectly so I outlined with a sparkly gel pen. I used baker’s twine to attach the charm to the bow.

With Sympathy

SUPPLIES
Paper: Riddersholm, Bazzill, American Crafts
Stamp: Heartfelt Creations, Inkadinkado
Coloring medium: Archival ink, Colorbox chalk ink
Tools: Heidi Swapp edge distresser
Embellishments: Stickles, Micron, craft stash

This is a 5.5 square inch card. The background paper is inked and matted to cardstock. The second paper is inked and accented with Stickles. The Amazing Grace stamped paper is distressed and inked. I stamped the lighthouse with chalk ink and outlined the image with a Micron pen. The charm is attached to the bow with bamboo twine.

happy thoughts your way

SUPPLIES
Paper: Prima, Stampin Up, Bazzill, American Crafts
Stamps and ink: Whimsy Stamps, inkjet printer, Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Coloring medium: Prismacolor pencils, OMS, chalk
Tools: Cricut, sewing machine, EK Success, Fiskars, Martha Stewart
Embellishments: Prima, Stickles, craft stash

This is a 5.5 by 5.5 inch card. The Prima papers are inked, matted, and machine stitched. The bamboo twine, bows, roses, flowers, lace, and button are attached with Glossy Accents. The flowers are filled in with punched pine pieces- Martha Stewart punch. The girl image and sentiment are attached with foam dots. The girl image is colored with Prismacolor pencils and accented with blue chalk and stickles. I used an EK Success punch to attach a whimsical corner piece at the bottom left. I colored in and drew the grass with a Prismacolor pencil. The white, doily piece was cut from Paper Lace by ProvoCraft.

Thanks so much for stopping by and allowing me to share my exciting news!

Today, you are you.

Followed a sketch from Authentique. Papers and die cut sentiment are from Uncommon by Authentique.

The ribbon is from Prima. The brads are Making Memories. The decorative border punch is EK Success.

Instead of a banner, I used a pleated corner.

Thanks for stopping by!

CHALLENGES:

Authentique- March Card Sketch

C'est Magnifique- Pleated Challenge

Party Time Tuesdays- Monochromatic Challenge

My Mother My Friend

Followed the March sketch from Artful Delight. Papers are from Flea Market by Colorbok.

The brown rose is from Recollections and the pink fabric flower is Prima. 

The larger white rose was handmade by Stephanie.

The large, fluff fabric flower was handmade by Rebecca. 

The white rose at the top was made by Stephanie.

The tag is from Crafty Secrets. The bird is a corkboard sticker, accented with Stickles. I found a sheet of these at Stamp Antonio in San Antonio. They're from Magenta.

"My Mother" is a rub on from Kaisercraft. "My Friend" is from Prima.

The journaling tag is from So Sophie from MME. The script stamp is Stampabilities, stamped with Sepia Archival ink.

This beautiful pearl bling was handmade by Stephanie. 

I attach my handmade bling with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive.

I hope my mom feels really special when she sees this LO.

Thanks for looking!

CHALLENGES:

Artful Delight- March Sketch

Unique Crafters- Anything Goes

turkey trot *Lily Bee Sketch No. 6*

I've been collecting Lily Bee Design papers for nearly a year now and have never used them.

It's about time!

Followed a sketch from Lily Bee Design. I used papers from Catching Fall by Lily Bee Design. 

This LO is about my little boy's very first 1 mile race: The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.

"Turkey" is from Grandma's Kitchen by WRMK. "trot" is from American Crafts, I think.

These random pieces have been hanging out in my random pieces collection box for awhile. 

They finally found a home. Puts the "scrap" in scrapbooking!

My dear Krissy's daughter ran with my little guy for a boost of confidence. They had such a great time running that mile! They were flying when they saw that finish line. 

Chance's feet aren't touching the ground in that middle photo LOL

The top note shape is from the Catching Fall collection. The border punch is from EK Success. 

"Join Us" is a sticker.

More random bits and pieces.

Random bits and pieces. I like random.

And just a little more random. I used a Micron pen to doodle the border.

My little guy also loves to craft with me. We're often seen together at the table.

A messy crafter like me. He left his stamp drawer open.

Inking a stamp and capping the glue at the same. A little multitasker! 

That's my Lily Bee project over on the right.

He's been raiding my stash for fun stamps like rocket ships and aliens.

He ended up stamping this in two different colors, 

creating a whole galaxy full of rocket ships buzzing to and fro.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hey Chickie! *Whimsy Stamps*

Followed Mojo Monday Sketch 232. Papers from A Walk In the Park by Echo Park.

"Hey Chickie" is a digi from Whimsy Stamps.

The ribbon is from Making Memories.

Thanks for looking!

CHALLENGE ENTRIES:

Little Darlings Challenges- Colors of Spring

Mojo Monday Sketch 232

Divas By Design- Citrus Colors

our big boy

Followed a super awesome sketch by Leeann for Basic Grey. Papers from June Bug by Basic Grey. This is one of the those collections I HAD to have when it first came out in 2010. It is so bright! It even hurts my eyeballs a little but I love to play with it anyway and it has been waiting for the perfect LO. In fact, I started this LO before I even knew what it was going to be about. 

I had most of my elements in place before I went searching for pictures.

The circle stamp is Close to My Heart. The sentiments are fussy cut from Doodlin' Around by DCWV.

A little cloud leftover from a previous project, accented with Stickles.

I LOVED the whimsical banner from the sketch. The "play all day" sticker is from October Afternoon.

Title is a combination of Dymo, Thickers, and Basic Grey letter stickers.

Brads and sunshine sticker are by Basic Grey. The sunshine sticker is part of the June Bug collection.

No LO about my little guy would be complete without a creature feature! He's from American Crafts.

Thanks for stopping by!