Ho Ho Ho

Hello all. Hope you had a great weekend. Bean has been sick, so I haven't been gettin' my craft on as much as usual. BTW, if anyone knows of a good DIY tool belt for kids tutorial, please share! Bean loves to carry around her tools when she's "fixing" things around the house, and her belt is falling apart.

Anyway, to my card:

Is she sexy or what?! This image was just released this weekend at Squigglefly. Her name is Official Mistletoe Tester by Chesney Young, colored with Prismapremiers, shaded with Firebrick Ranger Ink. She's actually colored and popped up, so I have a few layers going on.

I put "fuzzy soft stuff" on white areas. DP is MMe Wild Asparagus (dusted off for a challenge - it's not even Christmas paper). This will probably go to the lovely Ginger this season. We joke and call each other names...and I just put her name on this card 3 times!! LOL!! Oh how I amuse myself.

This card meets the following challenges:

• Cupcake Craft - #106 Let's Get Digital
• Ooh-La-La Creations - #61 Elegant Ladies
• Sketch & Stash - #43 sketch (stash - new digi, stashed papers)
• Paper Sundaes - #33 Christmas in August

Miss Priss

Hello and Welcome to Friday with The Character Cafe! This weeks challenge is:

CRUMBLE/TEAR plus 2 OR MORE BUTTONS

So I've always had dogs...I'm a dog person. We got a cat around a year ago and it's taken me a while to get used to her. I treat her much like a dog, and she's gotten used to me...but she is especially attached to Bean. Sid is just so funny and always seems to have THIS look on her face:

At first I would ask my DH "what's her problem?! She always has this "I'm better than thou" look on her face!" But I've come to accept that it's just her face. Anyway, I just HAD to make a few Miss Priss Christmas cards this year. I'm so disappointed that the chocolate and light pink just don't show up well. I seem to have a lot of trouble photographing anything pink. Oh well, just know that the paper colors are awesome!

Details: DP is Pink Petticoat (digipapers, and these photos don't due them justice), TCC image colored with copics, Worn Lipstick and Tea Dye Ranger Inks, buttons (vintage) and thread.

So tear up that paper and pop on some buttons to enter this weeks challenge!!

This card meets the following challenges:

• Character Cafe - #30 crumble/tear, 2 or more buttons
• Crazy Challenge - Never too Early for Christmas
• Christmas Card Challenges - #38 Vintage/retro
• Pixie Dust Studio - #37 Stitch it Up
• Sassy Cheryl - #26 Polka Dots
• Card Patterns - layout #78

Sew Special

Anyone know who Special Agent Oso is? The opening song goes: "he's Oh so special." Just made me think of him when I put my title for this post...yeah, I think I hang out with my 3 year old too much.

So, every now and then I pull out a Cricut cart (at random) and look through it and make something. It's kind of a personal challenge. So last night I pulled out Happily Ever After. I didn't really want any of the characters, so I went with an Icon.

This uses the JaqGus Icon at 2 1/2". I did some shading and added real pink thread. The papers are Pink Petticoat (digipapers that I just LOVE!). 3 buttons from my stash (probably considered vintage), nesties and Lipstick Ranger Ink. Of course, some sewing. And boy did I make a MESS with the glue! But I cleaned it up as best as I could.

This is going to my ma who put in an "order" for 6 cards to send to friends. I especially like this because it's so versatile:

Sew Special
Sew Grateful
Sew Much Fun
Etc!

The layout is Card Positioning Systems CPS181. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Corner Bookmark

Hello all. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I managed to make a couple pairs of pants for Bean - getting ready for Fall. Still have several other sewing projects to finish up.

I made this Corner Bookmark last week. I thought it would be a nice little surprise for my MIL who reads a lot and is currently healing from surgery. Anyway, click on the link for the tutorial. I found that it was super easy!

I made this so that all the ribbons are only on the front. In the tutorial, ribbon is tied around the bookmark, but I didn't want it to get stuck on pages or be difficult to use. So on the back, you only see one line of sewing but no ribbon.

So here's my bookmark in action! The kraft is PTI, the digi is Designed2Delight (LOVE this frog) colored with Copics and Prismas, the green ribbon is Stampin' Up, ric-rac, sewing, scrap pink CS, nesties and Lipstick Ranger Ink for shading.

This is really a great project...maybe for teachers, readers, students...I just thought this one was great!

Witch Olga

Hello and welcome to Friday with The Character Cafe. This weeks challenge is:

DIMENSIONAL GLAZE

I'm not part of the DT participating in this challenge, but I used it anyway! First, let me introduce you to Witch Olga. I think she's a friendly witch making margaritas!

Details: TCC image colored with Prismas and Copics, nesties with Concord Grape Ranger Ink for shading, sewing, and miscellaneous papers from scrap pile. I used a little white pen because I feel like something's missing....any ideas? Oh yeah, and dimensional glaze on the fire and margarita juice.

Inside sentiment is from a Scrapnfont freebie. I thought it was just perfect!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

This card meets the following challenges:

• Character Cafe - dimensional glaze
• Digital Tuesday - #72 Use Your Scraps
• ICSketches - layout #79

Congrats Nurse

This is a really quick share. I made this for my little cousin who was pinned over the weekend. That means she takes a test and is a registered nurse. She's still going to continue with her education and I'm just so proud of her!

Why this image? Because my cousin is super sexy and this is just SO HER!

This meets the following challenges:

• Friday Sketchers - #115 card sketch
• Bugaboo - Back to School & Primary Colors

Tea and Yudu

Hello and happy Wednesday!! Today I have two things to share. The first is a card using a super cute digi from Meljens Designs. She's so sweet and gives away freebies often. But watch out, she'll hook you with her style and leave you wanting more.

Aren't these little cups so happy? I couldn't decide if they were for tea or coffee, so this card is "Tea for Two." I considered putting a sentiment along the top, but nothing worked...so I'll have to put it inside the card. Note: I flipped the original digi using Paint so I could have the spoon handles facing each other - and "stamped" twice.

Papers are digipapers (freebie...sorry I don't know who to credit), sewing, digi from Meljens colored with Prismas, cut with nesties, Mustard Seed Ranger Ink for shading, sewing, lace (also sewn on). I didn't really make this for any particular reason...just for fun I guess.

This card meets the following challenges:

• Meljens Designs - I See Double
• Our Daily Bread - Stamp it more than once
• Clean and Simple Stamping - layout #103
  

----NOT A CARD----

My First Yudu

So I've had my Yudu for around a month now but I've been cleaning my craft room. Now that I can see the floor, I figured I'd pull out my Yudu. It came with two emulsion sheets and boy did I screw those up right away. Next day: out to look for more sheets but they don't seem to carry them in my state. That night: DH goes online and buys me a 20 pack (since I seem to have issues, he wanted to make sure I had more than enough). One week later: sheets arrive!!

What do you think?! I was so excited that I actually got it all to work. I used the Mickey Font Cricut cart to cut out the Mickey at 5" in black. "Burned" it on my sheet, and (obviously) used pink screen printing ink. I'm so glad I took this pic because Bean came home from school with paint and marker all over it! Oh well, I was still very happy with my first Yudu success.

My Friend

Hello all and happy Tuesday! Just a quick share today:

Details: Me&My Big Ideas DP, sewing, ribbon, rhinestones, image is Tiddly Inks (from MyGrafico) colored with Prisma Premier Markers, nesties and Dusty Concord Ranger Ink, sentiment is $1 acrylic set from Michaels. Hmmm, looking at the pic, I would have to say this card looks much better IRL.

Well, I've got lots to do today. Hope you all have a great day!

This card meets the following challenges:

• MyGrafico - Pastels (this was HARD for me to do!)
• Card Positioning Systems - layout CPS180
• The Pink Elephant - TPE80 Ribbons & Sparkles (I included bling on the sentiment)
• Tiddly Inks - #17 Movie Magic (Rabbit-Proof Fence)

Missing You

Hello all and welcome to Monday with Squigglefly. The challenge this week is:

HOT COLORS

I'm using yet another image by the talented Cheryl Alger, Lonely. I don't know if she really looks lonely...she reminds me more of Bean, contemplating what kind of trouble she can get into, all the while looking so pretty and innocent.

I'm using DP from my unknown stack, sewing, Squigglefly digistamp colored with Prismas and Bics, cut with nesties and shaded with Mustard Seed Ranger Ink. The sentiment is Inkadinkado.

So play along this week using your Squigglefly image (FREEBIES available!) and HOT COLORS for your chance to win more Squigglefly digis!

This card meets the following challenges:

• Splitcoaststampers - layout SC293
• Tuesday Taggers - Sunshine
• Little Red Wagon - #41 Summer

Scary Cute Birthday

Hello all. Today is Saturday and I have a quick share for you. Last month, Bugaboo Stamps had a 50% off moving sale, so I just had to try one of these cuties out:

I showed it to my DH and he LOVED it! I ran it past him to make sure he "got it" and he did. You know how sometimes you really like something but you show it to someone and they don't see what you see? Anyway, I really like her.

Details: Bugaboo stamp colored with Bics, die cut with nesties and shaded with Peeled Paint Ranger Ink. Ribbon, clearance DP. Super simple.

This card meets the following challenges:

• Card Positioning Systems - CPS 179
• Party Time Tuesday - #11 Anything Goes (great challenge site to get your Birthday cards done)

Bright with Sparkles

Hello and welcome to Friday with The Character Cafe. This weeks challenge is:

Bright with Sparkles

This is one of this months new releases and I couldn't wait to use it. I think she is just lovely.

I'm using digipapers from a free set I got a while back (sorry I don't know who to give credit to). I colored my lovely fairy with copics and bics, used nesties and Mustard Seed Ranger Ink for shading. The small sentiment is Inkadinkadoo. I added sewing, pop-dots, and glitter glue for the wings.

It's hard to see how beautiful this stamp is, so click on the images for a larger view.

Of course we would love for you to play with us this week! Just upload your bright with sparkles creation at the Challenge Blog. And don't forget to take a loot at the rest of the DT's creations (blogs on the right ---->).

This card meets the following challenges:

• Cowgirls Sunday Stampen Challenge - sketch
• Crafty Creations - #80 Winged Things

-----------NOT A CARD-------------

Want to share a quick creation I made for Bean.

She loves playing superhero, so I finally broke out some felt and made her a mask. I cut out the basic shape and eye holes (using plain paper), and I kept going back to make the holes bigger and bigger! LOL! Her eyes are just huge! I used 2 colors of felt: pink, and white cut slightly larger. I zig-zag stitched around the eyes first, then put the 1/4" elastic on the sides and stitched around the entire mask. I cleaned it up a bit with my scissors, and she LOVED it!

Sisters

Hello and happy Wednesday. I'm catching up on things around the house little by little. I've come up with a plan: do at least one thing each evening so I'm not doing an entire house cleaning on my weekends. Let's see if it works.

Anyway, I was able to spend some time in my room last night and played with a new release from Squigglefly...but it won't be in the shop until this weekend. So this is a kind of "sneak peek."

I don't have any sisters. The closest I had was my little cousin Sarah. And I'd love to give Bean a little sister (or brother), but we think she broke my uterus on the way out! So she's going to be an only child. Anyway, a few details: Hey Soul Sister by Lynne Stasnbery (Squigglefly) colored with Copics and Bics, cut with nesties, shaded with Ranger Inks (blue, yellow & brown), Clearance DP (only 10cents a sheet at Michaels!), sewing, lace, G-stamp sentiment, butterfly punch.

I used a lot of items I was either stashing away or are new and never used (for a challenge) and it was actually quite liberating. I need to do more of that instead of hoarding all my goodies! Plus, I think I will send this off to my MIL who's sister will be with her as she recovers from surgery.

This card meets the following challenges:

• Digital Tuesday - #71 Butterflies or Lace (I did both)
• Cupcake Craft Challenges - #103 Lace
• Sketch and Stash - sketch and stash items include: lace, butterfly punch, G-stamp, new DP
• Flutter By Wednesdays - #117 Open (my butterfly is in upper left corner)

Blog Hop with the Character Cafe

Hello all and welcome to the New Release Blog Hop with The Character Cafe. This hop is a little special because we are using the 2Sketches4You layout! On Friday, I gave you a little sneak peek of a TCC new release, so without further ado:

So if you came from Denise's Blog, you're on the right track. If not, make sure to start from the BEGINNING so you don't miss any of the fun!! Don't you love this image? I love "guy" stamps and this is for my FIL who just went through emergency surgery. I didn't really have a sentiment to tie in the car to "get well" so I'll just let Bean draw and write her own little message inside.

Card Details: TCC New Release image colored with copics, glaze on the window, lights and rims, M's Just Chillin' DP, sewing, twine, nesties with Peeled Paint Range Ink for shading.

Blog Hop Details:

• Leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win the digistamp in my creation
• Leave a comment on all the blogs for a chance to win their digistamp as well as the GRAND PRIZE of ALL the digistamps in this new release
• 40% off at the Cafe Store
• Also, somewhere along the way is a FREEBIE!!!

Next on the Hop is MARGIE!!

Special Day Fairy

This is my second post for today...so please look further down for info on the upcoming Character Cafe blog hop.

My cousin "Lil' Elizabeth" (even though she is WAY taller than me, I still call her little), is getting pinned next Saturday! I'm so excited for her. She is going to be a full fledged nurse and I think she will be terrific at it. I'm am so proud of her.

So this is her congrats card. Why a fairy? Because she has a beautiful tattoo on her back of a fairy, and when I saw this Woodland Nymph by Chesney Young, it immediately reminded me of her.

Details: digistamp from Squigglefly colored with Copics, nesties and Mustard Seed Ranger Ink for shading, K&Co Wild Saffron DP, sewing, pop-dots, Inkadinkado sentiment, and sketch is Splitcoaststampers SC292.

My DH is finally back from Kansas tonight. My FIL was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, so DH was by his side for the entire week. BTW, my FIL came through just fine but will require more surgeries soon. This week has been exhausting. It makes me realize that I might be over exaggerating a bit when I tell DH "you never do anything around here!" Don't tell him, but I guess he really does do a "few" things here and there that make my life easier. I don't like learning lessons the hard way!

2 Sneak Peeks

Hello all. Today is usually Friday with The Character Cafe. And still is...but only a sneak peek of what's to come on Monday.

Peek 1: I'm using one of the new Character Cafe digistamps to be revealed in Monday's bloghop.

Peek 2: I'm using a 2Sketches4You layout to be revealed on Monday. The TCC gals will get the opportunity to work with the 2S4U DT (SUPER talented ladies there).

So don't forget to hop with us on Monday and check out Laura's sketch at 2S4U and play along with them as well. There will be many chances to win digistamps.

Warm Wishes

Hello all. It's me again still making Christmas cards. Actually, this is only my second one so far. I planned to make two of these, but I had a major Copic spill on my first image. That's the second time that has happened and I don't know why!

I'm using the current FREEBIE over at Designed2Delight. And if you use this lovely snowman in your creation this week, then you get another freebie in your email for next weeks challenge! It's a win-win situation!

I used MME's Wild Asparagus (I don't have much Christmas paper, so I'm using what I've got!), sewing, distressed edges, D2D image colored with copics, cut with nesties and lightly shaded with Peeled Paint Ranger Ink. Whatcha think of my ric-rak? I think it looks cool coming off the card. The snowflake is glitter CS cut with Cricut cart Joys of the Season (at 1 1/2", flake 1 + layer). No sentiment so I can stamp something Christmas-y on the inside.

This card meets the following challenges:

• Designed2Delight - use Warm Wishes
• Card Patterns - sketch 75
• Paper Sundaes - #29 Stitching
• Cupcake Craft Challenge - #102 Distressing

Christmas Tag

Hello all. Hope you had a great weekend. We didn't do anything "special" but for some reason, I sure am worn out! Anyway, today is Monday with Squigglefly and the current challenge at the blog is:

RIBBON

Since I'm trying to stay ahead of the rush, I'm attempting to make as many Christmas items as possible. And this little pyramid is just perfect! It's Unconventional Christmas Tree by Mark Hicks. I colored it with Copics and added some fuzzy stuff to the white parts on Santa (it's a little hard to see).

See, the other day at Michael's, I turn the corner and there's my DH with all these packages in his hands:

Me: What are you doing?

DH: Look at these!

Me: What are they?!

DH: It's soft stuff for your cards.

Me: How does it work?

DH: I don't know, but I know you can figure it out. And look at all these colors. I'm getting you one of each.

Believe it or not, my husband is quite masculine...but you'd never know it when we're in one of my craft stores! So I used the soft stuff on Santa. Anyway, other details include: ribbon, sewing, cropadile, Cricut cart Celebrations for the to and from (I cut off the "om") cut at 1/2", and white pen.

So don't forget to enter your ribbon creation over at Squigglefly challenge blog! I also recently added all the Squigglefly DT gals' blogs on the right ---->