Bugaboo ATC

Hello all and Happy Saturday. Today begins a new challenge over at Catch The Bug:

ARTIST TRADING CARD (ATC)

To be honest, I didn't really know what an ATC was. So I googled and went to a bookstore. The info I found was basically the same.

The "artist" puts whatever they want on a mini canvas measuring 2.5" by 3.5" creating a little piece of art. The size is that of a baseball card, and is meant to be traded - for free. I also read that your piece should be signed, dated and if you'd like, include your email and/or location.

So here's what I came up with. The hearts are clear heat embossed, "Love" is machine sewn...yup, that's "real" thread, not faux, and my adorable dog is from the Puppy Love collection. With this one experience, I could imagine how fun it would be to make and trade!

Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!

Deacon Swings

Hello and Happy Friday! Woo-hoo! I know it's officially the weekend and time to relax, but we actually have a very busy weekend. My Dad turns 76 Years Old on Saturday so I'll be making enchiladas and upside down pineapple cake for the familia. It should be a good time.

But on to today's creation:

This little guy is Deacon and you can get him for FREE at Bugaboo!! That's right, it's FREEBIE FRIDAY! And what a GREAT freebie!! I just LOVE the Ava and Deacon collection....but how could you not? I also love this layout (Card Patterns #99) and the clean and simple look.

A little close-up action here. I must confess, I enjoy practicing my coloring, and Bugaboo stamps are just so darn pleasurable to color. Obviously I'm not trying to get you to go BUY the stamp because it's FREE...just wanted to share how much I like Bugaboo. So go pick up your FREEBIE and thanks for stopping by!!

This meets the following challenges:

• Rainbow Lady - #137 Beary Good
• Creative Craft World - Cute & Cuddly
• Stamps R Us - #13 Animals

Birthday Fat Mouse

Hello and welcome to OBG (Oldie But Goodies) day at Catch the Bug. This is a chance to show off older, but still much loved Bugaboo creations.

Fat Mouse is one of my faves because he just looks SO happy going after that balloon! Plus, he's got a tattoo on his butt!!

You can't really see it in the pic, but he's got fuzzy/soft stuff (yup, that's the technical term) on his tummy. The DP is DCWV Spring Matstack, Bugaboo digi colored with Copics, nesties, $1 acrylic sentiment stamp, and sewing.

Feel free to take a look at the other OBG inspiration at Catch the Bug! And of course, I appreciate you stopping by to visit!!

My card meets the following challenges:

• Splitcoaststampers - Sketch SC48
• Die Cut Dreams - #81 Use a Digi & Rubber stamp together

Kiss Me

Wow! It's Monday already?! Just 11 more months to Christmas LOL! I just can't get over how fast time goes by. I don't know if time started speeding up in my 30's...or maybe it was when Bean was born. Either way, I just can't keep up! Or I'm slowing down?

Here's another Valentine's Day card. I'm using one of my favorite Designed2Delight stamps: Charmed. There is something about her face that I just ADORE.

She's colored with Copics and shaded with Ranger Inks. Glaze, sewing, and handmade "brads." Instead of putting pop-dots under the image, I diecut a cereal box (obviously the same size circle as the image) and glued them together. That way I have added dimension without worrying about it going through the mail (since this card will be going to Reno).

I have a few more Valentine's projects in mind (still got Bean's teachers and classmates to do!), so I better get crafting! Thank you for stopping by!

This card meets the following challenges:

• Cards & Things - #62 Sketch
• Tuesday Throwdown - #32 Valentine

Fancy Fold

Hello and Happy Sunday! I hope all is well as we near the end of our weekend. Today I'm sharing a Designed2Delight card. This weeks challenge at Card Ideas (the Designed2Delight DT blog) is:

FANCY FOLDS

Of course I'm "boring" in that I pretty much only make 4.25" by 5.5" cards. Sometimes when I'm feeling a little WILD, I'll make a square card! So this was a GREAT challenge for me, even though I started with one of the easiest folds out there LOL!

I think this is a gatefold...or trifold? I don't know, but it is considered "fancy!" Not only that, but it's super CAS and quick to make! I embossed the "doors" with the Dots folder (so the back is NOT embossed), and added my little rectangle with the Simple Stem and Thank You set flower.

Here it is closed up. I can't believe my edges lined up so well! I do use my score-pal, but even I can mess up the simplest things! BTW, I changed the color of the stamp (digis come in black and white) in Corel, and made a colored square using the same color (in word), and used nesties to cut it all out. I also added glaze to the flower for a little more dimension.

So enter your Fancy Fold creation at Card Ideas! Thank you for stopping by and have a great week.

Winter White

Hello all and Happy Saturday! Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

Today at Catch the Bug, a new challenge has been set:

WINTER WHITE

I didn't want to go with a "winter" card, so instead I went with Dottie. I think she's a sexy and sassy lady...just like ME...well, just like I'd like to be again someday! I'm getting there! I finally lost most of the so-called "baby weight" from Bean - who is almost 4!

Here she is, all dressed in white, ready to party. I tried to make her blond, but it turned into a dishwater mess, so brunette she is. I put glitter on her dress and fancied her up with sparkly earrings. Super CAS with one embossed strip and diecut circle.

Here's an upclose of the lovely lady. I'm thinking maybe I should add a little pen floor...whadaya think? Something to ground her a bit? I'm so lost without my Ranger inks!

So create something white and enter the Catch the Bug Challenge!

My card meets the following challenges:

• For Fun Challenges - Glitter (dress and party hat!)
• Cute Card Thursday - #148 Recipe 1, 2, 3 (1 image, 2 rhinestones, 3 layers)
• Stamp N Doodle - DRESS it up!
• Delightful Challenges - Let's Celebrate!
• Hodge Podge Shop - #7 White on White

Juggling Sherbert

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Short post today...just want to share a birthday card using Poppi juggling ice-cream...but with the colors I used, it looks more like sherbert!

The DP has lots of sparkle, Poppi is colored with Copics, shaded with Ranger Inks, tag is Cuttlebug, ribbon and sewing.

Know why he's wearing sunglasses? Because my paper is SO BRIGHT!! LOL!

BTW, I'm using a fab sketch by Scrappy in honor of Birthday week at Catch the Bug. Today's mini challenge is: Sketch and Birthday!

Smarties Holder and Mini Challenge

Hello all and Happy Monday (aka Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). Today is ABC (Anything But a Card) day over at Catch the Bug.

So, I made a Smarties Holder! These make GREAT little gifts and they cost practically nothing (especially since I keep Smarties on hand for Bean).

I'm using Ava (Cupcake), colored with Copics and Prismas, glaze, and a little fuzzy ribbon. Super easy to put together! I got the tutorial HERE.

Here's a side view just to give you an idea of exactly what it looks like.

Also, all this week, there are mini challenges over at Catch the Bug to continue the 1 YEAR Birthday celebration! Today, the mini is: BLUE & WHITE with a BIRTHDAY theme (NOTE: my ABC fits the theme...but I HAD to throw in a little pink icing). TWO great prizes up for grabs on this one!! Check out the challenge blog for more deets.

Bugaboo's Birthday Blog Hop

Hello all and Welcome to the Bugaboo's 1st Birthday Blog Hop!!

Yes, Bugaboo is turning 1 this month and we are celebrating with a hop and lots of little challenges over at Catch the Bug.

If you came from Lesley's blog, you are on the right track. If you just came to visit little ol' me, let me suggest you start at the beginning of the hop for a more exciting day!

So how are we celebrating? With a Birthday cards and creations Challenge, of course!!

I also want to show off my lovely, new BB watermark!

Of course, you know how I LOVE close ups! :)

Blog Hop Details:

1) You have 1 week to enter YOUR birthday creation at Catch The Bug for a chance to win a digi-prize pack!

2) Daily challenges starting on Monday for more chances to win - you will only have ONE day to complete these challenges so here's a little hint:

• Monday: Blue & White
• Tuesday: Bling
• Wednesday: Sketch
• Thursday: Birthday
• Friday: Anything Goes

3) Grand prize winner will get 1 free set per month for one year to 1 person who does the blog hop and participates in all the challenges

4) One lucky winner will win a chance to design a set with the owner

5) One winner will receive 75% off a one time order

6) One lucky commenter will get 1 free digi from each DT member - that was used on their blog hop card/project (You have one week to comment.) Winner will be chosen on Saturday, winner will be announced here on my blog in my Saturday Challenge post. All Winners will also be posted on the Bug Blog.

Thanks so much for hopping with us!!

Next on the hop is the talented Lori

D2D Valentine Hop

Hello all. Did you know Valentine's Day is only one month away? Well, it is, and to celebrate the occasion of LOVE, we are having a Designed2Delight Blog Hop featuring many different Valentine images!


If you are here from Debbie F's blog, then I hope you are having a great hop. If you are here just to see my creation, then let me advise you to start at the Beginning for this wonderful, and LOVEly hop!!

I am using the Love Ewe set and have combined the hungry sheep with the sentiment in Word. This is colored using Copics, Ranger inks for shading, glaze, and sewing. The layout is Splitcoaststampers SC315 (nice yet simple).


Thanks for visiting, and don't forget, I'm using the "Love Ewe" set. Next on the hop is the awesome Kathy!

Blog Hop Fun Details:

• Collect all the names of the images on the Hop, list them IN ORDER, post your list at the end of the hop. Why? To be entered to win ALL the images used on the hop! Deadline is midnight, Sunday the 16th of January (Eastern Time).

Wassup?

Hello and welcome to OBG (Oldie But Goodie) - a Thursday feature at Catch The Bug! That's when the DT shows off some of the older, but still loved images.

Of course I love the Rottweiler Puppies since Big Jack is half rottie. So big and clumsy yet loving and affectionate.

Super simple layout! My pup is colored with Copics and Prismas, Ranger Inks for shading, sentiment is Opposites Attract Cricut Cart cut at 1" (regular and shadow), sewing, and glaze.

Close up of glaze-y goodness...plus, I just think he's super adorable.

If you get a chance, head over to Catch the Bug for more inspiration from the rest of the DT.

My card meets the following challenges:

• One Stop Craft - #113 Card for a child
• Splitcoaststampers - Layout SC64
• Crazy Challenge - #49 Animals

Daddy's Girl

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm sharing Bean's Valentine's Day card to her Dad:

When I saw this adorable image by Phindy, I just HAD to get it! Bean actually goes around the house with her little tool belt, safety glasses, and hard hat. Just last night I got her a new tool box and she discovered it this morning and was SO excited.

Here's a little 3-D shot to show off the layers. I left it blank on the outside and will put inside: Happy Valentine's Day...Love, Daddy's Little Girl. Oh, and I actually have a pic somewhere of her wearing his boots, just like these!

DP is M's Just Chillin', sewing, distressing, image colored with Copics and Prismas. Just wanted to show off another close up of this CUTIE!! I know the colors are non-traditional, but her dad's favorite color is orange.

My card meets the following challenges:

• Card Patterns - sketch #97
• Phindys Place - #37 Distressing

SWAK with Tie the Knot

Hello all and Happy Monday! Hope you all had a GREAT weekend! I got a chance to clean up my craft room a bit, and fix a few Boo-boos on stuffed animals.

I've never been a real big Valentine's person, but with so many die cuts and stamps out there, I thought "what the heck." And with all the little ones now in the family...well, let's just say I'm a big supporter of SNAIL MAIL!!

For this card I'm using polka dots from Pink Petticoat, SWAK is Scrap Color Me from Scrapnfonts (colored in with Prisma Markers), lots of sewing, and lips are from Tie the Knot Cricut Cart cut at 1.5".

Sometimes when I work with diecuts, I completely LOSE what I'm putting together. I stepped back and thought they look good, but they looked chapped, so I added glaze and glitter glue.

Not sure who this is for just yet, but it was fun to make. Thanks for stopping by!

This will be entered in the following challenges:

• Winter Wonderland - Let's go Dotty
• Wags N Whiskers - Valentines Day
• Eat, Sleep, Stamp - Sketch 112

Let Me Count The Ways

Hello and Welcome to the latest challenge over at Catch The Bug:

EMBOSS IT!
(Wet or Dry...or both!)

There are generous prizes for playing along, but you must use a Bugaboo image to be eligible for the Grand Prize.

I am now in the mood for Spring colors and Valentines Day, so today I'm showing off a pup from the Puppy Love collection.

DP is M's Cheeky Collection (Abby), green CS run through the Cuttlebug using Dots folder and lightly sanded to accentuate the high spots. Pup is colored with Copics, glaze added, and fussy cut. Sentiment is computer generated and inside reads: Let me count the ways ~EBB.

I'm definitely a dog person! We have a cat, but the darn thing doesn't fetch or obey! My big boy Jack weighs around 120pounds and is sweet on Bean. I colored my pup the same as Jack. This will be Beanie's card this year.

Anyway, enter your embossed creations at Catch The Bug, and feel free to use a Bugaboo image if you have one!

This card meets the following challenges:

• Splitcoaststampers - sketch SC313
• Catch the Bug - Emboss It!
• My Time to Craft - #122 Up In The Air (balloon)
• Tuesday Throwdown - #30 Embossing
  

Happy Bird-Day

Hello all and welcome to Freebie Friday at Bugaboo Stamps! That's right, every Friday, a new and FREE stamp is up for grabs, and this Friday it's Bird Greetings:

I used Me & My Big Ideas DP, distressed the edges, and sewing. This was actually a 1/2 hour project (thanks to SCS layouts). I used the scrap paper for the tag and fussy cut my bird.

Of course there's glaze on both. Sewing and glaze are my go-to's. I thought the nestability die was perfect for the distressed look I was going for.

So make sure to pick up your freebie! It's...FREE! But watch out, the freebies are what got me hooked on Bugaboo Stamps in the first place :)

Have a GREAT weekend all. I hope it's a good one with fun and crafts!

This meets the following challenges:

• Splitcoaststampers - sketch SC23
• Charisma Cardz - #1 Birthdays & Celebrations
• Cute Card Thursday - #146 Out With The Old (Stash - papers & nesties, scraps for the tag)
• Stampin' B's - Something Old/Something New (Old - papers and nesties, New -digistamp!)

Winter Love

Hello and Happy Wednesday. Today I'm sharing a card using the Snowman Love digi from Designed2Delight.

I know he's a snowman, but he's not Christmas-y. DP is DCWV Text Prints, digi colored with Copics, shaded with Ranger's Lipstick ink. I made the "brads" in the lower right corner using my Cropadile - punched the black with the larger hole and the pink with the small hole, glued together, put G Studio glitter glue, then Glossy Accents. They are very sparkly IRL! Of course, plenty of sewing.

Here's a close up of this sweetie. I think this is probably a good "grandma card" from Bean for this Valentines Day.

This card meets the following challenges:

• Sketch Saturday - layout
• Ladybug Crafts Ink - #9 Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Composition Book Cover

Hello all and Happy Tuesday! Today I want to share with you a composition book cover I put together this weekend. See, I got this great Baby Lock sewing/embroidery machine from my ma a little over a year ago. I use it mainly to sew on my cards, and I've made a few clothes for Bean. But this year, I hope to REALLY use it!

This came together in a little under an hour. I added a pen holder on the spine...but I'm already thinking of other options. There are a total of 3 layers - top is quilted, batting, and muslin for the underside. Super easy!

This is going to Bean's teacher for Christmas. Yes, Christmas...we're a bit late. Hope you all are having a great and crafty day! Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate it!

Elephant Wishes

Hello and Happy New Year! I know, it's already the 3rd of January...

I got a little space heater for my craft room so I've been back in there tearing the place up! We put the house heater on, but my room just does not seem to be getting any heat, and I've been way to cold to craft.

Anyway, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (or other celebration) and New Year! We went to Las Vegas and had a wonderful time.

Here is my first card for 2011:

So I was a little upset when I cut off this little guys tail...I need to start taping down my nesties! He is from the Critter Balloon collection at Bugaboo, colored with Copics, shaded with Ranger Ink, and plenty of glaze.

Isn't he just adorable?

One question: any New Year resolutions out there? Well, I hope to lose 10 more pounds (I lost a total of 23 pounds in 2010), make more Cricut creations (hopefully in the form of scrapbooking), and do at least 2 cool non-paper crafts a month. All fun stuff! I want to enjoy life. I went to a funeral today and I thought, I don't want Bean to remember me cleaning the house, I want her to remember having fun TOGETHER!!

My card meets the following challenges:

• Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch #82
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Celebrate Something (Birthday)
• Anything Goes Challenge - The Letter C (Critter Balloon digi, Cloud)
• Digital Tuesday - #91 Anything Goes
• Party Time Tuesday - #27 Anything Goes Birthday Card