Coffee Time

I love this cute coffee themed stamp set by The Cat's Pajamas, so I stamped out this penguin with his huge mug, and a sentiment from the same set. The circle dies are by Sizzix and MFT, and all I had to do was add a twine bow.

 Coffee Lovers Caffeine Fueled Paper Play challenge
Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge
SSS Wednesday challenge, AG
Kat Scrappiness June challenge, dad or food
TCP Tuesday, summer. I used bright summery colors
Three Amigos challenge, Things with Wings
Power Poppy Just Color
House That Stamps Built, AG
Addicted to Stamps, make your mark and color
Time Out Challenge 138, funny

All Roads Lead Home

I had stamped this image of a little English Village (Tewksbury Mill, by Art-Kure) some time back and then misplaced it! I came across the image the other day and went ahead to color it and put it on a card. The sentiment is from Mulberry Wood by Crafter's Companion, and the embossing folder is by Sizzix. I thought about adding some rhinestones but decided that the CAS look was best.

 Rudolph Days challenge for June
ABC Christmas challenge, L is for Little. I used an image of a little village! 
Word Art Wednesday
Stamplorations CAS challenge

CHNC challenge 443
Crimbo Crackers 187
SSS Wednesday challenge, AG
Power Poppy, just Color
House that Stamps Built, AG
Addicted to Stamps, make your mark and color

Perfect Day

I used the Coffee Happy stamp set by Stamplorations for the sentiment on this card..and I agree with it completely! My mornings always start with a cup of coffee, whether hot coffee on a cold morning, or iced on a warm day. I used a coffee cup die by Spellbinders, which I added to a metal tag from my stash, a ribbon scrap, and a brad.

Stamplorations A/G challenge, use a Stamplorations product

Caffeine Fueled Paper play challenge. I used a stamp by Stamplorations, which is a past sponsor of 
the Coffee Lovers hops
Word Art Wednesday
Kat Scrappiness June challenge, meals with dad. So is coffee a food? How about food for the soul?
Stamplorations CAS challenge, CAS with option of mahogany

SSS Wednesday challenge, AG

House that Stamps Built, AG 

 

Safari Adventure

Seems that I make Graphic 45 cards in twos, because here's another one using the Safari Adventures paper pad. I admit though, it's hard to keep cutting into these papers because I can't bear to run out of them! Used an embossing folder by Tim Holtz (given to me by my blog friend, Janis)  and button die by MFT as well as the Graphic 45. This also indulges my love of animals, although I am more of an armchair traveler than an adventurer! I was inspired to create this by the Graphic 45 Selfie challenge and now I wonder why I never cut into this paper.  I just wish I had more of this collection but I'll be satisfied with the one paper pad for now.

Crafty hazelnut's June PP challenge
DL.Art's June linky
Double Trouble challenge 31, embossing, vacation , Pile it On. I did Thing 1 and Thing 2
Pile it On challenge 155, vacation or transporation
SSS Wednesday challenge, Travel
Three Amigos, things with wings

Mixed Media Fabric tag, Soar

I dug around in my stash and pulled out a stencil by Kaisercraft, stamps by Stamplorations (For the Birds), and made this mixed media fabric tag. I love the beautiful summery blues in this fabric pattern, and I echoed the tribal design in my stamped bird. The stitched circle die is by MFT. I also added an eyelet and some hemp twine. I have a LOT of fabric from the days of quilting and sewing, so using fabric on my tags and cards will be a plus.

Mod Squad challenge, stand-alone mixed media tag
Stamplorations Mixed Media challenge, use a stencil

 Stamplorations AG challenge, use Stamplorations product

Stamplorations Cutplorations challenge, summer

TCP June challenge, summer
Double D challenge, pick a pattern. I used stamps, fabric, and stencils in geometric designs
Three Amigos challenge, Things with Wings
Word Art wednesday
DL.Art June linky

Mixed Media Packing Tape Tag

Here is another mixed media tag. I became fascinated with the packing tape technique some years back, and made a small baggie full of images using that technique. I found this image in an epherma packet, and decided to use aluminum tape around the edges to give the impression of a frame. It ended up looking like a small glass slide embellishment, and is something I plan to do again. I dug into a box that I have, filled with hand-cut tags that I made ages ago, and added a swirl cut from handmade paper. A tiny chipboard heart that I covered with aluminum foil, and a small stamped element and ribbon finished this one.

Mod Squad stand-alone mixed media tag
DL.Art June linky
Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge. The image of the girl is patterned paper

Mixed Media Tissue Paper Tag

I have been going through my old stash lately, and found that I have a LOT of flowers. Most of them are those silk flowers that people use for decorations and my idea (once upon a time) was to pull them apart and layer them on cards. Well, now is the time. The tag was cut by hand and I used a border punch along the bottom. Then I added colored tissue paper and scrunched it up across the tag. I used plain Elmer's glue to adhere it and coat it. Once it dried, I added an eyelet and ribbon, and another border (hand cut and hole punched) and a layered silk flower, with brad center.

Mod Squad Challenge, stand-alone mixed media tag
TCP June challenge, summer
DL.Art June linky

Birthday Safari

I just love  Graphic 45 papers, so after actually cutting into some of the papers to make a card the other day, I got brave and used some of the Safari Adventure paper pad to make a masculine birthday card as well. This uses two collections by Graphic 45, Safari Adventures and Raining Cats and Dogs. I used a sentiment stamp by Marks Finest Papers and added some jute twine. I just love the elephants on that post card.

Aud Sentiments AG with a sentiment
Kat Scrappiness June challenge, masculine or food
Word Art Wednesday
Power poppy Challenge, masculine
DL.Art June challenge
Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge
SSS Wednesday challenge, travel
Pixie's Snippets challenge 355. I used snippets from two Graphic 45 collections, plus a tiny random scrap for the sentiment flag

Enjoy the Little things

While I had my Graphic 45 papers out, why not make another card? This one also uses Gilded Lily and Cafe Parisian. I used some seam binding for the bow, and pearls to embellish. I fussy-cut the tiny lady from a Gilded Lily border, and popped her up with foam tape. I think she's rather dazzled by all the enormous pastries in the shop window!

Allsort Challenge 525, soft pastels
Double Trouble, pick a pattern
Creative Inspiration, glitz and glamour
Word Art Wednesday
DL.Art June linky
Crafty hazelnut's June PP challenge
Aud Sentiments, AG with a sentiment
Three Amigos challenge, things with wings. See that little pink butterfly? Or were you distracted by all the pastries?!

Eat Cake

I finally brought myself to cut into a few Graphic 45 paper pads (Gilded Lily and Cafe Parisian) and make a card or two. I just love Graphic 45 but it's hard not to just hoard and admire them, ha! A little cutting, inking and ribbon made this! Love the soft pastels, which are not my usual color palette. The pretty label die cut is by Spellbinders, and I added inked edge and pearls. The boarder punch is by Stampin'up. Even though I used two different paper collections for this card, I found the Graphic 45 patterens often coordinate perfectly.

Allsorts Challenge 525, soft pastels
Creative Inspirations challenge, glitz and glamour
Word Art Wednesday
DL.Art June linky
Crafty Hazelnut's june PP challenge
Double D challenge, Pick a Pattern. Pattern is the focus 
Aud Sentiments, AG with a sentiment

Take A Break

I've been loving all of the online challenges to make masculine cards lately, and I pulled out a stamp set by Mark's Finest Papers, a background image by Prima Marketing, some papers from my stash, and a kraft tag. Even added some copper Nuvo drops, which , sadly, insisted on looking more like Hershey kisses than drops. Still, I like the bit of metallic shine they add to my subdued card.

 Stamplorations June Tagplorations challenge, dad or masculine

Kat Scrappiness June challenge, masculine
Word Art Wednesday
Let's Create June challenge, masculine
Crafty Calendar June challenge, masculine
Power Poppy challenge, masculine
DL.Art june linky
Cardz TV challenge 92
Crafty hazelnut's PP challenge
Aud Sentiments, AG with a sentiment
Addicted to Stamps challenge, masculine

Goin' Fishing

I recently pulled out some of my stamp sets by Mark's Finest Papers, which is no longer in business. I found these really small silhouette stamps that worked perfectly on a tag-based fathers day card for my brother-in-law who loves fishing. The tag die is by Gina K, and I embossed it with an embossing folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix. That fish patterned paper is from my stash and is so old I can't even remember where it came from I'm thinking possibly Paper Adventures. I believe the sentiment is by Photo Play.

Stamplorations June Tagplorations challenge, use a tag for Dad

 Kat Scrappiness June challenge, meals with dad
 Word Art Wednesday
DL.Art June linky
Lets Create challenge for June, masculine 
Power Poppy June challenge, masculine 
Crafty Calendar challenge, masculine
Cardz TV challenge 92
Crafty hazelnut's June PP challenge
Aud Sentiments, use a sentiment
Addicted to Stamps, masculine
 

O Christmas Tree

I bought this Hero Arts layered tree last year and decided to pull it out to make a couple of Christmas cards this week. Still experimenting with different shades of green for the layers, and I haven't tried the snow layer yet. I used an oval die by Gina Marie, Nuvo drops in Pale Gold, snowflake stamps by Hero Arts and Clear Impressions, and paper from my stash. This is a classic design that could be mass-produced without too much trouble.

CHNC challenge 442
ABC Christmas challenge, L is for little (little snowflakes)
Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge
Word Art Wednesday
DL Art June linky
Cardz TV challenge 92

Fix-It Dad

My son-in-law is a mechanical engineer, which means that he loves to put things together, or as my granddaughters always say, "He fixes things!". So, what better card to make him for Father's day but this one? I used fun tool-patterned paper from my scrap stash, along with a toolbox image by Clear Impressions stamps. The tag die is by Gina K, and I added a distressed bronze brad. I colored the image with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to coordinate with the patterned paper.

Word Art Wednesday
Lets Create challenge 148, masculine
Kat Scrappiness June challenge, food or Dad
Stamplorations Tagplorations challenge, tag with dad

 Crafty Hazelnuts June PP challenge

DL.Art June linky
Power Poppy June challenge, masculine
Crafty Calendar June challenge, masculine
Aud Sentiments, AG with sentiment
 Addicted to Stamps challenge, masculine

Merry Christmas

Here is another card that uses paper from the DCWV Christmas letters and Christmas stack from my stash.  The sentiment is by Meli Melo, and the snowflake image is by Simone Clay. I added a lacy die cut by LDRS.

 CHNC Challenge 442
ABC Christmas challenge , L is for little (the tiny button)
Crafty Hazelnuts June PP challenge
DL.Art June linky
Crimbo Crackers 186
Aud Sentiment, AG with a sentiment
Word Art Wednesday

Christmas Village

I made this card with some papers from a magazine that a friend sent me as a freebie, and a stamp by Art Kure. The sentiment is from my stash. I kept the village scene uncolored to look like a vintage wood-cut. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it, ha!

Aud Sentiments challenge, AG with a sentiment
Craftt Hazelnut's June PP challenge
CHNC challenge 442
Crimbo Crackers 186
Christmas cards all year round, leaves, flowers, garlands
Word Art Wednesday
ABC Christmas challenge, L is for little (little village scene) 
DL.Art June linky

Christmas Joy

I work on Christmas cards all through the year, since I donate them to several organizations. Of course I often end up without enough to send to friends and family, so I'll need to ramp it up this year! This card uses paper that I won in a packet from Diana Larson of DL.Art, along with a DCWV paper stack that I've had for ages. I stamped the bird and sprigs with an image by Simone Clay and added a tiny twine bow and Nuvo drops.

 Crafty Hazelnuts June PP challenge
CHNC challenge 442
Christmas cards all Year Round, garlands or leaves
ABC Christmas challenge, L is for Little (tiny bow and little bird)
DL.Art June linky
Crimbo Crackers 186

Red, White and Birthday

I had some scraps of red, white and blue patterned papers by DCWV, so decided to turn them into birthday cards. I think this would be perfect for a July birthday..or really any birthday for that matter! The sentiment is stamped on vellum, and the images are all by Stampin' Up, except for the candle. The candle stamp is by Studio G.

MFT Birthday Project, make a wish with candles
Stamplorations June sketch and theme, stamps and birthdays

DL.Art June linky
Crafty Hazelnuts June PP challenge
Aud Sentiments, AG with a sentiment

Dragonfly Ride

I was going through some of my older stamps yesterday and was shocked (and very, very pleased) to find that I had two wood mounted House Mouse Design stamps that I didn't even know I owned! Okay, okay...this may mean that I have too many stamps but I'm blaming it on old age, ha! Anyway, I immediately inked up this one (Dragonfly Ride) and colored it up. Some pretty background paper by K&Co, and a border die by Fiskars put this together. The sentiment is from another House Mouse Designs stamp set. I even gave the partial die cut technique a try, which necessitated my breaking out a new Sizzix Big Shot cutting plate since my old, warped one wouldn't stop shifting the die around. This fun card will go into my birthday card stash for a fun-loving, adventurous friend!
Finding these older stamps was such a switch from my usual, which is misplacing a stamp that I just KNOW I have..but can't find anymore!

House Mouse Monday challenge 293, AG or summer fun
Die cut Divas June challenge, dies and birthday
Stamplorations June theme and sketch challenge, stamps and birthday 

 DL Art June linky
Three Amigos June challenge, things with wings

Crafters Castle June challenge , AG
TCP June challenge, summer
Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge 
Craft Stamper June challenge, AG with stamping 
Penny Black and More June challenge, blooms, butterflies, bugs

Make A Wish

I pulled out a wood mounted stamp that I've had for years and years (by Rubber Stampede), and thought that I would try to color it with brush markers (which are at least 15 years old). Hmmm, seems that brush markers dry out after that long a period ...surprise, surprise! So, I tossed that first version and went for a more modern, one-color option. I combined the cake image with a gift-bearing bear from Bitty Bears by MFT, and a die cut sentiment by Spellbinders. Even used some eyelets..yay! Even the purple cardstock was so old that it had faded around the edges so I trimmed off the faded part. Oh, and the red cardstock has been in my stash for at least 15 years as well.Now, of course, I feel justified in continuing to hoard craft supplies forever!
P/S: My first version of this card (with the brush markers) was SO terrible that even I couldn't keep it, and it went into the wastebasket...sigh...

MFT Birthday Project, Make a Wish...use candles
Stamplorations June Theme and Sketch, stamps and birthday

 Die Cut Divas June challenge, birthday and dies
Crafters Castle June challenge
DL.Art June linky
Craft Stamper June challenge, AG

Age is Just a Number

I am always making birthday cards because, let's face it...everyone has one! I used this number die by Penny Black (Penny Black Creative dies, By the Number)  , along with a stamped circle sentiment by Cardz TV (Going in Circles), and a tiny cupcake stamp by Studio G. The zig zag patterned papers are from the Target Dollar bin (yay!), and I used card stock from my stash. I cut a border from the purple zig zag paper, then a thin strip from the green pattern. I adhered the thin strip to the center of my border to get a two-colored border.

 Cut It Up challenge 175, birthdays

Cardz TV challenge 91

Stamplorations Theme and Sketch, stamps and birthday 

 Die Cut Divas, dies and birthday

Penny Black Saturday challenge, AG with Penny black 

Pixie's Snippets challenge 354. I used all snippets from my scrap stash for this..yay! 

DL.Art June linky 

Crafty hazelnuts June PP challenge 

Be An Explorer

Although I grew up in southern California, near the beach, I rarely go to the beach now (even though I can actually see the bay from my upstairs craft window!). However, that doesn't mean I don't love ocean and beach themes when it comes to my card making. I used this wave stamp set by The Ton, and a sentiment by See-D's stamps for this card. Added some Nuvo drops, but I didn't care for the way they came out, so I just popped on some clear sequins right on top! This card could be great for a guy as well as a woman.

Time Out Challenge 137,  nature themed with option of one-layer
SSS Work it Wednesday, summer
SSS Wednesday challenge, masculine
SSS Monday challenge, vacation
Cardz TV challenge 91
DL.Art June linky
TCP June challenge, Summer
Craft Stamper June challenge, AG

Tropical Celebration

When I saw that the MFT Color challenge calls for coral, lime and gray I knew I had to give it a try. It's 100 degrees today and that calls for tropical drinks (non-alcoholic of course!), flowers, and bright colors. I used a die set by Stampin Up , stencil by Vintage, die cut sentiment by Obsession Impression, and the Double-stitched circle dies by MFT. You know how you think a card will be quick and easy...but then it takes forever? Yeah...that was this one. I didn't have the right color cardstock for my die cuts,  so had to ink white card-stock with Stampin' Up's Cameo Coral, Green Galore, and Going Gray (all very, very old SU colors). Then I masked and inked the coral strip along the bottom, which might become my new favorite technique. Thanks Janis for inspiring me!!I have a friend with a birthday in a week, so this one will be sent to her.

MFT CC118: coral, lime and gray

Through the Craftroom Door, AG


Die cut Divas, dies with birthday
Cardz TV challenge 91
Crafters Castle June Challenge
DL.Art June linky

Butterfly Wishes

I was so enthralled with the inspiration photo for Time Out Challenges that I had to make two cards. This one uses an embossing folder by Cuttlebug for the background, and a layered Peony stamp set by Birch Press Designs. I didn't even know that I had this stamp set...eek! I added a butterfly, which I cut out of the Butterfly border stamp by Stamplorations, and some rhinestone flourishes by Prima Marketing. Truth be told, those rhinestone flourishes kind of drive me nuts because I can't ever quite figure out how to use them. They get stuck to my fingers and have a mind of their own as I try to adhere them to my design.

Time Out Challenge 136. I was inspired by the embossed look of the background and the flowers in the inspiration photo 
Stamplorations Things with Wings Challenge

Three Amigos challenge 27, things with wings
Stamplorations AG challenge

DL.Art June linky
Penny Black and More June challenge. Blooms, butterflies/bugs

Tropical Birthday

While going through a lot of old stash, I found an old stamp that I had carved out of  rubber left over from an old Stampin' Up set. So I inked it up, along with some flower and leaf stamps by Stampin Up, and made my own patterned paper. After trimming it and inking the edges, I added die cut birds on a branch by Stamplorations, which I inked with ink blenders and bright colors.  This card reminded me of the time I used to make my own stamped backgrounds because I didn't have much patterned paper. Hard to believe that was ever the case now! Yes, I even tried my hand at carving stamps back then. The hand-carved one is the geometric design in light blue.

Stamplorations AG challenge, I used a die by Stamplorations

Stamplorations Things with Wings challenge

 Three Amigos challenge 27, Things with Wings
Through the Craftroom Door
Crafters Castle June challenge

DL.Art June Linky
TCP tuesday challenge, summer
Penny Black and More June challenge. Blooms, butterflies, bugs

Otterly Merry Christmas

I just can't get enough of this cute little otter from the Otterly Merry Christmas stamp and die set by Lawn Fawn. The candy cane is a separate stamp so you can leave it out for a winter card. I cut his paw so he can hold it while he takes a swim! I used a wave patterned embossing folder by Darice, and tag die by Taylored Expressions.

Christmas Kickstart challenge 11, kids cards
CHNC challenge 440
Word Art Wednesday
Crimbo Crackers 185
DL.Art June linky

Cozy Christmas

As I've gone through a lot of my old, old stash, I came across some pretty Christmas stickers and figured that I'd add them to cards. It was really hard to peel these stickers off the backing, because they'd gotten almost permanently adhered due to age. So I fussy cut them with the idea of gluing them to my card fronts. Turns out that the sticker backing doesn't work well with any kind of adhesive, which is why it's used a REMOVABLE sticker backing, haha! So I had to pick at the edges over and over again until I was able to peel off a tiny corner...and finally get it loose. Fussy cutting was kind of a pain but I'm determined to use up the entire sheet because they're so pretty. I added a stamped sentiment, which I cut into a circle and matted. Then I punched holes in the top and bottom of the circle and threaded jute through it. Light distressing and inking gives it a nice old-fashioned look I think.

CHNC challenge 440
Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge
DL.Art June Linky
Crimbo Crackers 185
Christmas Crafts All year Round June challenge, garlands or leaves

Lucky in Love

I combined a pre-made embellishment with a stamped image by The Cats Pajamas to make this anniversary card for my sister and her husband. The border punch is by Anna Griffin and I hand cut the heart, then used an embossing folder by Cuttlebug to add that textured design. The embossed background is a paint chip sample from Home Depot.

Pixie's Snippets challenge 353
DL.Art June Linky
Crafty Hazelnuts June PP challenge

Always Time for Coffee

I love my Coffee For All Seasons stamp set by Stamplorations and stamped out the winter image for this card. I had a tag in my stash that I used to mount the image. The stamped sentiment was cut with a stitched oval by Gina Marie, and I added a die cut snowflake by Little B. Some red twine finished this card and I used an embossing folder by Darice for the background.

  Stamplorations AG challenge, use Stamplorations products

 Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge
CHNC #440
Crimbo Crackers 185
Word Art Wednesday
DL.Art June linky

Be Jolly

Here is an adorable stamped image that was also in that baggie that was sent to me. I colored it up with Spectrum Noir markers and cut the image with a label die by Spellbinders. All it needed was some fun patterned paper and a little bit of bakers twine. It wasn't until I began coloring it that I realized the little bear perched on the big bear's shoulder is a koala wearing a hat!!

CHNC challenge 440
Crafty Hazelnuts June PP challenge
Word Art Wednesday
Christmas Kickstart #11, cards for kids
Crimbo Crackers 185
DL.Art June Linky

Frosty Friends

Yes, I'm still working on my Christmas cards and having a lot of fun while doing so. I received a baggie of stamped images from another stamper recently, and colored this one up for a child. Isn't that snowman the cutest thing with his trio of squirrel friends?! I colored him up with alcohol markers and mattered the stitched rectangle with scraps from my stash. That background paper is so old that I don't remember when I got it!

 

Christmas Kickstart #11, cards for Kids 

CHNC challenge 440 

Crafty Hazelnut's June PP challenge 

Crimbo Crackers 185 

DL.Art June Linky