My Besties International Challenge ~ Reminder

Hi Crafty Friends,
It's the 15th of the month so it's time to remind you that there is still time to enter our  My Besties International Challenge.
This month's optional theme is FRIENDSHIP. You may use any image by any artist so I'll hope you'll join in the fun.
Here's my project using Star Dust Mermaid.

I colored using Copic markers and added some La-La Land Crafts die cuts.  They are exclusive to this month's Club Kit.  The sentiment is from Jaded Blossom Mermaid Kisses. After fussy cutting the image, I cut out a Scalloped Oval using tulle (it worked!) to use as a mat. I added some Spectrum Noir Sparkle to the die cuts and Nuvo clear Crystal Drops for the sea creatures bubbles.
Thanks for visiting.

Kitty Bee Designs' Aloha Friday Challenge ~ Fairy Tale/Fantasy

Hi Crafty Friends,
 I'm sharing my first post for  Kitty Bee Designs' Aloha Friday Challenges.  Today's post is the midweek reminder that you still have time to enter Challenge #103 Fairy Tale / Fantasy.
Here's my project using the Little Flower Fairy image from one of our sponsors, All Dressed Up.

I colored using Copic markers.  The image is matted on Jaded Blossom's Scalloped Hexagon Dies.  The sentiment is from JB's Fairy Sweet stamp set, stamped on a JB  Label Die.
Thanks to our two sponsors for this challenge:

MMedel Illustrations - https://www.etsy.com/shop/MMedelIllustrations

All Dressed Up Stamps - https://www.etsy.com/shop/alldressedupstamps

I hope you'll visit the Kitty Bee Designs blog to see all the DT projects.  We'd love it if you'd become a follower while you're there and, of course, link your own project for a chance to win images from our sponsors.

I'll be back on the Spotlight Blog on September 26.

How 'Bout a Little Christmas?

Hi Crafty Friends,
I'm so excited to announce that I have become a designer for The Merry Christmas Challenge!

This fun challenge blog posts every Wednesday and the theme is always ANYTHING GOES + CHRISTMAS
What better way to get things going for Christmas.  Woohoo, maybe I'll be ahead of the game this year.  BtW, your Christmas project can be anything - papercrafts, vinyl,cards, layouts, whatever Christmas crafty goodness you're up to.
Since I want to get ahead on my cards, my first project is a card I created by using a small star hand punch and some matting.  I love the simplicity.  Right now I'm trying designs that I can easily make multiples of.  I usually make 4-6 of each design and that gives enough to send handmade greetings to our entire Christmas list.

I did heat emboss the sentiment and add some gems to the star wreathe.
I hope you'll visit The Merry Christmas Challenge to welcome the new design team members and to join us by sharing your own creation.
Remember, we post every Wednesday.  I'm on Team Holly & Ivy so I'll post again in two weeks.

Always Fun Challenges ~ Create a Scene

Hi Crafty Friends,

Always Fun Challenge #23 is "Create a Scene."  I LOVE using dies and I love creating scenes so this was a perfect challenge for me.

Irina Blount of La-La Land Crafts does a trunk show at our local craft store about once every three months.  She introduced me to the idea of white on white using the classic linen-white pearl papers (and also the gold).  I am in love with effect so I'm thrilled to share my card using her technique and some of her amazing dies.

This card is 5.5 x 5.5.  I only used the two linens, white and gold.  I did cut an extra reindeer in chipboard to give a little dimension to the reindeer in front.  I cut all the dies at once using my Gemini.  Irina's dies cut beautifully in almost every machine (I've used the Cuttlebug with them as well - with the metal shim.)  This elegant card was really easy to create and I love the way it turned out.

I hope you'll join us for this challenge - you may create any type of scene using any medium.

Just follow the link above to join in the fun.

Cut it Up Challenge #130 ~ "Johnny Appleseed"

Hi Crafty Friends,
Ooooh, it's time to start thinking fall and in our area that means a trip to Apple Hill ~ apples, pies, breads, juice, so many wonderful treats.
Our Cut It Up challenge theme is Johnny Appleseed.   You must include an apple on your project and don't forget a die cut.  
I went to the Silhouette Design Store for both of my projects.  Sometimes you just need something quick and simple!

I love this apple-shaped card.  All I did was add an extra apple shape in white for a spot to write or add a sentiment - easy peasy.

This cute little box was fun to make as well.  I slightly enlarged the file and added a piece of acetate behind the window.  Such a fun little gift to give to your favorite school-bound kiddo.

This challenge is being sponsored by

Pink and Main

 so link up to the challenge blog for a chance to win a $20 gift voucher.

Two Scoops of Fun

Hi Crafty Friends,

It my day to post over on the Paper Crafting World Blog.

I create4d another one page layout using two cut files from Paper Crafting World.

I love the cut files that are titles - so easy to cut out and assemble.  I knew the layout needed a little something more so I added a bear file I had.  It's the Bear with Popsicle cut file but I made extra ice cream cones from the Two Scoops title file and then gave the bear a cone rather than a popsicle!!

The background papers are from Doodlebug Designs and the cut files were all cut from American Crafts Heavy Weight card stock - cuts so well using the Silhouette.

You can find these files by visiting Paper Crafting World (link above) and you can also find some amazing projects created by our artist/designer/leader/blog owner, Melin by visiting her personal blog,  My Paper Crafting.

Thanks for stopping in today.

Shaker Cards ~ Always Fun Challenge #22

Hi Crafty Friends,

We'd like to see some shaker cards for Always Fun Challenge #22.

Now that I have the WRMK Fuse tool, making shaker cards is easy peasy.  

Since most of my cards need to be mailed, I like that I can make a shaker card that remains relatively flat for mailing at regular postal rates.

I designed this card for friends who farm Walla Walla sweet onion.  Every year they send us a case so I always try to make an "oniony" card as a thank you.

Here's my design for this year's crop.

I got the free image from the internet, scanned it and cut it out using my Scan N Cut2 - love that machine!  I also used Jaded Blossom Stitched Rectangle dies and Alphabet 2 dies.  My sequin assortment is from Craftin Desert Divas.

I hope you'll join in this fun challenge.  We loving seeing different ways to create shaker cards.  Just follow the Always Fun link above.

My Besties International September Challenge

Hi Crafty Friends,

Wowzers!  It's September 1st.  The kiddos are back in school and we'll soon be decorating for fall - I can't wait.

It's time for our new monthly challenge at

My Besties International Challenge Blog.

Our optional theme this month is FRIENDSHIP.

You may use a Bestie image or any image from any artist.

My card features the adorable Button Betty.  She's here to tell you that

You are Amazing.

I colored using Copic Markers and created the card using lots of dies from La-La Land Crafts and Jaded Blossom.  All the dies were cut using my Gemini.  The heat embossed sentiment is from the Encouragement set by Jaded Blossom.  

I added Spectrum Noir clear Sparkle to her wings and Glossy Accents to the buttons.

I hope you'll join us this month.  There are some wonderful My Besties images to be won.

Back to School ~ Always Fun Challenge #21

Hi Crafty Friends,

Are you ready for our next Always Fun Challenge?

Challenge #21 is Back to School.

I made this cute "survival" kit as a gift for either a teacher or student.  Who doesn't love

 Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer?

I used all Jaded Blossom goodies on this one.

Rick Rack Topper Die

School Dies

Star Dies

School Rocks stamp set.

All of the die cuts were cut on my Gemini - everything cut with one pass through the machine.  I love the 8.5 x 11 platform.

Click the Always Fun link above to join our crafty fun.

The Fox and the Grapes ~ Cut It Up Challenges

Hi Crafty Friends,

Cut it Up Challenge #129 is taken from the Fable, The Fox and the Grapes.

The challenge is to use either a fox or a fruit (or both) on your entry.

Here's my card using the adorable fox from our sponsor

The Cutting Cafe.

I took the challenge literally by encouraging that silly fox not to give up so easily.

The grapes are a Silhouette Design studio file.  The grapevine is a La-La Land Crafts die.

The heat embossed sentiment is from the Jaded Blossom stamp set, Encouragement.

Hop on over to the challenge blog by following the link above.

Remember to use a die cut.