A Blog Hop is Coming!!!

Hi Crafty Friends,
I'm just dropping in today to tell you about the fabulous NEW RELEASE Blog Hop that is coming on Sunday, October 1.

There will be a chance to win free images along with seeing some great ideas.
Be sure to come back at 8:00 AM PST on Sunday to join in the fun.

The Merry Christmas Challenge #36

Hi Crafty Friends, I LOVE that I'm getting some of my Christmas cards finished earlier than I usually do.  Being a member of this team sure helps! Here's my card.

Even though I live in California with lots of sun, I still love snowmen.  I have quite a collection that I display at Christmas.  This adorable digi is from Digi My World.  I used Copic Markers to color him.  A red sparkle heat embossed sentiment and a snowflake from Cherry Lynn is all this card needed. I invite you to visit The Merry Christmas Challenge to see even more cute creations and then link your Christmas project.  Remember, it does not have to be a card - any Christmas craft.  You'll find a new challenge with design team inspiration EVERY Wednesday.

Kitty Bee Designs DT Spotlight

Hi Crafty Friends,

Is it beginning to feel like Autumn where you live?  Here in northern California we've had several end of summer heat waves so I'm ready for fall weather and fall colors.

For my monthly DT Spotlight post at Kitty Bee Designs,  I chose these adorable
Kawaii Owl Buddies.

You can click the link above to find these cuties in the Kitty Bee Designs shop. I used the Shade Tree cutting plate from Taylored Expressions and added Nuvo Crystal Drops for the extra "leaves" and accent drops.  I just added a little Baker's Twine for embellishment and colored using Copic markers.  The patterned background paper is from Doodlebug Designs. So glad you stopped in today.

Always Fun Challenge #25 ~ Anything Goes

Hi Crafty Friends,
Don't you love when a challenge is Anything Goes?  I sometimes think they'll the best yet I do enjoy having a bit more guidance as to theme, especially when my crafty mojo is hiding.
I made this 6 x 6 Pop Up gift card holder following a YouTube video.

In case you haven't guessed, it's for a 21st Birthday.
Here's the inside.

I love how the card just slips between the two rectangular boxes.  It's easy to make and doesn't require a cut file.  The papers are from Carta Bella's Giddy Up line.  I used Jaded Blossom's Word Dies for the sentiments.  The pearl swirl stickers were in my stash.
Come on over and join us - no excuses when it's anything goes LOL. Just link up your project HERE and if you have time, visit the other team members' blogs and leave a little bloggie love.

Cut it Up Challenge #131 ~ Change is Good

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a really fun challenge at Cut it Up Challenge Blog. We're calling it "Change is Good" and we're asking you alter or recycle something on your project.   Don't forget to use a die cut as well.
I had fun with this one.  I often alter composition books or notepads and I do a lot with Frap bottles so I wanted to explore a different technique.
Here's my project.  Can you guess what I recycled?

Did you guess?  I cut the ghost out of the lid of a foam food container!  It cut so easily with the Cuttlebug.  All of the dies on this project are from Jaded Blossom - Halloween Dies, Halloween Dies 2, and Halloween Scenic Dies.  I just added some Stickles and a little inking on the fence.   Oh, I also tried cutting a snowflake and it worked perfectly although the snowflake was not a detailed cut.  I can't wait to try more dies.

Our sponsor for this challenge is https://www.heartfeltcreations.us/s...

You Are a Blessing

Hi Crafty Friends,
Today I'm sharing a project I created for Paper Crafting World.

The image is a print then cut which I printed on card stock and then scanned and cut  using my Scan N Cut 2.    All I added was some Spectrum Noir sparkle pen to the flower centers, a little touch up with a Copic marker and a bow using homemade crinkle ribbon.
I love the fall papers that I found in my crafty stash.
Visit Paper Crafting World to lots of print then cut images - so easy!

Always Fun Challenge #24 ~ Fall Colors

Hi Crafty Friends,
It's almost fall and a good time to switch our color palettes to those wonderful autumn reds, yellows, oranges and browns.  So, that is our Always Fun Challenge this week.
Here's my card.

Isn't this Giraffe from Inky Antics a cutie?  The papers, ribbon, die cut, and buttons are all from a card kit I'd purchased awhile back.  I just decided to use a different stamped image so it goes perfectly with the personal sentiment I stamped on the inside.

I colored with Copic Markers and then assembled all the rest of the goodies provided in the kit.

I hope you've been playing along with our weekly challenges.  Just follow the link above.

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.