Pearly Sparkles ~ first project as a New Design Team Member

Hi Crafty Friends,
This is my first project as a design team member for Pearly Sparkles.
The challenge for March is "Make it Girly."
You know how much I love La La Land Crafts stamps and dies and the February 2018 Club Kit has  the perfect stamp and dies for this challenge.

I colored Spa Marci using Copic Markers and added some pearls to the flower centers.

I hope you'll join me at Pearly Sparkles and let us see your Girly project.

The challenge is open for the entire month.

Fa La La Latte

Hi Crafty Friends,
Today I'm sharing a card I designed for two crafty challenges:
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes #270 and Sketch Saturday.

I thought this sentiment from Jaded Blossom's Java Time set was perfect for this cute image, Java Fox digi from Craftin Desert Divas.  I colored the image using Copic markers.  Eeeek!  I had the dreaded "blop" while coloring but I think I saved it OK LOL.  I hate when that happens.

So excited to add another Christmas card to my stash.

Christmas Card Throwdown ~ Technique Challenge

Hi Crafty Friends,
I'm really enjoying taking part in the Christmas Card Throwdown challenges. This week is a technique challenge.  The technique?  Recycle!!!
Here's the card I'm entering in the challenge.

The challenge description suggested recycling packaging, buttons, ribbon, cards, paper, etc. and to state what was used.  I actually recycled the front panel of a card we received last Christmas. Here's the card we received.

It is not a handmade card which really surprised me.  Isn't it unique? For my recycled card, I cut off the front layer and popped it up on a mat to which I'd added stenciled gold stars.  I popped that onto a piece of gold linen card stock and then onto the card base.
I can't wait to send it next year.  Maybe to the family that sent it to us?  Do you think they'd recognize what I did?

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #408 ~ Polar Bear

Hi Crafty Friends,
Tomorrow is International Polar Bear Day so the Divas are celebrating with a Polar Bear theme for this week's Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge.
I've used La La Land Crafts Winter Blessings digital stamp set for my card.

It's such a sweet little set that comes with sentiments as well.  I also used LLLC stitched cloud dies and the star wreath die.  The images were colored using Copic Markers.
Just click on the link above to join this week's challenge.

My Time to Craft # 391 ~ Pink and Girly

Hi Crafty Friends, I had so much fun with this My Time to Craft challenge. Although I'm not really and pink and girly type of gal, CAS is more my style, I love getting out pretty papers and lots of dies.  I have spent the past week sorting and reorganizing my stamps and dies so I decided it was time to use more of them as well.  I love taking classes from Irina (LaLa Land Crafts) and her class projects gave me inspiration for this card.

Everything was cut using my Gemini Jr.  All of dies except "Hello" are La La Land Craft dies.  The sentiment is from Crafter's Companion.  I cut one layer out of chip board, adhered the top layer and then added Wink of Stella.   Follow the link above to join our Pink and Girly challenge.

Cut it Up Challenge #168 ~ Clovers

Hi Crafty Friends,
Please see the bottom of this post for the WINNER of our Sponsor Thank You Blog Hop. I think it's finally time to start thinking about spring! Our Cut it Up challenge has a bit of a spring/St. Patrick's Day theme ~ CLOVERS. I used one of the images that comes with the Irish Blessings digital file from our challenge sponsor, Kitten Scraps.

I don't usually make square cards but I loved the center panel which was a page from a 6x6 pad.  I popped up the panel and mat on another piece of patterned paper to add a little dimension.  I colored the image using Copic markers and cut the clover from the Jaded Blossom St. Pat's die set. I printed the image and then cut it out using my Scan N Cut2. I hope you'll visit our sponsor to see the cute files available. You can link your CLOVER project by following the Cut it Up link above. Don't forget your die cut!!
And the WINNER is comment #7  INDY's DESIGNS

 Indy's Designs said...

Wonderful card! What a fabulous way to show your appreciation to your sponsors

Please email your name and mailing address to Lsuesart @ aol . com (no spaces)

 so I can send your prize.

Love Your Pets

Hi Crafty Friends,
The challenge theme at Sweet Stampin Challenges is LOVE YOUR PETS.
We are definitely dog people!  We've had dogs almost our entire married life. Many of our dogs are or have been hunting dogs but we've also had rescues that we've loved to pieces.  We're down to two dogs since our oldest crossed the rainbow bridge within the last year or two - it's always so hard to loose the dogs that have given you unconditional love.
With that in mind, here's my card for the challenge:

To create this card I've used: Whimsy Stamps - Soul Mutts Jaded Blossom - Stitched Ovals and Scalloped Ovals, Candy Wrap Dies Jaded Blossom - Dog-Gone Awesome stamp set Taylored Expressions - Paw print border die Copic Markers

Winter Trees

Hi Crafty Friends,
This week's challenge theme at Christmas Card Throwdown is Winter Trees.  I decided to use Sketch Saturday's sketch for challenge #551 for the layout.
Here's my card -

The patterned paper is Authentique's Alpine Two 2-sided paper.  I made a second card using the reverse pieces.  I used Jaded Blossom Border Dies 2 for the separation, the sentiment from Crafter's Companion Advent kit, and trees from Impression Obsession. I cut all the die cuts using my Gemini Jr..  Here's the challenge sketch for this week.  I just put it on its side.

SCOOP there it is

Hi Crafty Friends,
I have another card I made specifically for a challenge.  I'm entering today's card in Jo's Scrapshack Fun-Day Friday Challenge.
It's an ANYTHING GOES challenge so I got out a new Whimsy Stamps stamp set and die that I've been wanting to play with.  Here's my card.

How cute are these little guys?  And the stitched window die is so easy to use.

I cut the penguins out using my Scan N cut2 so it was easy peasy.  The little bit of coloring was done using Copic Markers.

Thanks for dropping by and taking a look.

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #408 ~ RAK

Hi Crafty Friends,
Don't you love doing something for someone when they don't expect it? Our challenge at Die Cuttin' Divas is to share your RAK (random act of kindness) project.
I love giving (and receiving) coffee cards so I decided to send one to a friend, just because.

A new online stamp company just opened and I couldn't wait to use my new stamps.

The first release for The Rabbit Hole Designs LLC was a "caffeinated" theme and today I'm sharing the Caffeinated Octopus - isn't she just too funny?!!!

I'm using Jaded Blossom's Pillow Box die for the gift card holder.  The sentiment is from JB's

Random Act of Kindness set.  I also added a coffee bean heart from La La Land Crafts.

I colored the image using Copic markers on Neenah Desert Storm paper - well, that was an adventure LOL!

I hope you'll share your RAK projects with us.  Just follow the link above.

Hello Lovely

Good Morning Crafty Friends,
Today's card is for the K is for Kitties challenge at Snarky Stampers.
I just love The Rabbit Hole Design's Caffeinated Kitty and I thought she'd be perfect for this challenge.  I also thought the sentiment from La La Land Crafts Hello Lovely Background stamp set would put a snarky smile on your face!

I colored using Copic Markers and cut the image out with the Scan n Cut2.  The tag is from the La La Land Crafts tag set.  I stamped the mat using LLLC  Hello Lovely Background set and stenciled the large mat with LLLC So Many Dots stencil.

There's still time to follow the Cut it Up Challenge Sponsor Thank You Blog Hop.

One lucky commenter from my blog will win THIS stamp!!!

You can join in the hop HERE

Blog Hop! Cut it Up Challenge Blog says THANK YOU to its sponsors.

Hi Crafty Friends, Welcome to Cut it Up Challenge Blog's Sponsor Thank You Blog Hop. If you're here from Katrina's blog, you're in the right spot. You'll find the entire line up at the bottom of the post along with some  BLOG CANDY and how to win. We have many wonderful sponsors who graciously provide prizes for each of our challenges. We wanted to publicly thank them and also share some of their products. Each team member has selected a sponsor company and created (and sent) a thank you project using the company's product. I am personally thanking The Dreaming Tree. This company has the most amazing cut files and although some may appear complicated, there is video support to help you. Also, there are many free files to get you started.  I use my Silhouette to cut the files and I have a really old model!  Each file has cut like a dream. I decided to make my thank you card using the DREAMING TREE logo.  I just created a card base with the file.

And here are some past Dreaming Tree projects that I've made:

I have some BLOG CANDY for one lucky person who leaves a comment on  my blog.

The Rabbit Hole Designs

is a new stamp company that debuted their first set of stamps in January.  I purchased the entire release and then I won a second stamp which I want to send to a fellow crafter.

Just leave a comment here on my blog and you'll be entered to win.  Winner will be chosen by random draw and announced here on February 22 as part of my Cut It Up challenge post.

Now, on  to the rest of the hop.

Your next stop is TREVA.

Here's the entire line up:

Cut it Up - http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/

Esther - http://forthejoyofcreating.blogspot.com/

Evelyn - http://mylittlecraftblog.wordpress.com/

Gerda - http://cardscreations.blogspot.com/

Katie - http://www.2craftykaties.blogspot.com/

Katrina - http://scrappyhorses.blogspot.com

Larelyn - http://handmadefromtheheart-designsbylarelyn.blogspot.com/  THAT'S ME

Treva - http://www.scrappint.blogspot.com

Christmas Card Throwdown ~ Color Challenge

Hi Crafty Friends,
Here's another challenge card for the Christmas Card Throwdown. It's a color challenge this week using Green and Silver.
I love white on white so I figured why not silver on silver, with a touch of green of course.
Here's my entry:

The dies I used are all from La La Land Crafts.  I used 3 different silvers; shimmer, glitter, and mirror.  I also added silver Stickles to the bracket.  
Thanks for looking and don't forget tomorrow is our Cut It Up Challenge Blog SPONSOR THANK YOU blog hop. Be sure to join our hop.  Leave a comment on my project for a chance to win one of the new The Rabbit Hole Designs clear stamps.  Hope to see you tomorrow (Friday, February 15.)

Love is in the Air

Hi Crafty Friends,
Happy Valentine's Day!
I know I said I had posted my final VDay card for this year but I have to opportunity to apply to Jo's Scrap Shack design team and I created this card for the DT submission (fingers crossed!)
I think it represents my card making style and the techniques I love most, what do you think?

I used the following items to create this card: The Rabbit Hole Designs - Love is in the Air stamp set Jaded Blossom Scalloped Ovals, Stitched Ovals, and Stitched Rectangles La La Land Crafts Long Stitched Flags Copic Markers Versafine ink
I would like to enter this card in the following challenges: Sketch Saturday #550 Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog ~ Valentine

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #407 ~ LOVE

Hi Crafty Friends,
This will be the last of this year's Valentine projects. 
Using the simple theme, LOVE, join us at Die Cuttin' Divas 

I like the simplicity of this card.  I used the cat silhouettes from La La Land Crafts along with the stitched flag die.  For the frame I used Jaded Blossom Stitched rectangles, probably my most used die set.  The sentiment is from JB's Meow and Forever stamp set and the LOVE die is from a Tim Holtz Sizzix collection. Once again I pulled from the Doodlebug Designs patterned papers.
I hope you'll join us.  Just follow the link above.
♥♥♥Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day ♥♥♥

My Time to Craft # 390 ~ Men Only

Hi Crafty Friends,
The My Time to Craft challenge is MEN ONLY. I always appreciate this theme because I never seem to have enough masculine cards on hand.
Here's my card which will be a birthday card for my daughter's father-in-law.

I stamped and then colored this cling stamp by Art Impressions using Copic markers. I placed a gift card inside using the Jaded Blossom gift card die. I hope he likes it.
Please join us at My Time to Craft (link above).  It's a great way to add to your masculine card stash!

Cut it Up Challenge # 167 ~ Inspired by a LOVE SONG

Hi Crafty Friends, Our Cut it Up Challenge is INSPIRED BY A LOVE SONG. I've been listening to the LOVE channel on Sirius radio.  They've been playing many songs that take me way back to the groups and singers of my youth - I love listening and it has been great inspiration for this challenge. Here's my card inspired by Mariah Carey's LOVE TAKES TIME.

The heart border die is from Taylored Expressions, our challenge sponsor.  The clock is an unbranded die which I purchased at a local store before it went out of business.  The patterned paper is from a Doodlebug Designs 6x6 pack - some of my favorite papers are Doodlebug Designs. I used the silver metallic paper that comes in the Recollections metallic variety pack. Follow the Cut it Up link above to join in our challenge for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate. Taylored Expressions has some great dies! I'm entering this card in Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday February Challenge - PUNCHES, DIES, HEARTS.

Thanks a Latte

Hi Crafty Friends,
Today I'm sharing a card that I made to enter several crafty challenges.  You'll find the challenges and supply list below.

I made this for Jaded Blossom's monthly challenge, THANK YOU CARD OR TREAT. I'm also entering  A Gem of a Challenge, ANYTHING GOES and Sketch Saturday #549.
I used the following products for this card: Jaded Blossom - Coffee Break and Java Time stamp sets, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Scalloped Rectangle Dies, Stitched Square Dies, Scalloped Square Dies, Candy Wrap Dies La La Land Crafts - Layering Stencils, hearts Copic markers Distress Ink Oxide Doodlebug Designs - Matte Sprinkles and Bakers Twine

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #406 ~ Sketch

Hi Crafty Friends,
It's a new month so we have a new SKETCH challenge at Die Cuttin' Divas.
Here's my project following the sketch which you will find at the bottom of the post.

The heart die is from Impression Obsession.  I bought it to make wedding invitations for my daughter.  I die cut 180 of those hearts!!!! For today's project I placed it on mats cut using Jaded Blossom Stitched and Scalloped Squares. I ran the card base mat through my Gemini Jr. using an Anna Griffin Bow embossing folder.  The tiny hearts came out of a La La Land Crafts Banner die.  The sentiment is actually from a piece of patterned paper.  I rounded the ends after cutting the strip.  And finally, just a bit of baker's twine.
Here is the sketch for this challenge:
I hope you'll join us at Die Cuttin' Divas.