Pearly Sparkles February 2023 Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Hi Crafty Friends,It's a new month and a new challenge at Pearly Sparkles.We know how much you love ANYTHING GOES so we hope you'll take the time to share your project.
Sadly, my daughter recently lost her sweet Miniature Schnauzer to old age/cancer so I wanted to make her a special card.

The dimensional card design was inspired by Irina Blount of LaLa Land Crafts and all of the die cuts and papers are also from LaLa Land Crafts.  The image and sentiment is from My Favorite Things - I tried to give it a bit of a Schnauzer look LOL.
Thanks for taking a  look.

Cut it Up Challenge #270 ~ LOVE

Hi Crafty Friends,
Time for another challenge at Cut it Up.
The challenge theme is LOVE and I have to say how much I "love" the amazing response we've had to our first non-sponsored post of the new year!  Thank you all who took the time to share your projects with us.
I'm using an Altenew 3D embossing folder and two die cuts from LaLa Land Crafts for my card.

I used Neenah Solar White Heavy paper for this project.  I wanted the embossing to be deep and I wanted the sentiment to pop even though it's white on white.  I just had to add a touch of color so I used a red glimmer card stock.  I also cut the sentiment 3 times and stacked them for a little more dimension.
I hope you'll join us for this challenge.  The LOVE theme is open to your interpretation.

Cut it Up Challenge #262 ~ BIG!

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a fun new challenge for you at Cut it Up Challenge BlogOur theme is BIG - use a big sentiment/graphic/focal image/die.
Here's my project using a large sentiment image from our sponsor, Oddball Art Co called "Ultimate Christmas Collage."

For my die cuts I used Christmas Banner Dies from Jaded Blossom.  The "joy" sentiment and trees are from Lala Land Crafts.

I hope you'll play along with us for this challenge.  Be sure to visit the CIU blog for more

BIG ideas!!!

Passionate Paper Creations & Friends ~ Whimsy Stamps Sponsorship

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have Whimsy Stamps in the house over at Passionate Paper Creations & Friends on Facebook.
If you're thinking ahead to summer or simply love the beach, this card is for you.

I used Whimsy's Long Legged Life Guard as the focal image for this beach scene.The rest of the guard was created using die cuts from LaLa Land Crafts (lighthouse and shells) and Jaded Blossom (waves and sand.)  The sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps' Fly By stamp set.
Be sure to visit the PPCF Facebook page so see more Whimsy creations.  If you join our group, you'll also receive access to a great Whimsy deal offered during the sponsorship.

Cut it Up Challenge #244 ~ Hard to Say . . .

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a new challenge at Cut it Up Challenge Blog.
This challenge is "Hard to say . . ." so it could be a sympathy card, belated birthday, I'm sorry.  You know, those cards that are often difficult to make.
Our sponsor is DRS Designs.  The image I'm using was provided by our sponsor.

The image comes as shown with the sentiment surrounding the Calla Lilies.I used Jaded Blossom Stitched Rectangle dies for the frame (I cut 3 including chip board to give it some dimension) and to cut out the image.  The leaves are from LaLa Land Crafts.I used Neenah Desert Storm for the image and colored with Prisma pencils.
I hope you'll join us for this challenge.  Just add your project to the top link.Don't forget to include a die cut!

Passionate Paper Creations & Friends ~ Dr. Digi Sponsorship

Hi Crafty Friends,
We are so lucky to have Dr. Digi as one of our PPCF sponsors.  You'll find his images featured on the PPCF Facebook page.  Be sure to take a look.
I was given this image called Angling Andy for my project.I haven't made an easel card in such a long time and this one was really fun to make.

I used Copic markers to color the image which was stamped and then cut out using my Scan NCut.

For the sentiment I used Jaded Blossom's alphabet dies.  The stencil, focal shape and fishing pole are  from LaLa Land Crafts.  I also added some inking using Altenew die ink cubes.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  If you're not a follower, I would love to have you ♥

Cut it Up Challenge #229 ~ Water

Hi Crafty Friends,
It's time for another Cut it Up Challenge.
Since summer is here we're making our challenge about water.  It's up to you to interpret how you represent the theme.I'm using an image from our challenge sponsor, DRS Designs.
Here's my project ~

To create this card, I used LaLa Land Crafts new Shadow Box Die.  It's the first time I've used it and it truly has endless possibilities.  I colored using Copic Markers.
I hope you'll play along with us for this challenge.  Just link your project to the Cut it Up link above.

Pearly Sparkles July Challenge ~ Favorite Time of Year

Hi Crafty Friends,
Welcome to our July Challenge at Pearly Sparkles.
We're asking to create something that represents your favorite time of year.I love when spring arrives, so fresh and new and not yet too hot!
For this challenge I made a Welcome to your new Home card for my daughter to leave for the sweet family that purchased her home.

The stamps and die cuts are all from LaLa Land Crafts, part of the spring box set but available separately on the website.  The layout and coloring was inspired by the design team samples.The card size is A7.  I used Copic Markers for coloring and cut all the dies using my Gemini Jr.
I hope you'll play along with us this month.  Just add your card to the link above.

Cut it Up Challenge #221 ~ Just for Kids

Hi Crafty Friends,
Time for Cut it Up Challenges newest challenge ~ Just for Kids.We thought you would enjoy making something especially for the kiddos.
Our sponsor, Hetty Clare, provided the design team some cute digital images to use for this challengeBe sure to check the Cut it Up blog to see even more of her images.

For my birthday card I used a Hetty Clare image and LaLa Land Crafts dies.  I colored using Copic Markers.  The patterned paper is from Doodlebug Designs.
I hope you'll play along with us.  The winner will receive a gift code for the Hetty Clare Etsy shop.

Cut it Up Challenge #218 ~ Point of View

Hi Crafty Friends,
Welcome to Cut it Up Challenge #218 ~ Point of View.  We're asking  you to use something representing viewing scenes or capturing views! Camera, binoculars, glasses, microscope, telescope, magnifying glass, film, photo, etc.
Our sponsor, The Cutting Cafe, provided our files for this challenge.
Here's my project.  It's a gift card holder for a scrap booking friend.

The camera is from The Cutting Cafe cut out using my Silhouette.The "Smile" is a LaLa Land Crafts die andThe holder is the Paper Bag die from Jaded Blossom.
I hope you'll join us for the unique and fun challenge.  Be sure to visit the Cut it Up blog for more "Point of View" ideas and then link your own for a chance to win files of your choice fromThe Cutting Cafe.

Cut it Up Challenge #216 ~ Winter Scene

Hello Crafty Friends!  Happy New Year!
Let's start the New Year off with a challenge from Cut it Up Challenge Blog.Our first challenge of the New Year is to create a winter scene.
I've used some fabulous dies and a stamp from LaLa Land Crafts' Winter Release on my card.

Isn't this Polar Bear too cute?  Poor guy, the chalet is snowed in so he'll have to drink his cocoa outside.Everything was cut using the Gemini Jr.  The bear was stamped and then cut with Scan n Cut2.  I used paint splatters for the snowy background, Copic Markers to color and some Frosted Lace Stickles on the chalet roof and ski tips.
I hope you'll play along with our first challenge of 2021.Our prize sponsor is CAS-ual Fridays.

Pearly Sparkles November Challenge ~ Christmas with a Winter Critter

Hi Crafty Friends,
Can you believe it's NOVEMBER!!!  Here in the US we had Halloween, a full moon, and we had to move our clocks back one hour - Talk about a way to say goodbye to October and welcome November!!!!
For this month's Pearly Sparkles challenge we're sharing Christmas projects that include a winter critter.I made a slimline card - they are so much fun to use when creating scenes.

I had this sweet penguin in my coloring stash.  The slimline card dies are from Jaded Blossom and the scene dies are from LaLa Land Crafts.  

I hope you'll join in this month's challenge.  Just link your project to our blog:

Pearly Sparkles.

Cut it Up Challenge #209 ~ Happy Fall Y'All (using 3 or more layers)

Hi Crafty Friends,

Here's a fun fall challenge from Cut it Up.

Your creation can be anything fall but you must use at least 3 layers!

I LOVE layers so this challenge was just my style.

I made the background by ink blending on Neenah Desert Storm paper.  I used Jaded Blossom's Fall Leaves to do some random stamping and then added the die cut post and some grassy accents.  A little bit of sequin bling is always a good thing!  The leaf stamping technique was inspired by my fellow Jaded Blossom design team member, Lee-Ann Kubinec.  Her stamping is A-Maz-ing!!!

Come play along with us for a chance to win a $50 gift voucher from our challenge sponsor,

Creative Embellishments

Cut It Up Challenge #204 ~ Create Your Own Background Paper

Hi Crafty Friends,

We have a really fun challenge for you at Cut it Up Challenge Blog.

We want to see you create your own background paper.

I had fun with this one.  I'm trying to expand my blending and stamping skills so here's what I created.

I blended Distress Ink onto some Papertrey Ink white paper.  Then I die cut the slimline frame using a metallic paper(Whimsy Stamps) and placed it over the blended paper to determine the placement for the panels.  I used Jaded Blossom's Spring Splatters for the top and bottom panel, stamping on top of the blended background.  I used the slimline die again to cut each panel from the section I wanted.  Finally, I added these adorable cacti from Cute Cacti (Whimsy Stamps) and added a LaLa Land Crafts cloud and some grass clusters.  The sentiment also came from the Cute Cacti set.  I added some Nuvo Crystal Drops and called it done.

I hope you'll play along with us.  Be sure to visit the Cut It Up blog to see even more amazing backgrounds!

Pearly Sparkles November Challenge ~ Christmas

Hi Crafty Friends,
Wow, welcome to November and time to really start thinking about Christmas. A Christmas theme at Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog is appropriate, don't you think?
I attended a retreat last year where we spent 3 days making an assortment of cards, albums, and gift boxes.  It was a busy, busy 3 days and I came home with a lot of ideas and a lot of unfinished projects. One of the projects was a holiday box album.  I had assembled all of the interactive inside pages but never got to the actual decorating.  I decided my project for this month would be a perfect reason to get it completed.  I'm sharing the the cover and a picture of the album-in-the-box so you can get an idea of the total project.  I'm thinking that the way I designed to exterior would also be a good template for some Christmas cards only on a smaller scale.

The box album is 6 x 6.  The die cuts are from La-La Land Crafts (sponsor of the retreat.) All of the patterned papers are from Authentique's Alpine set.  The box album is 1 inch deep .

Here you can see how the pages are built into the box which opens like a book.  Most of the pages have pockets or flaps so lots of room for pictures, journaling, or fun embellishments.
Please join us at Pearly Sparkles.  We can't wait to see one of your Christmas projects.

My Time to Craft challenge 404 ~ Fantasy

Welcome back, Crafty Friends,
Our My Time to Craft Challenge is FANTASY.  We want to see your Fairies, Dragons, Unicorns, etc.
Here's my card.

The dies are all from La-La Land Crafts.  The sentiment and image are Jaded Blossom stamps.  I colored using Copic markers both the image and the rainbow.  I added Spectrum Sparkle to the heart wreath.  The papers are Doodlebug Designs.
Please follow the link above to share your FANTASY creation with us.

My Time to Craft Chalenge #399 ~ Watercolor

Hi Crafty Friends,
For our My Time to Craft challenge we're using water colors; pencils, paints, pens, whatever to color an image or create a background.
I watched a Jennifer McGuire video on how to make a split design card and thought this style would be perfect for a background I had water colored and a new stamp I had just purchased.

Isn't this fun?!

I cut the clouds and sea using La-La Land Crafts Stitched Clouds and Hills border dies.  I also cut them in velum for an offset.  The image is Caffeinated Shark from The Rabbit Hole Designs as is the sentiment.  I colored the shark using Copic markers on Gina K Pure Luxury card stock.  The split design is attached to the background that I water colored using Spectrum Noir Aqua pens diluted with water and brushed on with a large bristle brush. 

I think I'll be making other cards using this split design technique.

Please join our water color challenge by following the link above.

Die Cuttin' Divas #423 ~ Masculine

Hi Crafty Friends,
Today I used papers from Authentique's "Mister" paper pack to create this Masculine card for our Die Cuttin' Divas challenge.

Sometimes it's fun to just play around with patterned papers and let the card "evolve."

This paper set included a sticker page so I used several for my sentiments.  The trophy die is from the Crafter's Companion Advent Calendar.  I also used Jaded Blossom stitched rectangles, and some flags and border from La-La Land Crafts.  I love the wonderful color combinations that Authentique includes in their themed paper sets.

I hope you'll join us in this challenge.  Follow the link above to show us your masculine projects.  Don't forget a die cut!

Fun Friday Challenge at Jo's Scrap Shack

Hi Crafty Friends,
Team A for Jo's Scrap Shack is up this week sharing our Fun-day Friday Challenge #284 projects.
Remember that our challenges are Always Anything Goes!
Here's my project using the Flamingo Birthday set from our sponsor Imagine That Digi Stamp.

Along with the image, this set included the balloons digital paper and the sentiment.  I used the La-La Land Crafts stitched flags for the sentiment and Jaded Blossom Balloon dies for the banner.  The image is colored using Copic markers.  
Just an FYI, we will be taking a break from our challenges for awhile.  We hope to be back before the end of summer.  I hope you'll play along with this challenge and then keep checking back to see when our challenges resume.

Die Cuttin' Divas #421 ~ Tic Tac Toe

Hi Crafty Friends,
Our Die Cuttin' Divas challenge for this week is to follow the Tic Tac Toe grid.
I LOVE Tic Tac Toe challenges.  It takes challenge themes a little farther by giving  me more guidance.  You'll find the Tic Tac Toe grid at the bottom of this post.
Here's my project following the center squares top to bottom.

I used Jaded Blossom Scallop Circle dies and La-La Land Crafts stitched border dies cut using my Cuttlebug (I love my Gemini but when I go to a crop I take my Cuttlebug - it's quieter). I used Copic markers to color this fun Caffeinated Crab from The Rabbit Hole Designs.  All of their stamps just make me smile.  I cut the stamped out using a Scan N Cut2.
Come play Tic Tac Toe with us.  Just follow the link above and don't forget to use a die cut as well.