Christmas Card Throw Down Challenge

Hi Crafty Friends,
One of my New Year's goals is to enter more card challenges.  I also want to continue making Christmas cards throughout the year.  So, I found a new (to me) card challenge that will definitely work for me.  Every Saturday the Christmas Card Throw Down blog offers a new challenge.
The first challenge I am entering is a sketch challenge. Here's my take on the sketch below.


I love when just the right papers guide the card design.  These papers are from Authenique. I dry embossed the light colored strip with a branches embossing folder and just added some fabulous wood chippies from My Mind's Eye.

Pearly Sparkles February Challenge

Hi Crafty Friends,
I have another card that I made especially for a challenge.
Next month I'll be joining the Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog design team, but for now I'm sharing a card that I'm entering in their February challenge, It's a Love Thing.

I used one of the images and a sentiment from The Rabbit Hole Designs' Love You More stamp set.  The sentiment is heat embossed and the image is colored with Copic markers.  I also added some Wink of Stella to the balloons.   The die cut border is from Whimsy stamps.
I'm really excited to link up to Pearly Sparkles Challenge #37 this month and then to share my first DT project with you on March 1st.

Challenge Card for STAMP anniething Challenge #37

Hi Crafty Friends,
I've been wanting to enter more card challenges this year so today I'm sharing a card I make especially for the STAMP anniething challenge on Facebook.

For this "use a die" challenge (along with a STAMP anniething stamp) I used Gracie, How you bean? She's colored using Copic markers which was a bit of a challenge since I stamped her on basic card stock rather than Copic-friendly.  After stamping the image, I masked her off and used the Coffee Beans stencil to create the ombre background.  I also ran the stencil through my Gemini to achieve an embossed look on the Kraft mat paper.  The coffee cup is from the Jaded Blossom Coffee Dies set.
The Facebook challenge can be found HERE.

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #405 ~ Anything Goes

Hi Crafty Friends,
We're finishing off the month of January with an Anything Goes challenge at Die Cuttin Divas. 
I've been spending lots of time in my craft room going through sample projects and all of my wonderful supplies.  Today's project was inspired by a card we created at the La La Land Crafts Retreat in November. At the retreat we made a fall themed card but I took the design and turned it into a Valentine card.

When you open this card there is a pop up element that holds a gift card!
I used the following La La Land Crafts products for this project: Coffee Cup die,  Filegree Hearts Filegree Bow Shabby Flourishes Long Flag dies So  Many Dots stencil set
I also used a sentiment from the Jaded Blossom Fancy Valentine set.
Have some crafty fun and join us in our Anything Goes challenge.  Just follow the link above.

My Time to Craft # 389 ~ All You Need is Love

Hi Crafty Friends, We've decided that All You Need is Love over at My Time to Craft! So, here's your chance to create a project for Valentine's Day, an Anniversary or Wedding, or just to tell someone they are loved! Here's my little love note tucked in a paper bag.

I used the Paper Bag die from Jaded Blossom along with sentiments from the Fancy Valentine set stamped onto dies from the Label Shaped die set and a La La Land Craft label die. I love that this is a little different than a card. Be sure to join our LOVE challenge by following the MTTC link above.
I'm sharing this project at the Jaded Blossom January Challenge - gift card holder or tag.

Cut it Up Challenge #166 ~ Hearts

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a new sponsor for Cut it Up Challenge blog.   It's Scrappy Dew, a company that offers a wide variety of paper piecing files.
I found a set of Heart Arrows that are just perfect for making shirts (or whatever) using HTV.

The file has three different variations but I chose this one for today's project.  I cut the file on my Silhouette, remembering to reverse the image on the screen, and then using my Cricut Easy Press to adhere the HTV.  I'm having so much fun using the Easy Press!!!
I hope you'll join in our challenge.  The theme is HEARTS, just remember to use a die cut!
Just follow the Cut it Up link above.

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #404 ~ 3D Project

Hi Crafty Friends,
Wow! Can you believe it's time to start crafting for Valentine's Day? I decided to begin Vday projects with our Die Cuttin' Diva's 3D challenge.

I found this cute Pebbles 2-sided paper in my stash so I made this treat/gift box using the Jaded Blossom Gable Box die.  I also used LaLa Land Crafts Heart Lock and Key die set for embellishment.
Join in our challenge by following the link above.  Be sure to use a die cut and link back to the Die Cuttin' Diva's blog.

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #403 ~ Birthday

Hi Crafty Friends,
Have you found you can never have too many birthday cards in your stash?  Well, our DCD challenge this week will help you keep your stash full.
I chose a cute Stamping Bella image that I've had for quite awhile to create this birthday card.

I colored using Copic markers.  The die cuts include Spellbinders nesting pennants and Little B sentiments.
I look forward to seeing what you share.  Just follow the DCD link above to join our challenge.

My Time to Craft #388 ~ Winter Birthday

Hi Crafty Friends, Our theme for this next challenge at My Time to Craft is Winter Birthday. I made this card using some of my favorite dies and the La La Land digital stamp, Long Sweater Marci. Here it is:

I love using the white pearl linen cardstock.  I cut several of the dies out of both the linen cardstock and chip board to add some dimension.  I colored Marci using Copic markers with a touch of Signo white gel pen.  All of the dies were cut on the Gemini Jr. Follow the link above to join in our challenge.

Cut it Up Challenge #165 ~ How's the Weather?

Hi Crafty Friends, Our Cut it Up Challenge theme is How's the Weather? You can interpret it anyway you wish, weather icons, seasons, clothing, activities, etc. Here's my card:

I used all La La Land Crafts stamps and dies on this one.  I colored Winter Molli using Copic markers.  For the scene I used Double stitched hills and Stitched clouds.  For the background I embossed one of the layering stencils from the It's Snowing set.  Yes, I said EMBOSSED!  It's a technique I've learned from Irina's make and takes - so much fun and I love the effect. I hope you'll join in our challenge for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate from our sponsor, AveryElle. Just follow the Cut it Up link above.
I'm entering this card in the Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Anything Goes.