Happy Birthday, Loll!!!

Hi there, blog friends!

After a 4 month hiatus, I am finally back to creating and posting on my blog! Unfortunately, everything is taking me a bit longer to do, and I am still having trouble with writing, coloring, and typing but I'm hopeful that these things will improve with time. On that note, I want to thank my friends and teamies at CAS Christmas (including our 'sister teamies' at CAS Mix Up) for your lovely messages and beautiful cards! You are the core of what makes our community so special...Thank You!!! 

Now, on to the reason for today's post...I am joining both teams to wish Loll a very Happy Birthday! You are an amazing leader, Loll...incredibly organized, extremely generous, always supportive in every way, and deserving of a special birthday celebration!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Thank heaven I had that little mouse in my stash, pre-colored and ready to go...The alphas were inked to create an ombre effect and I used gold metallic cardstock for the border. 

              Wishing you the happiest birthday, Loll! May all of your birthday wishes come true!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT - You Take The Cake, Birthday Buds

Dies: MFT - You Take The Cake, Birthday Buds

Misc: Copic Markers; Tim Holtz - Distress Inks

Addicted to CAS Card Challenge - Purple

Hello crafty friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  ~ Ceal is our Hostess, and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Purple’. 

There's nothing like the lovely color purple to inspire me to grab some of my much loved Altenew floral stamps and Copic markers. I stamped these sweet little blooms at opposing angles, colored them, and die-cut the word 'celebrate' (x4) using the "Eclipse sentiment technique" aka "Camouflage die-cut technique" to add dimension to my design. A few crystal gems and this card was done and dusted :)

We would love to see how the code word ‘Purple’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team, and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog  ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: Altenew - Sweet Blossoms

Dies: MFT - Celebrate word die

Misc: Copic Markers; Lucy's Diamond Gems

CAS Christmas Card Challenge

Hi there, blog friends! It’s time for the June challenge at CAS Christmas. Our Hostess is Hideko and she has chosen ‘Snowman’ for our prompt. Our Guest Designer is Steph from My Paper Corner.

I created this 5x7" card using a new Penny Black stamp and colored him with Copic markers and colored pencils. Since the image is so large, I added the sentiment and a few polka dots with my gel pen...and that was it ~ CAS! 

We hope you’ll stop by the Challenge Blog and check out all the beautiful Christmas cards by our DT and Guest Designer...The challenge ends on the 24th, so you have plenty of time to play along with us...It’s a great way to add some beautiful cards to your Christmas card stash! I hope to see you there ~ 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies: 

Stamps: Penny Black - Bundled Up; Altenew - Warm Blessings (sentiment)

Misc: Copic Markers; Memento - Tuxedo Black ink; Prismacolor Pencils; Uniball Signo Pen - White; MFT - Cherry Crisp ink

I Simply Adore You

Hi there ~

Hi there, blog friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  ~ Vicki is our Hostess, and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Animal’. Our Guest Designer is the amazing Jen Mitchell.

There is no shortage of animal stamps in my stash, but my heart warmed to this NBUS set from MFT. I stenciled the clouds and grass and used Copic markers to color the pups. And, that was it...a clean and simple white frame with a little stitching, a few bones and a gold heart :)

We would love to see how the code word ‘Animal’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team, and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT - Puppy Pals, More Essential Sentiments

Dies: MFT - Puppy Pals, Inside/Out Stitched Square STAX; Mama Elephant - Lots of Hearts

Stencils: MFT - Clouds; Picket Fence Studios - Layers of Grass

Misc: Copic markers

Yappy Christmas

Hello blog friends ~ Just a reminder that there is still time to link up your card for the February CAS Christmas Card Challenge. Susan is hosting this month and she has chosen ‘Dogs and/or Cats’ for our prompt.

I love the cute pups in this stamp set :) I colored this little guy with Copic markers and sat him on a scrap of gray cardstock after running it through my woodgrain embossing folder and corner chomper. The background was blended with Alternew inks...I added a fun sentiment and Crystal Glaze on the bell, and that was it ~

My teamies have created some beautiful cards to inspire everyone ~ Come on over to the Challenge Blog to check them out, and play along with us, if you like! You have until the 24th to submit your card!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT - Happy Pawlidays

Dies: MFT - Happy Pawlidays

Inks: Altenew

Misc: Copic Markers; Tim Holtz 3-D Woodgrain embossing folder; WRMK - Corner Chomper; Nuvo - Crystal Glaze

Let it Snow

Hi there, blog friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  ~ Ceal is our Hostess, and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Snow’. Our Guest Designer is Melanie.

This cutie pie is from a fairly new MFT stamp set called 'Pile on the Hugs'. I colored her with Copic markers and splattered white Gouache for a snowy effect. Behind her is falling snow, made with embossing paste and a stencil. To create the ground, I die cut an oval shadow die and used it as a stencil. Here is a close-up of the snow:

                          

I am also entering this card to the CAS Mix Up Challenge for the prompt: 'Splatters'. My apologies...I am unable to download the badge at this time.

We would love to see how the code word ‘Snow’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT - Pile on the Hugs, Snowglobe Greetings

Dies: MFT - Shadow (ground)

Stencils: Sugar Pea Designs - Falling Snow

Misc: Copic markers; Altenew - White embossing paste; Winsor & Newton - Gouache; Versafine Onyx Black ink; Ranger Clear Embossing Powder; Tim Holtz - Tumbled Glass Distress Ink

Sending Love

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is ‘Relaxed Living’.  For my card, I chose to go with the sketch and the color palette from the inspiration photo... 

I flipped the sketch to create a portrait style card (PTI white linen) and used a scalloped border die for the banner. The bloom was embossed in white on vellum and backed with light yellow cardstock (light green for the leaves).

Don't forget the best thing about the Fusion Card Challenge is that you can choose between the sketch and the theme/inspiration photo, or both! My teamies have created some beautiful cards to inspire you, so feel free to stop by the challenge blog and play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Painted Poppies; Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud
Dies: MFT - Painted Poppies; Papertrey Ink - Notched Hearts Banners
Misc: Altenew - Pure White embossing powder; Papertrey Ink - White Linen Cardstock, Vellum; Copic Markers

Addicted to CAS Card Challenge #186

Hi there, blog friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  ~ The wonderful Stephanie is our Hostess, and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Berry’.

                         

I went through my stash and found these lovely strawberries...I colored them with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils, then die-cut this one-piece cluster of images and popped it up with foam tape. The scalloped panel is an old die from Mama Elephant, and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink (retired).

We would love to see how the code word ‘Berry’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team, and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog  ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Hello Bluebird - Bee Happy; Papertrey Ink - Keep It Simple - Just Because
Dies: Hello Bluebird - Bee Happy; Mama Elephant - All Prettied Up
Misc: My Mind's Eye - Enamel Dot; Copic Markers; Prismacolor Pencils

Fusion Card Challenge - Thank You!

Hi there blog friends ~ For about the past year, I have been fussing and fretting over the poor quality of my photos. Well, last week, my camera died! 
What??? You mean all this time the problem is my camera? But it's only 13 years old! DUH! 

Introducing my brand new Canon EOS SL3...and she's a beauty!!!

Just in time for the new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is ‘Thank You’.  For my card, I chose to combine the sketch with the theme from the inspiration photo... 

I thought it would be fun to use this new Fairy stamp set from MFT. I stenciled the mini clouds, then colored her with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. The 'Thanks' die is an old fave of mine from Paper Smooches and the stitched circle die-cut is from Lil' Inkers. A few clear sequins and this card was complete :) 

Don't forget the best thing about the Fusion Card Challenge is that you can choose between the sketch and the theme/inspiration photo, or both! My teamies have created some beautiful cards to inspire you, so feel free to stop by the challenge blog and play along with us!

Since this is a new stamp set, I would also like to enter this card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #13 ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Flower Fairies
Dies: MFT - Flower Fairies; Lil' Inkers - Stitched Scallop Circle
Stencils: MFT - Mini Clouds
Misc: Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkly Clear Sequins; Copic Markers; Prismacolor Pencils

Happy Mother's Day

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is ‘Let Us Remember’.  For my card, I chose the poppies on the inspiration photo... 

I chose this single poppy from MFT's 'Painted Poppies' stamp set and colored the flower petals and leaves with Copic markers. I splattered the background with distress inks and Peerless Watercolors and added a Mother's Day sentiment from WPlus9.

Don't forget the best thing about the Fusion Card Challenge is that you can choose between the sketch and the theme/inspiration photo, or both! My teamies have created some beautiful cards to inspire you, so feel free to stop by the challenge blog and play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT - Painted Poppies; WPlus9 - Mother's Day Bouquet

Dies: MFT - Painted Poppies

Misc: Peerless Watercolors; Tim Holtz - Distress Inks, Watercolor Cardstock

You Take The Cake

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is ‘Cake’.  I decided to use the inspiration photo, but instead of a cake or cupcake, I chose this (new to me) sentiment and the color palette for my design... 

This cute little mouse was stamped and colored with Copics, then popped up with foam tape to add dimension. I stacked the alphas with 4 plain white layers, then finished with the colors from the inspiration photo. I also included a strip of gold foil which is wrapped around the cake in the photo. And that was it :)

Don't forget the best thing about the Fusion Card Challenge is that you can choose between the sketch and the theme/inspiration photo, or both! My teamies have created some beautiful cards to inspire you, so feel free to stop by the challenge blog and play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Birthday Buds (mouse)
Dies: MFT - Birthday Buds, You Take The Cake, Shadow
Misc: Copic Markers; Altenew Inks; MFT - Gold Foil cardstock

Twofer Challenge - Spring Animals

Hi there, blog friends! I'm sure you know by now that Darnell's Twofer Challenge is one of my all-time faves, and when I saw her prompt for this month, I couldn't wait to grab my stamps and ink so I could play along ~

As I perused my stash, I came across this adorable set of sheep by MFT...

It's always nice to have an encouragement card on hand...I kept the design very simple and did a little coloring with my Copic markers. I also stenciled some clouds in the background and added a scalloped frame.

______________________________________

For my 2nd card, I blended Tumbled Glass ink softly from the top down and used my new Funky Fossil Designs stencil for the grass. I placed the sheep slightly above the loose grass and for fun, I included a black sheep coming up from behind :)

And, here is the photo of both cards:

You have until the 24th to join in the challenge...just don't forget the rules:

Stay safe and healthy, everyone! And don't forget to wash your hands...A LOT!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Card #1
Stamps: MFT - Ewe & Me Forever
Dies: MFT - Ewe & Me Forever, Speech Bubble; Mama Elephant - All Prettied Up
Stencils: MFT - Mini Clouds
Misc: Copic Markers

Card #2
Stamps: MFT - Ewe & Me Forever, Adorable Elephants (butterflies)
Dies: MFT - Ewe & Me Forever, Cute Cloud Outlines, Stitched Snow Drifts, Adorable Elephants
Stencils: Funky Fossil Designs - Scenic Borders
Misc: SSS - Glitter Cardstock; Copic Markers

Small Card - Big Thank You

Hi there, blog friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  ~ Raga is our Hostess, and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code  Word 'Symmetry'.

Raga's prompt was a real challenge for me, so I searched my stash and decided on my Triangle STAX and Bitty Bears :)

I started with a leftover panel that I created with alcohol inks for the background and colored the bears with Copic markers.  A few enamel dots and a sweet sentiment, and this card was complete!                                                       

We would love to see how the code word ‘Symmetry’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Bitty Bears
Dies: MFT - Bitty Bears, Triangle STAX
Misc: Altenew - Enamel Dots; Ranger - Alcohol inks; Copic markers

Twofer February Challenge - Fruit

Hello there, blog friends! The Twofer Challenge is one of my all-time favorites, and I'm so happy when I'm able to play along. This month, Darnell has chosen the prompt 'Fruit', so I grabbed my 'Squeeze the Day' stamp set and got busy :)

I started my birthday card by embossing the fruit images on a dark gray panel using silver embossing powder, which I also used for the sentiment on light gray. I added a few clear sequins, and this CAS card was complete!

The rules are that we create 2 different designs for 2 different occasions using the same stamps, stencils and/or dies...so my 2nd card is for a sweet friend ~

I can't remember the last time I used this much patterned paper on a card, so I just had fun with it :) I colored the fruit with Copic markers, then added the scalloped border and a few enamel dots...and that was it!

Here is  a photo of my cards side-by-side ~

You have until the 24th if you would like to play along...the Twofer DT have a lot of beautiful cards posted on the blog to inspire you!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Card #1
Stamps: Essentials by Ellen - Squeeze The Day; MFT - Sweet Sentiments
Misc: Altenew - Antique Silver Embosing Powder

Card #2
Stamps: Essentials by Ellen - Squeeze The Day; MFT - Sweet Sentiments
Dies: MFT - Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2
Stencils:
Misc: Copic Markers; Altenew - Enamel Dots; MFT - Tiny Check Paper Pack

You Take The Cake

Hi there, blog friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  ~ Susan is our Hostess, and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Cake’ ~  Also, we have the incredibly talented Ma-Mi as our Guest Designer for this challenge! 

I love this series by Julie Ebersole...the images are spot-on for the theme and the set includes lots of little stamps for different occasions. I masked her hand then stamped the cake. Then, I colored the Baker Lady and cake with Copic markers and added Glossy Accents to the frosting...a sweet little sentiment and thin black border, and this card was done!

We would love to see how the code word ‘Cake’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog  ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: Essentials by Ellen - Baker Lady

Misc: Copic markers; Glossy Accents