Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

I finally got a card made for the weekly Paper Smooches Spark Challenge.

This week it was a sketch challenge.

I also got my stamp order so I had some new stamps to play with.  I bought the new owl stamps and matching dies.  Very fun stamp set.  I used paper from a 6 x 6 pad from from Pebbles called Walnut Grove.

This was a fun sketch.  If you would like to buy some stamps from Paper Smooches you can find them at this link.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love to your old paper.  I have had this pad of paper from 3 Bugs in a Rug for quite some time.  I love the colors but some of the papers didn't seem to work too well so I decided to make them the focal point of the card.  They will be some great kid cards for my next Operation Write Home box.  The top card is for a little boy and the second card is for a little girl.  Different colors and just a little different layout.

By keeping the sentiment general - not related to Easter - the cards can be sent as cute cards.  

Size the Sketch With Happy Thoughts

I discovered a new sketch site so thought I would play along.  It is Seize the Sketch.  This is their sketch for this week.  

I decided to use some paper from Prima I have had for awhile.  I love the colors in this set.  For the rectangle I had paper that has strips in it so did not have to do two different papers on the rectangle.  Of course, I had to add something extra to the sketch.  I wanted to bring a little more pink on the card so I added the strip that I put across the card at an angle.  Sweet sentiment for the corner embellishment.  I added some embellishments scattered across the card.

When my children had problems sleeping, I always told them to think happy thoughts.

Enjoy the remainder of your Sunday.  I have a big pot of chili on the stove.  New recipe and it may be a little spicy for my; I may have to share at work tomorrow.

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

This week on the Paper Smooches Spark Challenge Blog - the challenge is anything goes.  I like challenges like that - you can let your creativity go wild.  Here is the card I made for this week.  I love this little weiner dog.  He is so sweet and he looks so happy.  Why did I call it a he - it could have been a girls.  Maybe it is because we have a weiner dog in our neighborhood whose name is Ogie.

The papers are from a 6 x 6 pad from Pebbles called Lakeside.

I ordered some new Paper Smooches stamps this week so am excited for them to show up.  Of course, when you only have a few you have to be very creative.  I have snowmen but this winter has been horrible and if I made a snowman card right now - it would probably have little daggers in it.  If you want to go shopping, just stop by this link.  My stamps were shipped the same day I ordered them.  What wonderful service.

Well off to cuddle with my blanket.  I get chilly in the basement where I create.

CAS on Sunday on Thursday

I found a new site called CAS on Sunday.  It is hosted from the Netherlands.  This week their challenge is to do a CAS masculine card.  This golf stamp was sitting on my design table from a couple other cards I had made.  Add in some black ink, kraft paper and black paper plus a Hero Arts sentiment and a CAS masculine card is designed.

This card will go in my next Operation Write Home box.  It is getting time to mail the box off.  Need to have a line and tuck party during the lunch hour at work soon.

Enjoy your evening.

Flower Hello

A narrow card (approximately 3 by 5) to send to my Mom.  She loves her flowers - actually I may send this one to someone else and make her a card with a pink flower on it since pink is her favorite color.

The card is based on the sketch from (CAS)E This Sketch.

I did have to move the sentiment to the other side of the image because it would not fit where the leaves were.

The image and sentiment are both Hero Arts stamps.

Thanks for stopping by.

Oldie Moldie Monday

I took out some images I had already colored and found a 6 x 6 pad of My Mind's Eye with happy colors in it and made some cards for Oldie Moldie Monday.  I made a total of 6 cards.  I will share three today.

The top and bottom stamps are from Whipper Snapper Designs.  The middle stamp is something - It is not jumping into my head at the moment.  The heart for the bottom card was already cut in the 6 x 6 pad so I had to use it on a card.

These cards will be in my next Operation Write Home box.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cards for two Little Boys

Recently on Facebook they were sharing a post about a little boy in Michigan who said he had no friends.  He fights Asperger's Syndrome.  He did not want a birthday party because no one would come.  The world has come together to show Colin, he does indeed have many people who care about him.  This is my birthday card for him.  

I am entering this in the weekly challenge at Just Add Ink.  Their challenge this week is to "Just Add Stripes." I loved the colors in this paper from Authentique.  The monkey stamp is from Stampendous.  I hope it makes Colin smile.  If you wish to send him a card his address is Colin, PO Box 756, Richland, MI  49083

My second card using the same image is for a little boy in my home town who is battling cancer.  I am going to try and send him a card each month.  I just used a general Hello sentiment for his card.  I did not realize that both their names were Colin.  This card is for Colin Cahill, 819 Chapman St, Milton, WI  53563

I think it is important to give back to our communities, to people who are battling diseases and to show people we care.  I am so glad I have my card making talents so I can make people smile.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

Happy Valentine's Day

This valentine card is for a sweet friend's mom.  Shari passed away several years ago from breast cancer and I try to remember her Mom with cards.  I know she will appreciate the old fashioned nature of the card.  Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Valentine Day

A valentine card I made and sent to a very sweet lady who lived across the street when I moved here so many years ago.  After her husband died, she moved away but we do still keep in touch.  I wanted her to know I was thinking of her and I thought she would appreciate this old fashioned valentine.  The paper is from Authentique paper.  The sentiment is from SRM Stickers

My Mind's Eye, Retro Sketches Birthday Card

I needed to make a quick birthday card.  I had bought a new 6 x 6 pad from My Mind's Eye.  It was a nice change in colors from doing Valentine Days.  I used the weekly sketch from Retro Sketches.

I used a birthday sticker from SRM Stickers to add a sentiment for my birthday card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Oldie Moldie Monday

A real quick card so I would not miss Oldie Moldie Monday.  I had to make a birthday card and finish my valentine cards over the week end so quickly threw this together.

Have a good Monday - four days closer to the week end.

Sketch Saturday and Valentine's Day

Still working on my Valentine Day cards.  I just have a couple more cards to make and will try to get those done today.

I based the design of the card on the sketch at "Sketch Saturday".  I have been enjoying their sketches the last few weeks.  I rotated the sketch.

The paper is from a 6 x 6 pad from American Crafts - Dear Lizzy.  Love the somewhat nontraditional colors I used.  The little banners are the top edge of the paper which holds the sheet in the paper pad.  They were just the correct size for adding some layers.  The stamp is one of the holiday specials at Michael's that I bought for $1.50.  I have gotten my money's worth out of this stamp.  The enamel dots are from Michael's Recollection grouping.

Off to get groceries and then make some more valentine cards and do some laundry.  I know you are all jealous of my exciting day.  Looking forward to watching the special on the Beatles tonight.

Valentine Day and Tuesday Morning Sketches

Another Valentine Day card to share.  It is going off to two very special people.  Mom's favorite color is purple.  I wonder if Londyn likes purple as well as Mom.

The design of the card is based on the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  I stayed very true to the sketch except for adding a sentiment.  The image, from Whipper Snapper Stamps, came with its own sentiment.  This is a favorite stamp to use for my Operation Write Home cards.  It is not really a valentine stamp, well in my opinion, and I guess for me that is what counts.  Here is the sketch.

The paper is from Die Cuts With a View.  It is their Spring Mix.  They are beautiful colors to create with during this very long winter.

I am also entering it into the challenge Addicted to CAS where the code word is Love.

Now, I want to get this in the mail, but I put glossy accents on the hearts, so I need to let them dry.  Luckily the post office in Janesville is open later than our local post office.  I have a book and coloring book for Londyn to send along with the card.  I have not been out shopping with this lovely winter so I guess I will have to wait to buy a new outfit for Londyn.  That will go in her Easter package.

Thanks for stopping by.

Valentine's Day and Freshly Made Sketches

Valentine Day fast approaches so I need to get a few more cards done.  I think I will make four cards using this stamp.  The card design may vary.  "Bee"s are a favorite subject in our family since we have 4 generation of "Beas".  Molly Beatrice (grandma), Bonnie Bea (sister), Carrie Bea (daughter) and Elaina Bea (great niece).

The card is based on the weekly sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  With their sketches they want you to be clean and simple.  I tried.  My papers are vibrant colors.  Pink is my mother's favorite color.  I do hope she forgives me for the green on the card.  She doesn't like green.  Here is the sketch.  I stayed very true to it.  I must confess it looks naked to me.  

The paper is from American Crafts - Dear Lizzy.  Beautiful colors in the 6 x 6 pad.

Thanks for stopping by.

Paper Smooches Challenge - Anything Goes

This week on the Paper Smooches Spark Challenge Blog - the challenge is anything goes.

I try to be creative each week with my limited number of stamps from Paper Smooches.  I believe I combined 3 sets here.  Dog, flower on ear, hearts and sentiment.  The paper is from Authentique.  I love their paper because it has such a nice weight to it - and most of it is double sided with one side being a solid color.  I also used my Silhouette to cut the little frame.  If you look at yesterday's card you will see the frame used in a valentine card.

Thanks for stopping by on hump day.  Yeah - I think I can make it to the week end - where - we have more snow predicted.

Studio Calico, Sketch Saturday Unite

Once again I decided to do the sketch at Sketch Saturday.  My card was chosen last week and I won some very cool digi images.  I loved this sketch because it had lots of layers - and that makes my creative heart go pitter patter.

The papers I chose to use are from a 6 x 6 pad from Studio Calico.  The stamp is a $1.50 stamp from Michaels.  I also used my Silhouette to cut the frame and heart.

Well off to get some more valentine cards made.  This may be my go to design.  I am not a fan of repetition creating but I like this card.  I may change it up with some different paper groups but stick to the same color scheme.  Have a wonderful evening.

Oldie Moldie Monday

Same paper as last week.  Blogger would not let me upload too many cards last week so here is the last ones from last Sunday.  They will go in my next Operation Write Home box.

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge

The sketch was up early today on the OWH Stars and Stamps blog so I was able to start my day out creating a card for Operation Write Home.  I still had the brown paper on my tabletop from yesterday's brown card so went with the same color scheme.  I used a different sentiment from the Hero Arts set that supports Operation Write Home.

I am also going to enter this into the Hero Arts Birthday Challenge - this will be in the anything goes category.

Well off to find some breakfast.

Operation Write Home Monthly Challenge

The monthly ODBD challenge on Operation Write Home is "brown".  I still had this paper from Basic Grey on my design table.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set where a percentage of the sales goes to Operation Write Home.  I used a Tim Holtz distress embossing folder in the background.  Thanks for stopping by.

Paper Smooches Spark Challenge - Draft Design

Once again - Barb is sliding into the Paper Smooches Spark challenge on the last day.  Some weeks - work just takes all the creativity out of your soul.  It was a productive week at work but not so much on the design table.  I am happy with how my card finally evolved.

This weeks challenge on the Paper Smooches Spark challenge blog - is the January Designer Drafts challenge.  Here is the sketch.

Once again I am working with my new stamp set (which is one of their old sets) but it is new to me.  I think I will send this card to my Mom.  I used some Basic Grey paper and did lots of fussy cutting.

I love the colors in this paper grouping.  Did you know I am a 6 x 6 paper pad junkie?  The only thing I would have done different is put my sentiment higher but heck I was happy it stamped so nicely.  Usually when I go to stamp on a card that is partially finished - and stamp directly on the card - I goof it up but it stamped beautifully - but like I said I wish it was just a little higher.  I think it would add a little more balance to the card.  The little dots in the corner are punched paper that I glued onto each corner.  I wanted to bring in a little more of the brown color to the card front.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed my take on the designer draft challenge.  I have been drooling over the new releases and really just need to bite the bullet and order today.

I am also going to enter this card in the Simon Says Monday Challenge blog where the challenge is cowboy rides aaway.  Well mine may be more of a cowgirl but still has boots and hat so I think it qualifies.