Happy Zoo Day!

I love taking card sketches and turning them into scrapbook layouts, and this week's sketch at The Outlawz was perfect for that.  I couldn't resist using the adorable Zoo-Day Title by Cuddly Cute Designs.  I kept the page pretty clean and simple - I haven't had much luck finding zoo animal embellishments that I really like....but just realized I haven't gone to Creative Fabrica yet.  Still a cute layout, if I do say so myself (though my colors in the photo are way off!)

Fern for Splitcoast Stampers

There's a new Featured Stamper at Splitcoast.  Here is my card inspired by her fern card.

I made a congratulatory card using adorable ferns from Creative Fabrica available here and here.  We both decided ferns don't have to be green.  I had the Congrats sentiment in my stash.

Kerst Christmas sponsored by Sheepski Designs

 Meet the adorable Christmas Post Box from Sheepski Designs.

Here's a closeup of this sweetie, colored digitally.  With so many digital options for wood available, I had a hard time choosing.  But keeping in greytones make my bird stand out - just brings back memories of cardinals who would visit us in the Michigan winters.  I know....this is not a cardinal...but I also enjoyed the robins that visited us in the spring.  Click here to get your own Christmas Post Box digital image.  

My little gift box was made using the Tapered Gift Box and Bow from My Scrap Chick.

Sketch Challenge for Stick It Down!

For this month's sketch challenge at Stick It Down, I made a layout using the adorable Outer Space collection (retired from We Are 3).  The colors are so deep.  I'm calling this layout "Day at the Zoo.  I've had the paper collection for years...and added the Day at the Zoo elements (Ginger Scrap) today.  My layout is flipped horizontally from the original sketch.

The Zoo elements are all precolored.  They are high-quality printables - cut very nicely on my Eclips.  The ZOO title with the critters is from Watercolor Animal Alphabet from Creative Fabrica. 

I really had fun with this layout.  Now run along and check out the gorgeous inspiration from Stick it Down - and please come and play along.

Christmas Post Box for Kerst Christmas

Here is the cute Christmas Post Box all set for Christmas in all it's spendor. 

Lately (probably an age thing), I've been getting the theme's of my design projects confused.  May's Kerst Christmas them was to use stitching (real or faux).  June's theme is ribbon or lace.  So what did I do today?  Create a card with May's image with June's theme!  But I think my digital lace looks pretty much stitched on....so I think I'm good...not to mention, Anything Goes is always an option.  LOL!  I had a fun time with this card.  I love this poinsettia die, yet seldom remember to pull it out.  Glad I remembered today!  You can see the Christmas Post Box at Sheepski's Etsy Shop.

Make it Royal Challenge

It's Day 1 of the Paper Ala Mode Challenge.  The inspiration is mind boggling!  I made this fun little card with papers and gems from my stash.   I knew Make It Royal was coming up, but had a difficult time coming up with an idea using the images we were provided.  I was inspired with some suggestions from my Wednesday's craft group....thank you, Ladies!  

To provide that royal look, I added the gems and gold ribbon.  Isn't it cute?  Be sure to visit Paper Ala Mode and see all the fab inspiration.

Have a TURTLE-Y Awesome Day!

I knew the majority of today would be dedicated to some crafting - I have so many special cards to get made.  Amazing that I have hundreds of cards in my stash, but nothing appropriate for when I actually need to send a card.  I sometimes look at the cards in my stash and wonder what I was thinking when I created those!  Today I went for the adorable Little Turled from 2 Cute Inks...his shell paper pieced digitally and ready to go out to make someone's day.  Woo Hoo!  Something a little different for me - so it was fun!   

I added a digital postmark behind the turtle for a little more interest.  Afterwards, I though how appropriate considering how long the mail takes these days.  The patches of the turtles shell are digitally paper pieced with lovely patterns from We Are 3 - Cactus.  I love the finished turtle!

Power Poppy Blossom Challenge

It's Day 4 of the new Power Poppy Blossom Challenge - although I'm not using "Spring" flowers, I was already creating this card using Power Poppy's Black-Eyed Susan - so I'm feeling pretty good sharing this in the challenge.  There is so much inspiration from the fabulous Bloomies - it's mind boggling.  There's almost a month to go to get your entry in.  Wow!  Today I'm sharing a card using papers from the new Graduation collection from We Are 3.  They have lovely bright colors. 

I used the papers with the stars and "confetti" which are appropriate for all occasions.  The sentiments are computer generated.  While this card was created for someone who is very ill, I hope the beautiful bright colors will bring some joy for her and her family.

Loving Olaf!

On this layout, I used Olaf 68 - Disneey Arts. 

For the layout base I used We Are 3 Frozen and shrunk the pattern for a more tone-on-tone effect.  I layered another pattern from the Frozen collection - enlarged for a more dramatic pattern.  The Happy sticker just happened to be in an embellishment kit I recently purchased.  The "title" is computer generated.

Kerst is hosting its monthly Christmas challenge - Stitching.  I chose Christmas Stocking for the challenge.  You can find it from Sheepski Designs.  My inspiration project features a gift card holder.  I couldn't resist coloring the image in bold masculine colors - I am especially proud of my coloring work - but to then make it festive was not very easy!  LOL!  Neither was taking a photo!  I wasn't able to get a clear bright photo of my colored image.  But I know my coloring made this image look pretty cute.  Come check out the Kerst Challenge and play with us! 

Graduation Caps

Our new release is Graduation (papers and sentiments) and Graduation Caps - I made a card using the gorgeous new papers available at We Are 3's Etsy shop.  Gotta love that We Are 3.  Just look at those gorgeous colors! from We Are 3.

I am particularly fond of the confetti pattern that can be used for all celebrations.  

New Challenge at Paper Ala Mode

Our new challenge starts today at Paper Ala Mode - It's Thinking of You.   

The image is from our sponsor Anne's Digitals.  I am particularly thrilled with my coloring as scenes are not my forte.

The coloring was done totally with GIMP.  

So there you go.  Hope you will visit the Challenge Blog and the Paper Ala Mode's design team's takes on the theme and join the fun.

Grace Selfie for Freebie Progressive Challenge

It's the beginning of May, and you know what that means.  New Progressive Freebie Challenge at the Outlawz.  Spring is here, and I'm thrilled to be showcasing Charming Asters.  The flowers are pre-colored, but I colored the cute freebie digitally.  I used We Are 3's Really Simple for the background, which really made the Asters pop.  The matting is Alcohol Splashes for the matting.  I added the freebie to the frame and called it done.

You can check out inspiration for the new freebie on The Outlawz Challenge page, but also take a peek at We Are 3's Etsy shop.  The Progressive Freebie Challenge runs through May 31.  Lots of fun!  Hope to see you there.

New Featured Stamper at Splitcoast

I'm joining in the Featured Stamper Challenge with this fun CASE of the Featured Stampers card called Cool Birthday by Gram Jean.  Although I do love all kinds of cards, I really get a kick out of simple ones....so I had a ball with this one.  I couldn't resist the paper.