Cardz 4 Galz Design Team Project - Challenge #79

Hello and thanks for visiting!  Today I'm sharing my design team project for the Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #79.  The theme this round is Beautiful Backgrounds:  Create your own background and NO designer/patterned papers allowed.

This was a fun one for me, I chose to use the Retiform Technique.  The technique is an oldie but a goodie and it's been awhile since I've used it; I'd forgotten how enjoyable this technique is to create.

I pulled out 5 different stamp sets, some distress oxide inks in the colors wild honey, salty ocean, vintage photo and worn lipstick as well as white, black and kraft card.  I accented with faux pearls for the finishing touch.  One tip I have for you … be sure to allow the ink to dry before stamping.  I worked on a section at a time...a little time consuming but well worth the effort.

I hope you were inspired to create your own background without using patterned papers and to try this Retiform technique.  Please join us at Cardz 4 Galz this round for some fun and inspiration.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges.  For a listing of daily, weekly, bi-weekly and monthly challenges, please visit Challenges for Days.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1834
Creativ Fusion #3
Cute N Crafty #8
Digi Choosday
Carlin's Card Paradise
Creative Moments
CardzTV #62

Penny's Paper Crafty Design Team Project - Challenge #395

Today I'm sharing with you my design team project for the Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #395.  The sponsors this week are Dr. Digi's House of Stamps and Pattie's Creations.

This week I used the funny and cute Rita on a Scooter image from Dr. Digi.  This image just makes me smile and reminds me of my mother.  If she were still with us, she would be riding her scooter all around and this sentiment is exactly something she would say!

I colored Rita and her scooter up with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and used some digital papers that look like a quilt for the layer over my base.  I added some blue gems and a sentiment I printed from my computer.  I have a file of sentiments that I save when I come across something I like.  When I need a sentiment that I don't have a stamp for, I go through my list and print something out.  I just change the font and size to match what I need.

I hope you were inspired to join us over at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges this week for your chance to win some awesome images from our two sponsors.

Until Next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**This Card has been entered in the following challenges.  For a list of daily, weekly, bi-weekly and monthly challenges, please visit Challenges for Days:

QKR Stampede #310
Mod Squad Challenge Week 5
Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge
Watercooler Wednesday ATG
Crafty Gals Corner #173
Crafty Sentiments
Lemon Shortbread Challenge #75
Retarte Challenge #126
Try it on Tuesday

Thinking of You Sympathy Card

Hello everyone and thanks for visiting.  Today I'm sharing one of the sympathy cards I was asked to make.  I have a hard time with sympathy cards because #1 I don't like making them and #2 I struggle with how to create them.  I don't want to make them to flashy and for a lack of a better word...disrespectful.  I think I managed to create a 6" x6" tasteful and yet beautiful card for my customer.  I hope she likes it.

I used a digital paper from Scrapbooking Gems on Etsy for the mat and Anna Griffin print and cut flowers from the Cricut Design Space.  The butterfly was one from my stash as well as the ribbon and faux pearl.  The die cut piece is also from the Cricut Design Space.

I hope you have a wonderful week and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:
QKR Stampede ATG #310
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #88
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #333
The Corrosive Challenge ATG
Cardz TV #62

Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog - Guest Designer Project #4

Hello and thanks for visiting me.  Today I'm sharing my final Guest Designer Project for the Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog.  I've had such a great time designing this month and I've had the pleasure of working with some awesome digital images.

For this weeks' challenge, I created this card using a sweet image from this weeks' challenge Sponsor Little Miss Muffet Stamps.  Her name is Pippa and she was a joy to color up with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.

This is a card size I don't typically make; it's an A-6 which is 4.5" x 6.5".  Lately I've been experimenting with different sizes and not sticking with the standard A2 size.  I'm pleased with how this card turned out and I really like the size.

For the challenge, there is also a sketch to follow and I took a lot of inspiration from the sketch but did stray from the placement of the sentiment because I just didn't want to cover Pippa at all.

I hope you will join in the fun over at Sketch Saturday and enter for your chance at winning some sweet images from Little Miss Muffet Stamps.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:

Jo's Scrap Shack #248

Creative Knockouts Design Team Project - Challenge #260

Today I'm sharing my design team project for the Creative Knockouts Challenge #260.  The image I've used today is the Autumn Owl from Bugaboo Stamps.  I love coloring Bugaboo images because they have bold lines making them easy to color using your favorite method.

As part of the challenge, we are to use twine in our design so I made two bows out of double strands of brown baker's twine.  The sentiment "thankful" was stamped with Ranger Archival Ink in the color Potting Soil and I went over the letters with a Gel Glitter pen.

I hope you have been inspired to join in the fun over at Creative Knockouts for challenge #260.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Cute N Crafty Challenge Blog
Creativ Fusion #3
A Bit More Time To Craft
2 Crafty Critter Crazies
Carlin Map Paradise
Creative Moments #151
Crafty Animals #17
Cardz TV #61

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Design Team Project

Hello and thanks for visiting.  Today I'm sharing my design team project for the Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog.  The image I've used is from one of the sponsors his week Digi Stamps 4 Joy.

Such a lovely little mermaid spreading Good Vibes!  This image comes in black and white or pre-colored and I've chosen the pre-colored image which makes for a quick card.  I made a side easel fold card and embellished with sea shells I had in my stash.  The sand dollar is an unbranded die cut as well as the lattice die cut that I used for the image mat.

I hope you've been inspired to join the fun at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge blog 5his week Come and try your chance at winning some nice images from the 2 different sponsors this week.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:
Digi Choosday
Stampotique Designers Challenge August 2018
Scrapbook Stamp Society #147

Shaped Cards

Hello and thanks for visiting!  Today I am sharing shaped cards I created using the Cricut Design Space.  First up is a cute Witches Boot image that I doubled in order to create a front and back, then welded together back to back to create a fold.

The image can be found in the Cricut Happy Hauntings cartridge.  It is a paper pieced project which means the base of the card is the purple, another piece to layer is the orange piece and the last to layer is the black piece.  I added some die cuts; the spider and the bat as extra embellishments and applied clear Wink of Stella to them.  The little pumpkin is a sticker from the Dollar Tree.

I'm pleased with the outcome of this card and I definitely see more shaped cards in my future.  I hope you have been inspired to try some shaped cards as well.  If you don't have access to Cricut Design space or other cutting machines, try using dies or even drawing yourself an image.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:
Paper Craft Crew #304
Watercooler Challenges #184
Creative Inspirations
QKR Stampede #309
Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge #1833
Cardz TV #61

Sunshine - Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog

Hello and Happy Saturday!  Today I'm sharing my 3rd project as Guest Designer for the month of August on Sketch Saturday.  The image I used is Sunshine from The Paper Shelter who is the sponsor of the challenge this week.

The image was pre-colored so it made for a quick card.  This image is so sweet and the color combo was perfect and easy to match up with the papers I had in my stash. 

For the challenge, there was also a sketch to follow:

I decided to add the flowers, following the sketch as closely as I could. I distressed the edges of the focal image with a Tim Holtz Paper Distresser and inked the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink.  The polka dot patterned paper added just enough visual imagery for her.  

I'm pleased with how Sunshine turned out and I hope you've been inspired to visit Sketch Saturday and join the fun.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

** Card Entered in the following challenges:

Jo's Scrap Shack #247

Crafty Friends Challenge #90

CardzTV #61

Digi Choosday #33

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #74

QKR Stampede #309

Scrapbook Stamp Society #147

Little Miss Muffet Customer Appreciation - Guest Designer Project

I've been chosen as a Guest Designer for the Customer Appreciation Celebration at the Little Miss Muffet Challenge Blog and today I would like to share my first design.  I'm using a sweet digital stamp by Little Miss Muffet Stamps named Wyleen.  She is playing in the snow, making a snow angel...just too adorable.

She's been colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and die cut with a fancy oval die from my stash.  The card base is also a die and the purple mat has been embossed with the Cricut Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I've also added some Crystal Nuvo Drops for an added wintery touch and heat embossed the sentiment "Let It Snow" on Vellum.  Wyleen needs lots of snow for more snow Angels.

Please stop by the Little Miss Muffet Challenge Blog and join the fun!  We hope to see your creations.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card Entered in the following challenges:
Colour Crazy Challenge #32

Creatalicious Challenges - Design Team Project

Hello!  I'm back to share with you my Design Team Project for the Creatalicious Challenges.  The sponsor for this round is The Paper Shelter and the image is Butterfly Whisperer.

The requirement for this rounds' challenge is no square or rectangle cards/projects so I thought I would go with a circle.  This card measures 6" x 6" and I kept it pretty simple; coloring the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, adding some faux stitching and dots around the edges with Pigma Micron archival ink pen, some card candy and gold Wink of Sella for the earrings.  I also added some clear Wink of Stella to the Butterfly and her feathers (all the Wink is not noticeable in this picture).

I'm please with the card and I hope it inspires you to create a card using a shape other than square or rectangle.  Please join us at the challenge and please visit The Paper Shelter for some wonderful digital stamps.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

** Card has been entered in the following challenges:
Craft Rocket Challenges #51
Back to Basics and Beyond
Word Art Wednesday
Polkadoodle #32
Colour Crazy Challenge
CardzTV ATG #60
Scrapbook Stamp Society #147

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges - Design Team Project

Hi!  I'm sharing with you today my Design Team project for the Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges this week.  I've chosen Regina with Bell from Little Blue Button Designs.

She makes a lovely holiday / Christmas card with her Red Coat, hat and Bell.  The card measures a standard A2 (4.25" x 5.5") and I kept it pretty simple with a die cut panel over a solid green mat.  I colored Regina up with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and added a resin Snowflake for some added interest.

I hope you're inspired to visit us at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges this week and enter for your chance to win some great digi stamps.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card Entered in the following challenges:  Back to Basics and Beyond, A Bit More Time to Craft #74, Colour Crazy Challenge, The Paper Shelter, Creative Inspirations, Digi Choosday #33, Morgans Art World, CardzTV ATG #60

Sketch Saturday Challenge Week 2 - Biker Girl

Hello and Happy Saturday!  Today I'm sharing my design project, as a Guest Designer, on Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog.  Every week there is a new challenge sketch to follow and several designs to gain inspiration from.  I will guest designing during the month of August and here is my design for this weeks' challenge:

The Sponsors for this weeks' challenge is LeAnns World 101.  I chose to use the Biker Girl Digital Image.  She is adorable and stylish with her biker gear, helmet and fingerless gloves.  

In addition to using the image, the sketch to follow for this weeks' challenge was a tricky one, or at least for me! 

When I saw the sketch I thought wow, that's going to be a fun challenge.    I couldn't figure out how I was going to incorporate those squares.  I had a breakthrough moment when going through some scraps in my stash.  I came across some Gelli prints and the lightbulb went on!  

I used squares from the Gelli print and colored my biker gal based on the print. I used Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers for the little Biker and her Scooter.  Dry embossed a black mat using the Cricut Swiss Dots folder and stamped/heat embossed the sentiment, which I thought was totally appropriate for a Biker...Free Spirit!

I hope you'll pop over to the Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog and join in the fun.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

** Card entered in the following challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft
CardzTV ATG #60

Creative Knockout Challenge - Cheerful Crab

It's time for another fun challenge at Creative Knockouts and the theme for this challenge is Special Folds - to create a card with a fun/special fold.

For my design team project, I created a Rocker Card with an image from the challenge sponsor Fabrika Fantasy.  This image is named Cheerful Crab and I thought it was wonderful for a birthday card.  This image comes pre-colored (which I used) or black and white for you to color.

I die cut the sentiment from black, white and light blue cardstock and off set for highlight and dimension.  I also added some clear sequins for that bit of sparkle.

Because of the semi-circle bottom, this card will "rock" back and forth!  My inspiration for this card comes from Mixed Up Craft.  Sam creates cards with fun and unique folds.  When I saw this card design, I knew I had to try it!  I'm glad I did, it's different and I like different.

I hope you'll join us at Creative Knockouts for this fun challenge and great inspiration.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following Challenges:
A Bit More Time to Craft #73
A Perfect Time to Craft
Morgan's Art World Challenge
Digi Choosday
Digi Doodle Studios #8
Crafts Galore Encore #54
Cardz TV #59
Creative Fingers #150
Catch the Bug Challenge
Crafting with an Attitude #42

Craft Rocket Challenge #51
Mod Squad Challenge - Water Theme

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges - Shop Til You Drop

It's time for another challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges and my design team project for this week is an adorable digi from one of the challenge sponsors:  Time for Tea Designs on Etsy.  I used the image Shop Til You Drop and she was so much fun to color.

I colored her up with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and embellished with some red gemstones.  I die cut the image out of Neenah White 110 lb. cardstock as well as the little tag.  I thought the sentiment was cute with some added embroidery thread acting as a ribbon.

Treat yourself with a digital image from Time for Tea Designs.  I hope my post today inspired you to join us in the challenge this week and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card Entered in the following Challenges:  Pause, Dream, Enjoy #32, Back to Basics and Beyond #9, The Paper Shelter, Creative Moments, QKR Stampede #307

Crafty Creations Challenge - Children Singing

It's time for another fun challenge at Crafty Creations.  My design team project for Challenge #372 is this adorable image named Kids Singing by the challenge sponsor Kinda Cute by Patricia.  

I had fun coloring this digital image with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and instead of creating a standard fold card, I went for an Easel card.  The designer paper I used is a digital download of Winter Themed paper from Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine.  I couldn't resist adding some glitter tape from Cricut and sequins in blue and green for that extra bit of sparkle.

I hope you'll join in thee fun at Crafty Creations and until next time. Happy Crafting.

Donna

**Card Entered in the following challenges:  A Bit More Time to Craft #73, Lost Coast Portal to Creativity #58, Digi Doodle Studios #8, DL. Art August Linky Challenge, Through the Craft Door Weekly Challenge, Digi Choosday, Crafting by Designs, CardzTV #59, Creative Moments #150, QKR Stampede #307

Holiday Poinsettia

Hello and Happy Sunday.  I've been working on Christmas cards for the last few weeks and I finished this card today.  It features a die cut Poinsettia and foliage.   It's a Z-Fold style card measuring 4.25" x 5.5", the designer paper is from last years' stash from the Bo Bunny Tis the Season Collection.  

 

For shimmer, I added clear Wink of Stella to the Poinsettia and added no other embellishments.  I felt the flower was a statement all it's own and no other embellishments were needed.

I'm very pleased with this one and will be creating more cards with this beautiful Poinsettia.  

I hope I've inspired you to create some holiday cards and if you don't have a poinsettia die, use what flower die you have, just cut out of festive paper for a wonderful holiday card.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:  Crafty Hazelnuts, The Holly and Ivy #33, Christmas Cards All Year 'Round

Crafty Calendar Challenges - August Design Team Project

Hello Everyone - it's August and that means it's time for another Challenge at Crafty Calendar Challenge.  This month the theme is "Dots and/or Stripes" and the prize sponsor is the wonderful A Day for Daisies.

In keeping with the theme of Dots and/or Stripes, I simply couldn't decide which one to use so I decided on both!

The striped paper is designer paper I had in my stash from last years' Christmas card creating and the red paper was dry embossed using a Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The image was provided by A Day for Daisies and it's the Holly Berry Fairy.  Such a sweet little Fairy nestled in a sprig of Holly Berries and leaves.  I colored her using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.

Please stop by Crafty Calendar Challenges this month and enter for your chance to win some sweet images from A Day for Daisies.  I hope you were inspired to create something lovely, enjoy your August and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:  Aud Sentiments #209, Cardz TV #59, Creative Fingers #150, Cute Card Thursday #541, The House That Stamps Built DCC81 Circles, Pattie's Creations #149, The Paper Shelter ATG, Catch the Bug August ATG

August Guest Designer - Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog

Hello and Happy Saturday!  Today I'm sharing my design project, as a Guest Designer, on Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog.  Every week there is a new challenge sketch to follow and several designs to gain inspiration from.  I will guest designing for the month of August and I am more than excited about this opportunity!

Here is my design for this weeks' challenge:

The sponsor for this weeks' challenge and the image provider is Star Stampz.  The images are lovely and a joy to color.  I used Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers to color up this sweet little Maestro.  He is making beautiful music and his face shows it!

I hope you will join in the fun over at the Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog and try your chance at winning some goodies from our gracious sponsor Star Stampz.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:  Catch the Bug, Jo's Scrap Shack, PolkaDoodle, QKR Stampede, Colour Crazy Challenge, Creative Fingers, Pattie's Creations, Craft Stamper, The House that Stamps Built DCC81 Circles, The Paper Shelter ATG

Cardz 4 Galz Design Team Project - Follow the Sketch

Hello and Happy Thursday!  Wow, it's August already and time for another challenge at Cardz 4 Galz.  Today I'm sharing my design team project for the challenge.  We are to follow the sketch below so I decided to go with a Fall/Autumn Theme:

A lot of die cutting went in to this card...everything but the card base and the mats were die cut.  I colored the images with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and stamped the sentiment with Ranger Archival ink in the color Potting Soil.  I'm please with the card and it's very reminiscent of Autumn with all the wonderful colors.

I hope you will join us at Cardz 4 Galz for a fun challenge.  My design team sisters and I enjoy providing inspiration for you and hope you are inspired by our creations of Love.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:  Creative Moments, Crafting by Designs, Die Cuttin Divas #380, Crafting with an Attitude #42, A Bit More Time to Craft

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #391 - Design Team Project

Hello!  Today I'm sharing a card I created for the Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog using a beautiful image of African Violets from one of the challenge Sponsors this week Fred, She Said Designs.

This was a joy to color with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers; purple and all shades thereof are my FAV!  This image set contains many images such as the flowers in a pot, single flowers and this image - the grouping.  

I embossed the mat and die cut the focal image, then backed with a couple of lace doilies.  For embellies, I added ribbon, tied a bow and added clear Wink of Stella to the Violets.  For the final touch, I scattered small, white pearls.  I'm very pleased with how this card turned out and the images from Fred, She Said Designs are wonderful.

I hope you'll join in the fun at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges this week.  My design team sisters created some wonderful cards with their sponsor images and we hope to inspire you this week.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Card entered in the following challenges:  Cute Card Thursday, Crafting with an Attitude, A Perfect Time to Craft, A Bit More Time to Craft #73, Digi Choosday, Digi Doodles Studios, Crafting with Friends, Crafting by Designs, Cards Galore Encore #54

Christmas Bauble Shaker Card

Today I'm sharing a quick and easy Christmas Shaker Card.  I die cut the bauble shape and secured a piece of acetate behind the opening.  I then placed foam tape around the opening and filled with sequins and Rock Candy Distress Glitter.

I used the negative die cut piece and created a frame for the opening.  The Stamped sentiment is from a Hero Arts set and the card measures 4.25" x 5.5".  The finishing touch was adding some card candy and calling it complete.

I'm making a little head way in my holiday card crafting; I should be in good shape by the 1st of Sept. and then I can focus on Halloween and Thanksgiving cards.

I hope my post today inspired you in some way and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card entered in the following challenges:  A Bit More Time to Craft #73, Lost Coast Portal to Creativity #58, Digi Doodle Studios #8, DL.Art, Through the Craft Room Door ATG, Crafting By Designs, CardzTV #58, Crafting with Friends #72