Hula Dancing Gnome

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday!  I have a quick share today featuring an adorable Hula Dancing Gnome from Stamping Bella. I couldn't resist this digital image, and though I'm not one who uses Gnome images frequently, this guy is cute and I'm happy I have him.

After coloring him with Copic Alcohol Markers, I fussy cut him and added foam pads for dimension.  The patterned papers are from the "Summer" 6x6 paper pad by Carta Bella, which I've had in the stash for a couple of years.  The sentiment is included in the digital set and I've cut it using a stitched nesting die from Kat Scrappiness.  It has been mounted on foam pads as well.

Lastly, I've added Gold Dazzles to highlight the sentiment.  He was a fun and quick color; I can't get over his middle aged "spare tire".  My husband commented this could be him in a grass skirt.  At least he said it, and not me!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Lil Red Wagon - 1 image and 1 sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Digi Choosday

Cardz 4 Guyz

Dream Valley Challenge

CD Sunday +

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

All Sorts

Polkadoodles

Gem of a Challenge

Inspiration Station Challenge #36

Hello and Happy Monday!  It was a hot, rainy and humid weekend here so I had an opportunity to work on home projects and design team obligations.  I'm beyond ready for a break in the heat, rain and humidity.  

Today begins a new bi-weekly challenge at The Inspiration Station Challenge Blog.  Inspiration Photo #36 for this round is:

I was inspired to create a water themed card and remembered I had a stamp set from Whimsy Stamps that I've not opened yet.  It's the Life is Cool set and features some lounging Quokka's on their pool floats enjoying a hot and humid day (hmmm..what I should be doing but the rain is cramping my style).

The images have been colored with Prismacolor Pencils, fussy cut and popped on craft foam.  The "pool" background is an ink blended panel using 3 shades of Catherine Pooler Inks, spalttered with water, white acrylic gloss spray and shimmer spray.

I've cut a frame using a stitched rectangle die, out of designer card that has a whitewashed wood appearance.  The sentiments are part of the stamp set and have been adhered flat to the panel.  Lastly, clear droplets have been added for additional interest, adding to the water theme.  I should be starting Autumn projects and will start soon, in the meantime I will carry on with Summer!

Please drop by the challenge and enter to win a gift voucher from Whimsy Stamps.  We would enjoy seeing how the photo inspires your projects.  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna  

**Challenges Entered:

Ally's Angels

Crafter's Cafe

QKR Stampede

WWO DT Challenge

Papercraft Challenge

Creative Crafting Uncles

Double Trouble

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Crafty Friends

Mirtillamente

Crafty Animals

Pin-spirational

The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything Goes with Optional: A Day At the Beach

Hi Crafty Friends!  Today begins a new monthly challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge Blog and it's Anything Goes with the Optional Twist of:  A Day at the Beach.  We have Mirtillamente and Alex Syberia Designs sponsoring us this month.  We thank them for providing the team images to use in our designs.

I chose to incorporate the Twist and created a card using Mirtillamente's Le Gine Prova Costume image.  I love this image, it's so fun and was an easy color.  I think she may be Kim Kardashian...not certain so don't quote me on that.  LOL

I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers and created the beach scene with alcohol markers as well.  The designer papers are snippets from the Pink & Main Summer Spash 6x6 paper pad and the sentiment is from a very old Hero Arts set that lives comfortably in my stash. 

I've die cut the focal panel using a stitched rectangle die from Kat Scrappiness and trimmed the patterned paper with a fancy edge punch (remember punches?  I still use them from time to time). To complete my card, I've added clear gems for additional interest.

Please visit The Paper Funday Challenge and join us, we love seeing all the entries, enjoy visiting everyone's posts and leaving comments.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

The Paper Shelter

Fab n' Funky

Penny's Challenges

Creative Inspiration

Elliebelle's Crafty Wednesday

Cardz 4 Guyz

Try It On Tuesday

TTCRD

613 Avenue Create

Corrosive Challenge

Alphabet Challenge

Paperbabe

Friendship Challenge

NBUS

 

The Four Seasons Challenge - Summer Mood Board

Hi Crafty Friends!  It's the 1st of June and that signals a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog.  The mood board now reflects Summer and it's intended for inspiration.

I was inspired by the pink florals so my project features a stamped image from the Flower Girls set by Jane Davenport.  The designer papers are from the Carta Bella "Summer" 6x6 paper pad and the image has been colored with Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers.

My card measures 5.5" square, which is my favorite square size primarily because I can use the entire length of a letter sized sheet of card to create a top folding greeting card.  The focal panel was matted and popped of craft foam for dimension.

The sentiment is from the Magnificent Branch Stamp Set by Altenew.  I've added Silver Thread and light pink Gems to finish the design.

The Four Seasons Challenge is a monthly challenge and we would love to see your designs entered this month.  Get inspired and play along!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered: 

Paper Shelter - Movie inspired:  Steel Magnolias

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Elliebell's Crafty Wednesday

QKR Stampede

A Perfect Time to Craft

Ching-Chou Kuik Challenge

Classic Design Challenge

Clever Dexter

Crafts Galore Encore

Mirtillamente

TTCRD

Crafty Catz

Outlawz Festive Friday

 

Dandelion Day

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Today's post is a short one featuring an adorable image from Sherry West Art.  I've colored the image using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and the designer papers are from the new Carta Bella "Summer" 6x6 paper pad.

Isn't she adorable waving her Dandelion Wand?  I die cut the focal, tag and sentiment with dies from Kat Scrappiness, mounted on foam pads and added golden twine for detail.  The sentiment is from a very old Recollections set but I love the font and the set has so many wonderful sentiments.

Lastly, I used a Silver Wink of Stella pen to enhance the Stars on her headband and scattered enamel dots.

Have a great day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Passion for Markers

Lemon Shortbread

Ike's World

Always Fun

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Avenue 613

Corrosive Challenge

Dies R Us

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper

QKR Stampede

Color It, Create It, Show It Off

Classic Design Challenge

Creative Fingers

Bee with a Small Flower

Happy Fri-YAY!  It's Friday Freebie at Bugaboo Stamps Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.  Today's Freebie is the Bees - Small Flower image which is similar to the A Kid's View images that Bugaboo Stamps offers.

I created an A2 sized card using dies, snippets and scraps of designer papers and a sentiment from a Cardz TV set.  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and added sequins for a bit of bling.

Please stop by the Blog today to pick up your Freebie and check out the Saturday and Sunday bi-weekly challenges.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz

Polkadoodles

Cardz TV

Creative Fingers

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Paperbabe

Uniko

Crafting Happiness

Creative Knockouts

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Path of Positivity

Country View Challenges

Let's Chill

 Hello Everyone!  I hope you're all well and enjoying your weekend.  Today's make and share features an oldie but goodie stamp set from Hero Arts, heat embossing and ink blending.

I stamped and heat embossed various images from an older Hero Arts set that I have in the stash to create my own background.  I ink blended a rainbow using Distress Oxide Inks and nounted on a black card panel.  Lastly, stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set and added clear sequins.  The Lips image is from a stamp set by Maymay Made It.

Quick and easy card to keep those summer vibes going but summer is quickly coming to an end with school starting soon, maybe it's started in your area already.  I can remember as a child, we didn't start school until after Labor Day!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog

All Sorts

Crafty Friends

Gem of a Challenge

Crafter's Castle

Crafty Calendar

A Bit More Time To Craft Extra

Creatalicious Challenges

Polkadoodle

Cardz TV #121

Pattie's Creations

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog

The Paper Funday Challenges - Summer Collage

Today is the 1st Wednesday of the month and a new Challenge has started at The Paper Funday Challenges.  Our sponsor for August is the awesome and crazy talented Bugaboo Stamps and the theme is Anything Goes with the Optional Twist: Back to School.  

For my design team project, I used the Summer Collage digital image and colored up with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  The image contains some sweet summer drawings and since we are fast approaching the Autumn Season, I thought I would give Summer a last hooray.

My card measures 5" square and I've used 1 black mat on top of the card base.  As a final touch, I applied Wink of Stella over lots of areas for that sun-kissed sparkle.  This was an enjoyable color; easy and quick and it turned into a great card.

Please join us this month at The Paper Funday Challenges.  We would love to see your creations and we hope to inspire you with ours!  

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Catch the Bug Saturday Challenge

Creative Inspirations

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Love to Craft

TTCRD

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges

Creatalicious Challenges

Lemon Shortbread

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Aloha, Happy Summer

Today's make and share is an A2 card featuring the Lawn Fawn Aloha Stamp Mini Stamp Set, Falling Bubbles Stencil, Distress Oxide Ink, Tag Die Cut, DSP and Baker's Twine.

I have several Lawn Fawn Mini Stamp Sets and the Coordinating Dies but I seldom use them.  I wanted a quick color today so I set out to go through those mini sets to pick out something for summer.  I chose the Aloha Set and colored the images with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  

I die cut a tag and stenciled some circles using Distress Oxide Cracked Pistachio Ink.  I used 2 different sentiments for the card; one from the Aloha set and one from an unbranded set I have in my stash.  The Designer Series papers are from the Echo Park Good Day Sunshine 6x6 paper pad.  For the finishing touches, I added some Baker's Twine, Wink of Stella and popped the Pineapple up on foam pads for dimension....viola...complete!

A quick, summery card for these HOT July days.  Stay Cool and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

All Fun Challenges

Pink Gem Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Dream Valley Challenges

Use Your Stuff

Crafty Sentiments

TTCRD

Lawn Fanatics #80

Lemon Shortbread

Tuesday Throwdown

Deirdery's Day Off

My card for today features a digi stamp from Dr. Digi's House of Stamps titled Deirdery's Day Off.  I don't use Dr. Digi Stamps as often as I should because they are truly funny and an easy coloring project.

I figured this image was a perfect make and share on the Eve of the 4th of July Holiday Weekend.  Deirdery is certainly enjoying her day off by lounging at the beach, cocktail in hand, with a Pitcher of the cool drink to top off with.

This card measures A2 (4.25" x 5.5"), the image colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  I kept the layout simple by creating a 1 layer card; the panel die cut to give a nice border.  The only dimension is the sparkle heart gem added to accentuate the sentiment.  

Happy Summer Everyone and to those visitors from the States, Happy 4th of July!  Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz

Polkadoodles

Cardz TV #117

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

Paperbabe

Pattie's Creations

Cute Card Thursday

Crafty Creations

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Everybody Art

Lil Red Wagon

Aud Sentiments

"Bacon" in the Sun

Hello Everyone and Happy Tuesday!  It's been a nice, relaxing day here in Central Florida.  I did find time to craft a bit and put together this cute card.  The image is a Bugaboo Digital Stamp titled Bacon in the Sun.  This sunbathing Piggy is enjoying a cool drink, sitting on the beach somewhere tropical and is turning a bright pink!

The papers are from the Pink & Main Summer Splash 6x6 paper pad.  I colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, added accents with a white Gelly Roll Pen and placed blue sequins here and there to finish off the card. I'm pleased with it and think this image is just adorable.

That's all for now and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Sentiments

Digi Choosday

Through the Craft Room Door

Arty Divas

Lemon Shortbread

A Bit More Time to Craft

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

A Perfect Time to Craft

Crafters Cafe

Crafting Happiness

Pammie's Inky Pinkies

Jan's Digi Stamps

Summer Fun with Little Miss Muffet

Hello and Happy Saturday Everyone!  I hope all is well with you and yours and you've been having a great time crafting and creating.  Today is a short post sharing a swap card I created using a Little Miss Muffet digital stamp I've had in my stash.  She's ready for Summer with her Popsicle, Bathing Suit and Float.

The papers are from the Echo Park Good Day Sunshine 6x6 paper pad, I colored the image using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and added some Yellow Gemstones to complete the card.

She turned out pretty and cute, I hope my swap partner will like my card.  I'm ready for some Pool time but have to wait for the thunderstorms and lightening to pass...it's been an everyday occurrence this week.

Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Polkadoodle

Cardz TV

Colour Crazy

Creative Fingers

Pink Gem Challenge

Crafty Sentiments

Through The Craft Room Door

Lemon Shortbread

Always Fun Challenges

Bugaboo Stella Summer Blocks

Hello and Happy Memorial Day!  Let's remember that the day actually symbolizes and take a moment to thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we may live in Peace and with Freedom.

Today I'm sharing a quick A2 size card featuring the ever funny Stella from Bugaoo Stamps.  This image is from the Stella Summer Blocks series  and needless to say I love Bugaboo Stamps and Stella is my Favorite Lady!

I colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and the paper is from a digital paper pack I received from Creative Fabrica some time ago.  I didn't layer up with too many papers; just keep it simple.  I did accent with Nuvo Crystal Drops and a white Gelly Roll Pen.  I hope you find Stella as funny as I do and you'll have a great day with family, friends and good eats.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Crafting Happiness
Always Fun Challenges
Pammie's Inky Pinkies
Incy Wincy
Jan's Digi Stamps Challenge
International Art & Soul
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Corrosive Challenge

Fried Chicken

TGIF Everyone!  I hope you are well and starting to get out and spread your wings a bit after being at home during this pandemic.  Things are starting to open up here but we are still practicing common sense and social distancing.  This weekend in the States is the weekend prior to Memorial Day, which is officially Monday, we plan to stay around home, dip in the pool and have some good eats.

Speaking of Wings and Fun in the Sun, today I have a funny card using the Fried Chicken digi stamp from Bugaboo Stamps.  I cannot say it enough, I love Bugaboo Stamps and have several.  When I saw this Chicken I had to have it!

The card measures A2 and has been colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  The papers are from the Pink & Main Summer Splash 6x6 paper pad.  This will be me this weekend, sitting around the pool with a cool drink and getting "fried".....well not too fried...and not THAT kind of fried....the sun kind....I really take this Florida Sun seriously.

Have a wonderful weekend, stay safe, have fun and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Crafty Catz
Polkadoodle
QKR Stampede
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy
Creative Fingers #186
Pattie's Creations
Cute Card Thursday
Aud Sentiments
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges

Beach Baby Jayme

Hello!  It's a beautiful Saturday here in Florida, I hope it's equally nice where you are.  Today I'm sharing another Freebie Digi Stamp from Whimsy Stamps - it's Beach Baby Jayme!

She's definitely struttin' her stuff with her Parisol and that Pose.  I colored her with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and the card measures the standard A2.  I die cut around the image and popped the focal on foam pads for dimension.  I added a die cut Star and some Nuvo Crystal Drops.  The papers are from a digi pack that I purchased from Creative Fabrica some time ago.

I hope Jayme made you smile and you have a great weekend!  Until next time,  Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
All Sorts
Pink Gem Challenge
Crafters Castle
PolkaDoodle
QKR Stampede
Cardz TV
Colour Crazy Challenge
Creative Fingers
Paper Babe Stamps
Patties Creations

The Paper Funday Challenges - July Challenge

Hello everyone and Happy 4th of July!  It's been a quick first half of the year and it's been very HOT here in Florida!  The humidity is unbearable so all the more reason to stay inside and craft or in the pool floating around.

Today begins a new challenge at The Paper Funday Challenges.  This month the challenge has a dual theme:  Patriotic and/or Summertime.

I chose to create projects for both themes.  My first card is an Easel Card with a Patriotic Theme.  I used some dies to cut out the flowers and stars, an embossing folder for the flower centers, some Washi tape and digital paper. 

My second project was created with the Summertime theme.  I colored up an image from Bugaboo Stamps, die cut the sentiment, the Vellum background and the white mat with the image.  Otherwise I kept it pretty simple.  I love Sunflowers and they just sing Summer to me!

Please join us this month at The Paper Funday Challenges.  The Challenge has a lovely Sponsor  offering a great prize.  We would love to have you play along and we hope to unspire your crafting.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges - Hetty Clare

Hi, I'm back with another challenge for today.  This time, it's a new one at Penny's Challenges and the sponsors for this week are Hetty Clare and The Paper Shelter.

For my design team project, I've used this sweet image from Hetty Clare named Summer Picnic.  It's so adorable, I just love the ducks!

I kept this 5" square card fairly simple, only adding some Wink of Stella for sparkle.  I mounted the focal image straight to the card base.  Just a lovely Spring/Summer image.

Please join us at Penny's this week, we would love to have you.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge - Weather Conditions

Hello and Happy Valentine's Day!  I wish you a day filled with love and good chocolate :)

A new challenge starts today at Cardz 4 Galz and the theme for this round is Weather Conditions.  I had to give this theme some thought.  I didn't want to create anything with a winter theme (most of us are over Winter!) and I don't have any stamp sets specifically for weather conditions then it came to me.....a Summer Beach Day with the weather being clear, hot and breezy!

Mr. Alligator is chillin' in his hammock, enjoying the sea breezes and a gorgeous, clear, sunny day!  This card measures a standard A2 and all images are Cricut cuts.  I've added some faux pearls and gold Stickles for accents and called it complete.  Are you dreaming of that summer day?  It will soon be here!

Please join us at Cardz 4 Galz and please remember to visit the new challenge blog The Paper Funday Challenges and try your luck at winning.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Christmas in July - Gnome Style

Hello Everyone!  It's been so hot here in Florida this summer....I know...it's Florida but it's been unusually hot and rainy which raises the humidity to unbearable levels.  What better way to stay cool is to head to the craft room and create for Christmas.

I usually create, on average, 35 Christmas cards every year and this year I anticipate needing 50 cards (I participate in card swaps also) so this is my first official Christmas Card of the 2018 Holiday Season:

This card was Pinterest Inspired; a Round Stepper Card.  There are several examples and tutorials on how to create your round stepper and it's very easy.

The base was inked with Distress Oxide Inks, the die cut scalloped mats were cut from colored cardstock I had in my stash and the Gnomes were colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  They are just so cute and I'm very pleased with the card.

Please stay tuned for more Christmas cards and creations throughout the coming months leading up to the holidays.  I have to remember Thanksgiving and Halloween also!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

** Card entered into the following challenges:  A Snowflakes Promise #53, Crafty Sentiments, Digi Choosday #29, Die Cuttin Divas #378, Through the Craft Room Door, Cardz TV #55, Papercraft Challenges #16, Lemon Shortbread Challenge #72, The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #32, Creates and Makes #22, Sweet Stampers Challenge

It's the Little Things

Hello and Happy Monday!  Wow - time is flying by as it's already July 9th..where did May and June go?

Today I'm sharing a lovely floral card that says Summer in a big, bold way.  Sunflowers are my favorite flower; summer and fall.

I used a Bugaboo Stamps image and come dies to cut out the main panel and the sentiment.  I placed the sentiment on a die cut piece of vellum so the vase would not be completely covered up by the sentiment.  The image was colored with Spectrum Noir Markers.

A quick and fairly simple card for today to celebrate the 9th of July...no particular reason other than it's summer and sunflowers are happy!

Have a great day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Card Challenges entered:  Pammies Inky Pinkies #1827, Artistic Inspirations #204, Incy Wincy Designs, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #85, Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges, CardzTV #54