Dimensional birthday - C4G #251

Time again for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  Our them is "floral frenzy"!  

Here's my card... It's actually my daughter in law's birthday card. :)

The flowers on my background are Altenew Sweet Spring Stencil.  I splashed some watercolor on the panel.  I then cut out the letters for "happy" and layered them over some fun foam for dimension.  The pic below shows what it looks like IRL better.  "birthday" is from Penny Black Your Day that I trimmed the "happy" off of.  

Please come play along with us and show off your floral stamps or dies or papers!

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

You are in my thoughts & prayers - C4G #250

It's time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  Our theme is "things with wings - real or fantasy" for this challenge.  Here are my winged things... ;)

I started with a piece of paper from my "leftovers" (random sheets from paper pads) and inked the edge with black ink.  I heat embossed my sentiment from Creative Worship (formerly Sweet n Sassy Stamps) Heartfelt Thoughts.  My butterflies are Sizzix Thinlits TH Detailed Butterflies.  

We'd love to have you come play along with us at Cardz 4 Galz! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

A tulip bouquet - C4G #249

 It is time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  For this challenge, our theme is "flowers."   That's a very easy theme!  I don't create many cards that don't have at least a small flower. :) 

Here are my flowers...

I have made few trips to Joann to see what deals are to be had as they are closing, and these tulips are one of my finds.  It's Hero Arts Layering Tulip Bouquet Stencil.  (Now the matching stamp and die set are on my wish list!)  I ink blended with TH Distress Oxide Inks.  The panels are cut out with Stitched Scalloped Rectangles, and my sentiment is Creative Worship Stamps (formerly Sweet n Sassy Stamps) Script Sentiments. 

Grab your flower stamps or dies or embellishments and come play along with us at Cardz 4 Galz! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Fill your stocking - SCC #172

 A new month and a new challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenge!  Our theme is "Christmas stocking."  

Here is my stocking...

I realized that I don't have a stocking die or stamps, so I hand cut this one.  My paper is Carta Bella A Wonderful Christmas.  I put a piece of vellum behind the stocking so it would stand out better against the plaid.  My sentiment is Hero Arts Merry Stamp & Cut.  A couple of branches from a MS punch and a few adhesive dots finished it off.  

We'd love to have you come play along with us at Sparkles Christmas Challenge!

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Art deco happy birthday - C4G #248

 Happy Thursday to you!  It's time for our new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  Our theme for this challenge is "Art Deco."  

Here's my card...

I was wondering how/what to make for this theme when I remembered that I had Poppystamps Art Deco Birthday Greetings stamp set.  I started by making the BG using Paper Rose Abstract Trees stencil as a stamp with VersaMark and gold embossing powder.  I heat embossed the sentiment is gold and added a strip of gold behind the top and bottom.  I put a layer of foam behind it for some dimension.  I liked it, but it didn't necessarily look like it was for a gal, so I added Cheapo Dies Clover Flourish die cut in gold.  

Challenges:
Word Power Apr 2025 - sentiment as focus
Allsorts Challenge #821 - stencils. masks, or anything goes (I used a stencil as a stamp, but if that's not ok, this is anything goes)
Aud Sentiments #324 - embossing and/or flowers + a sentiment (I heat embossed my background and sentiment) 
A Cut Above: April - anything goes but must use die cut 

We'd love to have you join us for this challenge at Cardz 4 Galz! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Butterfly hello - C4G #247

 Happy Thursday to you!  It's time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  Our theme is "stripes."  Here is my card...

The striped paper is MME Breeze Fun Day Today.  My butterflies are Tim Holtz Detailed Butterflies.  The branch they are sitting on is from Sizzix TH Small Tattered Flowers.  The "hello" is Memory Box Hello Banner Script.  

We'd love to see what you create with stripes, so come play along at Cardz 4 Galz! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

A green Christmas - SCC #171

It's April 1st, and I'm not fooling! :)  

It's time for a new challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenge!  Unfortunately, I've had many green Christmases, but that's not what I'm talking about... our challenge theme this month is Christmas foliage.  (I have to admit that I had to look up to see if flowers were considered to be foliage.  Sadly, they are not.)  So we want to see your greenery. 

Here's my card...

My BG paper is a scrap that was sitting on my desk.  My wreath is made from a MS branch punch and Poppystamps Orchard Leaves cut from a variety of green papers.  The "berries" are the leftover dots from a die.  The bow is Poppystamps Grosgrain Ribbon Bos and the sentiment is Poppystamps Small Freestyle Merry Christmas. 

We hope you find time to come play along with us this month at Sparkles Christmas Challenge!  

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Minibus, Bulli, Kombi, or hippie van?

What do you call  a WV van?  They've had many nicknames over the years.  We say "Kombi" because that's what they call it in Brazil, and we saw them everywhere on our trip there a few years ago. :)   Anyway, my daughter loved them, and I found this die set and made her birthday card...  

My "Kombi" is Honey Bee Stamps Lovely Layers: Beach Bound.  It was a little fussy to make, but such a fun outcome! I inked my cardstock with TH before cutting the main part of the vehicle.  I tried to make the BG panel look like a road and sunset.  I inked blended with TH brushed corduroy, mustard seed, ripe persimmon, and barn door Distress Oxide inks.  The tree is Die-versions Four Seasons.  My sentiment is Penny Black Your Day. I cut it twice in black and glued them together then cut it is silver and adhered it slightly offset to make it pop. 

Challenges entered:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - transport it 

Shopping our Stash #543 - Think Ink (inking but no coloring) 

Seize the Birthday #301 - Anything that Flies or Anything Goes (I did Anything Goes)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Spring always comes - C4G #246

Spring is technically here, and our new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz is here!   You may have guessed that our theme is "springtime."  :)  

Our tulips have popped up through the ground but aren't in full bloom yet, so I had to color some for you...

I used Sweet n Sassy Stamps Spring Blossoms for the tulips and the sentiment... 
"No matter how long the winter, Spring is sure to follow"
I cut the panel with Spellbinders A2 Fancy Postage and inked it with TH stormy sky Distress Oxide ink before removing it from the die. I popped up a second flower and added a bow of baker's twine.   

We'd love to have you come play along with us at Cardz 4 Galz! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Happy Mother's Day - C4G #245

It is time for another challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  Our theme is "Mother's Day or For a Special Friend or Lady."  In the UK (where this challenge is based), Mother's Day is Sunday, March 30.  It's not until May 11 here in North America, but I've got to mail my card to Canada, so I thought I'd get a head start! ;)  

Here is my card...

This was so fun to make!  I recently got this cover plate die.  I wanted to keep the card simple but pretty, so I cut it out of white then heat embossed it with Stampendous Kaleidoscope.  It sparkles as you can see below.  My flowers are Honey Bee Stamps Darling Dahlias which I colored with my Spectrum Noir markers. (I know i used them in the last challenge, but I just got the set and really LOVE them!!) My sentiment is from Raisin Boat Marvelous Mom.
It's so pretty IRL, but it will still be easy to mail.  :)  

I know you have a special lady in your life, so whether it be your mother or sister or friend or mentor or coworker, please make a card to show them your love, and be sure to share it with us at Cardz 4 Galz! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

A merry little Christmas - SCC #170

Happy 1st day of March!  A new month and a new challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  Our theme is Christmas Critters.  Here's my "critter"!

This reindeer is a digital stamp that's been in my stash for awhile from Daydream Designs.  I colored him, but I grabbed the wrong marker so he's much darker than planned. :/  The panel behind him is Papertrey Ink December journal card.   

This year is flying by, so come play along and create a Christmas card for your stash. :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Big blossom birthday - C4G #244

 Hi!  It's time for another challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  Our theme is "embellishments," so embellish to your heart's content!  Add as much or as little as you like. :)  

Here's my card...  I was running out of time to get this made it, so my embellies are minimal. :( 

My embellishments are baker's twine, adhesive pearls, and die cuts.  

I started by inking the base through Carta Bella Blooms stencil. Then I dry embossed it with Darice Cherry Blossom EF.  It tore a little at the corners, so I cut a piece of cardstock the same size and inked the edges to match and adhered the embossed panel.  I wrapped baker's twine around it.  My flower is Honey Bee Stamps Darling Dahlias.  I inked after stamping, then die cut, and added adhesive pearls to the center, as well as on some of the embossed flowers.  My sentiment is Penny Black Your Day die.  

We'd love to have you come play along at Cardz 4 Galz! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Polka dot birthday - C4G #243

 Happy Thursday to you!  It is time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!   I got to pick our theme for this challenge and it is "polka dots"!  Here's my card...

My recipe:

• Papertrey Ink Dotty Biscotti DP
• Echo Park Stitched Hexagons
• Sunny Studio Hawaiian Hibiscus layering stamps
• Poppystamps Orchard Leaves die
• KatScrappiness Stitched Fishtail Banners
• sentiment from my "extras" box
• enamel dots

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - bright & cheerful

Beautiful Blossoms #25 - Anything Floral Goes (w/ opt mood board - I just did florals)

Fab 'n' Funky #609 - include stamped image

Word Art Wednesday #685-686 - AG family friendly

We'd love to have you come play along with us at Cardz 4 Galz!  

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Christmas thank you - C4G #242

 Happy Thursday to you!  It's time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!  Our theme is "anything but square."  That means just what it says. :)  You can create a card in any other shape you'd like.  Here's my mitten...

 

I cut a Kraft top fold card with Papertrey Ink Mitten die.  I then cut a piece of Scrapbook Customs Christmas Watercolor paper with the same die and ran it through Sizzix Eileen Hall Sweater EF.  I added a Spellbinders Snowflake and a strip of crimped Kraft.  My sentiment is Clear Dollar Tabs & Tags and is cut out with a Simon Says Stamp Tiny Tag.  I cut the green with MS Branch punch, tied a bow of baker's twine, and added a few red dots.  

Think of a fun shape and come play along at Cardz 4 Galz!  

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

get well soon - C4G #241

 Welcome back to our first Cardz 4 Galz challenge of 2025!  Our theme is "use stencils."  I've always admired how I see other crafters use stencils but was never overly pleased with my cards... but I really like this one!

I used The Craft Workshop Mini Music Sheet first, then Altenew Sweet Spring over it.  My sentiment is Sweet n Sassy Script Sentiments.  A few enamel dots finished it off. 

Maybe you got some crafting goodies for Christmas, so get them out and play along with us at Cardz 4 Galz!

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

You warm my heart - SCC #168

Happy New Year to you!!  Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed 2025! 

New year, new month, and new challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  I know... Christmas was just last week!  But if you sent all your cards, you need to start working on new ones. :)   Our theme is "warm and cozy."

I embossed the front of an A2 card with Sizzix Eileen Hull Sweater.  My mitten is Papertrey Ink Mitten Die cut from Carta Bella A Wonderful Christmas.  I always cut an extra strip and crimp it for the band at the wrist.  My leaves are Poppystamps Delicate Poinsettia.  My sentiment is Technique Tuesday Hello Winter Sweater that I cut (and matted it) with Die-versions Stitched Circles. I added a double bow of baker's twine behind it.  

I hope you come play along at Sparkles Christmas Challenge! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Merry Christmas - TMS #788

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  It's time for our Annual Anything Goes challenge!  No sketch, no rules, just anything crafty that you've made.  

 

I had big plans for this challenge, but this month has been busier than expected and that didn't happen, so I'm sharing something fun and easy that I've done for our family...  

I found these adorable stockings at Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago after Christmas when everything was 75% off.  I got  enough for all our family and 4 additional for my kids' mates.  I hope to embroider the names one day but just used my Cricut and cut the names in vinyl.  Someday there might be 10 hanging, but for now, there are 8...

My 100 yr old house is fun to decorate for Christmas!!

Our kitty likes to be part of the decorations, too. :)  But he's a brat sometimes... he knocked that train car off the track. :/

Wishing you a blessed and happy CHRISTmas!! 

Be sure to go check out the final creations from the TMS DT.  We've enjoyed creating with you so much and are sorry to say good-bye to this challenge!!

Donna

Melissa

Patti
Walter

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Bridal shower - TMS #787

 Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  This is the last sketch of 2024!  But sadly, it is also our very last sketch.  After 15 years of Tuesday Morning Sketches and approximately 700 or so sketches, Melissa has decided that it is time to sunset the challenge blog.  We will still have our Annual Anything Goes challenge next week but after that, we say goodbye to Tuesday Morning Sketches.  It was a tough decision for her to let this go, but times are changing, trends are changing, and challenge blogs just aren't what they used to be.  I've enjoyed so much being a part of this team since 2012!!

It's that time of year, but I've got a cute card that is NOT Christmas...

I dry embossed a white panel with Darice Ranunculus EF, then I inked the area over flowers and leaves. Added a piece of ribbon, and my sentiment which is a rubber stamp given to me by a friend... no brand on it.  

Here's our sketch...  the very last sketch of 2024!  But is is also our very last sketch.  After 15 years of Tuesday Morning Sketches and approximately 700 or so sketches, Melissa has decided that it is time to sunset the challenge blog.  We will still have our Annual Anything Goes challenge next week but after that, we say goodbye to Tuesday Morning Sketches.  It was a tough decision to let this go, but times are changing, trends are changing, and challenge blogs just aren't what they used to be.  It's been a great ride! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT... 

Donna

Melissa

Patti
Walter

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Christmas lights - C4G #240

 Hi!  Less than 2 weeks until Christmas!!  It's time for our new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz, and you may have guessed our theme... Christmas!  Here's my final Christmas card creation of 2024...

My paper is bits and pieces from random paper packs.  My lights are Echo Park Christmas Lights dies.  My sentiment is from one of the first stamp sets I bought ever and the packaging is long gone, so I don't know who made it. :/ 

Please come over and play at Cardz 4 Galz!

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day and a very Merry CHRISTmas!!

Birthday wishes - TMS #786

 Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches and time for another fun sketch!  Here's my card...

My paper is DCWV Tahiti Beach Stack.  My sentiment is Raisin Boat You Said It!  Simple and quick! 

Here's our sketch...

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT... 

Donna

Melissa

Patti
Walter

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!