Flutter By Wednesday #103

Time for another Flutter By Wednesday! This week the challenge is to use blue, green and white along with a butterfly, fairy or angel in your creation! Please only submit NEW creations for this challenge. Also, visit the Flutter By Wednesday Blog for details about linking your creation. You need to link directly to your creation (not just your blog) and we are using a new linking system this week. No worries, though - you'll find everything you need at the blog! Got questions, just ask me - I'd be more than happy to help!

Ok for my card I used the Pure Innocence digi called Swing & Butterfly. It's such a cute image!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this color scheme. I seem to always use pink and it was such a nice change to not use it - and the results are so worth it! The paper is from Scenic Route. I used Card pattern Sketch 57 for my card and am submitting it for their challenge this week. Not sure if you can tell but I paper pieced her dress so that it would match the paper perfectly.

This is my first time using any Pure Innocence images and I'm POSITIVE it won't be my last - they are so darn cute! I wasn't sure I could match the greens very well with my Copics. Guess that means I need to buy some more - think hubby would go with that logic?

I hope you'll play along with our challenge this week! We've had a fantastic turnout with participation each week and all of us on the DT enjoy looking at all the wonderful creations. Don't forget to stop by the DT's blogs and see what they did this week as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm going to be busy today trying to finish Easter goodies for my preschool class and Abby's Kindergarten class. The weather is supposed to be in the 80's with some sun so that will definitely help! Yesterday I opened the windows in the house - amazing what fresh air can do. I had one of my most productive days in a LONG time!

Emboss It - CSAYL Challenge #45

Happy Friday to you! The Christmas Stampin All Year Long challenge is to create a Christmas card and have some Embossing on it. I decided to use one of my Cuttlebug Embossing Folders for a quick holiday card.

The reindeer is from a retired TAC Set. For the sentiment I just punched out a circle from pattern paper. I'm not totally pleased with this card - and I have to tell you I had such different hopes for my card this week. BUT for whatever reason (lack of time, headache, life, family, etc.) I didn't get to start this as early as I'd hope. The embossing does add a little "wow" to the card though.

Be sure to stop by the CSAYL blog to see the other creations. While you are there why not play along and link your creation! We'd love to see it!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a fabulous weekend - I'm going to prioritize some projects and HOPEFULLY get LOTS accomplished! First thing though the headache needs to go away and I need to get some creative juices going...I'm just not feeling it these last few days!

Somebunny Special

Welcome to another Softpencil Thursday! Today I'm using the digital image FLOWERS FOR YOU and the challenge was to use RIBBON and BOWS as well. Well that's EASY - I seem to use ribbon and bows A LOT and the image is one of my favorites!!

I know - how ca-ute is that!! Perfect spring card, if I do say so! I colored the image using pencils and OMS. I wanted to give the flowers some dimension so I printed a second image and cut the flowers out after coloring them and adding a little glitter using my Stardust Clear Gelly pen.

The sentiment is from the I Love Easter stamp set from TAC and goes PERFECTLY with the image! This is one of my favorite cards - it makes me so happy!! Now to figure out which somebunny special is going to receive it :)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges as well:

Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C29 (Spring card)

Digital Tuesday - Challenge #51 Spring card & Digital Image

Friday Sketchers - Sketch #94

You can head on over to the Softpencil Blog to see all the latest happenings and to find out how to purchase your FLOWERS FOR YOU image! I hope you also stop by the other DT blogs (links on sidebar) to see what they've created this week!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful Thursday and will join me tomorrow for another CSAYL challenge!

Flutter By Wednesday Challenge #102

Sorry for the lack of post this week. Guess everything is catching up to me from "taking some time off" during Spring Break. At least you know I'll have a post today, tomorrow and Friday as those are my DT responsibilities :)

For today we have an OPEN challenge here at FBW - that means ANYTHING goes as long as you have a BUTTERFLY, FAIRY or ANGEL!

For my card, I used a technique that my Angel Mama, Heather showed me. It's called the Scored Window Panes Technique. You can see a video of the technique on her blog.

It's a fun technique using my Scor-Pal. Man, I use that thing ALL THE TIME! The stamp sets are Butterfly Bits and Edge Designs. I used Orangerie & Landscape Palette Pads. My cardstock is from Miss Moxie - such fun, happy colors! Just what I needed after a weekend snow storm! Luckily the last two days have been beautiful -60's and 70's with plenty of sunshine so all that snow is GONE and I'm praying it stays gone!

I hope you'll find some time to join us this week! Just visit the Flutter By Wednesday blog to link your creation. Did you know that Danni shares participants links throughout the week on the FBW blog as well? There is always awesome inspiration to be seen over there so please stop by! Better yet, become a follower so you won't miss out on anything! I hope you'll find some time to visit the other DT's blogs to see their fabulous creations as well! Speaking of the DT, I'd like to take a moment and welcome Brandi to the team - she's been a guest designer but is now joining us permanently! So glad to have you Brandi!

Thanks for stopping by! Would love to hear what you think of my card so feel free to leave me a comment while you are here. Remember tomorrow is Softpencil Thursday so I'll see you then!

Christmas Inspiration Challenge #44

Happy Friday to you! Thank you for stopping by my blog today - I'm so glad you did! The challenge for the CSAYL (Christmas Stampin' All Year Long) blog is one that's going to make you think folks...First there is an inspiration photo (you can see it HERE). From that photo we'd like you to create a card using the following guidelines: LEAVE WHITE SPACE, USE THE COLORS FROM THE PHOTO, and HAVE A BIRD ON IT. Whew - told you we were going to make you work. SERIOUSLY though, when I read the challenge I was like "WHAT?!?!"... but then I sat down and TOTALLY LOVED WHAT I CAME UP WITH!!! This is one of the many reasons why I LOVE challenges - I would NEVER have tried this otherwise!

My card base is ivory and I used one double sided pattern paper and some cardstock for this card. The sketch is from stamping 411 and the image is a retired set from The Angel Company. I colored the bird using pencils and OMS. To set off the center panel a bit I pierced holes all around it.

I didn't use any ribbon, buttons, or bling and you know what - that's OKAY! It's a sweet card and this is one I wouldn't have to worry about extra postage :o) Plus it doesn't take a lot of paper which means it will be easy to mass produce - yeah for that!!

So are you up for the challenge this week? I hope so! Link your creation to the CSAYL blog using Mr. Linky and who knows maybe your creation will be chosen as "top pick" entitling you to a be a guest DT one week!! How fun would that be?!?!

I hope you have a great weekend. Yesterday was AWESOME weather - sunny and 60's. I even did a little cleaning in my flower beds. Today is supposed to be much of the same. The weekend though is calling for snow and a high in the 30's! Abby is supposed to have her first soccer match of the season but not sure the weather is going to allow that one to happen. We'll see. Here's hoping you have great weather where you are at so that you may enjoy it and your weekend!!

Labyrinth of Love

Welcome to another Softpencil Thursday! Today the DT was asked to use Labyrinth of Love for our creation. Now I have to admit, when I saw this image I felt a little overwhelmed. It's such a BEAUTIFUL image and I wanted to do it justice. I hope you like what I came up with!

I wanted to use bold beautiful colors for the image. I kept debating on markers or pencils. Finally decided the markers gave it a little more umph. I picked BasicGrey Indian Summer for the paper - which is where I got my colors for the image. After coloring the image I added pearls to it as well. I punched the image out using my Giga Scalloped Circle Punch. The sentiment is from The Angel Company and is available as a Hostess C set.

Many times I see wonderful sketches on blogs that I don't always have time to use. I usually copy them and print out sheets to put in a notebook for use later. This sketch came from Verve's Spring Fling - love that it was perfect for the circles.

I have to tell you my hubby LOVED this card! I'm so used to doing cutesy that it's hard for me to change that up. It was fun though and I am pleased with the results. What do you think?

I'm anxious to see what the other design team members did with Labyrinth of Love this week. Be sure to stop by their blogs - links are in the sidebar! Visit the Softpencil Blog to see how you can get this image (along with many others) for yourself!

I leave you with a picture from the St. Patrick's Day parade. It was pretty cold out - there was wind, a little drizzle and no sun. But as you can tell Abby didn't mind at all...

I think all the free candy, shirts and beads helped with that, lol! Thanks for stopping by! Join me tomorrow for another Christmas card Friday!!

St. Patty's Challenge for Flutter By Wednesday

Blimey - it's St. Patty's Day today! How are you celebrating?? At Flutter By Wednesday we're celebrating PMS style! That's right, this week the fab Katie from Paper Makeup & Stamps is sponsoring us!! So what do you think the challenge is? ummm are you still trying to figure it out? YEP it's to create a card using a BUTTERFLY, FAIRY or ANGEL and include shamrocks &/or green!! AND want to know something else - THERE IS A FABULOUS PRIZE this week as well!! WooHoo!! Now that's something to celebrate...

For my card I used Chelly with Lucky Clover from PMS - she's PERFECT for today's challenge!!

I used cardpatterns sketch 55 for my card. I was going to make a monochromatic card but was having too much trouble finding pattern greens in my stash & scraps. SO I went with this color combo thinking it never hurts to have a little pink :) I added some shamrock rhinestones that I picked up for a little bling. Of course, Chelly's wing have to be sparkly as well.

Isn't she adorable? So love how this turned out. I used Copics for skin and hair (oh and the boots) and pencils and OMS for the rest.

Bet you want to play along now right? I mean who wouldn't? Last week we had 130 participants - holy moly that's AWESOME!!! So many beautiful creations - I love seeing all the awesome talent out there!! Please visit the Flutter By Wednesday Blog to link your creation and to find out about the fabulous prize!! Don't forget to check out what my fabulous DT sisters have done...they are so freakin' talented!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Tomorrow is Softpencil Thursday. Today Abby and I are going to attend the St. Patty's parade here for the first time. It's supposed to be rather chilly so not sure how long we'll stay. But I'm going to take some pics. Yesterday we went bowling and I took pics - even got a few of me in them. I'll share those in the next few days as well!! Now if I could just get all my obligations done so I could start scrapbooking again - that would be great! I'm READY! :o)

TAC Blog Hop - Easter Theme

Good evening and welcome to The Angel Company Blog Hop sponsored by Paper Wings. As a demonstrator for TAC, I signed up to showcase Easter projects on my blog tonight. Other Angels did as well and you can see a link to their blogs at the end of the post.

First up I made a little gift set using Catelynne Paper.

I really like how this turned out. For the card I used ICSketches #57 for the layout. Really like how it turned out. Below is a close up of that cute little bunny from Cuddly Critters.


I used my Aquacolor crayons and Niji water brush to color him in...he really looks furry to me. You can't tell from the photo but I also rubbed white shimmer chalk all over him to soften the coloring a little and give him a little sparkle!

Next up is my Easter basket. I used the tutorial from Splitcoaststampers. It's such a cute little basket and it has quite a bit of room to hold some chocolate goodies.


For this one I used The Joy of Easter stamp set for the sentiment and the chick. I colored him using Copics, cut him out and adhered him with a pop dot. For the buttons I used Brown Scrapper's Floss. I used one large piece to thread the buttons and wrap it around the pattern paper securing it to the back of the paper.

I had made this treat box a few weeks ago. Again I used a tutorial from Splitcoaststampers ( 2-5-7-10 Box) to make it. I stamped Floral Vines (a retired set) with VersaMark for the background. The image is from the Cuddly Critters set - I'm telling you those bunnies are so darn cute!!


For this bunny I used my pencils and OMS.

I hope you've enjoyed my projects! I'd love to hear what you think of them! Now please visit these Angels blogs for even more EASTER inspiration!

Rita W.

Teresa

Maria

Seleise

Angela K.

Kim S.

Rita K.

Shirley

Maria M.

Chelsea

Betty G.

Suzanne

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Christmas Challenge #43 - Out of the box

Yippee it's Friday - this means the weekend is almost here AND it's time for another Christmas creation! Today the challenge at CSAYL is OUT OF THE BOX - create a card that is NOT a square or rectangle. I decided to make a circle card - I don't know why I've been fighting trying this...it was much easier than I could imagine!

I used my circle cutter from Creative Memories. You could really use anything depending on the size you wanted. I have a Coluzzle that would have probably worked as well. Anyway, I just folded my 8.5x11 sheet of green cardstock in half, lined up my circle template, making sure that I left an area for the fold, and cut. Easy peasy! I'd like to know what people do to have scallop circle cards though - my Spellbinder dies aren't as big as I'd like my card to be.

By using my Creative Memories circle cutter I then could cut papers that fit easily (I just used a different color blade with the same template). For my image I used an angel from a retired set by The Angel Company called Fall & Winter Whimsy. The sentiment is from the Label Lingo set (also from TAC) which is available as a Level D set. I colored the image with pencils and OMS on ivory cardstock. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how it turned out!

I wanted to add some umph to the card and saw that the challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C27) was Paper Piercing. It worked PERFECTLY with my card. I used a Bazzill stitch template to make the swirl patterns. I also pierced around the image. SO WHATCHA THINK?

I hope you will give this challenge a try! If you do, just visit the CSAYL blog and link your creation using Mr. Linky. The DT members vote on the creations and the top winner(s) are then asked to be a guest DT. So whatcha waiting for..COME ON AND PLAY!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I hope you have a fantastic weekend! I'll be back on Sunday night for a special blog hop - with an EASTER theme. Hope you'll stop by!!

Hello Michu!

Before I introduce Michu, his friends & a paper boat, I want to take a moment and tell you about the St. Patty's party over on the Softpencil PCP Group. Join us for some FUN, FUN, FUN! You can read all the details HERE but hurry as the deadline is Monday, March 15th at 11:59 EST.

Ok for today our challenge was to use the digital image Michu, his friends & a paper boat as well as include EMBOSSING!

I found this WONDERFUL sketch at The Sweet Stop (you can see it HERE) that I knew I wanted to use. In order for the sketch to work with my image, I flipped it. My embossing is the green strip - used my swiss dots embossing folder. I colored the image using my Copics (hair and skin) and my pencils and OMS. I paper pieced the paper boat using some scrap red polka dot paper.

Isn't it an adorable image? Do you want Michu, his friends & a paper boat for yourself? Then check out the Softpencil Blog for details on how you can get one!

Thanks for stopping by today! Join me tomorrow for another Christmas creation. Tomorrow also starts Spring Break for us here in Kansas. We don't have anything special really planned but Abby is looking forward to no school and staying up late :o) This usually means that I don't get much accomplished either - that's perfectly fine though. My baby is growing too fast and I'm looking forward to the one on one time with her. I'm hoping the weather is nice so we can do some outdoor activities!!

FBW 100th Challenge!!! Woo - Hoo!!!

That's right today we celebrate 100 challenges on the Flutter By Wednesday Blog!!

I am so happy for Danni - she's such a wonderful leader and friend to me not to mention such an inspiration! I am so thankful that she started this challenge blog and that she asked me to be a part of it! To celebrate Danni's 100th challenge we (meaning the design team) have a little surprise for her. See this week the challenge is an OPEN one - which means you can do anything as long as you include a butterfly, fairy or angel on it. The challenges originally started with us using only butterflies. So that's what we are using this week. PLUS our fellow DT member, Karen, found these wonderful butterfly boxes from Brenda so we all are making one of those as well. It's our way of saying THANK YOU DANNI and CONGRATS ON 100 CHALLENGES!!!

There is a large and small template to make a butterfly box. I went with the large one. My box is pretty plain but I wanted the focus to be on the butterfly :o) Here is a close up of the box:

Want to make your own butterfly box? You can find the template HERE. I made a matching card for my box. After making it I realized that IT needed to have a butterfly on it (DUH, this is a FLUTTER BY CHALLENGE, LOL)

Isn't that butterfly cool? I found those at Archiver's. They are made with felt and came in many different colors and sizes...they are FAB!

So whatcha think? Don't you think Danni's going to love her little surprise? Thank you to Karen for finding these boxes and to Brenda for posting the template. I'm sure I'll be using them again!

I can't wait to see what the other DT members did with their boxes - have I mentioned how creative this group is? I hope you decide to play along this week - remember it's an OPEN challenge (just need to have a butterfly, fairy or angel on it). Go to the FBW blog HERE and link your creation using Mr. Linky!

Thanks for stopping by - I'll see you tomorrow Softpencil Thursday!

Gift Set Challenge #1

Am I the only one that's glad it's Friday? Bring on the weekend!! It's supposed to be nice weather and I get to spend some time with some friends cropping all day Saturday - WooHoo!!

Welcome to the first Gift Set Challenge from CSAYL. If you are new visiting me, on Friday's I will showcase a Christmas Creation - the first Friday of the month will be a Gift Set and the other Fridays will be Christmas Cards. I was excited and nervous to join the Gift Set team - I've always wanted to try making these items but seem to never do it. I thought if I joined then I'd HAVE to do it. I wanted to do these sets for gifts or to sell but either way to have for the holiday season.

Today we were challenged to make a Card Purse and matching card. You can find the instructions for the Card Purse HERE.

I used Imaginisce paper and rub-ons for my gift set. Adorable penguins, huh? I just LOVE them!! The sentiment is from a $1 stamp set. After making the one card, I realized that I wouldn't give this with only one card in it. So I made 3 more cards. Here's the whole set below:

In the purse are the envelopes for the cards. The ribbon behind the penguin panel is some twill I found - it actually has Merry Christmas stamped on it. It was too large for my cards but it was the perfect color. So I just used the parts in between the sentiments. I then put the ribbon pieces with the sentiment (that I didn't use) into my ribbon jar to use on another project at another time.

So whatcha think? Not bad for my first gift set, huh? :) Stop by the CSAYL blog to see what the other DT members came up with. AND remember it's never to early to start working on the Holiday season!! Maybe you'll decide to join us...

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Meet Lilly

Welcome to my first post for the Softpencil Design Team. Today I'd like for you to meet Lilly!

Isn't she cute? She is so fun to color with Copic Markers. For those of you new to Copics, sometimes the images are so small it can be frustrating trying to color them. I have to tell you this one is SUPER for practicing your blending and coloring Copic skills with. Realize that Lilly is a DIGI image so technically you can make her as big or as small as you'd like - always nice to have a choice depending on what project you are trying to create.

I used some scrap paper I had in one of my bins (thinking it's K&Co.) and paired it off with some DCWV cardstock. I wanted Lilly to take center stage so not a lot of room for embellishments on this one.

On my sidebar you'll find the rest of the DT members - go check their blog to see what they came up with using Lilly. You can purchase Lilly and many other cute digi's from Softpencil - just visit Elizabeth's blog for details!

Thanks for the get well wishes yesterday. They seemed to help as I'm feeling better. I'm not sure what was going on. At least now I just feel run down and have a headache. Much better than where I was two days ago!! Thank you for stopping by - see you tomorrow for another Christmas creation...this time it's a gift set!!

Flutter By Challenge #99 - Inspiration Photo

Well usually I like to have my post up bright and early but I either have food poisoning or a very bad case of the stomach flu. Either way, it's not a pretty site and I'm feeling awful!! I know so many of us have been sick this winter season and I'm no exception. I hate talking about things like that but I wanted YOU to know why I haven't been responding to emails, commenting on blogs or basically being my chipper self. I'm feeling 50% better than I did yesterday and believe me that is saying something!!

For our challenge this week we are to use the inspiration photo below to create our card. Remember you'll need to make sure there is a fairy, butterfly or angel on the card as well.


Isn't it such a fun photo? I noticed the wings, the glitter and the colors in the photo and decided to incorporate those in my creation.


I used JUST DREAM by The Angel Company for my image and colored her with my pencils and OMS. The colorful paper is some of my favorite from KI Memories. I also am submitting this card for the following challenges:

Paper Sundaes - Sketch

Pixie Dust - Birthday

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her wings. I coated them with a thick layer of Crystal Stickles and so love the glimmer/shine on them. Here is a close up view

So whatcha think? I can't wait to see how you perceive the photo. You know we've had a TON of participants in our challenges each week which is AWESOME!! Thank you to everyone who plays along. If you aren't playing along, I hope you'll decide to join us this week! Remember just visit the Flutter By Wednesday Blog and link your creation there using Mr. Linky!

I'm sure I've forgotten something - forgive me if I have. I know our wonderful DT will have some amazing creations so be sure to visit their blogs as well. Their links are on my sidebar. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Easter Cards & Treats

Come join me out at the Shabbi Shack on Tuesday, March 9th for our Easter Cards and Treat Class. We'll be using the new Making Memories Flutter line as well as stamps, diecuts and embellishments to make 4 egg-straspecial projects! Space is limited so call Shannon at 271-1995 or Bobbi at 224-7996 or you can email at theshabbishack@yahoo.com to register!

Hope to see you there!

What a weekend!

Well I'm taking a break from sharing a card to share some pictures instead. I mentioned in a previous post that I wanted to take more photos as time is just passing me by! This last weekend I had lots of opportunities for pictures...here are a few of my favorites:

First up is Abby sporting her clown nose..yes, folks the circus was in town and we just had to go. My parents and sister joined us so it was a whole FAMILY affair!


Abby with the clowns...LOVE that smile!!


I always have trouble getting pictures of my sister. She either won't get in front of the camera or they come out blurry. FINALLY I got a good one...


It was hubby's birthday so after the circus we celebrated with some cake. Abby picked it out. She said Daddy would like it because it was K-State but Grandma and Papa probably wouldn't eat any since it wasn't Jayhawks! Too funny - oh and the parents did eat some :o)

Last week I said I thought I'd start by taking some photos at Abby's Daisy meeting...well I did it. Here are the girls creating cards for CARDS FOR KIDS. They had a great time!

Well there you go - a little glimpse into my life and my family. The only thing missing is ME...I always forget to pass the camera or get into the photos. That's ok though...I SO need a haircut! It's driving me crazy! So I'll take a picture when I get a new do...and hopefully that will be SOON!! Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you have a great day!