NINE!!!

That's right....I said, "NINE!"
Which means I have NINE graduation cards to make this year! Four are done....only five more to go!

For the Kraft Journal I dry embossed a few of the stars which were cut in Kraft. I also inked a CB embossing folder with black Archival Ink before dry embossing the YOU DID IT, then I quickly sprinkled and melted clear embossing powder over the ink...a double embossing whammy!

For TGF I used the digi Graduation Anya and stiched around the base of the card in black. A while back one of the Farmer's said they used white thread and colored it with their Copics to get the color they wanted and I thought....how would you do that if it's already on the card, wouldn't it make a mess?!! Hmmm, after some thought I decided to leave the thread on the spool but pulled out as much as I thought would be needed to go around the card. I then colored it with my black Copic and rewound it back onto the spool. Great idea! Now I can have all the matching thread that I want!

For Anyone For Anya I used the digi Graduation Anya and used circles in a couple of different places.

Challenges:
The Kraft Journal: Emboss & Embellish
TGF: Farm Fresh Friday - Stitching
AYA: Get a ROUND to it!

Thanks for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated!
:Dxx

Wicked Wednesday - Child's Play

We've got another fun challenge at Wicked Wednesday this week: Child's Play! This is one sweet image by our sponsor this week Dearie Dolls.....I just adore this little guy and his pogo horse. After coloring the image I pulled out the Cuttlebug A2 Combo Die Out West and used the catcus and sherrif's badge from the set to finish this fun little ATC off.


A couple of days after finishing the above ATC I remembered it was my nephew's birthday and we were going to see him over the weekend and I still needed to make a card. So I grabbed the ATC knowing how much our almost 7 year old nephew loved horses and knew this was going to perfect for him.

As I sat in the chair close to Rocco while he opened presents I can't tell you how much it warmed my heart when I saw a smile spread from side to side on his face when he opened his card.


One random winner this week will receive all 5 of the digi images that the DT used from Dearie Dolls, if you'd like to see the images you can hop over to Wicked Wednesday to see them...and while you're there, we'd love to have you join us!

:Dxx

Wicked Wednesday Mexican Folk Art Reminder

I know, I know....Mexican folk art is bright and colorful, with bold lines....so what was I thinking when I made this ATC?!! It all started with this gorgeous DP that reminded me of some Mexican art work I had seen a while back...and when combined with this Frida image from Dilly Beans...waaaalah!

All you have to do is click HERE to go to Wicked Wednesday to link up to this week's challenge that runs through Tuesday. Hope to see you there!

:Dxx

Wicked Wednesday - Mexican Folk Art

The challenge at Wicked Wednesday this week is Mexican Folk Art and not only do we have a new DT member Kim, but we've also got Sugar Skulls! All of the sugar skull images we used are from this week's sponsor Dilly Beans, and as an FYI...all the artwork is created by my fellow WW DT'er Megan Suarez. Megan adds new images frequently so if you get the chance check out her store/blog but don't be surprised if you fall in love with all of her fun and funky images.

It's always nice to have you stop by and leave such wonderful comments, and it would be extra sweet to have you join us in our Mexican Folk Art challenge this week too! All you have to do is click HERE to go to Wicked Wednesday to get all the info.

:Dxx

Mother's Day

Aaaack, I really am late in making this card for my mom for Mother's Day, but my saving grace is I'm not going to see her until Thursday and she won't have a clue as to when this was made for her. I have to say that at times like this I'm glad my mother doesn't use her computer for anything except solitaire?!!

This card went together really quick and I think it's due to the fact that I used Indie Chic double-sided DP by MME and went for a CAS look. At least I think it's CAS because that's a style I seldom attempt, probably because of my deep love for embellishments.

Stamps:
TGF: Cheeky Cherry Pie
TGF: Tea-rrific

Challenges:
TGF: May Retro - Mommy Dearest
The Kraft Journal: Remembering You
Simon Says Stamp: Clean & Simple
Anyone For Anya: May Sketch


Thanks for stopping by and leaving such sweet coments, they always make my day!
:Dxx

Wicked Wednesday A Little Bit Country Reminder

This little ATC started with a horse sticker on checkered DP and after adding a desert scenery rub-on over the horse sticker I thought it was a little too "busy," so I fussy cut (sloppily) around the images. I then inked all the edges with TH Frayed Burlap, added a Cuttlebug Die horseshoe, rope alpha stickers, and jute. Do you see the little prarie dog in the corner next to the wagon wheel...cute!!

One (1) random winner this week will receive their choice of FOUR (4) images from the Sassy Studios shop, so make sure you play along with us at Wicked Wednesday for your chance to win!

:Dxx

Berry Sweet

The sketch at Deconstructed Jen's this week was perfect for the image I had in mind for the Kraft Journal challenge and after coloring, glittering, cropping, popping and glueing...this is what I came up with. I really think the sketch compliments the image, don't you agree?!!



Challenges:
Deconstructed Jen: Sketch #52
The Kraft Journal: Thank-you

Digi Stamps:
Tiffany Doodles: Strawberry-Hearts
Scrap-i-licious Times: Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by and leaving such nice comments, you are all so Berry Sweet!
:Dxx

Wicked Wednesday - A Little Bit Country

This week is all about being A Little Bit Country and this image from Sassy Studios says it all...with just a little bit of sass!


After all of the ATC's edges were distress with TH Frayed Burlap, I attempted to apply a fairly large and older rub-on...with so-so results. I noticed that after applying the rub-on the cardstock was matted and worn looking, almost like a worn piece of leather, VIOLA!!!! I used the Sassy Cowgirl image and colored her with Copics and pop-dotted her on top of the ATC. The boots are actually a button, which I snipped off the shank with TH scissors (gotta love those scissors!)

One random winner this week will receive their choice of FOUR (4) images from the Sassy Studios shop, so make sure you play along with us at Wicked Wednesday for your chance to win!

:Dxx

TGF Monochromatic Challenge

I needed to make a quick set of notecards for a Mother's Day gift for a girl who is very green and into recycling. I couldn't have used a better stamp set than the Whoo Loves You set by TGF and doesn't this fit perfectly into this week's Farm Fresh Friday Monochromatic challenge?!!




A cute little notecard set:



The images were stamped and colored with Copics, then outlined with a brown Atyou Spica Glitter pen, the faces were paper pieced, and Kraft paper is the base to these little cards. Easy peasy and super cute!

I hope everyone is having a great Mother's Day so far! I had a wonderful breakfast at a local resturant with my oldest son and received a beautiful planter from my second son....now we're all heading to the in-laws for a wonderful lunch, because they all know we have to be home in time to catch the 2 hour finale of Desperate Housewives, lol!
:Dxx

Wicked Wednesday Totally Tropical Reminder

If only I were at the beach
in 90 degree weather
with the sun shining brightly,
an umbrella drink in one hand
and a good book in the other,
sitting under a beach umbrella
and listening to the waves....
ahhhhhhhh!

Don't forget that you have a few more days to join us in this totally fun ATC challenge at Wicked Wednesday!

:Dxx

Dancing Delight

I don't normally post twice in one day but I just have a few hours before the sketch challenge at Deconstructed Jen's closes...yep, I thought today was still Tuesday?!!

All the DP is from a sb'ing kit from My Big Ideas that's been sitting on a shelf in my craft area waiting for just the "right" project...and by golly, I think I found that perfect project! I am not a fan of coloring hair in any shade of black and started to panic as what to do with this image as I didn't think I had any option other than to use black to match the DP. As it turns out, I simply adore the way this turned out and hope I can duplicate this technique in the future.




Stamps:
Phindy's Place: Dancing Delight
Scraplicious Times: Sentiment

Deconstructing Jen: Sketch #50

As always, thanks for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments...they always make me smile!
:Dx

Wicked Wedesday Totally Tropical Challenge

This week's challenge at Wicked Wednesday is TOTALLY TROPICAL and whenever I think tropical I think about palm trees, beaches, sun, and a lot of R&R! I think this adorable Leilani image by Michelle Perkett Studio sums up our tropical theme!

After printing a picture of a pineapple for the background, I used water color pencils to fill in the white space, made a banner with the ALOHA sentiment that is included with the image, and added a pop-dotted parrot sticker.

Hope you find some crafting time and join us this week, we'd love to see your entries. And just in case you're not sure, you have until next Tuesday evening to enter your ATCs in this Totally Tropical challenge.

:Dxx

Glimmer Bean

I just couldn't help myself and had to use the fab May sketch by Kim Yu again...it is so easy to work with and has fabulous results! I broke down and bought the new Glimmer Bean by TGF...I have been wanting to color her hair for sooooooooooooo long...ever since I saw her, I mean...how cute is this girlie's hair?!! LOL!

All the DP's are scraps from a friend's house that I was cropping at this weekend. The pearls and lace are by Recollections, and the brad was in my stash. Glimmer Bean was colored with Copics and I used Atyou Spicas to outline all the different colors of her hair...she really does sparkle!

Challenges:
Anyone for Anya: Something Lacy
Kim Yu: May Sketch


Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave all the sweet comments, they always make me smile!
:Dx

Wicked Wednesday Spring Fever Reminder

I hope I'm not the only one who loves Christopher Walken and Will Farrell in their famous SNL Cowbell Skit....I'm laughing just thinking about it! When we were given the theme "spring fever" I couldn't help but think about the line..."I've got a fever, and the only cure is more cowbell." Maybe my family thought it was so funny because we have a son who is a percussionist and we've sat through more than our share of concerts while he played nothing but a cowbell, lol!

This ATC looks so simple doesn't it...but we all know looks can be deceiving! After printing the image twice, everything was fussy cut...including the sentiments. I masked everything and use my new Copic airbrush to color the background. Then I dipped a Q-tip in hand sanitizer and dotted the background....love the effect!

Don't forget, you have until 7:00 pm this coming Tuesday to join us at Wicked Wednesday for this week's Spring Fever ATC challenge and the opportunity to win 2 of these adorable images from Heather Ellis.

:Dxx

Birthday wishes with Kiyoko/Anderson Gardens

Oh my...spring cleaning, an out-of-town guest, and extra days at work have kept me busy and away from my computer for the past couple of weeks! But finally this morning I was able to sneak downstairs for a few hours to my craft area and combine a couple of my favorite challenge blogs into a card, and this is what I came up with.



The image I used is Kiyoko from Sister Stamps and colored with Copics, isn't she the cutest?! The sketch I used is by Kim Yu who started posting monthly sketch challenges on her blog at the beginning of this year, and it really is true when I tell you that each and every one of her sketches have stunning results....I always look forward to the beginning of every month to see what she comes up with. The DP is by American Crafts, along with origami paper. The Kenji words are from Hero Arts. The cherry blossoms are from I Am Roses and were left in their original creamy/white color. The Asian brad is from Recollections. Would it surprise you if I said the sparklers are heavily laddened with Atyou Spica Glitter pens?

Stamps:
Sister Stamps: Kiyoko
Hero Arts: Tiny Chinese Wishes
Hero Arts: Chinese Happiness Wish

Challenges:
The Kraft Journal: Use Any Sketch
Simon Says: Birthday Celebrations
Paper Playtime: #73 Anything Goes
Totally Paper Crafts: #114 Saturated Colors
Kim Yu: May Sketch

Remember I said I had out-of-town company for a couple of days? I took my friend to see the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford while she was here and because the weather has been unseasonably warm this spring, we were able to enjoy the early blooms!

Main building/Gift Center:


Walking along the paths/grounds:


Raked sand in front of the head landscaper's home:


Bamboo water fountain:


The beautiful waterfall:



Gorgeous gardens, right?!! As always, thanks for stopping by and leaving all the sweet comments that you do...they make me smile!
:Dxx

WW Spring Fever

A super-de-duper cute image by Heather Ellis, a couple of different DPs, alpha stickers, butterfly punch, and an inchie...that's all it took. To be honest...it took longer to make the inchie than it did anything else, lol!

You have until 7:00 pm next Tuesday evening to join us at for this week's Spring Fever challenge, hope to see you over at Wicked Wednesday!

As always, thanks for stopping by and leaving all the sweet comments...they're always appreciated.

:Dxx