Awareness Anya

Happy Birthday Danni 

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FBW's Blog Hop

Please scroll down or click HERE

 

 

 

Finally, a few extra minutes to make a card for a couple of my favorite challenge blogs! I've been thinking that I've neglected Awareness Anya from TGF far too long and thought it was time that her and I got a little bit inky.

 

The Kraft Journal: #136 CAS

Through the Craftroom Door: 9/3 - 9/9 Anything goes

Paper Playtime: 3 different papers 

TGF: GVT Tic Tac Toe...I used a MFT button die, patterned paper, and glitter

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, your comments always brighten my day.

:Dxx

Anya Blooms

I'm not usually one to jump on the bandwagon and say "I have to HAVE this image," but as soon as I saw Anya Blooms was released I was placing my order with TGF and waiting for her to arrive in the mail...isn't she adorable?!!

 

DP is Teresa Collins: Every Day Moments

Kraft, TH Rosette Die, buttons, Viva Paper Pen, twine, and rhinestones were used to finish this card. 

 

 

Challenges:

Anyone for Anya: Daisy Inspiration - Photo
The Kraft Journal: Folds or Shapes
Yumi & Fumi: #11 Kim's Sketch #2
Paper Playtime: #5 Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by, hope everyone has a great Friday!

:Dxx

FBW #229 Layers Challenge

Flutter By Wednesday is all about LAYERS this week!!!! 3 or more layers is what you need, not counting the base of your card.....oh, and don't forget to have a butterfly or fairy on your project.

 

DP: Paper Studio, Kraft

Copics, Twine, Roses, Viva Decor Paper Pearl Pen, Diamond Dust, punches

 

 

I don't normally ooh and aah when I make a card, but I just couldn't help myself because these are just the sweetest fairies! I've loved them ever since the  Fairy Princess Clear Stamp Set from The Greeting Farm first came out, and always enjoy coloring and making a card with them.  I also used Jen Shults' DS90 for the sketch.

 

I'm extra giddy because I got to use a new chevron background stamp from Just Rite Stamps, along with a new round sentiment stamp from Whimsy Stamps...both were from a Valentine's swap and were from Wendy...LOVE THEM!!!

 

Feel free to link your project to Flutter By Wednesday HERE...and just wait until you see the wonderful cards my fellow teamies came up with, always inspirational!!!!

 

Challenges:

TGF: FFF-Flowers

Paper Playtime:  #4 Use a Sentiment Stamp

The Kraft Journal: Use Any Sketch

Deconstructed Jen: DS90

 

Happy Wednesday!

:Dxx 

Nativity Candy Wrappers

For some reason I've created numerous reasons for myself to craft this holiday season...I think it's because I decided a couple of months ago that I've spent my fair share of money on crafting supplies and I should use them more often.  That could be one of the reasons, but it could also be that I just like to create?!!

I needed a quick and inexpensive gift for a  handful of 7th graders who come to the house every Wednesday for CCD class, and as this week's class was the last one until after the new year I needed to make it pronto.   I grabbed some large sized Hershey Bars ($1.50 ea at Target) and my Cricut Inspired Heart cartridge and this is what I came up with:

 

 

I think the candy wrappers look plain in the pictures, but when you see them they shimmer and shine perfectly as glitter paper and Spica glitter pens were used in all the right places.

I used the Inspired Heart cartridge for the nativity silhouette and it's shadow, both were cut at 3.5".  Both sentiments were stamped using  Heartfelt Creations Wisemen Pre-cut set, and the star stamp is over 15 years old. Ribbon and raffia were added. I wanted these to look nice but didn't want to put too much time into making them because I knew the kids would really just want the chocolate...like a 13 year old would say no to chocolate?!!

I'm entering this post in the Anything Goes Challenge that's going on at The Kraft Journal.

Thanks for taking the time to stop, read, and leave a comment....it's nice to be among friends.
:Dxx

Baking Snowman Tag

Do you have a favorite time of day? Mine is in the morning after the kiddos go to school and I can sit back and enjoy a cuppa while taking a few minutes to think about my day and make my lists. I love my lists...just ask my family! This morning I decided to take a few minutes to combine a couple challenges, I only wish I had time to join more challenges but my lists seem to keep me overly busy!

With Christmas comes homemade goodies and how fun to add a handmade tag to go along with a couple of loaves of fresh baked breads or a tray of cookies...I also think this would be cute to use with a Hot Cocoa mix too! After paper piecing the apron, I used Copics to color this Baking Snowman image from Dilly Beans.  I then added some mesh bling, a stamped sentiment, and tied it all together with some tulle and twine.

 

 

Stamps

Dilly Beans: Baking Snowman
Bo Bunny: What you got cookin?
Stampabilities: Polka Dot Background

Challenges:
Dilly Beans: Anything Girl
The Kraft Journal: Bangles and Bows

Thanks for stopping by and leaving all of the comments that you do....just like home baked treats your comments are sweet and always appreciated.
:Dxx

Rainbow Anya

I have to admit that it's been a tad bit crazy around my house lately and I haven't had the chance to join many challenges just for the sake of joining a challenge....but how lucky for me that today I was able to make one card for a couple of my favorite challenge blogs.

 

 

 

Any One for Anya: Umbrella Inspiration

 

TGF: Double Take Tuesday Sketch by Aeryn
 

Challenges:
Any One for Anya: Umbrella Inspiration
Yumi & Fumi Handmade: No patterned paper
The Kraft Journal: Ink it Up
TGF: Double Take Tuesday Sketch

Stamps:
TGF: Miss Anya Rain Snow Shine
Inkadinkadoo Kid Quotes

Thanks for stopping by and leaving all of the sweet comments, they really are a bright spot in my day.

Wicked Wednesday is Back to School

Please scroll down for this week's Flutter By Wednesday Challenge:
Decorate the Inside

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Seems like everyone is going back to school, including Wicked Wednesday! Our generous sponsor for the week is Back to Paper who let us use this adorable Hit the Books image for this week's challenge which is, BACK TO SCHOOL.


I'm still using up all the ITT's (inchie, twinchie, trinchies) from previous swaps and the the little star inchie is from one of the many swaps I have been in. I added a few rub-ons and a torn-out piece of notepad paper to reinforce the school theme.


But if you know me....you know I keep thinking I want to multi-purpose these ATC's, so I thought I would make a little notepad to keep in my purse. I cut the covers out of chipboard and the inside papers are from old, nubby, unstampable cardstock. All corners were rounded with my corner chomper (which might possibily be one of the best tools (besides my Vagabond) I own.) Then I bound it all with my handy dandy Bind-it-All!

Looks like a few other challenge blogs have a Back to School theme going on too, lucky me!
The Kraft Journal: Back to School
My Sheri Crafts: #92 Back to School

Hope you've been inspired to join us at Wicked Wednesday this week, you have until 7:00 pm next Tuesday evening to upload your mini creations!
:Dxx

Anya Cool

I was finally able to find a few crafty minutes, which of late hasn't been too easy. On top of trying to find a little crafting time our cable, internet, and phones have had sporadic service and I never know if one or all three are going to be working when I go to use them...ho hum!

Anya, her clothes, sunglasses, ice-cream cones, and sentiment are all from TGF's Dress-up Anya/Ian...which are retired sets but I was able to buy at one of TGF's Farmer's Market, such a deal! All the DP's are left over scraps which I love to use up...but end up never having enough DP for the inside of the card, lOL!



Challenges:
TGF: Dies and/or Punches
Anyone For Anya: Last Summer Fling
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
Totally Paper Crafts: #127 Orange and Yellow
Deconstructed Jen: Sketch 62
The Kraft Journal: Use Any Sketch
Sherri's Crafts: #90 Nat'l Ice Cream Month

Thanks for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments, they all put a smile on my face.
:Dxx

4, 3, 2, 1....

4 Challenges combined into
3 Cards, made in
2 days for
1 Blog

This isn't something I like to do...putting so many different challenges in one post but if I don't do this today, I'm going to run out of time by the end of the week to get all of these posted. Also, our internet/cable/phones have been wonky from a storm this morning and there are more storms expected over the next couple of days, so let's just get this started....

The Kraft Journal and Here Come the Boys:

Awww, I just love this lion image but have to be honest and tell you I'm not sure who it is by as it's one of my sister's stamps. The animal print buttons and background stamps are from OTC...they are a few of those things that when you buy them you just know that they are going to come in handy one day, LOL. The Kraft Journal's challenge is Make me Smile and Here Come the Boys challenge #32 is to make a Jungle Themed card....put them together for Wild for your Smile.




Dilly Beans:

This next card is for the Orange and Pink challenge over at Dilly Beans. You might be looking at this saying "where's the orange and pink?"....look at the image, it's there! After coloring the image on white paper I colored the background with various pink Copics and striped it with flourescent orange. When I originally finished making this card it didn't have the blue bird on it and it was pretty plain looking, so I went looking through my charms to find a bird but couldn't find one. Then I remembered I had some bird cuts from a swap I had made a few years ago...OMG, this swallow couldn't have been a better fit. Inside the card is sentiment from a stamp I found at the Goosebarn, it reads: LET YOUR DREAMS FIND WINGS...how perfect is that?!


The Greeting Farm:


My third and LAST card uses Cheeky Beach for TGF's FFF Summer challenge, the Cheeky Cherry girls are some of my fav's to color. This is my second attempt at coloring images with very light lines (I used Momento Angel Pink ink) and as you can tell, I still have a looooooooong way to go to master this technique. It's a gorgeous watercolor look when it's done correctly! There are lot's of tutorials on the no-line coloring technique, this tute is from SCS....hope you give it a try.

Whew, finally done! I know it's been a long post and I really do appreciate how you've read through it all...or maybe you took a little siesta and just left a comment?! LOL, either way, thanks for stopping by....hope you have a great day.
:Dxx

Wedding Sparkle

The minute my sister-in-law Carol saw the wedding card I made last week she asked if I would make her a card also, but requested it to completely different as it was going to be for the same wedding couple.


This is the part of my story that I love....the wedding bell image is from a rubber stamp Carol had given to me a few years back, which had been her mother's stamp before she passed several years ago. I can't wait to see the look on Carol's face when she recognizes the image. The entire image was stamped, colored, glittered, and embossed....it is totally blinged out!


My new love is double sided paper, especially when finishing the inside of a card...it just makes everything go together quicker. The sentiment is CG.


Challenges:
The Kraft Journal: Weddings and Anniversaries
Dilly Beans: Sparkle and Shine

It's always fun to sit and chat, thanks for listening!
:Dxx

Yet Another Graduation Card

One of my co-workers is graduating from college this weekend and I thought this image was a perfect match for her...adorable and sassy! She's going to need that sassy attitude with her new MBA in sports journalism, along with some thick skin to compete in a predominately male field. Kudos to her!

I made this into a 3 1/2 x 7 card, just the right size to hold a couple of bills and/or check. Both sentiments were CG.

Stamp:
Sassy Studios: Chelseas Graduation

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp: Diamond Jubilee, Crowns, and Gems!
The Kraft Journal: Graduation Celebration

Thanks for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments, they always make a girl feel good!
:Dxx

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

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

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

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

Pretty in Blue

Have you ever made a card and wondered to yourself why it was so easy to put together when there are other times that you struggle for hours?! This went together in no time and I'm thinking it's all because of this gorgeous DP by DCWV called Mimosa, matching the papers couldn't have been easier. I love all the bird and butterfly images throughout the pad and decided to use DP as the main image instead of stamping and coloring one....only because my mother is a bird fanatic and this is perfect for her upcoming birthday, besides...why would I want to hide this gorgeous image behind all the layering that I do?!!


I used Jen Shults' DS No. 47...what a wonderful sketch and her DT is truely AWESOME! I used TH distress inks on all the edges, fussy cut some butterflies, used a Spellbinders Mega-Oval die, a SU Vintage Flower adornment, Kraft paper, lots of blue, and a stamped birthday sentiment...whew!!


Challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch: No. 47
Simon Says Stamp: April Showers Bring Spring Flowers
Kraft Journal - April Showers Bring May Flowers
Flutter By Wednesdays: #198-Birthday
The Stamping Boutique: #33-Distress

Thanks for stopping by, I love chatting and visiting with friends...old and new!
:Dxx

SPRING Banner

Here's a banner I made to celebrate SPRING...light, bright, and pastel-ly-ish!

I started by using my Sizzix Banner Pendant dies, both the Plain and Scallop sets with white cardstock and kraft paper. Then I sewed the DP onto each pennant using a zig-zag stitch.

I love the siloutte shapes on A Childs Year cartridge and decided to put one on each end, along with the little girl holding a basket in the center...all were cut at 5 inches. I shadowed all 3 images and popped them. I cut each flower three times and used Kraft paper for the final layer for a makeshift shadow as the ICON images on the ACY cart doesn't have a shadow feature. I cut the duck three times and popped each layer, then added a googly eye.


The word SPRING was cut using the Feeling Groovy cartridge and I used my all-time favorite feature on most cartridges...the shadow feature, lol! I then ran all the letters through my Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folders.

The butterflies are from two different MS punches and I used Viva Pearl Pens to add the pearl dots on the inside of each butterfly.


After adding a couple sequined flower embellishments onto the flowers, I ran tulle and a string of pink pearls through the holes I punched at the corner of each pendant and tied a loose knot in the tulle at each end of the banner. I think the Tulle adds softness to the banner and is perfect for hanging it too!


Here's the entire banner:


It just dawned on me that I didn't use any ink on this project...I seriously think that this is a first for me!

Challenges:
My Kraft Journal: Celebrate Spring or Easter
Paper Playtime: #71 April Showers

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit and/or leave a comment...both are appreciated and brighten my day!
:Dxx

Cowgirl Motto

YeeHaw...I was able to use quite a few of my older supplies with this card! Like a 99cent CB Horseshoe die, the DP from 5+ years ago, the alpha stickers, the bandana paper...even Cheecky Shooter could be considered "retro"!

I tried really hard to make the alpha stickers stand out because I love that they look like rope, but in this picture you can't really tell...you can see them much better in person.

Challenges:
The Kraft Journal - Western Flair
TGF: Monday Fun Day - #26 Anything Goes

Stamp:
TGF: Cheeky Shooter

Thanks for stopping by, it's always fun to sit and visit!
:Dxx

Fairy Princess Card w/ Tag

It seems I've picked up extra days at work the past couple of weeks and haven't been able to get to my craft area as much as I've wanted, so my thought was to combine a few challenges with my limited time. Lucky for me, there were a couple of duplicate theme's making it pretty easy to accomplish this week....not to mention that making tags is probably one of my favorite projects to do.

I used the gorgeous MME Bella Bella DP and found a sheet in the stack with a filigree around the outer edges of the paper, so I just fussy cut it and used it in place of the rick-rack on the 365 Days sketch. There was a tad bit left, so I added it to the corner of the tag. I used the clear stamp set Fairy Princess from TGF for all the sentiments, mushroom, and fairies...such a cute and versatile set! A couple of different punches were used, along with lace, Viva Decor Pearl Pens, twine, Copics, and stickers. Stickers?! Yes, the buttons are stickers...I put glossy accents over them to give them some dimension.



I love the little details!


Stamps:
TGF: Fairy Princess

Challenges:
The Kraft Journal: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp: Let's Play Bingo - Pearls/Lace/Tag
Flutter by Wednesday: #195 - Anything Goes
TGF: Monday Fun Day #25 - Circles and Scallops
365 Days: Day 21 - You're Included (1 sticker, 1 patterned paper, ink)
365 Days: Day 18 - Super Sketchy Sunday



As always...thanks for stopping by, it's so much fun to visit!
:Dxx