Inky Paws #4

I craft daily but post rarely. I did however hop along on the Caring Hearts Card Drive hop this morning and I've been making cards for them this past month. I almost have a medium flat rate box worth of cards for them. 

While on the hop I discovered Newton's Nook and really wanted to play in their latest challenge because I love their stamps and this adorable free digi was perfect for making a card for the drive. This card is for the Newton's Nook Designs Inky Paws challenge #4 sketch challenge.

Seize the Birthday Anything Goes Celebration!

I wanted to create a really special and fun birthday card for my cousin. It was a perfect card for the Seize the Birthday challenge because this week you can do anything birthday. My cousin loves dogs and purple. Also my whole family loves cards with Lawn Fawn critters so I went with Critters at the Dog Park and a few accents from other sets such as Hats Off to You and Sunny Skies. The sentiment is a Paper Smooches set and the paper is a combo of Lawn Fawn Bright Side and Basic Grey Fact or Fiction.

What I Do Even though I Rarely Post

I mostly make cards for Operation Write Home. It's really helped me use up a lot of my stash while giving my cards purpose. I could never use all my stash if I just made cards for me. 

Here's some non-Halloween cards with Halloween paper. I have the summer off and last Wednesday I got together with my mom and sister and crafted together and that's some of what I was working on. 

Here's some cards to use up the massive amounts of flowers and some of the flair I've collected over time.

I've also been trying to make a few pages from photos that I've had printed and I always strive to make cards from the scraps.

I've also been running lately though the heat is putting a big damper on that and I'm working on scanning a lot of my family old photos in so we have digital backups.

Jingle Belles Cardstock Christmas

I'm beginning to work on some Christmas cards for Operation Write Home and I decided to join in the Jingle Belles challenge this week. The challenge is Cardstock Christmas which is basically use no pattern paper. So I got out some cardstock and used my Impression Obsession background stamp to add a little interest and then used this very large chipboard embellishment from TPC Studios. 

Let's Get Trendy Now!3 Day 4 Stitching

Amy Tsuruta, whose blog I've followed for years, is hosting a fun class/project called Let's Get Trendy Now! 3. It features 5 days of inspiration and a challenge for each day. All challenges are open until June 30th and I'm going to try to catch up and do them all. Next up for me is Day 4 Stitching. I used some Bo Bunny papers and Lawn Fawn stamps to create this card. I did some simple stitching around the circle chipboard. I'm usually the faux stitching type but I was making this card especially for my cousin and I know she will appreciate the extra details. They are offering a prize for each challenge as well. For the stitching challenge the prize is an awesome stamp set from Fresh Squeezed Stamps. I own many of their sets and am definitely a fan of their quality stamps and fun quirky sets. I encourage you to check out the website for inspiration and to join in! I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog's Anything Goes challenge.

Let's Get Trendy Now! 3 Day 1 Neon

Amy Tsuruta, whose blog I've followed for years, is hosting a fun class/project called Let's Get Trendy Now! 3. It features 5 days of inspiration and a challenge for each day. All challenges are open until June 30th and I'm going to try to catch up and do them all. Next up for me is Day 1 Neon. I've been hoarding this Amy Tangerine Sketch Book paper for a long time but I had to cut into it because it was the only neon supply I could think of. I love bright colors but neon is usually a little too bright for me. I didn't want to cover the paper too much because I think it's awesome the way it is. I would definitely just hang that sheet up as art work if I had the space. They are offering a prize for each challenge as well. For the neon challenge the prize is some buttons from My Clever Creations. I encourage you to check out the website for inspiration and to join in! I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog's Anything Goes challenge.

Let's Get Trendy Now!3 Day 4 Handmade Embellishments

Amy Tsuruta, whose blog I've followed for years, is hosting a fun class/project called Let's Get Trendy Now! 3. It features 5 days of inspiration and a challenge for each day. All challenges are open until June 30th and I'm going to try to catch up and do them all. Next up for me is Day 4 Handmade Embellishments. I created this flower embellishment by painting raw chipboard and adding strips of ribbon to fill the negative space. I have lots of ribbon and raw chipboard but don't always use it so it's good to give it some new life. They are offering a prize for each challenge as well. For the handmade embellishment challenge to prize is a paper pack from GCD Studios. I encourage you to check out the website for inspiration and to join in! I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog's Anything Goes Challenge.

Let's Get Trendy Now!3 Day 5 Textured Layers

Amy Tsuruta, whose blog I've followed for years, is hosting a fun class/project called Let's Get Trendy Now! 3. It features 5 days of inspiration and a challenge for each day. All challenges are open until June 30th and I'm going to try to catch up and do them all. Next up for me is Day 5: Textured Layers. I used the Avocado Arts Sweet Treats Sweetie set. I added texture by embossing the chipboard with distress embossing powder, adding some sewn ribbon, and putting glossy accents on the sentiment heart. They are offering a prize for each challenge as well. For the textured layers challenge the prize is some fabulous Zva bling. I encourage you to check out the website for inspiration and to join in! I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog's Anything Goes Challenge.

Let's Get Trendy Now!3 Day 2 Sequins

Amy Tsuruta, whose blog I've followed for years, is hosting a fun class/project called Let's Get Trendy Now! 3. It features 5 days of inspiration and a challenge for each day. All challenges are open until June 30th and I'm going to try to catch up and do them all. First up for me is Day 2: Sequins. I made a flag embellishment with sequins for this very glittery 4th of July card. Unfortunately this card didn't photograph as well as I'd like, but I know my sister is going to love it. They are offering a prize for each challenge as well. For the sequins challenge to prize is a stamp set from Jane's Doodles. I encourage you to check out the website for inspiration and to join in! I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog's Anything Goes challenge.

Simon Says Stamp Take a Picture Challenge

The latest challenge at the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog is to use a film/picture theme. My card features Glitz paper and the Mama Elephant We Click stamp set. Simon Says Stamp is as always offering a generous prize so check it out.

Squeeze A Palooza #8

Fresh Squeezed Stamps is once again hosting Squeeze a Palooza. This time the theme is summer so I used summery colors and images. I created my cards with Happy Hexagons and some Pink Paislee paper. Check out Squeeze a Palooza because there are multiple chance to win and Fresh Squeezed Stamps are top notch quality. I own several sets and use them regularly. 

Anything But a Card Challenge 20

It's time for a new challenge at Anything But a Card. Challenge 20 is "Dust Off Your OLD Supplies". For this challenge we are having a bit of a a spring cleaning theme. Go "Dust off your older supplies" for this challenge - and make something... ANYTHING GOES! Use up those paper scraps, break out tools that haven't seen the light of day, finish up one of those U.F.O's {unfinished objects}... or how about those hoarded stickers - we all have a stash. The theme is open so the possibilities are endless.... just remember create anything except a card... this is going to be FUN!!! This is some super old paper and some old gel pens mixed with a re-purposed candy box to create a gift box.

Squeeze A Palooza 7 and Simon Says Anything Goes

Fresh Squeezed Stamps' Squeeze a Palooza is back and this month the theme is spring. I used Soda-lighted and some older Basic Grey Hello Luscious supplies. This is my third entry. I loved the soda bottle vase pic shared as inspiration. There's at least two chances to win but the more people who play along the more chances to win so check it out. I'm also linking this up to the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.

Squeeze A Palooza 7 and Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes

Fresh Squeezed Stamps' Squeeze a Palooza is back and this month the theme is spring. I used The Sweet Life and some older Basic Grey Hello Luscious supplies. This is my second entry. I was already playing with the bees and I just adore them so much so another card was born. There's at least two chances to win but the more people who play along the more chances to win so check it out. I'm also linking this up to the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.

Squeeze a Palooza 7

Fresh Squeezed Stamps' Squeeze a Palooza is back and this month the theme is spring. I combined Weather Through with The Sweet Life to create the little scene. There's at least two chances to win but the more people who play along the more chances to win so check it out.

Anything But a Card Challenge 18

It's time for a new challenge at Anything But a Card. Challenge 18 is to make an ATC. I've never made an ATC before but I understand it's supposed to be a small standalone piece of artwork. So I decided to make a little scene with some Lawn Fawn stamps. This set is Critters in the Forest.

Anything But a Card 17

 Hello! It's time for a new challenge at Anything But a Card. Challenge 17 brings "APRIL SHOWERS". For this challenge April Showers - create anything with a WATER theme including mermaids, beaches, seas, the color of seas/oceans, thunderstorms, rainbows, streams, rivers, ponds, snow, spring showers, umbrella, fountains, waterfalls. I went a little unconventional with a layout about a water park adventure from our family trip to Florida. Can't wait to see so other fabulous projects.

Some Boy Cards

I've been focusing on using up stash and creating some cards for Operation Write Home. Here is a pile of masculine (for little boys) cards I made over my spring break. There's mostly Echo Park stickers and Cosmo Cricket paper and some Avocado Arts stamps. You can clearly see some birthday cards so I'm linking this up at the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog. Happy 4th birthday to the challenge site!

Anything But a Card 16

Hello!  I'm here to share the latest Anything But a Card challenge. For Challenge 16 we are asking for something inspired! This means create something inspired by someone you admire....can be anyone -and doesn't have to be art related. This may mean a collage of quotes or you could do something inspired by Tim Holtz- techniques. Today I'm sharing a LO inspired by Jana Eubank. I love to use sketches to start my scrapbook pages even though they don't always stick that close to the sketch. I love Jana Eubank's sketches and am inspired by her interpretations. Here's a link to her blog and her sketch blog. Below you can see some of the quick cards I created with my layout scraps.