Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Basketball Anyone?

Sew Many Cards is always fortunate to have really incredible sponsors for their challengs.






Sponsors like KLM Designs!




Kathryn, the owner of KLM Designs has offered an incredible prize package of three images of winner's choice for this week's Sew Many Challenges.


I've created this card with a KLM Designs image... the basketball player from the Sporty Shorties set.








Thank you, Kathryn, for sponsoring Sew Many Challenges! You're a wonderful sport!



Image: KLM Designs Sporty Shorty Basketball Player
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip, and Orchid Opulence
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Michael's Textured Trios ribbon and brads

Monday, April 26, 2010

Let's Hit the Beach

It's time for a Squigglefly Challenge!



This week's challenge is a color challenge

Colors to use: Blue and Green





To be eligible for a prize, participants must use a Squigglefly image. (If you don't have a Squigglefly image, there are always freebies available at squigglefly.com)








If you love a bargain... and love Squigglefly images... you will be happy to know that Squigglefly is offering One a Day in May again this year. Those who sign up (before May 1) will receive a new Squigglefly image every day in May. The cost is only $30, so that's less than $1 an image. What a deal!!!





Now, on to my Blue and Green Card...


Let's Hit the Beach







Squigglefly Boogie Board Girl
Artist: Jackie Mathews



Image: Squigglefly Boogie Board Girls
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Sampin' UP! Gable Green and Tempting Turquoise
Other Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishment: Michael's Basic Basic striped ribbon

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Got Coffee


I am so fortunate to be part of the Sew Many Cards design team. It is one of the most incredible experiences I've had. Sew Many Cards has some of the most adorable images and I get to regularly use them. (I love it!!!)


I also have an opportunity to encourage others to use the Sew Many Cards images and to participate in Sew Many Challenges each week. (I love it!!! BTW... have you played along yet this week? The theme is Anything Goes. How easy peasy! Be sure to go to the Sew Many Challenges blog and check out the details.)




As a Sew Many Cards design team member, I also get to enjoy images from the companies that sponsor Sew Many Cards each month. I'm continually finding wonderful companies to enjoy.



The Cutting Cafe is one of the sponsors for April.






Regina Easter, the owner of The Cutting Cafe' offered a generous prize package to a lucky recipient.

Sponsor Blurb:

Hello my name is Regina Easter. I have 4 wonderful children and an awesome supportive husband. I have for as long as I can remember loved all the aspects of creating things with paper and drawing. So it was only fitting that I decided to open up The Cutting Cafe and I am loving every bit of this new venture. The Cutting Cafe offers affordable Printable Stamps and Cutting Files. The Cutting Files which are basically just like templates are files that you Print out using your home printer, Cut, Assemble and then Embellish.....Very Easy.....The Cutting Files also come in the format where you can cut out the files using some of the latest Machine Cutters like the Pazzles Inspiration, Bosskut Gazelle and Cricut (with Scal software). The Printable Stamps are just that, images that are sent to you through email that you print out using your home printer. After the images are printed out, you can just color them in like you would any other stamped imaged...One great thing about the Printable Stamps and Cutting Files is that you no longer have to worry about finding space to store all of your stamps....You can keep them all in a folder in your computer and use over and over again.
Regina also generously gave me the Got Coffee image set so I could showcase some of her images. It is an amazing set with lots and lots of options for any coffee-loving paper craft. Check it out here.


Here's the card I created:





Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go fix myself a cup of coffee.


Hugs!



Images and Sentiment: The Cutting Cafe Got Coffee
Ink: Stampin' UP! Creamy Caramel ink pad and Rose Red marker
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, and Rose Red
Designer Paper: frommy scrap file
Embellishments: JoAnn Craft Essentials mini heart brads and Offray organdy ribbon

April Showers Bring May Flowers

April Showers Bring May Flowers
is the theme of this week's



April 25- May 1








featuring Bugaboo Rainy Day Bear

This week's challenge theme is a fun one... there are so many cute stamps, designer papers, etc, that are suitable for a spring rain/flower creation. Why not join the fun? Create a card (or other paper-crafting project) and post a link on the Crafty Ho Challenge Blog.
And don't forget to carry an umbrella when you're out and about. It looks like rain!
Image: Bugaboo Rainy Day Bear
Sentiment: Penny Black
Ink: Copic markers and Versachalk ink
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Ballet Blue, Marigold Morning, and Riding Hood Red
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishments: paper flowers, satin ribbon, and a brad

KLM Birthday

Every Birthday Needs a Little Cake!

And this one is calorie-free!!!









Image: KLM Designs Cupcake Wishes Circle Sentiment
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Orchid Opulence and Pretty in Pink
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! taffeta ribbon, Stickles (Cotton Candy, Diamond, and Grape), Eyelet Outlet cupcake brad, and Recollections tiny brads

Thursday, April 22, 2010

SMC Challenge - Anything Goes






It's time for another Sew Many Cards Challenge!







April 23 - 29



ANYTHING GOES

Just have fun!








The Sponsor for this week's challenge is KLM Designs








KLM DESIGNS -- KATHRYN & SUE -- OWNERS




Sponsor Prize Package:
Three digital images of winners choice from the KLM Designs Store







Sponsor Blurb:


KLM Digi Stamps (KLM Designs) was started by a Mother & Daughter team. Kathryn (owner of KLM Digi Stamps) and Sue (Company’s artist) started designing digital stamps for their own creations. After much response & excitement to their designs they formed KLM Digi Stamps.


KLM carry’s a large selection of designs from clowns, which are the company’s signature design to digital sentiments. All images are delivered ZIP format. Each image file contains JPEG and PNG format files. Images can be resized, reversed and altered to your likings.






Here's the card I created:








The small blue section of the card opens to reveal the inside, perfect for writing a small note to someone special.







Please participate in this fun ANYTHING GOES Challenge at Sew Many Challenges!







Image: Sew Many Cards Duncan the Duckling in Umbrella
Ink: Copic markers (Pale Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Pale Aqua, Pale Grayish Blue, Light Crockery Blue, Pale Olive, Dark Brown, and Flesh Pink), Prisma markers (Magenta and Mulberry) and Copic Spica pen (light blue)
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, and Pretty in Pink
Designer Paper: Mark Cella (by K & Co.)
Embellishments: American Crafts ribbon (Glitter Umbrellas), Recollections rhinestones, and K & Co. layered butterfly

Another Treasure Hunt Creation



I went on a Treasure Hunt (went on a treasure hunt)

At Yard Sales in town.

I went on a Treasure Hunt

Looked all around!


I went on a Treasure Hunt (went on a treasure hunt)

Looked up and down.

I went on a Treasure Hunt

This is what I found.




Pebble Mat (18 X 36")
Cost: $1.00





Stipple Brush
(included in a bundle with fabric, lace, etc.)
Cost for total bundle: 10 cents



This is the third week of my personal yard sale challenge. As you recall, I look for something (a treasure) to use in creating a card. It can be anything.


Here's the card I created with my most recent treasures...







The sentiment "Down in the Dumps" is found inside the card.













I wondered how difficult it would be to cut the pebble mat, but found it to be quite simple. I used my older paper cutter (I didn't want to mess up my fairly new one) and ran the blade back and forth about 3-4 times. It made a nice clean cut.



I wanted a strong hold, so I used the most amazing glue ever...





I also added four brads, one in each corner, for decorative purposes. The glue was holding fine even without the brads.






It was fun creating this Treasure Hunt Creation.

Tomorrow the hunt will begin again!




Image: Judith H36 Bear and H132 Sentiment
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip, and Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip and So Saffron
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! brads and Lemax Enchanted Forest Pebble Mat

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Squgglefly Rewind

Some of the Squigglefly design team members are showcasing some of the oldie (but goodie) images still available at Squigglefly. I'm delighted to be part of this group! Each of us picked out one or two of our favorite images that we thought you might like.



This is such a fun image. I think it would make a really cute card for a boy. Other possible uses are on Scrapbook pages and altered items (such as picture frames, gift bags, candy toppers, etc).
Be sure to click on the Squigglefly Design Team blog links in my righthand sidebar to see what the others are featuring for Squigglefly Rewind.
Image: Squigglefly Bouncing Ball Bear
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Tempting Turquoise, and White
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishment: brown grosgrain ribbon

Monday, April 19, 2010

♥ Huckleberry ♥


Sew Many Cards is proud to have Sunshine's Stamps as the sponsor for this week's Sew Many Challenge.



Christina (Sunshine) and Rob, the owners of Sunshine Stamps are generously giving the winner of the challenge three images of the winner's choice from the Sunshine's Stamp Store.




SPONSOR BLURB

Sunshine’s Stamps is the brainchild of Christina {Sunshine} and Rob. Angus Argus was launched into the paper crafting world on June 27th, 2009 and the rest as they say is history! We have a wide variety of stamps in our inventory - all of which are hand drawn by either Sunshine or Rob.

We love to “sunshine” masculine vehicles and give them personality. We also have our signature image - Sunny Bunny - who will continue to be altered to celebrate all holidays and occasions. If you have a suggestion for a Sunny Bunny send us an e-mail and we will happily consider it! Whether it’s a card for your husband, boyfriend, man-cub or daughter, wife etc. we have an image that will suit your crafting needs! Our images are constantly evolving and are unique in the paper crafting world. We are very pleased to say that we respond to customer suggestion on images and sentiments. If you have an idea for an image or sentiment that you cannot find elsewhere on the web let us know. We will respond to all suggestions and let you know if it's "doable".

Finally,be sure to hop to our blog to check out our wonderful design team "Sunshine's Dream Team" blogs! We are so very proud of our gals! They are all rock stars and continue to create amazing cards and projects to showcase our imagesand to inspire you all to create!!


I personally want to thank Sunshine Stamps for giving me the Huckleberry image with which to create today's blog post.

Huckleberry is the cutest bunny! Look at that sweet face. Who wouldn't fall in love with this guy???



I had some fun designer paper filled with various-colored hearts. I thought it coordinated well with the Huckleberry image, so chose to use it as the background. I doodled lines around the perimeter of this paper with my Copic Spica pens. I also cut out a Stampin' UP! Orchid Opulence heart and embellished it with dots and squiggly lines, using Stickles. I added a punched border, some fun ribbon, and Huckleberry, who I carefully cut out after coloring him.

What a fun project!


Image: Sunshine Stamps Huckleberry
Ink: Copic markers (Cool Gray #4, Cool Gray #7, Floral White, Light Prawn, Prawn, and Sardonyx), Prisma markers (Light Tan and Sand), and Copic Spica pens (blue, green, and pink)
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Gable Green, Orchid Opulence, Pixie Pink, and Tempting Turquoise
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stickles and ribbon FX grograin ribbon

Happy Birthday Kim


Please Note: I have two blog posts today







Pink Birthday Card

April 29-25


In celebration of her birthday, Kim has challenged participants to make birthday cards in her favorite color (pink).

My Card








I hope you'll join me in this week's challenge.
♪♪♫♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM! ♪♫♪♪



Image: Squigglefly Birthday Gifter
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Gina K White and Stampin' UP! Tempting Turquoise
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: brads

Featuring The Greeting Farm

The FOREST FARMERS are in a contest over at The Greeting Farms. This is Week 4 of the competition and we are delighted to still be in the running for a wonderful prize package. Carol has created this week's entry, a cute candy wrapper.




We NEED your vote!

Please go to this link and leave a comment.


(You will need to log in at TGF to leave a comment. Registering is FREE and very simple!)


Your comment = Your Vote!


THANK YOU!!!



If you aren't familiar with The Greeting Farm stamps, I think you will want to check them out. Here are just four of the stamps that I have used in some creations over the past few months.








Image: TGF WS Charlotte

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Buckaroo Blue, Creamy Caramel, and Not Quite Navy

Designer Paper: Stampin' UP!

Embellishments: lace, brads, and Liston Barrotado grosgrain ribbon








Image: TGF Mer Ian

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Certainly Celery, Night of Navy, and Pacific Point

Designer Paper: from my scrap file

Embellsihments: Ribbon and Dew Drops




Image: TGF Prince Ian
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Barely Banana and Forest Foliage
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! grosgrain ribbon and a button




Image: TGF Toby Cub
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black and Close to Cocoa
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Dew Drops

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sketch Challenge

Today is the day for a new Crafty Ho Challenge!


This week's challenge is a SKETCH Challenge.

For my card I used the KLM Designs Fall Sunflowers image.





I love bright colors and sunflowers, too. Can you tell?


To make perfectly spaced paper piercing holes centered along the right-hand side of my card, I used my handy Tim Holtz Design Ruler. I love this tool!


I hope you'll play along with this week's Crafty Ho Challenge!


Image: SKM Fall Sunflowers
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Garden Green and Summer Sun
Designer Papers: green speckled from my scrap file, Bo Bunny Press (yellow plaid) and Paper Studio (yellow flowers)
Embellishments: a silk flower, a glitter brad, and ribbonFX ribbon

Friday, April 16, 2010

I ♥ My Teddy

I don't know who to credit with this saying, but I've heard it said that Teddy Bears are lucky creatures. Everybody loves them, nobody cares if they are fat, and their value often increases with age.

I know it must be true, just look at this sweet image...




Beary Big Hugs

Belles and Whistles



I created this card for Chris's Teddy Bear Card Swap. The sentiment inside simply says "Hugs!"


Image: Belles and Whistles Beary Big Hugs
Sentiment: Hero Arts
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Regal Rose, Rose Red, and Soft Suede
Designer Paper: Paper Studios Love Dotted Diagonal, Love Flowers, and Love Stripes
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! White Grosgrain Ribbon

Thursday, April 15, 2010

SMC Challenge - Mother's Day with a Sketch


This is an exciting day for Sew Many Cards! It is the first challenge presented by the brand new Sew Many Cards Design Team. As many of you know, I served on the team that has just completed its term. It has been a wonderful experience! AND I am delighted - thrilled!!! - to be serving on the new team, too! Thank you, Angela and Jeri, for giving me this amazing opportunity!




April 16-22


The sponsor for this week's challenge is:





CHRISTINA "SUNSHINE" and ROB -- OWNERS


SPONSOR PRIZE PACKAGE -- 3 IMAGES OF WINNERS CHOICE FROM SUNSHINE'S STAMP STORE




SPONSOR BLURB --
Sunshine’s Stamps is the brainchild of Christina {Sunshine} and Rob. Angus Argus was launched into the paper crafting world on June 27th, 2009 and the rest as they say is history! We have a wide variety of stamps in our inventory - all of which are hand drawn by either Sunshine or Rob.

We love to “sunshine” masculine vehicles and give them personality. We also have our signature image - Sunny Bunny - who will continue to be altered to celebrate all holidays and occasions. If you have a suggestion for a Sunny Bunny send us an e-mail and we will happily consider it! Whether it’s a card for your husband, boyfriend, man-cub or daughter, wife etc. we have an image that will suit your crafting needs! Our images are constantly evolving and are unique in the paper crafting world. We are very pleased to say that we respond to customer suggestion on images and sentiments. If you have an idea for an image or sentiment that you cannot find elsewhere on the web let us know. We will respond to all suggestions and let you know if its "doable".

Finally,be sure to hop to our blog to check out our wonderful design team "Sunshine's Dream Team" blogs! We are so very proud of our gals! They are all rock stars and continue to create amazing cards and projects to showcase our imagesand to inspire you all to create!!


Sew Many Cards is honored to have such an incredible sponsor! Thank you Sunshine and Rob!



This week's challenge is a Sketch challenge with a Mother's Day theme!


Participants are asked to create a Mother's Day card using this sketch:



For my card, I used the Sew Many Cards Bear Chef image.


Bear Chef reminds me of my own mother, who is a master pie maker, with her specialty being CHERRY PIE!





I know you are going to want to go to the Sew Many Challenge blog to see what the other design team members have created. While you're there, check out all the details and create a card to play along in this week's challenge. I'll be waiting to see what you create!



Image: Sew Many Cards Bear Chef colored with Copic markers (Prawn, Light Prawn, Barely Beige, Cool Gray #1, #2, and #4, Lime Green and Wax Green) and Prisma markers (Light Tan and Sand)
Sentiment: Timeless Images
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Certainly Celery and Riding Hood Red
Designer Paper: AGC Inc (green swirls) and DCWV Cherry Blossoms
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Red Gingham ribbon, Fruit Punch Stickles, a cherry brad, and three red brads

Treasure Hunting, Week #2

Last week I began my annual Yard Sale weekends. As you may recall, I challenged myself to find something each week to use in card-making. Here's a link to that post, in case you missed it.


The weather was PERFECT this past weekend for my treasure hunting! I also noticed there were a lot more people at the yard sales this week. Woo Hoo for Spring!




Here are the things I found for card-making:





A Brand New (unused) Bath and Beauty Kit with a variety of beauty aids

Price: $1


I see lots of crafting potential in this find - sponges, scrubbies, etc. (for texturing) plus ribbon bows and even zipper pulls for embellishments.





A package of 3 Book Covers

Price: 5 cents



The most challenging part of this week's creation was deciding what beauty aid to use. LOL!


Here's the card I created:




You probably remember this image. It was in my Save File. I had colored it for a KLM post a few weeks ago, but then went with a different idea. So here it is in its new place of honor. It's the KLM Designs Tall Tea Set image.


The red paper is softly swirled. It is a piece of one of the book covers. The blue striped paper is the back side of the same paper. How cool is that?!?!?!? Double-sided designer paper!


Lest you think the green paper is also designer paper, let me show you the tool I used to create it...


Yes, I used this marvelous new paper-crafting gem! It was part of that marvelous Bath and Beauty Kit that I got at the yard sale. I simple pressed it onto my VersaMark ink pad and then added the textured design to Stampin' UP! Old Olive cardstock. Voila!


The gold bow found on my card is also from the Bath and Beauty Kit. It was tied to the arm of the hand-held brush.




It's been fun, challenging myself to create with found treasures!

Tomorrow is another Yard Sale Day. Wish me luck as I search for something to enhance my card-making for next week's Yard Sale Treasure blog post!


Image: KLM Designs Tall Tea Set
Ink: Copic markers and VersaMark ink pad
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Old Olive and Riding Hood Red
Designer Paper (tee hee): The Mead Company Book Covers
Embellishment: gold ribbon

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Birthday Packages Bring Great Delight

I don't know if you remember, but I am celebrating my half-birthday this month as part of a Birthday Club hosted by Barb on SCS. I showed you a card I made with items from my first gift package last week. Here's the link if you missed it.

Since then, I've received more birthday packages, so today I have four creations to share with you.

Card Made with Kathleen's Birthday Goodies



Items used from the Kathleen's gift package include:

Stampin' UP! Manhattan Flower Textured Expressions
Masterpiece Studios Brads
Ribbon

Other items used include: Stampin' UP! cardstock (Garden Green and Pink Pirouette) and additional papers from my scrap file.



Card Made with Linda's Birthday Goodies



Items used from Linda's gift package include:

Bild malarna Mimosa Cupcake stamp

Ruby Red Liquid Pearls

Dark Choclate Scent My Cards (smells yummy)



Other items used include: Copic markers, Copic spica pen, Stampin' UP! cardstock (Close to Cocoa and Real Red), additional papers from my scrap file, and Michael's Classic Traditions Satin Ribbon.



Card Made with Loretta's Birthday Goodies



Items used from Loretta's gift package include:
Labels Ten Nestabilities
Silver wrapper and logo insert from a Hershey Kiss
Other items used include: Copic markers, Stampin' UP! cardstock (Kiwi Kiss and So Saffron), and Studio 18 rhinestones.

Card Made with Kelly's Birthday Goodies




Items used from Kelly's gift package include:
Bild malarna Mimosa-hart Flower stamp
Making Memories beaded flower
JoAnn Craft Essentials fabric flower
Martha Stewart Daisy Lace border punch

Other items used include: Copic markers, Copic Spica pens, Stampin' UP! cardstock (Certainly Celery and Lavendar Lace), DCWV Once Upon a Time mat stack paper (which Kelly gifted me many months ago)

Thank you Kathleen, Linda, Loretta, and Kelly! My half-birthday has been such fun, thanks to you!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Time for Tea



Petite Leaf Teapot




I have been enjoying a cup of hot tea regularly these past few months, so was delighted to received this KLM Designs digital image. I used it to create a classic notecard, but this image would also be perfect for an invitation to tea, for a tag on a gift of tea items, for a scrapbook page of friends sharing a cup of tea or coffee together, and so much more.

Be sure and check out the KLM Designs store. KLM proudly sells both digital images and photopolymer stamps.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go fix myself a cup of tea.


Image: KLM Designs Petite Leaf Teapot
Ink: Copic markers and gold gel pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Metallic Gold, Purely Pomegranate, and So Saffron
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishment: grosgrain ribbon tied in a perfect bow using a Bow Easy tool