Robyn's Fetish- border challenge

Today's challenge over at the Robyn's Fetish Challenge blog is to use a border punch on your card.  Head over to the blog to read more about the challenge and to view the wonderful creations created by my fellow DT members.  I would encourage you to show us your beautiful creation!

For this card, I used the new "Morris the Cat image from Robyn's Fetish.  The mice are from Mark's Finest Papers.  I used SU's Pumpkin Pie and Soft Suede paper, along with cat-themed paper by Reminisce.  I used a Fiskar's border punch and Soft Suede polka dot ribbon.  Don't those mice look like they are ready to play with Morris?

Speedy the Cat Challenge Blog

I'm excited to announce that Mark's Finest Papers is starting a challenge blog this Saturday, May 1, and I am a part of that team.  The challenge blog is:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/  We will be having a new challenge each Saturday.  One random winner who enters the challenge this Saturday will win a stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers.  If you have never visited Mark's Finest Papers, you are in for a treat.  This company was started last fall by Faith Hofrichter, aka Markie's Mom on Splitcoaststampers.  The customer service at Mark's Finest Papers is tops.  The store sells a full line of items from paper, ribbon, charms, inks, to Spellbinders dies.  The company also releases four new exclusive stamp sets a month.  Here is an example of a few of the sets.   

I hope you join us this and each Saturday for some fun and exciting challenges!

Craft Your Passion- Recipe Challenge

Today is the third challenge over at the Craft Your Passion Challenge Blog .  Today's challenge is a recipe challenge.  You are to use ribbon, two designer papers, and one flower on your card.  Head on over the blog to the blog here to read more about the challenge and to see the beautiful cards made by my fellow design team members.  I would encourage you to show us your beautiful creation!

Here is my card for the challenge.  This one was fun for me because I almost always incorporate ribbon, flowers, and designer papers into my cards.  For this card, I decided to try an easel card for the first time.  There is a tutorial at Splitcoaststampers here on how to create easel cards.  I decided to make my card a five inch square.  The "Rockette Wedding" image is from Cocodingo Digital stamps and the sentiment is from Stampin Up.  The lacey edge was made with coordinating Martha Stewart border and corner punches.  The papers used are SU Pretty in Pink, cream, and Basic Grey's Bittersweet paper pad.  I added ribbon, rhinestone flourishes, and a small floral bouquet to finish off the card.

Sleepy Dog

I made this card with an image from Cheeky Radish Designs.  This little doggie looks so peaceful.  This card is a joy fold card that has a flap that opens up under the round circle.  There is a tutorial here on Splitcoaststampers on how to create joy fold cards.  I used Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou, and dog-themed patterned papers by Cloud 9 designs.  The image was colored with Copic markers and I made flap for the card by punching out circles and added a paw brad in the middle.

Virtual Stamp Night at Splitcoaststampers

Last night was the mini virtual stamp night at Splitcoaststampers.  There were six challenges over a six-hour period.  I completed three of the cards and have until Monday 26th to finish the other three, if I choose to. 

For the first card, we were to make a joy fold card using red, bling, and something "diva-like."  I used this Ebony stamp from The Greeting Farm.  I paired her with beautiful papers from Graphic 45, Cuttlebug flourishes, half pearls, and a K & Co. satin flower.  To learn to make a joy fold card, you can go to the resources section of Splitcoaststampers.

For this challenge, we were to make a monochromatic baby card.  Boy that was challenge, because I rarely make monochromatic or baby cards.  For this card, I used a lion cub image from Meljen's Designs and a Stampin UP sentiment.  I tried to make the cub blue, but it was just too much blue with the papers, so I had to change him to yellow. 

For this challenge, we were to make a "wet" looking card.  Being the cat lover that I am, I decided to go with the cat theme.  I put glossy accents on the Stampin UP fish image to make it look like water.  The little kitty and sentiments are from Mark's Finest Papers.  This fish looks so bored, he isn't the slightest bit concerned about the cat behind him.

Robyn's Fetish- 1st Challenge

Today is the first day of challenges over at the Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog.  For today's challenge you are to use sparkle somewhere on your card.  This could be glitter, rhinestones, Stickles, or whatever you can come up with.  Visit the Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog here for further details on the challenge and to see the cards made by my fellow design team members.  I encourage you to participate in the challenge and show us your creation.  To purchase Robyn's Fetish digital images go http://stitchybearstamps.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_71.

Here is the card I made for this challenge.  This image from Robyn's Fetish is "Penelope Puppy."  For this card, I used an Accucut die to cut out the gate shaped card.  I used a Stampin Up sentiment and punch to make a "have a yappy day!" sign for the fence.  I colored Penelope with Copic markers and used a plastic template, sponge, and ink to create the clouds.  The sun was created using Spellbinders Nestabilities dies.  Although it is difficult to see in this photo, for sparkle, I used rhinestones on the sign, Stickles on the flower centers and sun, and glossy accents on the dog's nose.  I often use glossy accents on dog noses because it gives them that healthy, wet nose look that many dogs have.  Thanks for looking and I hope you join us this week and each Friday for the Robyn's Fetish challenges.

Hungry Cats

I made this card for the CAS63 Clean and Simple Challenge at Splitcoaststampers. For this card, I used the cat silhouette from the "Speedy the Cat's Friends" set by Mark's Finest Papers.  I stamped the cats in Versamark then embossed them with black embossing powder.  I recently purchased the "got fish?" ribbon for $1 a roll at  Big Lots.  Great deal!  I added a few fish brads to finish off this clean and simple card.

Craft Your Passion- Color Challenge

Today is the second challenge at the Craft Your Passion Challenge blog.  The challenge today is to make a card using purple and yellow.  Head on over the the blog here to read more about the challenge and to see the beautfiul cards made by my fellow design team members.  I would encourage you to participate and show us your beautiful creation!!

Here is the card I made for today's challenge.  The image called "Black Beauty" is a newly released image from Lauretta's Digital Stamps.  I used Copic markers to color the woman.  For her skin I used E29, E27, E25, R20, and E13, and for her hair I used E49, E47, E25.  These colors produce a darker hair and skin color.  The brilliant purple paper is Momma's Favorite Purple from Mark's Finest Papers.  I also used Crushed Curry from Stampin up and a Bo Bunny patterned paper.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to add texture to the background and finished off the card with half pearls and a layered Prima flower.

Robyn's Fetish Digi Stamps are back

I am excited to announce that Robyn's Fetish Digi Stamps are back!  They are being sold in the Stitchy Bear Stamp Store.  Robyn has decided to start her weekly challenge blog again on April 23rd.  I am back on their design team and looking foward to working with the new images.  Please join us on April 23rd for the first challenge at http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/  You can purchase the digi stamps here.

Here is a card I made with the "Franny da Kitty" image from Robyn's Fetish.  Isn't he a cute little kitty?  There are also a few other cat and dog stamps in the store.

Blue Lighthouse Inspiration

I made this card for an inspiration challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  The inspiration images are posted above.  I was drawn to the pillow with the blue shell, as it reminded of some beautiful blue paper I just purchased from Mark's Finest Papers.  The DT at Hand Stamped Sentiments are Stampin Up demonstrators. You are not required to use SU products for the challenges, but it inspires me to draw from my large collection of SU stamp sets.  For this card, I used an older retired Stampin Up set called "Lighthouse."  I paired it with Bang Up Blue and Yum Yum's Blue Eyes papers from Mark's Finest Papers, and the Winter Wonderland paper stack from K & Co.  I used Copic markers to color some of the image and I sponged the rest.  I used Spellbinders Labels 13 for the background shape and used the little tab punch from Stampin Up to make holes for the ribbon.

Rainy Day Treat Holder

I made this treat holder for a challenge over at Digi Kitty.  I used their new "Splish Splash" frog set which contains four different images.  This treat holder is a fry box that is cut with an Accucut die.  I printed the images, colored them with Copic markers, then cut them out.  How easy is that?  This could be used as a treat holder or a May Day basket.  Isn't he a sweet little frog?

Kittens for Speedy the Cat

I made this card for the silliest and cutest challenge ever!  Faith H, the owner of Mark's Finest Papers, is a prolific poster and commenter on Splitcoaststampers.  A challenge was created in her honor to recognize her numerous comments and posts on SCS.  The gist of the challenge was to come up with a way to get her cat Speedy the Cat to get out of the house to go to a watercoloring class.  See, Faith wanted to host a tea party and she didn't want Speedy the Cat to interrupt her party.  To read the whole story behind the challenge, go to: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487388  If you go to the SCS and type in MMTPT89 you can see all of the card submissions.  They are hilarious!

Anyway, I decided that the threat of having Faith bring home a box of three free kittens would be enough motivation to get Speedy the Cat moving and packing.  We all know cats don't like competition, especially from cute, cuddly kittens. The free kitten image is a digital download from Meljen's Designs.  Mark's Finest Papers carries a large variety of stamps, papers, ribbon, embellishments, etc.  I would encourage you to check them out here if you haven't already done so.

Cricut Critters

I made a few cards featuring "critters" made with my Cricut.  The hippo and cat are from a fun newly released cartridge called "Create A Critter."  It has many animals and related accessories on it.  All of the animals have smiley faces.  :)  The dog face is from the "Doodlecharms" cartridge and the "bow-wow" sentiment is from the "Paper Pups" set.  When I recently got my Cricut machine I wasn't sure how much I could incorporate it into card-making.  After making these three cards, I am convinced that I will get good use out of it.

Purrs and Pants Design Team

I am so excited to announce that I have been chosen to be on the design team of the Purrs and Pants Rubber Stamp Company!  They only chose two people: a cat designer and a dog designer.  I was chosen as their cat designer!!  Purrs and Pants is a family-owned company that only sells cat and dog rubber stamps.  They offer many cat and dog images, as well as, related sentiments.  If you love cat and dog stamps as much as I do, check them out at:  http://www.purrsandpants.com/  My first cat card assignment is due the end of May, so stay tuned...

Craft Your Passion Sketch Challenge

Today is the launch of the first challenge at the new Craft Your Passion challenge blog!   Today's challenge is a sketch challenge. I am excited to serve as a member of the design team for the Craft Your Passion blog.    Here's the card I made for today's challenge:

This image called "Choupinou" is from CocoDingo Digital Stamps.  I don't know French, but I think Choupinou means "boy."  For this card, I used The Guy Stack paper pad from DCWV, and More Mustard and Bravo Burgundy paper from Stampin Up. These masculine papers work well with the choupinou image.  To complete the masculine-feel of this card, I added argyle texture, corduroy and metal brads, and a "hey dude" sentiment from The Greeting Farm.    

Join us for this sketch challenge and future challenges at the Craft Your Passion challenge blog!

http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Prairie Fairy DT Submission

I made this card as a submission for a DT call at Prairie Fairy.  If you are interested in applying for this DT or obtaining this free fairy image, you can go to the Prairie Fairy blog here.  For this card, I used The Cafe Mediterranean paper stack from DCWV.  The background shape was cut with the Cricut Storybook  cartridge.  I made the flower with the new Sizzix Tim Holtz tattered flower die, then added a large gem from Jolee's Boutique.  I colored the fairy with Copic markers, added glitter to her wings, cut her out, then mounted her on the ornate shape.

Nutty Squirrel

I made this card with a new Squirrel image from Digi Kitty.  You can get this image free this week by going to the Digi Kitty Blog here.  I used K & Co's Greenhouse paper for the background, which works perfectly with the trees and acorns.  I used a Sizzix Sizzlet die to cut out the other two acorns.  The sentiment is from The Greeting Farm.

Late For My Date

I made this card for two challenges: Farm Fresh Friday Sketch Challenge at The Greeting Farm and Twisted Thursday Challenge at Shirley's 2 Girls.  For this card, I used The Greeting Farm's Cheeky Glamour stamp and a sentiment from Shirley's 2 Girls.  When I bought this Cheeky Glamour stamp, I wasn't sure if I really liked it, but it sure has grown on me.  The awesome clock is from a new clock set by Jolee's Boutique and the patterned paper is from Graphic 45, all of which were purchased at Archivers.     

Fur Ever Friends

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Wild Card Wednesday Challenge.  We were to make card with a cat or dog on it.  That's my kind of challenge!  For this card I used Reeta and her kitty and added the dog from Dorothy Anya, each are from The Greeting Farm.  The "fur-ever friends" sentiment is from Sweet n Sassy.  Don't they look like the best of friends? 

Birthday Pup

I made this card fort today's challenge at Sweet n Sassy.  The challenge was to make a birthday card to celebrate the company owner's birthday.  I chose to use this sweet little pup and paired him with a birthday cupcake.  Both images are from Sweet n Sassy.  The patterned papers are from Bo Bunny and the sentiment is from Stampin Up.  As most of you know, I enjoy making cards that feature cats or dogs.  Well, I prefer cats, as I am a cat person :), but since I sell my cards at the shelter, I also make dog cards for the "dog-lovers."  Anyway, I think this pup is pretty cute (for a dog, that is.) Lol!!!

Craft Your Passion Blog Design Team Announcement

It is with much excitement that I announce that I have been chosen to serve on a new design team: the Craft Your Passion Design Team.  This new challenge blog (here) will be posting weekly challenges, blog hops, and other fun activities.  The challenge blog was started by Loretta of Lauretta's Digital Stamps (here) and Corrine of Cocodingo Digital Stamps (here.)   Here's my first card created with a bunny image by Cocodingo Digital Stamps.

There are 8 of us on this new design team.  It is a diverse group of individuals from the USA, Canada, UK, Spain, and Phillipines.  The stamp designers Loretta and Corrine are each from Quebec, Canada.  Here are the links to my fellow DT members:

Nadyne: http://lescartesdenady.blogspot.com/

JoyLeen: http://joydianne.blogspot.com/

Stef: http://glitterbabegreetings.blogspot.com/

Tineke: http://tkosik-miskosikas.blogspot.com/

Guylaine: http://scrapbookdeguylaine.blogspot.com/

Karyn: http://www.thedapperscrapper.com/

Tana: http://kreativekaleidoscope.blogspot.com/

Here are the other related blogs:

Craft Your Passion Challenge Blog: http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Lauretta's Digital Stamps: http://laurettasdigitalstamps.blogspot.com/

Cocodingo Digital Stamps: http://cocodingo.blogspot.com/

Join us each week for a new challenge.  You will express your creativity, have fun, and meet some great people!