mudmaven designs

Leadership Pictures - Part 1

2012-01-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

I think I'll start off with a picture of all of us in the general session on Friday:

left to right - Pat, me, Sue, Judy

Now here's a slideshow of some of the contest entries (wow - so many gorgeous cards - I couldn't decide which ones to take pictures of and every day there was more!):

I will try to get the photos of Pat's swaps edited and uploaded within the next day or so. We had so much fun, but now I'm paying for taking the time off from work - I've had two 10+ hour days in a row and I'm exhausted. Headed for bed and hope to get a jump on things tomorrow. I've got the Sassy Chic stamp camp coming up on Feb. 4 and some wonderful fun workshops planned to celebrate Sale-a-Bration and I'll be sharing some of those projects with you as well.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Behind ... as usual!

2012-01-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm still editing pictures so it will be another day till the Leadership pix show up. Sorry .. but believe me, they are worth the wait! Such wonderful and talented folks made such gorgeous creations!

Well, it's Monday and that means new challenges at my favorite challenge blogs:

Kaboodle Doodles

Heart Song Inspirations

Be sure to stop by and check out the creations by the other dt members and hey ... why not play along!!!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

I'm Back!!!

2012-01-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

I am home from San Antonio and I can report that it was just fantastic! We had so much fun and learned so much and got soooooooo many goodies!

I am working on getting all my photos edited so that I can share them with you - hopefully tomorrow. It's John's birthday tomorrow so today has been full of party preparations and tomorrow will be the big party! Sons, daughters-in-law, grandkids, friends - it'll be great! Maybe I'll get some pix of that too!

To hold you over till I get the rest edited, here's a couple of pictures that I took from the river taxi on Thursday night:

Thanks for your patience!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Greetings from San Antonio

2012-01-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it safe and sound and am having a wonderful time - wish you were here!

As promised, here's the slide show of all the wonderful projects from Monday night's Front Range Stampers meeting:

Here's my card:

I will be taking pictures of all the wonderful swaps and contest entry cards and will start posting them later today. I am not swapping, but my wonderful roommate Pat is going to let me take some pictures of hers. So much fantastic talent here - it's just amazing!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Day Late but ...

2012-01-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm a day late with my challenge cards, but here they are:

Kaboodle Doodles

Heart Song Inspirations

I went to a Front Range Stampers meeting last night and as soon as the sun comes up I'll take some pictures of the fantastic swaps and make and takes. Watch for that post tomorrow. I'm headed to San Antonio, Texas tomorrow morning for the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference. I'm very excited to be going - this is my first one! Several of the gals from FRS and also several from my downline group will be going too so it should be a great time. I'm taking my camera so watch for some posts from Texas!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Stamp Camp North - 01/14/2012

2012-01-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the first Stamp Camp North of 2012. I wanted to share my project with you and also a slideshow of all the other wonderful projects that our campers got to make. Here's mine:

Here's a slideshow of all the other fantastic projects:

I'll have my projects for this week's Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Insprirations challenges for you tomorrow. Wednesday I head to San Antonio for this year's Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference. This is my first time attending and while I really wanted to make swaps, I just didn't feel up to it. Today was really the first day that I felt totally human in over a month and half. It was GREAT! I plan on taking my camera though and hope to come home with lots of photos of wonderful projects made by my fellow attendees.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

New SU Goodies

2012-01-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a picture with you of my new "apprentice" - her name is Maude (she's Harold's sister). She has always had to be in the room with me, especially if I'm in there alone. She is not a small cat and she somehow manages to fit her girth on the arm of my chair (which is only about 2 inches wide). She has to balance herself by leaning on me and while I appreciate the warmth on cold days, it does somewhat limit my movements. When I got sick, she basically glued herself to me. She had to be touching me at all times. You need to understand, this is a cat who hisses and growls at everyone (including me sometimes) and she just mellowed right out when I was not feeling well. I came into the room the other day and found her like this:

She's that gray ball of fur in the corner next to the keyboard.

This is the first time she's ever taken over the desk too! Harold is doing much better and is so much happier without that nasty collar. He visits the craft cave too but doesn't really hang out there very much.

Stampin' Up! has a new Occasions Mini catalog and an upcoming Sale-A-Bration catalog out right now. Next week I will be heading to San Antonio for this year's Leadership Conference and they are holding a contest. So .... I decided to make some cards to enter into the contest! I am not quite up to making swaps, but a couple of contest cards should be no problem, right? Here are a couple of possibles, please let me know what you think of them okay?

Funny thing I found in my junkmail folder on New Year's day:

Don't really think it takes a psychic to be able to do this do you?

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

I Have Returned!!!!

2012-01-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I think that I am finally getting better since I'm starting to create a bit again. So much to do, so little energy though! Thanks for all the well wishes - I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. Still don't have the energy level I need to have, but I'm working on it!

I missed quite a few challenges on both Kaboodle Doodles and Heartsong Inspirations, but did manage to get projects made for both this week! Here they are:

Kaboodle Doodles

Heartsong Inspirations

I also (finally) had a chance to play with some of my new toys from SU - got them early in December and they have sat, forlornly, in my craft room waiting, and waiting, and waiting. I'll have those to show you tomorrow.

While I was away being sick, my blogoversary came and went. I am going to make up for missing it though with some extra special blog candy. I've started putting it together and am deciding on whether or not I want to do something special to entice folks to enter - I'm really close to hitting 200 followers ...

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I really am getting better and better. I have a few more days on antibiotics and then I'll wait a few days and go get all my bodily fluids checked again, but I think it's gone (I hope). Cross your fingers for me will you?

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Still

2011-12-27T20:16:00.002-07:00

Still sick. Back soon though.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

No, I am not dead .... yet!

2011-12-21T09:52:00.001-07:00

I've been pretty sick and off the grid for a bit, but I'm feeling much better and hoping to have some fun things to share very soon. Thanks for being patient with me.

I did do a bit of blurfing and found this! Scroll down the post a bit and you'll see what I'm talking about. Yay - I loved that card too.

Don't forget to check out the new freebie HERE.

See you soon!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Design Teams:
Kaboodle Doodles
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Cards

2011-12-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well it's once again challenge time on Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Inspirations. Here's my projects this week:

Kaboodle Doodles

(I'm also entering this into this week's challenge on the Meljen's Design Team Challenge Blog). The sentiment on this card is also being offered as a freebie on the Kaboodle Doodles challenge blog so be sure to stop by and grab it. While you are there - why don't you play along? You could win 4 digital images from Meljen's Designs!

Heart Song Inspirations

Don't forget to checkout my other post from today to pick up your freebie Christmas Sentiments!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Christmas Sentiments Freebie!!!

2011-12-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have visited my little blog. I designed a set of holiday sentiments that I hope you will enjoy:

You can download a zip file containing jpg and png versions of these sentiments by clicking on the image here or on my Digital Freebies page.

Again, thank you all so much for your support, I really do appreciate each and every one of you!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Stamp Camp Pix

2011-12-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

I have some pix to share of last Saturday's Stamp Camp North projects. It was a cold and snowy day but our campers are real troopers and braved the weather and bad roads to come and create some Christmas magic. Here's the projects they made:

This was my project:

Here's my project for this weekend's Sassy Chic Stamp Camp. There's still time to register so email me if you'd like the details.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Cards

2011-12-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

Monday brought new challenges from both Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Inspirations. The Kaboodle Doodles challenge is sponsored this week by The Craft's Meow and they sent the dt members some very fun stamps to play with. Here is my challenge card:

These are some other cards I made using the stamps provided by The Craft's Meow:

Here is my card for this week's Heart Song Inspirations challenge:

I encourage everyone to visit these blogs and check out all the wonderful creations by the other design team members and by all means please PLAY ALONG! There are wonderful prizes being offered and you need to take advantage of this opportunity! Heart Song Inspirations also has a Design Team Call going on right now and I can tell you from experience that this is a wonderful team to be a part of.

I'll have a slideshow of the cards from last weekend's Stamp Camp North as well as a preview of my project for this coming weekend's Sassy Chic Stamp Camp coming your way tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Downline Meeting Swaps

2011-12-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

Well, now that it's December, I guess I am officially late posting these photos - sorry, but here they are nonetheless:

Front Range Stampers

Inky Fingers Stampers

Stamp Camp North is tomorrow in Westminster, CO. If you want to stay in ouf of the cold and snow, email me for details. I'll have photos of the projects to share next week as I prepare for the Sassy Chic Stamp Camp on December 10. Anyone wanting details on that camp can email me and I'll send you the info.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:

Sentimental Sundays

Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:

Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Stamp Camp Pix

2011-11-29T08:43:00.004-07:00

I promised myself that I would get November's Stamp Camp pictures up before the end of the month and, well, it's only the 29th so I guess I made it! I have combined the pictures from both the Sassy Chic Stamp Camp and the North Area Stampers Camp into this one slideshow. Enjoy!

There are two more camps before the end of the year -

North Area Stampers are hosting a Christmas stamp camp on December 3. Lots of wonderful holiday projects and fabulous door prizes and yummy goodies.

Sassy Chic is hosting a Christmas camp on December 10. 12 demonstrators with 12 fantastic projects and lots of door prizes and we're serving up lunch as well!

If you want details on either of these camps, just shoot me an email and I'll send you a flyer.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

News from Sentimental Sundays

2011-11-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sentimental Sundays is taking a break for a month to get reorganized and to hold a design team call. We will be back with our challenges on January 1st, 2012, so be sure to check back and see what (and who) is new!

Design Team Call

We'd like to invite a few of you talented crafters out there to join the Sentimental Sundays team.

Here are the guidelines:

Create a new project (card, scrapbook, digital layout, alter item, anything) using any sentiment an incorporating the challenge theme at least TWICE A MONTH. You do not have to create weekly, though we (the team and those who visit the blog) love to see your creations!
Comment on participant entries (we divvy it up to decrease the load) - this is very important! Everyone loves comments.
Join the Sentimental Sundays Yahoo group for DT communication and to chit-chat and share your creations

Email sentimentalsundaysblog@gmail.com with the following information:

Your name and blog address (yes you must have a blog in order to be considered).
Why would you like to be chosen to be on the Sentimental Sundays Design Team.
3-4 blog post links showing with work with sentiments. (ONLY blog links, NOT actual pictures)

Monday Night Stamping

2011-11-22T12:52:00.004-07:00

Well, it was just bff Sabrina and I stamping last night, but WOW was the creative energy flowing! Here's a sample of some of the things we made:

At least two of these will make it onto the agenda for the Christmas Card Buffet on the 28th! We'll be busy cutting paper and getting things all ready for the girls to join us for a fun night of crafting! I think we will substitute some glass glitter for the mica flakes on that last card though - yikes those things get everywhere.

I wanted to share a pix of my darling boy - he's been so good but is really getting impatient to "GET THIS THING OFF MY HEAD" ...

Harold really has been a very good boy but I know that he is past ready to get on with things and poor Maude thinks he's come to torment her from some alien planet. She won't even come into the bedroom to sleep but is hiding out under things and in the back of closets. I think we should be able to take it off in the next day or two as he is healing up very nicely from his little boo-boo!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Cards

2011-11-21T12:02:00.004-07:00

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a spectacular weekend. The kitchen is mostly done. I'm wishing now that I had taken some "before" pictures, but I will take some after pictures so you can see the wonderful job DH did making over the kitchen! New counter tops, wainscoting, sink, faucet, paint, shelving (re-arranged to be so much prettier and more efficient) and we moved the magnificent pot rack that he made so that we won't have quite so many head bumps as folks move through the kitchen! Simply gorgeous!

Anyway, here are my cards for this week's challenges:

Sentimental Sundays

Kaboodle Doodles

Heart Song Inspirations

Tonight is Monday Night Stamping and the gals and I are sure to have some fun. I have lots of paper cutting to do for upcoming workshops and Sabrina and I have so many new toys to play with too! Can't wait.

I have not forgotten about the slideshows of the swaps, just taking some time to edit all the pix. Coming this week though - promise.

I'm also working on some more digital sentiment sets to post on the Freebies page. I am adding to some of the sets I created for Sentimental Sundays, revamping the tickets set and some more surprises, so watch for those coming soon too!

Today is my youngest grandson's birthday. Justice is THREE today! Hard to believe. You've seen him here on the blog a few times (here and here and here) and here's what he looks like now:

Such a cutie and I'm only just a little prejudiced! Happy Birthday sweet boy!

I have a blogoversary coming up and you know what that means!!! More on that in the next few weeks.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Late again .....

2011-11-17T13:21:00.006-07:00

To say I have been busy is a total understatement. Two stamp camps, two downline meetings and a class in the last two weeks. I've been a paper cutting, kit making fiend and thanks to the Monday night gals, Sabrina and Shavaun, I actually got everything made that I needed to make! Thank you both for all your help.

Well, these should have posted on Monday, but here they are on Thursday and I hope you like them.

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #93

Heart Song Inspirations Challenge #25

I'd also like to share the card I made for the Front Range Stampers swap this week:

This is a true hybrid card. The sentiments are stamped but the images were generated in My Digital Studio and colored in PSE 10. Fun, fun, fun! Sabrina and Shavaun were huge helps getting this card done and I want to say THANK YOU to both of them for all their help and support.

I have pictures of the cards from both stamp camps and both downline meetings and will share slideshows of those as soon as I get them edited. Hang in there - they are coming, really they are!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sunday Time

2011-11-13T21:46:00.004-07:00

Well, it's Sunday again and time for another challenge at Sentimental Sundays Challenge Blog. This week our challenge is to make a project using a Thanksgiving/Thank You theme. Here's mine:

Our sponsor this week is Pink Cat Studio and I used one of their images on my card. I embossed butterflies in the background and used some HA glittery embossing powder that I found rolling around on the floor in my craft room. Never used it before but will be sure to use it again - it's very nice and sparkly! Image is colored with Copics and the card base is Not Quite Navy from SU. Image and sentiment are layered on some Pear Pizzazz, also from SU.

Be sure to stop by and check out the creations by the wonderful gals on the design team and pick up my freebie sentiments while you are there!

I have my stamp camp card to share with you tomorrow as well as challenge cards for Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Inspirations so please stop by and visit.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Biblical Impressions Blog Hop!

2011-11-10T22:45:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Biblical Impressions Blog Hop. If you arrived here from Ceal's Blog, then you are on the right path. If you are just arriving here, then head back to the main Biblical Impressions Blog, and start from the top. Our theme this time is Thanksgiving/Gratitude. Here is the card I created for this hop.

You all know my love for flowers and ladybugs and I fell in love with this image (82508 - Painting Lady Bug) from the Biblical Impressions Store. I colored the image with Copic markers and cut it out with a nestie. The sentiment is one I created on the computer as I didn't have a stamp that said quite what this image made me feel. Isn't technology wonderful? If you would like this sentiment, just let me know and I will post it on my freebies page. The paper is from Basic Grey's Urban Prairie collection and the cardstock and ribbons (Marina Mist and Old Olive) are from SU. The little gems are from my jewelry isle stash from HL.

Well now I must send you off to your next stop along the hop...

Jessica

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the hop! A huge thank you to the team at Biblical Impressions for inviting me to play along with them for a bit.

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations
Biblical Impressions

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Cards

2011-11-08T09:30:00.005-07:00

I got a bit sidetracked yesterday and didn't get my challenge cards posted, but here they are - better late than never?

Kaboodle Doodles (Colors of Fall)

Heart Song Inspiration (Anything Goes)

Be sure to stop by and check out the creations by the other design team members - fantastic!

I had a great time with the Monday night stampers last night - thanks girls! I have a stamp camp coming up this weekend and I will share my project with you tomorrow so be sure to stop by.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sunday!

2011-11-06T07:00:00.003-07:00

Hope all of you who are in that "zone" survived the time change and are enjoying that extra hour (at least till spring). Today being Sunday, it's time for another Sentimental Sunday challenge. This week we want to see Wedding/Anniversary creations, so hop on over, pick up our freebie sentiment set and link up a creation! Here's mine:

It has been a sad and crazy week. Lost a very dear friend on Monday and it has made me realize, once again, how fragile life is and that I need to not lose sight of that in my hustle and bustle of busy-ness.

Sassy Chic stamp camp yesterday was a blast and it was so good to see all those wonderful gals again. Here's the project they made at my table:

Well, hopefully there will be Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Inspirations cards to share with you tomorrow so be sure to come back and visit.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Delightful Designed 2 Delight Challenge

2011-10-26T01:00:00.002-06:00

I'm on a roll with my entries in the weekly challenge at Delightful Inspirations. This week's challenge uses more fall colors and the image that was emailed to all the previous week's challenge participants:

My favorite thing about this card is the background paper and you can't see it all that well in this photo, but here's a bit of a close up that hopefully shows it a bit better:

I stamped leaves in various shades of red and gold and then spritzed the whole thing with gold smooch spritz. It's really very sparkly!

The card base is Cajun Craize (SU) and the leaf-stamped layer is Pumpkin Pie (SU). The sentiment is also from Designed 2 Delight and the image was colored using Copics.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Dresser Card - finally!

2011-10-25T20:11:00.005-06:00

I do not know if this will be helpful to those of you who asked for some directions, but here are some illustrations showing how I did it (if you click on the pictures they will open as larger images):

And here is the end product:

I ended up onlyl putting on three drawers, but you can do whatever you want. I used a label punch for the drawers (Modern Label from SU) and another punch to make the "feet" (Curly Label form SU). Card base is Pretty in Pink as is the ribbon (both from SU). The onsie, sentiment and duck are from Deedee's digis.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Things are very blue over at Phindy's Place

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-06:00

This week's challenge at Phindy's Friday Challenge Blog is to create a blue Christmas card. Well I'm getting started making cards for Christmas so I thought why not use one of Phindy's fun images and make a blue one! Here's my entry:

Card base is Not Quite Navy and the dsp is from Memory Box. I layered the image (isn't he just adorable?) on Baja Breeze (just for you Sabrina!) and added some sparkly ribbon from my ribbon stash. I think it is about 3 years old so it was about time it saw some use! The sentiment was computer generated and will probably show up in a Christmas set - with a few embellishments of course!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Monday Challenges

2011-10-24T06:22:00.003-06:00

Well, it's Monday. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I know that I did. The weather was spectacular and will be again today and they are calling for snow by tomorrow night. Sunshine and near 80 today and 3-7 inches of snow and in the 30's by Wednesday - you gotta love Colorado weather!

I have two cards to share today. The first is for this week's challenge at Kaboodle Doodles - Halloween! My grandchildren love this holiday and I love seeing them all excited and dressed up in their costumes. Our sponsor this week is Just Some Lines and I used a super cute image from them for my card today.

Card base is Rich Razzleberry (SU) with a layer of black and a spider web embossed layer of Going Gray (another wonderful but retired color from SU). I used some Peach Parfait ribbon and a layer of Peach Parfait (SU) under the image which was colored with Copics. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU) - a truly essential set to have for any and all occasions.

My second card is for this week's challenge at Heart Song Inspirations - No Sentiment and/or Harvest Theme. I used one of my all time favorite fall images by Leah - I love that little bird!

Card base is Old Olive and the image is mounted on Pumpkin Pie (both SU). I embossed the leaf strip from Borderlines (SU) and added some Marina Mist ribbon (SU).

I will have that promised tutorial for the dresser card tomorrow so be sure to stop back and let me know if it is helpful.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

It's Halloween over at Sentimental Sundays

2011-10-23T20:41:00.000-06:00

Our challenge this week at Sentimental Sundays is to make a Halloween project. Our sponsor is Whimsie Doodles and the winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to use in the Whimsie Doodles store. Here's my card using one of their fun Halloween images and one of the freebie sentiments that you can pick up if you pay us a visit!

Card base is Creamy Caramel (unfortunately retired by SU) with a layer of Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip which has been embossed with some spiderwebs I found in the $1 bin at Mikes! Sentiment is layered on Creamy Caramel and I added some fun bling from my friend Judy at Pizzazz Aplenty. If you have not visited her store - you really need too! This card is much more fun IRL and I think it might have to get mailed to someone special!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Meljen's Challenge #81

2011-10-22T20:20:00.005-06:00

There's a fun fall challenge going on over on Meljen's Designs challenge blog - since fall is in the air they are asking for projects using red and gold. I love the rich, vibrant colors of fall and have had lots of fun so far coloring fall cards. Here's my entry into this week's challenge over at Meljen's Designs:

I've been dipping into my paper stash and finding lots of rich fall tones and I think that this paper came from a kit from Memory Box. The image is one of the new ones from Meljen's Designs and was great fun to color. Card base is Cajun Craze and the image and sentiments are mounted on Peach Parfait. Lace is from SU and I picked these fun brads up at Rocky Mountain Memories in Estes Park on our field trip up there this summer (thank's Cheryl)

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Tiddly Inks Grand Idea

2011-10-21T06:15:00.001-06:00

The folks at Tiddly Inks have a challenge up this week to use fall colors. They are also looking for projects to use on their front page. The winner gets 3 images of their choice. I couldn't resist this one as I love Tiddly Inks images and don't use them nearly often enough. Here's my entry:

I combined two images to create a little scene and colored it with my copics in some fall colors. I love the dp on this card and really wish I knew what it was. I got it in a big stack of 6x6 papers that had been cut down from 12x12 and I got a piece with no identifying marks on it. Gorgeous though and I thought it was perfect for this card.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Card

2011-10-20T10:41:00.004-06:00

You all know how much I like getting free digis - so here's another card for this week's challenge over at Delightful Inspiration:

I am also submitting the card in this week's challenges at Tuesday Throwdown and Sweet n' Sassy which is to make a shaped card.

I'm almost done with my little tutorial on how to make this dresser card. Hopefully you'll see it here tomorrow!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Inspirations

2011-10-17T08:25:00.004-06:00

Happy Monday! Today's challenge at Kaboodle Doodles is sponsored by Heart Song Designs so I got to use Leah's wonderful images on both challenge cards today! Here they are:

Kaboodle Doodles (Squares or Inchies):

I am also submitting this card for the following challenges:
Flutterby Wednesdays #175

Heart Song Inspirations (Flowers and/or Felt):

I love working with Leah's images. The KD card uses a gorgeous set called Butterfly Duet and the HSI card uses one called Pansy Frame. If you have not yet explored her store, you really should stop by and see all the beautiful images she has to offer.

I had a request for more information on how to make the dresser card and I hope to have some illustrations and instructions for that and also for the 3x3 box from a couple of weeks ago very soon. Maybe the Monday Night Stampers can give me a hand in putting these together for you.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

It's a Sentimental Sunday ...

2011-10-16T20:58:00.005-06:00

... and I'm actually posting on Sunday! This week our challenge is to make a project using a fancy fold. I saw this dresser card created by Frances Byrne (StampOwl's Studio) and immediately fell in love! Then when I was checking out my Workshop WOW video from SU I saw that there was an entry on there for a dresser card and so I got to watch first hand how they are made. I have to make a couple cards to welcomes some wonderful new lives into the world and so off I went. Here's my first one:

The card base and the drawers are Bashful Blue sponged with Bashful Blue. The knobs are 1/2 pearls from SU. The onsie, sentiment and the toys are from Deedee's Digis (you need to check out Deedee's newest creations over on Clear Dollar Stamps) - so glad to see you back Deedee!

I created some Breast Cancer Awareness sentiments for this week's freebie over on Sentimental Sundays so be sure to stop by and pick those up. I'd love to see what you do with them if you decide to use them so leave me a comment with a link so I can take a look.

I'll have some cards for tomorrow's Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Inspirations challenges to share with you tomorrow so be sure to stop back.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Designed 2 Delight Challenge Card

2011-10-13T11:23:00.003-06:00

Well I managed to make a card for this week's challenge at Designed 2 Delight. I love getting free digis - and as long as I don't get too distracted and forget I can easily get one of these done. The images are always so wonderful to work with. This week the image deals with breast cancer awareness:

Sunday will bring a new challenge at Sentimental Sundays and some new freebie sentiments from me there as well. I'm working on designing my projects for November's stamp camps and have been having lots of fun making Christmas cards. But fall is one of my favorite times of the year so I have also been making some fall cards. Here's one using another D2D image:

I will share some of my stamp camp project ideas with you soon and maybe you can give me your feedback.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Cards

2011-10-10T08:35:00.008-06:00

Well I managed to get cards done for all three of my challenge blogs this weekend! Here they are:

Sentimental Sundays

I used one of my new freebie sentiments available on Sentimental Sundays. Remember to stop by and grab those. The image is from Meljen's Designs and the dsp, ribbon and cardstock are from SU.

Heart Song Inspirations

The image on this card is a new one from Heart Song Designs. I encourage you to go and check out all the wonderful new images that Leah is creating. This lovely sunflower image comes with several wonderful sentiments too!

Kaboodle Doodles

The image on this card is also from the talented Melissa Jenkin's of Meljen's Designs. Her images are always so much fun to work with. I cut out the layers using Nestabilities and added some wonderful shimmery half pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Please stop by these blogs and check out all the wonderful creations from the Design Teams. Play along - you can do it - it's lots of FUN!

I also wanted to share the final version of Saturday's stamp camp card:

Today is my sister's birthday and I want to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Marcia. I don't think she reads my blog, but I thought I'd acknowledge her big day anyway. She's still not as old as me, but ....

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

SCN Project - First Draft

2011-10-06T14:08:00.002-06:00

Well here's my first try at this week's SCN (Stamp Camp North) project:

I'm not happy with it and I think I'm going to go back to the drawing table. It needs more bling, more zip somehow. I'll be back tomorrow with the revised version and you all can let me know what you think.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Designed 2 Delight Challenge

2011-10-05T09:07:00.004-06:00

As often as I can I try to participate in the Designed 2 Delight weekly challenges - hey who doesn't like to earn some free images? Here's my card for this week using their cute Patches the Ghost image:

I also have been working on the challenge freebies for Sentimental Sundays this week. Here's a sneak peek:

I'll have a pix of this Saturday's Stamp Camp North card to share with you tomorrow. Remember, if you live in the Westminster, CO area and want to attend this camp, please shoot me an email and I will get the information to you. This is a chance to get a head start on your holiday cards! 10 fantastic projects for $25 along with great door prizes and yummy treats to eat.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

I need your vote!

2011-10-03T11:29:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone - I'm featured over on Glitterbabe's blog in her Showcase Saturday with my pumpkin in a frame card! Can you pop over and vote for me? Here's the card:

Bling on this card is from Pizzazz Aplenty and Judy has some truly awesome items for sale there. You should definitely stop by and take a peek and grab some for yourself!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Time!

2011-10-03T10:54:00.004-06:00

Well today is new challenge day at both Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Inspirations. Here's my contributions:

Heart Song Inspirations

Kaboodle Doodles

There's some wonderful cards by the design teams and I encourage you to visit and maybe even play along! It was also my first time designing the digi freebie at Sentimental Sundays yesterday. Be sure to stop by and pick it up and play along in our challenge!

Tonight is Monday Night Stamping and I will have two guests coming to play. I'll try to remember to take pictures of their creations to share with you. This week is our downline meeting, so I will have some swap and make & take projects to share as well as my project for this weekend's North Area Stamp Camp. If you live in the Westminster, CO area and are interested in attending this camp, just let me know and I will get some information sent out to you.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sassy Chic Stamp Camp Projects

2011-09-30T10:40:00.004-06:00

I'll be doing two projects for the gals attending the Sassy Chic Stamp Camp tomorrow:

The top card was inspired by the wonderful Chat and the bottom by the fabulous Dawn. I added to and changed them a bit, but not very much as they were just spectacular!

If you are in the Northern Colorado area and want to attend this wonderful camp, just drop me a line and I will send you the details!

I'm working on my challenge cards for this weekend and my card for next week's North Area Stamp Camp as well as my downline meeting swap. Busy, busy, busy ... keeps me out of trouble (yeah right).

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Late again ....

2011-09-28T14:48:00.004-06:00

I have two challenge cards from this weekend to share with you. I don't know why it is so hard to get them posted to my blog, I get them and all the others posted on their respective blogs, but just can't get it together. Oh well, here's this week's challenge project for Sentimental Sundays:

And here's this week's project for Heart Song Inspirations:

I will be taking over the freebie duties on Sentimental Sundays as of next week. We shall see how that adventure pans out. I have my first set ready to go and we'll see how the rest of the gals like it.

Never did get a project done for Kaboodle Doodles though. I am soooooo bad! I went to a meeting of SU demos last night that I hadn't met with in over three years - what fun!!! Great swaps and great make & take projects too. Lots of ideas got exchanged and I learned a lot and you might even be seeing some of it here on the old bloggo.

Sassy Chic Stamp Camp this weekend in Longmont. If you live in the northern Colorado area and are interested, just drop me a line and I'll get information to you. It is a really fun camp and I'll post my projects as soon as I get them done!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Do it Yourself Desktop (warning long winded)

2011-09-21T13:49:00.006-06:00

First - let's talk software

There are so many excellent digital scrapbooking products out there. Here is a review of some of them. These range in price from $25 to $40 but there are also freebie graphics editing programs out there that you can use to create digital pages either for a scrapbook or for your computer desktop. Here's a breakdown of three of these alternatives. I have used Gimp for graphics editing and page creation and it is okay. For most of my graphics work though I fall back on either Paint Shop Pro (Corel) or Photoshop Elements (Adobe). These two have the most flexibility and tool options and are pretty easy to use. I've also recently acquired DrawPlus (Serif) but I haven't had a chance to play with it yet. There's tons of places on the web to get tutorials - both written and video as well - for working with digital editing software. I took a couple of online classes from Jessica Sprague that were either free or very inexpensive and learned so much. She has a whole series of Photoshop Friday lessons that are quick and easy and cover a single topic very thoroughly. Stampin' Up! also has an excellent product called My Digital Studio that is very user friendly and flexible and it also comes with the added plus of having all your favorite SU papers, stamps and elements available. You need to experiment and find what works best for you.

Now - on to the goodies

I am a total graphics nut. I have always been a total graphics nut even before the advent of computers. Cut, paste, draw. copy, print ... create! I did many, many newsletters and flyers using this technique. When computers came along, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I've been collecting clip art, fonts and all sorts and types of graphics since I got my first pc - way back in the dark ages of the early 1980's. In this day and age there are so many options out there that you can easily become overwhelmed. Lots of folks give theirs away. This includes images, paper, textures, photo overlays, photoshop actions, brushes .... so many that I can't list them all. I am working on beefing up my resources page to include some of my favorite sites for both freebies and for inexpensive but great quality digital products. There's a few on there now but there will be a lot more very soon as I am compiling things as I work on this post.

Down to the nitty-gritty

The first thing I do is open a blank image file the correct size for my computer desktop (in my case I use 1280x1024). Once I have a blank image open I can fill it up with anything and everything I want. To figure out the size you need, right click anywhere on your desktop and select "Properties":

It is important that whatever graphics software you use allows you to work with layers. This is how you can put things into your image on top of one another - for example putting a frame on top of a picture on top of some nice papers. Once you get the hang of working with layers you can do almost anything. Also, it's nice to be able to apply certain effects to your images. I almost always add a drop shadow to elements that I put on the image. This is what makes it look 3D instead of flat.

I usually start with the background papers and work up from there. Sometimes I'll just use one or two and sometimes (like this month) I'll use more. Right now my collections of materials are organized in folders based on the company I got them from. Usually, I just go shopping in my digi directory and find something that appeals to me. Papers can come from one source, elements (like flowers, ribbons, brads, bling) come from others. Frames and photo masks usually come next and then I'll add my calendar for that month. I have a couple of sources for calendars, (Sweet Shoppe has good selection) but for 2012 I am actually going to try to do my own (they'll show up on the digital freebies page once they are done). Some of the images I use are transparent (usually .png files) and others are not. I tend to like the transparent ones the best, but sometimes my calendar for the month will just sit on top of everything else.

I don't know if any of this information is helpful. I am a total hack when it comes to this. I have taken some online classes but most everything I have learned has been by trial and error. It's a fun process though once you get past being frustrated that is. I can try to answer any questions you have but I can't make any promises that I'll know the right answers. I encourage you to play with this though - it's really fun and once you get the hang of it, it's really pretty easy too.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Monday Night Stamping

2011-09-20T20:22:00.003-06:00

Well, as usual it was a fun filled night stamping with my bff Sabrina. I didn't manage to get any pix of her cards this week though - darn! I did get some pix of my cards today once the sun came out. These were all pretty much collaborative efforts. Once I got started, Sabrina would pipe in with suggestions and magic would happen!

The top two cards were made with images from the Wax Fruit Company. I just love Arielle's art - so fun to color and so versatile and the challenges she posts on colourQ are always so much fun! The next two cards were made with an image from Glitterbabe's Digis - Stef is one talented lady and she's really funny to boot. I love visiting her blog. The last card is an adaptation of one of the cards from a stamp camp at the beginning of the month. You can see the original card here and one other that I made here. The designer paper piece of this card is pretty involved, so I made up 8 of them at once and am slowly but surely making cards out of them.

This card was selected as a colourQ Courtier this week on the colourQ challenge blog! YAY! I'm hoping to get a few more challenge cards made this week as I think I'm finally getting back into the groove (couldn't have anything to do with DH finally being home could it?)

I've had a few requests to talk about how I create my monthly desktops. I'm starting to work on October and am taking notes so that I can put up a post explaining exactly how I do it. It's not hard and it's really a lot of fun to personalize your computer's desktop, especially if you're like me and spend a good part of your day in front of one computer or another.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Challenge Blog Catch-Up

2011-09-20T09:51:00.006-06:00

I've got three challenge cards to share from this weekend. First up is Sentimental Sundays. Our challenge is to make a monochromatic card and I remade my stamp camp card in monochrome and I really like how it turned out:

Next is Heart Song Inspirations. Our challenge this week is to use the color orange and/or use buttons:

I am also entering this card in the Tuesday Throwdown fall challenge.

Last but not least is Kaboodle Doodles. Our challenge this week is to make a card using lots of layers:

All these challenges have excellent prizes offered and I encourage you to visit and play along for your chance to win!

DH is home, safe and sound. It certainly is nice to have him home again. Sabrina and I had our usual great time making cards last night and I'll be sharing my creations as soon as I get some pix taken (hopefully with tomorrow's post).

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

My Desktop

2011-09-17T08:08:00.003-06:00

Well DH is on his way from NJ where he stopped to see my dad and stepmom and is well into PA. He's officially on his way HOME!!!! Belmira has been put to bed for the winter and things will get back to as normal as they get around here soon.

Every month for the past couple of years, I have created a custom desktop for my computers (work, home, laptop). I started out using some freebie monthly desktops, but eventually began to make my own using my library of digital scrapbooking materials. I thought I'd share this month's desktop with you and maybe (if you are all interested that is), share it monthly? I can also offer up a freebie of my monthly desktop with spaces for you to fill in your own pictures. Is this something you might be interested in? We'll try it this month and see how you like it. Here's this month's desktop:

If you are interested in getting a blank one for your own use, just leave me a comment asking for it and I will send it to you. If you don't want to leave a comment, just email me. I used a bunch of different sets to create this and am now realizing the value in keeping track of what came from where. Next month (if we decide this is a good thing), I will keep track of where the various elements came from so you can go get them for yourself if you like them.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

This week's Stamp Camp Project

2011-09-16T16:56:00.003-06:00

I'm so excited about tomorrow's stamp camp in Westminster, CO. The group took the summer off and we'll be starting off our new stamping year with a bang! Lots of fun projects. Here's mine:

It is a direct case of this card by a fabulous stamper named Fran Sabad (stampersblog.franticstampers.com). I totally fell in love with this card when I saw it and knew it would make the perfect project for my stamp campers!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

ColourQ Challenge #102

2011-09-15T11:07:00.002-06:00

This is the challenge this week at ColourQ:

Here's my card:

I had fun with this although I don't think it's quite as vibrant as that lovely pix of colorful bowls. I would not have thought to put these colors together so it was a challenge and fun. Card base is Certainly Celery and I used a dsp mat from the Neutrals Collection. The image is another one of those fun Joann's $1 stamps that I stamped with Black Craft ink and then clear embossed and colored with Poppy Parade, Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise markers. It was cut with an oval nestie and layered on a Basic Gray nestie cut scalloped oval. The ribbon is Certainly Celery grosgrain from SU and I added a brad from some Basic Grey brads that I have had laying around for years. I broke them out earlier this week and used a couple others too. Dipping into stash is always fun!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Designed 2 Delight Image Challenge

2011-09-14T14:20:00.003-06:00

The gals at Design 2 Delight are hosting an Autumn Harvest - Friday Image Challenge over at their challenge blog. This is a progressive challenge and if you submit a card this week you'll get a free image next week. I always promise myself I'm going to get it done and don't often manage it, but this week I did. Here's my card:

I just love this image! I colored it with copics and cut it out with a nestie. Mounted on another nestie and sponged the edges. The dsp layer is from my stash and I have no idea what it is, but I have two more 6x6 pieces and have big plans for fall cards using them. Cardstock is Peach Parfait and the sentiment is from Grateful Greetings (both are SU) the green used here is Pear Pizzazz, also from SU. Ribbon is More Mustard (SU).

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Monday Night Stamping

2011-09-14T10:25:00.005-06:00

As promised, here are some pix of the projects that Sabrina and I worked on on Monday night. First up, Sabrina's fabulous creations:

The butterfly is a gorgeous stamp that Sabrina picked up by Inkadinkado. It is emobssed with some of the gorgeous antique brass embossing powder we used last week on our butterflies.

Now here's a couple of mine:

The top card uses another one of those great $1 stamps from Joann's! I'm getting ready for this weekend's stamp camp in Westminster, CO and it should be loads of fun. We took a break for the summer and it will really be good to be back. I'll have some pix of my project to show you along with a couple of challenge cards I made very soon!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sundays - yes I know it's Tuesday!

2011-09-13T19:27:00.003-06:00

I never got my post done for this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge. Here's my card and if it looks familiar - check out the 2nd card in my Sassy Chic Stamp Camp post and you'll see my inspiration:

I'll have a recap of Monday Night stamping tomorrow so be sure to stop by - we had lots and lots of fun! And guess what - there are butterflies - I know you're shocked that I made cards with butterflies - LOL. I still get comments at stamp camps when my card doesn't have one somewhere on it!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sassy Chic Stamp Camp - 9/10/2011

2011-09-13T10:16:00.004-06:00

If you missed the Sassy Chic stamp camp on Saturday, September 10, let me just show you what exactly you missed:

If you live in the Longmont/Boulder, Colorado area and want to be included in these monthly stamp camps, simply email me using the link in the sidebar and let me know you want to be added to the stamp camp email list and we will make sure that you are notified of the date and specifics of each month's camp. This is an extremely talented group of gals and I feel so fortunate that they let me play along with them sometimes. The next camp is on October 1, so be sure to email me so that you will get all the details of how to register, etc.

I have some great stuff to share from my Monday night stamping adventure with my bff Sabrina and I will have that for your viewing pleasure tomorrow so be sure to stop by and check that out!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Heart Song Inspirations Challenge #15

2011-09-12T11:30:00.005-06:00

Today's challenge on Heart Song Inspirations is to use Glitter and/or Chipboard on your project - how fun!!! Here's my card:

The card base is Poppy Parade (SU) and the image is Poppies from Heart Song Designs and I colored it with Copics and added some of the new SU glitter glue to the centers and cut it out with a nestie. The sentiment is from Love & Care from the SU Summer Mini catalog and I added some Basic Grey brads. I created the background using an unmounted SU wheel (I can't remember the name now) with versamark, heat & stick and Iridescent Ice. I know you've all heard this before, but it is really sparkly in real life even though I couldn't capture it with the camera. Here's a detail shot that might give a better idea:

I have a lot of things to share with you this week and I'm hoping I manage to get to them all. Belmira is now out of the water and sitting in her winter home and I'm hoping that this means that DH will be on his way home by the end of the week. YAY!!!! I know that I got to spend a month with him aboard, but he hasn't been at home since May. It will be good to have him back home again.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Monday Night Madness

2011-09-08T10:46:00.004-06:00

As promised, I'm back to show you some of the fun things that Sabrina and I worked with on Monday night. We had a fantastic day of shopping, creating and yes, cleaning! My studio is on it's way to becoming functional - I think. Here's some of the cards that we made:

This card was created using some wonderful paper from my dsp stash and the cute antique bicycle is from the $1 bin at Michaels! Sentiment is from a fun new set from SU called Perfectly Penned.

This card was created using one of my SU clear blocks and some Versamark. I embossed it with some wonderful antique brass embossing powder that we picked up on our last crafty jaunt at a shop in Littleton, CO called Stamping to See You (this is also what I used on the antique bicycle). I added some gold cording and a sentiment and viola! The inspiration for this card came from HERE - Kath is always astounding! Sentiment is from the Happiest Birthday Wishes hostess set from the new SU catalog.

Sabrina found this beautiful butterfly in the $1 bin at Joann's and it is fast becoming one of my favorite butterfly stamps. It's embossed it with some that antique brass embossing powder, colored with Copic markers and the dsp is some fun new paper I picked up on our downline field trip to Estes Park at Chery's wonderful store called Rocky Mountain Memories as well as some fun Bo Bunny paper that we picked up at Archivers. The embossed butterflies on the bottom card are also some fun stamps that I picked up on our visit to Estes Park.

I have a stamp camp this weekend, the first in a long time and I am looking forward to seeing all the smiling faces of the stampers as they create their works of art.

DH is at the winter marina waiting for the rain to stop long enough to have Belmira hauled out of the water. Then begins the winterizing and then ... home at last!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Multiple Challenges

2011-09-06T09:57:00.005-06:00

I have challenge projects for Sentimental Sundays, Heart Song Inspirations and Kaboodle Doodles to share with you today.

Sentimental Sundays

Heart Song Inspirations

Kaboodle Doodles

I've also got some great projects that I worked on with my bff Sabrina, but I'll save those for tomorrow. We had a fabulous day yesterday with outings to some of our local craft stores, lunch at Applebees and then an evening of crafting. Sabrina is also a whiz at getting me motivated to getting some cleanup done in the old craft studio. We got lots of things put away and organized and I'm working on a plan to get a lot more done before dh gets home in a couple of weeks. Sailing season is done and he and Belmira are docked at the winter boat yard up the river in Dighton, MA. He's got some things to finish and get winterized before they pull her out of the water for the season and then there's the whole shrink wrapping adventure too. I'm hoping he is home before the end of September though!

My Kaboodle Doodles card for this week's challenge features one of the new sentiments from a "sheep" set that will be available later this week. I have lots of cute sheep images and I wanted some coordinating sentiments. They are fun and I think you will like them. I'm also starting to repost some of the old sentiment sets and hope to have lots of new ones to add soon.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Variations on a Theme

2011-08-31T10:37:00.003-06:00

Well, you all saw my first cards using this element HERE and I just can't seem to let it go - it's too much fun! I've designed several more cards that started out with pretty much a direct case from Angela McKay (North Shore Stamper) but using a slightly different color combo and dsp (but from the same pack). Somehow she managed to make it look really great so I just had to give it a try. I wasn't happy at all with my first attempt:

Somehow stamping on Very Vanilla with Pool Party and More Mustard just didn't cut it for me. It altered the color too much and I didn't think it looked very good. My second attempt uses the same dsp that Angela used, but I used Whisper White for my card base and for the stamped elements and I added the additional 5 petal - flower from the Island Floral Bigz Die. On both of these cards I punched the centers and painted them with Champagne Mist to give them a shimmery appearance. While I like it, it just wasn't the POP that I wanted to achieve.

My next attempt is with a different color combo, an embossed large flower, different dsp and the addition of a brad. I think I am finally a happy camper!

The lacey edges were created using the new ribbon punch from SU and cutting it in half and adhering it to the edges of the colored cardstock strip.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Catching Up?

2011-08-31T10:20:00.005-06:00

Maybe, maybe not ... I feel like I have been in catch-up mode since I got back on the 6th and I'm not even close to getting there yet. Here are two cards for blogs I design for that should have been posted on Sunday, but ... at any rate here they are:

My very first entry for Heart Song Inspirations:

I know that I am just going to love working on this challenge blog - Leah Cornelius is such a talented designer and the gals in this group are simply wonderful! Please be sure to stop over and check out all the great projects by this talented design team and be sure to enter this challenge for your chance to win an image from Heart Song Designs (there are so many, many wonderful images to choose from)!

Sentimental Sundays (using an image from
this week's sponsor - Heart Song Designs):

I debated adding stamping or designer paper on this project, but the image was so great I decided to let it take center stage! Wouldn't this be a great teacher appreciation project?

I have some "variations on a theme" cards to show you today as well. It's time for our monthly downline meeting and I have struggled with designing my swap. I am in love with the two 5-petal punches that SU has right now and really wanted to use them again. I will probably use one of these for this month's Sassy Chic stamp camp in Longmont on September 10 too! Be sure to stop back later and check those out and give me some feedback on which ones you like best!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Those Xmas Cards I promised ....

2011-08-29T18:57:00.004-06:00

Here are those sample cards that I made for my playtime workshop last weekend:

There are so many fun things in the new catalog and the upcoming Holiday Mini - it's going to be a fun holiday season this year for sure!

Belmira and DH both weathered Irene just fine. I spent way too many hours glued to the Weather Channel this weekend and I'm behind on just about everything, but I wanted to see for myself what was happening.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

Design Team Member:
Heart Song Inspirations

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

A few cards ....

2011-08-26T11:46:00.004-06:00

After a bit of a battle with a sinus infection, I think I'm back on top of it and wanted to post a couple of those new catalog samples that I made up for last weekend's playdate.

The first is a card inspired by THIS card from Chat (Me, My Stamps and I):

The second card was inspired by THIS card by LeAnne (WEE inklings):

Tomorrow I'll share with you some of the other samples - my first Christmas cards of the season!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

3 x 3 Card Box Project

2011-08-23T10:56:00.006-06:00

Hi everyone! I wanted to make a sample of what can be done with a single stamp set (in this case it was the adorable Easy Events set), a die (Scallop Envelope die), some embossing folder strips and lots of scraps and bits from the scrap bins).

I started out with this:

and added these:

and ended up with this:

The inspiration for this project came from Mindy at Bada-Bing! Paper-Crafting - if you have not ever visited her blog you really should. Great energy and creativity there that is sure to inspire you!

Here's a little slideshow that shows each of the cards in this cute box.

Are you interested in a tutorial on making this adorable box? If so, leave me a comment and maybe I'll put one together and post it. I have lots more samples that I made from sets in the new catalog that I will be posting all this week so be sure to come back and visit and check them out.

I also have some things to share from my fall "wish list" of potential projects that I am hoping to tackle before Christmas. You guys are going to be my conscience - my motivation - to make sure that I get these things done! Hint: they don't involve paper at all!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #69

2011-08-23T08:23:00.004-06:00

This week's challenge on Sentimental Sundays is to create a birthday project! Our own Cheryl has a birthday today (why don't you pop by her blog and send her some birthday love)! Here's my project:

This card was so much fun to make. I ended up using the design in different colors for Saturday's stamping play date. I love the combination of Cherry Cobbler and Calypso Coral - intense isn't it?'

Here's a better picture of Saturday's project using the same design but different colors:

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodles - Challenge #81

2011-08-22T09:51:00.005-06:00

Good morning everyone. Slowly but surely I am starting to get back into the swing of being a landlubber once again. I have lots to share this week and will start off with today's Kaboodle Doodles challenge. This week we are challenging everyone to use ribbon on their projects. Our sponsor this week is Karber Digital Images and the winner will receive their choice of 3 images.

Here is my card using one of the cute images from Karber Digital Images:

I have pix to share of some projects I created using new toys from the SU Idea Book & Catalog as well as the new Holiday Mini. We had a wonderful time on Saturday playing with some of the new rubber from the IBC and a big thank you to all the gals who came and played with me. I really needed something to help me get re-focused after my month away.

I will also be joining the wonderfully talented gals on the Heart Song Inspirations design team and am really looking forward to working with these gals and creating with Leah's gorgeous designs!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Playing with some new rubber!

2011-08-18T09:00:00.003-06:00

Well, slowly but surely my mojo is easing it's way back into my life. My stay on Belmira with dh was much too short and I have had a bit of a time getting back into the routines of a house that doesn't float. I know that he will be back soon, but ...

At any rate, there's lots of new rubber in the house! SU's new Idea Book and Catalog and a new Holiday Mini both brought some cool new stuff. I've been playing a bit with some of it and would like to share a couple of projects today and probably a couple more tomorrow.

I'm loving all the flowers in the new catalog:

Here's my swap for this month's downline meeting. It was a small group but we sure did have a nice time at the Stone Cup coffee house in Lyons, CO. If you are ever in Lyons you really should stop in and sample some of their delicious food! Great food and a a wonderful, relaxed environment.

I'm having some gals over on Saturday for a little play time. Nothing serious, just fun! I think we might make a couple of these projects that I'm showing you today and tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

home again ...

2011-08-08T08:31:00.005-06:00

Okay - I'll admit it ... I'm home and am not extremely happy about it. My month on Belmira was as it was last year - totally delightful in spite of the obvious problems with weather, etc. I will recount some of the highlights in future posts - promise. For now though, here are some of the projects that were featured on both Kaboodle Doodles and Sentimental Sundays while I was away:

Kaboodle Doodles:

Challenge #76

Challenge #77

Challenge #78

Challenge #79

Sentimental Sundays:

Challenge #65

Challenge #66

I didn't really have a reliable enough connection to post regularly, but truth be told, I really just needed a break. Forgive me?

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

I have not drowned - just having too much fun!!!!

2011-07-30T08:09:00.002-06:00

I have not drowned and dh has not thrown me overboard (yet). I am just having way too much fun though and will catch up with everyone when I get back. It's hard to believe, but I will be back in Colorado one week from today.

Check out dh's blog today for an update on what we've been up to:

http://apbelmira.blogspot.com

His post should be going up sometime today. For those of you that are my friends on facebook, there's a couple of great shots from yesterday's adventures on my page. The weather has been, well ... the weather and so we have not done as much sailing as we would have liked, but I'm not exactly sure that would be humanly possible anyway!

Lots of great ideas for fun things to do in the craft studio with paper, sewing machine and looms as well as lots of fun projects spinning in my head for the pottery studio. Hopefully, I will be able to keep the momentum going when I get home.

On a last note, here's one of my favorite pictures from this trip so far:

This is Alabama, the white Black Dog Ship from Marthas Vineyard. Isn't she lovely? There is a black version that is more of a square rigger but I was not able to get any good pictures of her.

See you soon!

~chris

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Greetings from Buzzards Bay

2011-07-14T16:22:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure how well this is going to work, but I am going to give it a try. We arrived at the boat yesterday and were aboard and settled in before the squall hit. It was wonderful to watch the power in the clouds as the front moved towards us. It rained and there was thunder and lightning - and lots and lots of wind! Very exciting for my first night aboard in about a year. I love the new mooring - the marina is clean and accessible. There are separate shower facilities for guys and gals even! We are right off Buzzards Bay which will make access to open water quick and easy. We managed to get completely soaked coming back to the boat this morning after doing some grocery shopping - crossing the marina in our dinghy in 15-20 knot winds with waves splashing over the bow - exciting, scary and very, very wet. I'll have some pix soon.

In the meantime, let me catch up on some of the challenges at Sentimental Sundays and Kaboodle Doodles. Our challenge on Sentimental Sundays was to use unconventional stamping techniques or materials. I have wanted to play with old dress pattern paper for a while and this challenge presented me with the perfect opportunity. I cut flowers from the pattern material using a Tim Holtz flower die and then sponged the flowers with distress inks. Then I stamped the flowers with a Tim Holtz stamp using distress inks. Here's the result:

The Kaboodle Doodles challenge this week was to use your scissors! I cut around the flower and then cut the image using a nestie. Here's my project:

Well, I will apologize in advance to all my bloggy buddies that I usually leave comments for - our internet connection is a bit dodgy and I'm not sure how many of you I will get to visit over the next couple of weeks, but I'll do my best!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodles - a bit late ....

2011-07-06T14:19:00.003-06:00

Well, the Kaboodle Doodles challenge posted on Monday and I did actually have my card done in time, just didn't get it posted here. So anyway, here it is:

Had fun with this one (I always enjoy playing with Stef's images) and be sure to check out the creations from the other dt members. Big announcement on next week's challenge post - some new blood is joining the team!

Tonight I'm going to take some pix and share with you a deep dark secret .... so stay tuned!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes!

2011-07-03T07:19:00.004-06:00

Well it's time for another Sentimental Sundays challenge and this week - Anything Goes! I think my passion for butterflies is widely known - my stamp campers give me grief if my project doesn't have one these days! I decided to just play with some pieces and parts that were laying on my work desk and this is what I came up with:

The large butterfly is from the Spellbinders set that Sabrina and I went to Colorado Springs to pick up. It's decorated with a butterfly from Whimsy Stamps and also with some Viva Pearl Pens. The sentiment is from an incentive set from SU, the little butterflies are from the SU Beautiful Wings sizzlit die and the strip of butterflies is a punch from MS. I embossed the real red panel with an old embossing folder that came with a set of Asian themed folders.

On a personal note: A huge, huge thank you for all your encouraging comments, emails and phone calls. I am fine - just a bit muddled at the moment. Too many thoughts and I'm not able to put them all in order just yet. I will though - no worries! My month on Belmira is coming at just the right time. Thanks everyone!!!!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Missing Muse

2011-06-30T20:49:00.002-06:00

What do you all do when your muse deserts you? When she gets p-o'd at you for wallowing in self-doubt about your creative abilities and ups and takes a hike.

I am finding myself in this position at the moment. I really, really don't like it at all. Seemingly offhand comments from a person I greatly admire have caused me to have doubts about everything I have been doing for the last 4 years. I know that I should put on my big girl panties and move on - just do what I've been doing, but do it better and with more originality. Easier said than done unfortunately. I now wonder about allowing myself to be inspired by all the wonderful talent around me - am I inspired or am I just imitating instead of being truly creative?

I don't usually piss and moan on here, but I feel some explanation for the lack of much creative fruit lately might be in order. I won't have my card making supplies with me - there is absolutely no room for anything but my laptop and maybe a little knitting on the boat. But I will have my laptop so hopefully my digis will reappear - most of them anyway but not all and hopefully some new ones that I will dream up on my month on Belmira. I want to explore creating things that will work with Nestabilities dies - that seems to be a safe place to start.

I really enjoyed creating the new watermark and signature - it helped me feel like I was keeping my fingers in the pie. They are just temporary though as I know that they still look way too much like the old ones and I need to find my own path. It's just kinda foggy around me at the moment and the path is not very clear.

Thanks for hanging in there and being patient and supportive - I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Things might get sparse on here over the next month. There's wifi in the marina but it's not extremely reliable. I will be keeping up with my dt duties (look for some wonderful new creative energy on Kaboodle very soon) but that may be it until August when I come home. I'm going to do a lot of soul searching while gazing out to sea and enjoying all the marvelous beauty that the New England coast has to offer as well as the emotional security that spending time with my better half always brings me. Hopefully I will find some peace of mind and a new well of creativity!!!

Thanks for visiting and for letting me vent a bit!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Keeping with the spirit of rejuvination ....

2011-06-30T10:40:00.003-06:00

What do you think of the blog redesign? I don't have any projects to share today, but I have been messing about with the old blog design and incorporating the styles of my new watermark and signature block into the blog. Feedback? Please?

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about the techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Playing with New Toys

2011-06-29T08:34:00.007-06:00

Well the new SU catalog goes live on Friday and I had some gals over to play with some of the new toys on Sunday and these were the two projects we made:

How do you like the new watermark and signature (below)? Decided it was time for a bit of a rejuvenation.

I'm suffering a bit of creative block along with the usual pre-trip jitters. I will be heading east on July 9 and I can't seem to concentrate very well at the moment. Hopefully, I will have a chance to get some goodies together to share with you over the month that I am at sea, but we'll see.

Thanks for being patient and tolerant and Anne-Marie you have a surprise coming your way!!!!! Finally! Hope you won't be disappointed in your goody box.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Downline Swaps & Make and Takes

2011-06-23T14:10:00.005-06:00

I was so sorry to miss the meeting of my immediate downline group last Saturday, but I really couldn't miss this. I was going to do a slideshow, but I thought these projects were so wonderful that I'd give them a bit more space on the old blog. Take a gander at these gorgeous projects:

And take a look at this plant spike - I put it in my hibiscus on the front deck - how fun is this!!!!

Here's one of the blossoms on the aforementioned hibiscus plant:

It doesn't have a lot of greenery right now, but it sure is loaded with flowers and buds!

I'm looking for a few new team mates on the Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog. If you want more information about how to apply, see THIS POST! It's a fun team and we'd love to have you join us!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Monday Night Stamping!

2011-06-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Well, Sabrina and I had a blast creating and chatting on Monday night. She's a genius when it comes to using up all my old bits and pieces and here's one of her cards from Monday night:

Our trip to Colorado Springs over Memorial Day weekend was initially planned so that we could pick up some new nesties that would be available at the scrapbooking store down there. One of those sets was - what else - butterflies! I finally had a chance to play with it a bit and here's a card using the largest of the three butterflies in the set. This card also uses another two butterfly nestie and some butterflies cut with the SU Beautiful Wings embosslit die.

I have some wonderful creations to show you from this month's downline meeting that I had to miss because I was HERE. Look for those tomorrow!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Happy Birthday Kael!!!!

2011-06-21T12:10:00.006-06:00

On June 5 my firstborn grandson turned 7 years old! I cannot believe he is that old - just impossible! Here's he is at just a few hours old:

And here he is a few years later enjoying a sail on Belmira!

And here he is this year playing with the electric scooter that grandpa and I gave him for his birthday.

Here's a little slideshow from this year's birthday bash which was held this past Saturday, June 18:

Happy Birthday darling Kael!!!! We love you!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #72

2011-06-21T11:35:00.004-06:00

This week on Kaboodle Doodles we are hungry and thirsty and we'd like to see some projects featuring food and/or drinks!! Our sponsor this week is the talented Melissa Jenkins and the winner will receive 4 images from her marvelous company Meljen's Designs!

Here's my project featuring two of Meljen's images combined with an added computer generated sentiment:

This week is the final week for our DT member Jill. Jill has been my team mate for the last 18 months on Kaboodle Doodles and I consider her one of my best bloggy buddies. She's a talented and hard working gal and I wish her all the best as she moves on to bigger and better things! We'll all miss you Jill but look forward to seeing all your fantastic creations in the future.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Heart Song Inspirations Challenge #3

2011-06-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

Well it's my third week as guest designer at the Heart Song Inspirations blog and I am truly enjoying myself. Leah's images are a complete delight to work with. This week the challenge is to use flowers or handmade flowers on your project. I chose to work with the lovely poppies image from Heart Song Designs.

I am making a whole set of cards using this image and will share those with you later in the week. Please stop by the Heart Song Inspirations blog and enjoy the wonderful creations by the design team and join in and play for a chance to win some digis from Heart Song Designs.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Time for a Blog Hop!

2011-06-19T00:01:00.004-06:00

Welcome to the Sentimental Sundays “Celebrate Summer” blog hop. Tuesday, June 21st, is the official first day of summer in the northern hemisphere and we are all ready for the summer fun to begin. For our friends down under who are moving into their winter months and may not feel like creating a summery project, they may be making “Sparkly or Shimmery” projects. What girl doesn’t like her bling?

You should have arrived here from Lou at Lou's Love of Paper. If you didn't arrive from her blog and would like to join in the hop, please start at the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog.

When I think of summer, I think of bright colors and flowers. Here's my project for this week's challenge and I think it fits the bill just fine:

We hope you will join in our “Summery or Sparkly” (plus a sentiment) challenge this week. Our sponsor is the marvelous Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs. This prize will be four INDIVIDUAL sentiment sets from the Raindrop Echo Designs Whimsy Stamps Digital Collection.

Your next stop on the hop is Antoinette of nettiegillie-crafts. If you should happen to get lost along the way, you can find the blog hop list over at the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog. Don't forget to leave comments along the way because there are 3 mystery DT members who will each choose a winner from the comments left on their blog hop posts. The winners will each win a $10 gift certificate to Whimsy Stamps! The hop ends on Friday, June 24th at midnight EST. The winners will be announced on the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog on Sunday, June 26th. So, hop on over to the next stop and good luck!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #71

2011-06-13T09:09:00.007-06:00

Well the Kaboodlers are playing with flowers this week - my absolute favorite kind of images to play with!!!! Here's my card:

Our sponsor this week is Tiffany Doodles and they have so very many wonderful floral images! These dahlias fit perfectly in a nestie and were just a joy to color. Tiffany Doodles is also having a sale! Buy 3 and get 1 free!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Heart Song Designs Challenge #2

2011-06-13T08:41:00.003-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that you are all ready for another fun challenge on the Heart Song Inspiration Blog! This week we are challenging you to use one of or any combo of Buttons, Bows and Bling AND/OR play along with the sketch! Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

I used the Bloom Trimmers One set from Heart Song Designs for this card - what a fun and versatile set! Card base is Lavender Lace (retired SU) and I added some fun ribbon, some dew drops and some designer paper from the scrap bin.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

North Area Stamp Camp

2011-06-10T12:31:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow is the last stamp camp of the season and it's going to be a BIG one! Lots of door prizes and gifts for the attendees and lots of great food and there's always the wonderful projects that the demonstrators have put together. Here's mine:

I also wanted to share a card that Sabrina made when she came over to stamp a couple of weeks ago:

This is a stamp we picked up on our little road trip to Colorado Springs and I think she hit one out of the park with this card!!!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #70

2011-06-06T07:40:00.003-06:00

Well it's time for a new challenge on the Kaboodle Doodles challenge blog. This week we are challenging you to create something using mystical characters - fairies, angels, unicorns, gnomes - use your imagination! Here's my card:

I am totally out of my comfort zone on this one, but it was really fun. I colored the image with Copics and then painted some shimmer paint on her hair and dress. You can't see it very well in the picture, but it's very sparkly and fun! I have a terrible time using 7 Gypsies designer paper - it is sooooooo hard to cover up the great paper with an image!

Our sponsor this week is WhoopsiDaisy Designs and the winner will receive their choice of 2 sheets (8 images) from WhoopsiDaisy Designs.

Lots of fun goings on this week - new stuff from SU to play with - look for some projects coming up next week! Fun, fun, fun stamp camp coming up on Saturday, June 11 with the North Area Stampers - it's summer vacation time and this will be our last camp until fall. We are going all out and having a luau!!!! If you are interested in details, shoot me an email and I will get a flyer out to you. This promises to be one of the premiere events of the season and you won't want to miss it!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Heart Song Inspirations Challenge #1

2011-06-06T07:29:00.003-06:00

The talented gals at Heart Song Inspirations are so excited to be having weekly challenges again and hope you will join in and spread the word. Each Monday there will be a new challenge with a fun twist called And/Or. You will be offered 2 challenges and you are free to choose one of them or do both! This promises to be both challenging and exciting and we hope that you will join in and play along. This week's challenge is Anything Goes and there is an adorable freebie being offered that you can use if you choose! Here's my card:

Please stop by the Heart Song Inspirations blog and check out the creations of the talented design team. I was honored to be invited to join the team as a Guest Designer for the month of June and I am really looking forward to playing along in these fun challenges.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sundays - Inspired by Song!

2011-06-05T09:39:00.004-06:00

Well it's Sunday and I am actually posting my Sentimental Sundays card! This week the design team is being "Inspired by Song" and WOW have they been inspired. Be sure to stop by the blog and check out all the marvelous creations made by the design team. We have a lot of new team members and they are showing off their talents - and believe me, they are VERY talented. Here's my card:

As you all know, dh is off "sailing" - well not quite yet but he will be soon! I keep hearing the Christopher Cross song in my head and on my car radio and it always makes me think of him! Repairs are progressing and you can follow his progress on the Sailing Belmira blog. She should hit the water sometime around the 15th!!!

Lots of fun stuff coming up tomorrow - Kaboodle Doodles and Heart Song Designs both have new challenges that I am certain you will find fun, fun, fun!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

BFF fun and Sassy Chic Camp Card`

2011-05-31T06:30:00.000-06:00

Over this long weekend Sabrina and I took a little road trip to Colorado Springs and Southwest Denver. We had a fantastic day of touring the wonders of Simple Pleasures in Colorado Springs and then we paid a visit to Stamping to See You and did we ever luck out!!! Bonnie was having a class using stamps from Holly Berry House (we tried to visit there when we were in the Springs but there was some kind of humongous street fair and we couldn't even get close). Here's the card I made in the class:

Such fun!!!! Lots of stamping, embossing, painting and cutting but oh my .... I love the end result! The lack of sunlight really does not do justice to this card as it is very sparkly and vibrant irl. Maybe I'll try to get a better picture when the sun comes out and stays out!

I will be at the Sassy Chic stamp camp in Longmont on June 4 (if you want details, just email me). This will be the card you will make at my table:

I guess I'm officially obsessed with butterflies this year! Card base is white with dp from two retired dsp packs. The middle butterflies are die cut with the Big Shot and the outer two are punched from white cardstock put through the dotted swiss embossing folder. The two strips of purple were cut with the trim die on the Big Shot.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sunday and Kaboodle Doodles

2011-05-30T11:29:00.003-06:00

In an attempt to get a little caught up, I am combining these two challenge posts. The first card, is not a card but a bookmark! The challenge this week on Sentimental Sundays is Anything BUT a Card. Please be sure to stop by and check out the marvelous creations of the design team and meet all our new design team members while you are there!!!

The butterfly image is from a new (to me) digital company called Digi Design House. They have some wonderful images and I am having fun coloring them up. You'll be seeing much more from them here in the future. I colored the image with Copics and then covered it with Glossy Accents. It's mounted on a lacey scallop oval nestie in Lavender Lace (SU) and that is mounted on an oval of Cameo Coral (SU). I attached a white satin ribbon and stamped the sentiment using a little dollar alphabet set I got at Mikes.

This is my entry for this week's Kaboodle Doodles challenge which is to Show us Your Colors! I made this card in honor of Memorial Day which is the day every year when Americans remember all those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.

This image is from this week's sponsor on Kaboodle Doodles - The Paper Shelter. It is colored with a combination of digital coloring and Copics and is mounted on some scraps of blue and white. The card base is Cherry Cobbler (SU) and the sentiment is one I generated on my computer.

Well the sun is out (no telling how long it will last) and I am going to try to get a bunch of pictures taken while it does!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get ....

2011-05-24T10:54:00.003-06:00

Playing a bit of catch up today as I have tons to post but no time to post them. I'll start with my Sentimental Sundays card for this week's challenge - Single Layer Cards!

In conjunction with this card which utilizes a beautiful image from Heart Song Designs, I have an announcement - I've been invited to be a guest designer for Heart Songs Designs! Starting in June, Heart Song Designs will be hosting a challenge every Monday. Look to see the challenges and my projects on the Heart Song Inspirations blog as well as here on my blog.

I have lots of things to share and hopefully over the next few days I'll get it together and get some pictures. We have had rain and clouds for weeks and it's hard to get a good picture sometimes, but I'll give it a shot!

DH is busy working on the boat. This year's project is to replace the balsa core in the foredeck which got wet and rotted and made for a spongy surface to walk on on the bow. Not a good thing! The plan is to have it replaced and fixed up so that Belmira can launch in early June! If you want to follow his progress, he's blogging at: Sailing Belmira - go visit and check out his adventures!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sunday - in more ways than one!

2011-05-15T11:37:00.003-06:00

Well it's time for another challenge on the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog. This week we are challenging you to make some flowers! Here's my card:

I saw these flowers on the Spellbinders blog and just had to give them a try. I think they came out pretty nice!

I also want to announce the winner from last week's Anniversary celebration blog hop at Sentimental Sundays: #15 is Curt!

Curt if you read this, send an email to: sentimentalsundays@raindropecho.com and let Ann know that you are the winner from my blog and she will get your prize to you!

It's also a bit sentimental because dh is heading east tomorrow for the summer! The family is coming today for a bbq to send him off on his journey. I'll be joining him in July this year instead of August though so it won't be quite so long till I see him again. You can follow his journeys on his sailing blog: Sailing Belmira. He should be at the boat by next weekend and hopes to have her in the water in a couple weeks.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Monday Night Stamping on Wednesday!

2011-05-11T12:49:00.000-06:00

Well it's Wednesday and it can't decide if it wants to rain or snow so it's just making a big mess! I can't complain as we really need the moisture, but ....

Monday Night Stamping was a blast as usual. Sabrina was in rare form:

Isn't this gorgeous? We've been talking about playing with these inchie stamps forever and she finally made a few. I'll get there! ETA-can someone please tell me the name of this dsp from SU? I had a few stray sheets and was trying to look it up in my dsp coordinating color excel worksheet and cannot remember what it's called?

I've been coloring though:

This is the current freebie from Designed 2 Delight and it was really fun to color but I kept making the blanket too bright. I think this one works well though don't you?

I also colored up this great image from Firecracker Designs. The dsp is from PTI and the ribbon was on one of my beautiful Mother's Day gifts - a beautiful hand made tote bag and sleep mask and my card was made using the fabric from the bag. Thanks Autumn! I also got a wonderful card and beautiful flowers and chocolate with a note on the card that had me crying remembering the day I found out that I was going to be a grandma for the first time (thanks Lorena)!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodle Challenge #66 - Lots of Layers

2011-05-09T09:05:00.001-06:00

Well it's Monday and time for another challenge on the Kaboodle Doodles challenge blog. This week the challenge is to create a project using lots of layers! Here's mine:

You can't see it very clearly in this photo, but the raindrops are stickles and this is very sparkly irl. Be sure to stop by the blog and check out the projects by all the other talented design team members! Our sponsor this week is StampFairy and this is one of their images that I picked up a while ago. There are lots of fun images on the StampFairy site and you could be the lucky one to win some of them!

ETA - Thanks Pauline! - I've entered this card in the challenge over at The Ribbon Reel Challenge Blog - this is a new challenge blog and it looks to be lots of fun so be sure to stop over and check it out.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

A Sentimental Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:24:00.005-06:00

I want to wish all my friends who are mothers a very, very Happy Mother's Day!

It's also Sunday so that means a new challenge on the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog and there's lots happening over there! It's our 1 year anniversary and Ann has some wonderful ways of saying thank you to all who have been so supportive and made our blog such a success. We also have a design team call out so be sure to stop over and check out all the great news at Sentimental Sundays! Here's my card for this week's challenge - Anything Goes!

Don't you just love this cute snail from Heart Song Designs?

I'm thinking it's going to be a nice quiet day here at the old homestead. Stamp camp yesterday was a blast and a big thank you to all the gals who came and got creative with us! DH is busy getting all his ducks in a row for his scheduled departure on the 15th. I'm going to putter ... one of my favorite things to do!

Hope you all have a wonderful day today!
Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Take a peek ...

2011-05-05T09:11:00.004-06:00

Hop on over to the Let's Ink It Up blog and see who's there today! Thanks to all the folks over there for featuring me on their blog today.

I think I mentioned that I have a stamp camp coming up on Saturday. Here's what we will be making at my station:

I think the final version will also feature some paper piercing, but I didn't get a pix of that version yet. This is a SUO card. Card base is Crumb Cake (fomerly Kraft) and is layered with some Cajun Craize and Paisley Petals dsp. I layered the image on River Rock and it is stamped in Soft Suede on some watercolor paper - both these layers are sponged and distressed. The image is colored with re-inkers - Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz and Bashful Blue. I also added some highlights to the jar with shimmer paint, but you can't see it very well in this picture. The gals will have a choice to make this as a Mother's Day card or a birthday card.

DH is putting the final touches on his boat trip preparation. Scheduled departure date is May 15 and he should be at the boat by May 18-19. Hopefully he won't have as much to do to get her in the water this year and he'll be off sailing in short order.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Kaboodle Doodle Challenge - "B" stuff!

2011-05-02T12:18:00.004-06:00

This week our challenge over on Kaboodle Doodles has the kaboodlers making projects using embellishments that start with "B" - brads, buttons, bows, bling - you get the idea! They have done a bang up job of it too, so be sure to stop over and check out their creations. Here's mine:

Our sponsor this week is Di's Digis and they gave the team some fun images to work with. I pulled this cutie from my stash and went to town. Card base is Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft) (SU) and I stamped on it in CC (SU) ink using my unmounted paws wheel (SU). DH so very kindly and skillfully made me some acrylic blocks that fit my unmounted standard and jumbo wheels just perfectly. One of these days I'll put up a little tutorial on how that is accomplished if you all are interested. The image was colored with Copics and cut out using a lace edge nestie square. It's mounted on a square of Daffodil Delight (SU) that I rounded the corners on. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU) and punched and layered on a nestie label.

Okay, now for the first garden pix of the season.

The daffodils succumbed to the cold and I fear that the tulips might have been done in by it as well. We'll see. The allium however are undaunted and growing like crazy!! The hyacinth was just gorgeous, but alas as with most spring bulbs, it didn't hang around very long either. DH has been working in the yard like crazy building frames and mulching and getting everything looking so pretty before he leaves for the boat. I am going to be moving the veggie gardening to the front porch this year in the hope that I can handle it better by myself. DH is the true gardener in the family but I still would like to have a little home grown produce to snack on this summer. We have drip irrigation on the porch and it gets great sun all through the morning so it should be a good place for some tomatoes, lettuce and maybe even some peppers.

I'll have my Sassy Chic Stamp Camp card to share with you later (thanks so much to bff Sabrina for helping me come up with the design) and also a couple more Wax Fruit Company cards. I can't stop playing with Arielle's images - so very much fun to color!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sunday!

2011-05-01T12:59:00.005-06:00

Well the gals over at Sentimental Sundays have a very fun and special challenge this week. Be sure to stop over and check out all the wonderful cards - there's three very special ones from some very special kids too! The challenge this week is to honor the special women/woman in your life. Be that your mom, grandma, niece, sister - whoever. Here's my card:

Deedee's Digis is our sponsor this week and this is one of her images. Deedee is closing her store on May 14, so if you want to get some images you better get over there and get shopping! There are incredible deals to be had so be sure to check it out.

I've also been coloring up a storm. Here's a card I made for this week's Tiddly Inks challenge:

This is another card featuring a Tiddly Inks image.

More later and also some garden pix - first of the year!

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Hi my name is Chris ....

2011-04-30T15:43:00.009-06:00

...and I have not blogged in nearly a week! What can I say - busy, busy, busy and it's a good thing not bad so I cannot complain. One thing I have to say about my life - it's never, ever boring!

Anyway - I played a bit with our new Grand Calibur and some mega nesties and made this shaped card for this week's challenge on the Delightful Inspirations blog:

This is a progressive challenge and by playing each week, you earn the following week's digi! Isn't this little fairy princess a cutie?

The gals at Sentimental Sundays would like to invite you to stop by tomorrow for a very special Sentimental Sundays challenge! This week's challenge will be "Mother's Day" or "For a Woman." The reason why this one is special is that we will have an optional challenge of "Craft with a Child." We feel that it's a wonderful thing to be able to bond with a child through crafting and art!

For all those who submit something created by a son, daughter, niece, nephew, child next door, etc, you will automatically receive the Krafty Kids Sentiments for the crafty child and the Mother's Day Sentiments for the crafty adult who helped them. If you like, you can grab our button below to help us spread the word about our special challenge :)

I also have been coloring up a storm and here's a slideshow of a set of note cards I made for my dsil:

The image is Cyclamen from the Wax Fruit Company. Oh how I love the artwork that Arielle creates - it's an absolute joy to color!!!!

I have spring flower pix to share and also some more Wax Fruit Company cards so hopefully I will get off my duff and get some blog posts done for next week!!!! I have a stamp camp coming up on May 7 (anyone in the Denver metro area that wants more info just email me) and I'll be sharing that project too.

Thanks for visiting!

chris

Design Team Coordinator:
Sentimental Sundays
Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #52

2011-04-24T10:00:00.002-06:00

Today's challenge on Sentimental Sundays is to use at least three punched elements on your project. Given my total love of anything punchy - this was not hard at all for me. Our co-sponsor this week is the delightful Leah Cornelius of Heart Song Designs and I have used one of her images on my card:

I also made a second card using this image:

The background on both cards was stamped using the Pretty Petals background stamp from SU. My challenge cards uses Lovely Lilac and the second card is stamped with Daffodil Delight. Those are also the colors of the coordinating card stock used on both cards. The image panels were cut using nesties and the images were colored with Copic markers. The pearls on the second card are from Pizzazz Aplenty (thanks Judy for having such great embellies!) and the sentiment was embossed with some Melon Mambo embossing powder which will be available on May 1 from SU.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Design Team Coordinator:

Sentimental Sundays

Kaboodle Doodles

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used in the work displayed on this blog, feel free to use the email link on the left and I will gladly answer your questions.