Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #52

Well I didn't get my twins slideshow done - I'll get it done and share it with you later this week. So you've gotten a respite from my overbearing grandma pictures!!!

I do have a new Kaboodle Doodles challenge card to share with you though. This week our challenge is to Make it Monochromatic! Our sponsor is the generous folks at Fresh Brewed Designs. They gave the team some fun images to work with and will give the challenge winner their choice of three images from their store. Pop on over to the Kaboodle Doodles blog and take a look at the wonderful creations from the design team. Here's my card:



I guess his nose is technically not "monochromatic" but ... a carrot can't be blue even if it's really, really cold out! Speaking of really, really cold - that's what it is here for the next few days courtesy of our friends to the north. We may not get above zero for a bit, but hopefully by the weekend it will be more bearable. I have a stamp camp coming up this weekend and I hope to have a sample of my project to share with you soon too! The blog candy package is growing as well and soon will be ready - might wait till the end of the month and celebrate my b'day 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.

It's a Sentimental Sunday!

Our challenge this week on the Sentimental Sundays Challenge Blog is to celebrate the Chinese New Year and everything Asian. I have had this washi paper and this stamp set (Kanji from SU) for years and it was wonderful to have an occasion to break them out. Here's my card:


As usual, Ann has a fantastic freebie for you this week so be sure to stop by and pick it up as it will be gone after a week. Hopefully, while you are there you will get inspired to make a card and enter our challenge!

Tomorrow is the twins 5th birthday and also time for a new Kaboodle Doodles challenge, so be sure to come back and visit.

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.

She's Absolutely Fabulous!

The instant I saw this image from Digi Doodles I just knew I had to send it to my long time bloggy buddy Allison. Some time ago she posted this picture on her blog and I still go back to that post whenever I need a bit of cheering up. I mean, c'mon look at that wonderfully expressive child - what's not to fall in love with? Click HERE to see exactly what I'm talking about.

I saw this card on Dorcas' blog and vowed that someday I will be able to color like her. For my card I resorted to coloring her digitally. Allison is going to make a card with this image today too, so be sure to check out her blog and see what she has come up with. Here's my card - bling, Basic Grey dp and all:


The twins turn 5 on Monday - 5! Where the heck did the time go. I plan to do a good bit of genuine grandma stuff on my blog that day - kind of a retrospective on these two miracles, so be sure to come back and visit.

New challenges on Sentimental Sundays and Kaboodle Doodles coming up too! These will both be lots of fun so be sure to visit!

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.

Year End (I know I'm late) Cleanup

I've been going through my blog reader (I have way tooooooo many blogs listed there - like 500+) and cleaning things up. Un-subcribing from blogs that haven't posted in 6 months or more and also un-subscribing from blogs that make you click on their link in order to view what they are posting for the day. For example:

Mike Funke - http://stampin-style.typepad.com/stampin-style/
Mary Fish - http://www.stampinpretty.com/

Both are blogs that make you click in order to see what's new if you are reading them in Google Reader. What is up with that? There must be a setting somewhere that you select to make your blog "not" viewable in a reader like Google Reader. Does anyone have an explanation on how that works? I have "preview" option set up via a Greasemonkey script, but I still have to click in order to see blogs set up like these two are. I'd love to know how this happens so if you know, please leave me a comment letting me know - thanks in advance for that too!

Both of the blogs listed above are ones that I would really like to read, but I just cannot justify all the extra clicks required to be able to read them. There are more, but these are just examples.

How often do you clean up your blog reader and what criteria do you use to do this? I'm curious and would love to hear your responses about this thorny issue.

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 wants you to Bling it Up!

It's time for a new challenge on the Kaboodle Doodles blog today. This week we would like to see some glitz and glamour - so add some bling, glitter or anything nice and shiny to your card. Our sponsor this week is the Digi Doodles Shop and they gave the team some wonderful images to play with.

Here's mine:

I also made another one from one of my own Digi Doodles images - I just love geraniums!

I colored these with my colored pencils and oms - fun! In spite of having a bit of sun, these look much bling-ier in real life. I'll get this photography thing down one of these days!

We are adding two new dt members to the Kaboodler squad - Lorie and Stacie - please stop by their blogs and leave them a little loving encouragement!

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.

It's Sentimental Sundays Time!`

I have a card for this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge to share with you. This week's challenge is a color challenge:


Here's my card:


Be sure to stop by and pick up the free sentiment set that Ann has created for you this week and be sure to enter your creation for a chance to win four INDIVIDUAL sentiment sets from the Raindrop Echo Designs Whimsy Stamps Digital Collection AND a custom watermark/signature set from the Custom Designs at Whimsy Stamps.

There's a new challenge brewing over at Kaboodle Doodles too and some great news coming as well - hint - we have a couple new Kaboodlers joining the team. Be sure to stop by tomorrow and find out all about 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.

Happy Saturday and Happy Birthday to my DH!

It's DH's birthday today. He's not wanting to celebrate - says once he hit 66 and retired he stopped having any more birthdays! Not! We're going shopping for some new shoes and a new pair of sunglasses for him this afternoon and then having dinner with one of the boys and the grandkids! Here's the card I made for him:


Nothing too fancy, but it got the message across.

Here's a couple more cards I made this week. I started out trying to follow a sketch on the sympathy card but just couldn't bring myself to cover up that gorgeous 7 Gypsies paper.



Tomorrow is Sunday and that means Sentimental Sundays and this week I actually have a card. Monday will bring another Kaboodle Doodles challenge too so be sure to come back and visit.

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.

Couple Recent Cards

Our downline meeting was over a week ago, but I am finally getting my swap card posted. Here it is:


I also did a stamp camp last weekend and this is the card I demonstrated. We had 44 gals come and make cards with us and it was really a lot of fun. Got to meet some fantastic ladies and work with some very talented demonstrators. I hope I get the chance to do it again soon.


I made some cards last night and am hoping for some sunshine today so that I can get some decent pictures. I am really having fun doing some pretty plain and simple cards. See you 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.

More Challenges!

Well I played along in a couple more challenges - SCS sketch challenge and Curtain Call Color Challenge #65. I'm always in need of birthday cards and this was a good opportunity to make a really colorful one! Here's my card:


Card base is Wild Wasabi and panel colors are Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and Pacific Point. I used the coordinating dp from the 12x12 dp pads too spiff things up a bit and a couple of coordinating buttons. The sentiment is from the new Bring On the Cake set in the new Occasions Mini catalog. I need to get better glasses though because as I look at my coloring - well it's not exactly in the lines! I'll blame it on old age - but it sure is colorful and cheery!

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.

Colour Q Challenge #68

I saw this color challenge yesterday and I just couldn't resist - I simply had to play!





Here's my card:


I also used a sketch from this week's Denami challenge, but I do not have any Denami images so this won't qualify for their challenge. Oh well - I liked the sketch so I used it. Card base is Poppy Parade and I used some dp from BG's Max & Whiskers collection (yum yum) I put a piece of So Saffron through the BS with the Square Lattice embossing folder at an angle and mounted it on some Always Artichoke. I put a piece of Cherry Cobbler through the BS with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and added a piece of white punched with the Decorative Label punch and stamped with stamps from the Bold Blossom set. Some cute threaded buttons and a mini clip and I called it done! It feels good to do some challenges even if one of them doesn't really apply!

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 #50!

I can hardly believe it - we're up to 50 challenges now on the Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog. When I first was invited to join the design team as a guest designer we were at Challenge #3. We've come a long way baby! Please pay us a visit and check out all the wonderful creations by the fabulous design team. Our challenge is Black, White + 1 other color. Here's my creation:


Card base is my fave "toothy" white with layers of Real Red and Basic Black. Our sponsor this week is Sassy Studio Designs and they gave the team some fantastic images to play with. I chose Snow White and colored her in my graphics software. I added some of my fave blingy thingies that I picked up in the jewelry department at HL.

I'm hoping to get back on track here this week as I've got lots to share and just haven't had time to post. Upcoming this week is my swap and those of all the other gals from last week's downline meeting. I also did a really fun stamp camp with 9 other demonstrators and I'll have my project to share with you. Be sure to stop back and visit.

p.s. I have NOT forgotten the blog candy either!!!!

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 Make & Take Projects

We have our first downline meeting of the year on Thursday and our fearless leader is coming in from Indiana to join us. I'm very excited to have her in town and able to visit with all of us - welcome home Roselyn!

I have two make and take projects for the girls to play with for this meeting. First up (I'm rethinking this and may use black embossing on the images instead of Stazon to make them pop a bit more):



And I thought I would offer two color choices for this project:



Both of these cards were inspired by creations from two wonderful SU demos - Sandi MacIver and Andrea Walford.

I have another project for Saturday's stamp camp and also my swap for this week's meeting that I'll show you tomorrow so be sure to stop back and visit.

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 Does it With Digis!

This week's challenge at Kaboodle Doodles is to use a digital image in your creation. If you haven't played with digital images before - you need to jump in and give it a try. There's lots of sources for free digital images and you can see some of them on my Resources page. There are digital stamp sites listed as well as some resources for freebie vintage digital images which are really fun to play with. Here's my card for today's challenge:


All the cardstock on this card is from SU. The card base is Concord Crush, a new color I have not played with much so far. Being the purple crazy person I am though I imagine it will see a lot of use! The image is from this week's challenge sponsor, The Stamping Boutique and I colored it using my graphics software. It's matted on a piece of Pear Pizzazz which is mounted on a torn corner of Peach Parfait that was put through the Big Shot using the new Framed Tulips embossing die. I added some cute buttons (SU) and a sentiment using the Word Window and Modern Label punces (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.

Sentimental Sundays Takes Flight!

This week at Sentimental Sundays we are challenging our readers to put wings in their creations. Birds, planes, butterflies - if it has wings, make a card with it and enter it in our challenge - and don't forget the SENTIMENT! Ann has some wonderful freebies for you today so be sure to check them out and grab them as they are only available for one week.

Here's my card:


Card base is Pear Pizzazz with a layer of Poppy Parade (both SU) and then a gorgeous dp from Mike's. The ribbon is Poppy Parade (SU) and I have added some wonderful embellies from Pizzazz Aplenty. Judy has some absolutely wonderful stuff in her online store and her prices are great - check it out! Sentiment is from our lovely and talented Ann Vento and is layered on Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade.

Still working on the blogoversary candy package and this week's downline meetings swaps and make and takes, so stay tuned!

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.

Don't faint ... I've actually made a card!

I've actually made a couple, but I can only show you one today. I really wanted to play with some of my cool new Celebrations Mini catalog stuff. This card features a new stamp set - Build a Blossom and a new punch - Blossoms Petals Punch. I love flowers and anything to do with punches, so this was a natural for me.



Card base is from my scrap bin but I think that is Summer Sunrise from PTI. The panel is Garden Green which has been embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder. Ribbon and leaves are Pear Pizzazz and the flower petals are Peach Parfait. I used Pear Pizzazz and Peach Parfait on the petals and leaves and the sentiment (Inkadinkado) was stamped with Garden Green and mounted on Peach Parfait. I used a Daffodil Delight ribbon and a scrap of yellow yarn and called it a card!

What do you think? Does it work? Not real sure yet. I'm entering this in the Delightful Challenges blog this week for their Button challenge.

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.

New Challenge at Kaboodle Doodles

Well it's time for a new challenge at Kaboodle Doodles! We have gone to weekly challenges now so there's even more chance to win a lovely prize from one of our generous sponsors. This week's challenge is Anything Goes and the design team has some wonderful inspiration for you made with images from this week's sponsor Chi Chi Memories. They even have a freebie image up this week so be sure to stop by and grab it. Here's my card using a cute New Year's image and also some digital background paper from Chi Chi Memories.



There are lots of fun stripes in this digital paper pack from Chi Chi Memories and I know that it will be seeing some use on my projects in this new year.

Still putting together my blogoversary blog candy so be sure to stop back 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.

Sentimental Sunday - Celebrate Friendship!

This week at the Sentimental Sunday challenge blog we are celebrating all those wonderful and special people in our lives - our friends! Here's my card:

Card base is Blueberry Sky from PTI with a layer of dp from my stash bin. I threaded some Bashful Blue ribbon through the lace and gathered it a bit and added some bling. Image is from Deedee's Digis - one of our sponsors for this week's challenge that I colored with my graphics software and the sentiment is from Raindropecho Designs (the oh so talented Ann Vento) who is our other sponsor this week. Be sure to stop by and check out all the great creations made to inspire you by the design team and we'd love it if you'd play along!

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 New Year!

I hope everyone had a safe and satisfying New Year's Eve! It was really cold here and we just stayed in - crab legs and a movie. My idea of a perfect way to see out the old year and ring in the new.

I got up and got busy this morning and in spite of the lack of any good sunlight, managed to get some photos of a couple of cards. The first I will share with you today is for the "Cold and Snowy" challenge over on the Meljen's Designs blog.


This is one of Melissa's new images and I am in love with her series of mailboxes. This one is called Cozy Winter Mailbox and I colored it using re-inkers and an aqua-painter and also my colored pencils and oms. I added some stickles to the snow to add some sparkle too! The snowflakes on the card base were stamped with Whisper White craft ink (SU) and then I added some heat and stick powder mixed with dazzling diamonds and hit it with a heat gun. You can't really see any of the sparkle on this card because of the poor lighting today, but the snow and the snowflakes are very sparkly. I sponged the edges with some more WW craft ink too. The contrast colors are Pacific Point and Old Olive. My watercoloring bled a little bit, but I ended up liking the effect. If the sun shows it's face today, I may try to get a better shot of this as I really like the sparkles!

Well, tomorrow will bring a new challenge on the Sentimental Sundays blog and this week we have a sponsor - Deedee's Digis - so be sure to stop by and check it out. Monday will bring a new challenge on Kaboodle Doodles too sponsored by Chi Chi Memories. Lots of fun, new and exciting things happening so be sure to pay us a visit!

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.