Back to School CAS

Welcome to a new Outlawz CAS challenge! This week our challenge is back to school. We are making cards of encouragement for a student.

Isn't the pencil paper adorable? The background designer paper is from Create with TLC. The Back to School sentiment is also from TLC Creations. The Star Student is from ColorInk Digital Stamps. I colored with Copic markers. Card base and layering is blue card stock.
I am entering these challenges:

• Anything Goes with Create with TLC: anything goes with TLC element
• The Pencil Case: anything goes
• Craft Your Passion: anything goes
• C.R.A.F.T. challenge: back to school
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes

I hope you'll play along this week at The Outlawz CAS and make a card to encourage a student as they go back to school!

I am on my way home from vacation and so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night. We drove over 600 miles today and by tomorrow evening we should be back home. Looking forward to hopefully getting back on track and having some crafty time. We had a wonderful vacation with our son in Boston. It was an awesome week. We hope to go to Florida in a couple weeks to visit our other son before the twins are born. But for now, we are homeward bound!

Donna

Scribbles Design Frog Fun

Welcome back to another Scribbles Design guest post for August. Today I have a really fun card with some of Sandy's images.

I used the Spellbinder's Edge Frame to die cut the Frog Mason Jar image. I overlayed a Friday Freebie image of the flies in the mason jar. I inked the frame with a number of different colors of distress inks. (I am away on vacation and for some reason I didn't write the colors down.) I believe the background paper is from Recollections Collection called Home basics. The sentiment is from Scribbles Design also called Time Flies. I die cut the sentiment with Gina Marie Wine Bottle Labels and inked the inside. Here's the images that I used.

I hope you will check out the Scribbles Design challenge blog today and what my partner Borqna did for her guest design post.

I am am entering these challenges:

• Cards in Envy: hip to be square
• Scrapping4Fun: anything goes
• Crafty Sentiments Design: anything goes
• Craft your Passion: anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today. For the next two days we will be driving home from vacation. I am looking forward to some crafting time when I get back. I've seen some awesome ideas that have been percolating while I've been on vacation that I can't wait to try. Have a wonderful weekend!

Donna

Rudolph Days

Oh, man! I messed up a bit. I thought today was the 24th of August and not the 25th and forgot to post one of my design team cards. Today I am thrilled to say that I've joined the design team for Rudolph Days! Do you know about Rudolph Days? It's a challenge to help you get your Christmas cards started. On the 25th of each month the challenge begins and runs until the end of the month. Just a short time to do one card that gets you to your goal of having your Christmas cards done before Christmas comes. Being on vacation has left my brain mush. (I suppose that's why I don;t know what day it is!) But I hope you will join us and make one card to add to Maureen's blog post and Rudolph Days. Here's my cards.

These are simple set of Christmas cards. I am making a set of these for my FIL to send this Christmas, 32 in all. I used Imagine That!Designs by Kris Elegant Ornaments stamp set. I love this set. The beautiful silhouettes just pop right off the page. I used red/green card stock for the layering base. The ored/green ovals were cut from the rectangular layering base to save card stock. I printed the images and then used 4 different die cuts to be able to cut them all at one time. Each of the four have a different embossing folder. I just layered them up. The inside of the card has a sentiment from the Elegant Ornaments stamp set. It reads "Love came down at Christmas and His nae is Jesus.

Well, friends it is August. Have you begun your Christmas cards yet? Come join us at Rudolph Days!

I am entering these challenges:

• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas challenge: anything goes Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Extra challenge: anything goes Christmas
• Crafting by Design: get ready for Christmas
• Addicted to Stamps and More: holiday

My apologies to Maureen and the design team for being late. I am blaming vacation brain on this one! Have a wonderful day!

Donna

Another Day in Maine

We've been enjoying our time in Maine. Yesterday  we went for a paddle boat ride on Thompson Lake and took a trip to the grocery to restock for a few meals. Otherwise, this is a kick back and relax kind of vacation. Tomorrow we will head back to Boston to spend our remaining time before driving our two days back home.
Quick card today to let you know that I am still around.

I made this card with a free image and paper from Beccy's Place. Love the soft colors and the gorgeous flowers. I used the black card stock to make the pink pop. The sentiment is from a group of stamps that I won as a blog candy but I have no clue as to what company it came from. I used MFT Cross Stitched Ovals and Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitched Rectangles. I love the way it came out.
I am entering these challenges:

• Beccy's Place August challenge: use an image from Beccy's Place
• Inspiration Destination: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes

Thanks for stopping. I have a few other design team projects coming up toward the end of the week. So stay tuned. Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Donna

Another CAS challenge

Happy Sunday! I am away from home on vacation so that's why I haven't been posting. I have a few design team projects along the way while I am away but we are just relaxing and having a great time visiting our son. Today I have a card for the new CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. It was my turn to post the challenge and I picked frozen treats. It's hot in the midwest in August so nothing is better than a little frozen treat.

I went with a rainbow of ice cream for this card. The stamp set I used is from Simon Says Stamps but it's no longer available. The sentiment is from the same set. Colored with Copics; this one was so easy!

I am entering these challenges:

• Hiding in my Craft Room: yummy
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Penny's Paper-Crafty challenge: anything goes

I hope you'll join us for the CAS challenge this week at The Outlawz. Share you favorite frozen summer treat. 

It took us two days to reach Boston by way of Mystic, Connecticut where we met Tom's brother for dinner. Yesterday we left Boston for Maine to spend some time at a cabin on Lake Thompson. We'll be a few days up here just relaxing and soaking in some R&R and visiting with our son and his fiance. Hope you all have a great week!

Sunday CAS: Embossing

I am late getting this one posted. We had 4 and 1/4 inches of rain between Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. The new cistern tank that we were putting in floated out of the ground and now (after it dries up some) we'll have to start over again. It's really disappointing since we don't have running water and have to use buckets and coolers for everything. Of course with that much rain the creek rose above the fords so we had to wait until the water went down some before we could ford the creek to get home. Quite a weekend and not one we had anticipated.
The new Sunday CAS challenge at the Outlawz has been posted. This week challenge is embossing. I used dry embossing but you can use whatever kind of embossing you'd like.

I used an embossing folder from the Paper Studio called Christmas Poinsettia. And then added the sentiment on vellum from a retired Gina K stamp set. Two pearl brads hold the sentiment panel to the from. Pretty easy! I tried several different designs for this embossing card before I finally decided to go with this one. I hope you can play along this week with the CAS challenge at the Outlawz.

I am entering these challenges:

• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge Extra: anything goes Christmas
• Christmas Card Challenge: anything goes with angels as a twist (I didn't use the angel)
• Crafty Friends challenge: anything goes

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful week this week! Make it crafty.

Donna

Scribbles Designs Guest Designer

Today I am a guest designer for Scribbles Designs. For this post I got really excited about Sandy's cat images. Both of my boys have now adopted 2 cats each (to the chagrin of their father who is not a cat person). But now I have someplace to send cat cards to so I decided to have some fun.

My first card uses a Friday Freebie called Kitty Face and a sentiment that I thought was so cat-like, I Prrr. I colored the image with Copics and die cut with MFT Stitched Inside and Out Rounded Corner Squares. The background designer paper is from Cat Paper Pack from Imagine That! Digis by Kris.I added a paw print embellishment from Paper Smooches.

My second card is just adorable (if I do have to say so myself. LOL!)

I tried to create a little scene with Alley Cat and framed him with another of the Cat Pack papers from Imagine That! Digis by Kris. I love the sentiment Talk to the Paw. To help with the scene I added a few Spellbinder's clouds.

And my final card today is a spinner card. These are so fun to make. I am really getting into these. And of course the more you make the easier it gets.

This one just makes me laugh out loud. Check out Nimble Puss. I wish I had video capability so you could see him somersault across the page. It's just so cute! And I had to pair him with this awesome sentiment: Check Meowt.  The designer paper is from Cat Pack at Imagine That! Digis by Kris. And I had to bling this up with some multi-colored rhinestones.

Dona't forget to pop by the Scribbles Design blog to see what my co-guest designer has for you. She is very inspiring. Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs,

Donna

Birthday Kitty

Happy Friday! I have a post over at Imagine That! Creative Playground today featuring Birthday Kitty and the Cat Pack Digi Paper set. I hope you will pop by and take a peek.

I colored my kitty with Copics and the created a bit more of a scene with distress inks. To add some bling I used some Zva gems, some Cotton Candy Stickles on the kitt's hat and some Dimensional Magic on the balloon.

Birthday Kitty Stamp Set

Cat pack Digi Papers

I am entering these challenges:

• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: let's go wild
• Penny's Paper-Crafty: anything goes
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes

Don't forget to enter those summer cards in the summer challenge over at Imagine That! Creative Playground. You can use any stamps to enter. And you just might win an awesome prize! Have a wonderful weekend!

Donna

This Heart's For You

I managed to finish another card today. Since we will be vacationing next week I probably won't get to play in some of my favorite challenges so I wanted to get Tuesday Morning Sketches in this week. I love their sketch challenges.

I needed this birthday card for a friend's birthday that is rolling around this Monday. We'll be seeing him this weekend to play cards. So I thought this From the Heart Birdbrain set was perfect. It's called Birdbrain Card Sharks. Tom and I play bridge with he and his wife every weekend that we can. Since the cards had a Harlequin design, I used my Harlequin embossing folder for the background with a backing yellow layer . I cut the image out with Spellbinder's Standard Circles Large and inked the edges with Salty Ocean distress ink. The red hearts paper is from my scrap box. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from WPlus9 and punched with my Stampin Up! word window punch. I hope he likes it.

I am entering these challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: sketch
• Seize the Birthday: anything goes
• Simon Says Wednesday challenge: let's go wild
• C.R.A.F.T. challenge: anything goes

It's time to call it a day and see if I can get some sleep. I hope your Thursday was spectacular and Friday is awesome. See you soon.

Donna

Birthday Wishes

How is your week progressing? Hard to believe how fast the weeks go by. I have been trying to get ahead on my design team projects for this month as we will be leaving for vacation next week. I won't be taking too much paper with me except maybe some coloring projects. Mostly I'll be working on cross stitching my one remaining baby bib and a blanket to crochet for the twins. I have a blanket started as a Christmas gift too if I get the other things done. I did manage to get a card done for The Outlawz progressive challenge. This month we received a beautiful image of a young lady from Sheep Ski Designs. I turned it into a birthday card.

I really liked this sentiment by Create with TLC so I made it my focal point of the card. It's die cut with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitch Rectangles. The image I colored with Bic and Copic markers and die cut it with MFT Inside and Out Rounded Squares. I backed each of the layers with a light green card stock. The background flower paper is from Imagine That! Digis by Kris. 

I am entering these challenges:

• The Outlawz Progressive challenge: use the image from Sheep Ski Designs
• Seize the Birthday: anything goes
• Create with TLC challenge: anything goes with TLC element (sentiment)
• Addicted to Stamps: anything goes
• Crafty Sentiments Designs: use dies

That;s it for me today. I have to get back to my desk and see if I can get the rest of my design team stuff finished. Never a dull moment. Thanks for stopping and have a wonderful rest of your week!

Donna

It's CAS Monochromatic

Happy Sunday! A little late in posting today since we were out at Baby Creek for the weekend and we don't have Internet out there. But I'm home after a rather hot weekend and bringing you a new challenge over at The Outlawz CAS challenge. This week we are working with monochromatic projects.

I used Simon Says Single Roses Die for this card. I cut the flower out in several shades of blue. The sentiment is from Simon Says Flower Friends (I don't see it in their store so it must be retired). To finish it off I used a few of my blue sequins. I used the CAS(E) this Sketch for inspiration.

I am entering these challenges:

• CAS(E) this Sketch: sketch
• Simon Says Wednesday: fabulous florals
• Penny's Paper-Crafty challenge: anything goes

I hope you will come play along at the CAS challenge at the Outlawz this week. Thanks for stopping by today as we wind down the weekend. Time is really flying by these days. I wish you a wonderful week ahead with crafty time to spare!

Donna

Spinning through the Summer

Happy, happy Saturday! The summer is flying by. Today is the beginning of a new challenge over at Imagine That! Creative Playground. For the month of August it's all about summer. We are definitely in the dog days of summer around here: hot, humid and pop up showers every day!  So for my challenge card I decided to cool off a bit and try a new technique that I'd never tried before: a spinner card. It took me a couple of tries to get this just right but I think I got it.

I used the set Beach Floaty Girl, colored her with Copics and fussy cut her out. She's embellished with Diamond Stickles in several spots on the image. The sentiment is also from the same set. The background paper is Beach Combers Digi Paper. I embellished the waves with Diamond Stickles too. I wish I had video capability. She is just adorable spinning across the page. My husband and SIL were so impressed with the card's inactivity. I hope you'll join us over at the Playground and have some summertime fun!
I am entering these challenges:

• Crafting by Designs: anything goes
• Inspiration Destination: anything goes
• Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper challenge: use patterned paper
• Incy Wincy Designs: anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a a fabulous weekend. I'll be back tomorrow with another new card!

Donna

Sweet Tea Anniversary

We made it to Friday! The weekend is here. Yippee! Today I have a card over at the Imagine That! Creative Playground. I discovered I almost forgot someone's anniversary (no not mine but some very dear friends) so I need a fast card. And Imagine That! Digis by Kris came to my rescue.

This cute set is called Sweet Tea. I used the pre-colored image since I was short on time. The sentiment is from the same set. I cut the sentiment and image our with Gina Marie's Cross Stitched Rectangles and inked the edges with Peacock Feathers distress ink. The designer paper is from the Sweet Pastels Paper Pack from Imagine That Digis by Kris. That paper pack is fast becoming my go to for patterned paper lately. I love them all. I followed the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches. For embellishments I added some twine, a flower from my stash, a rhinestone middle to the flower and several pearls. I love those pearls! The card base is blue and I have a layer of pink card stock too.

I am entering these challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: sketch
• Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper challenge: use patterned paper
• Simon Says Monday challenge: celebrate
• Through the Craft Room Door: anything goes
• Penny's Paper-Crafty challenge: anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will check out the Creative Playground (tomorrow begins out new challenge for the month of August) and Imagine That Digis by Kris. Make it an awesome, creative day!

My Happy Place

Happy Thursday! The week is flying by so fast I can hardly believe it. I'm down to only two days of working but I think I am busier than ever. How did I get all of this done working full time? I guess you just do what you have to. My card today is for a birthday. I have a bunch of birthdays coming up in August and I already sent two birthday cards this month. August is a very popular month. Here's one for my BIL.

I used a set at From the Heart Stamps called Inner Tube Birdbrain. I colored him with Copic markers. The sentiment is from the same set. I cut the image and sentiment with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitch Rectangles. The background blue card stock is embossed with Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls. I used some plaid paper from Imagine That! Digis by Kris and my MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags for the banner. I used the sketch at I {Heart} Sketches with a Twist. The twist this time is cool blues and/or water. I think I qualify as using both.

I am entering these challenges:

• I {Heart} Sketches with a twist: sketch & water
• Simon Says Monday challenge: celebrate
• Tuesday Throwdown: tic tac toe: die cut; marker, embossing
• Cards in Envy: wings
• A Bit More Time to Craft: anything goes

It's stormy here this afternoon so Maybe I'll go make another card! Can't do much in the garden so I might as well take advantage of the time. Have a wonderful day! I'll eb back again tomorrow with another card.

Hugs,

Donna

Fleas Navidad

Ha, ha, ha! I just LOVE that sentiment. And it's purrfect for my card today!

Can you believe it's August 1st and time for another challenge at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. Each month we have a new challenge to help you get moving on those Christmas cards. I used the Holly Swirls embossing folder to emboss the green card stock background. I used 2 confectionery delights papers (which you can win; see details below) from Decosse Dynamite Doodles. The image is from Imagine That! Digis by Kris called Hanging Kitty. With both of my sons now having cats I just couldn't resist using this image for their Christmas card. And I just love the sentiments in this set.

The image is inked with Fired Brick distress ink. The sentiment was printed on white card stock but I inked it with Mowed Lawn distress ink.I added Wink of Stella to the candy cane and scarf and Diamond Stickles to the cat image. To finish it off I used some pearls on the sentiment. 

I am entering these challenges:

• Hiding in my Craft Room: Christmas in July
• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas challenge: anything goes Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Extra: anything goes Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper challenge: use patterned paper
• Merry Christmas Card Challenge Monday: summer link up

Here is what you need to know about the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up challenge... 

The Basics

While you can find out ALL the information you need to know in order to participate in the challenge by checking out the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page (or by clicking HERE), here is a refresher of the basics.

• Anyone can link up as many Christmas and/or December holiday themed cards (including Happy New Year's cards) throughout the month with an ANYTHING GOES theme.
• Every person who has linked up a MINIMUM of two (2) cards will be eligible to receive a specially designed Christmas themed digital paper.
• Each month there will be an OPTIONAL theme to follow.  Anyone who submits a card adhering to the monthly theme, will have the chance to win a prize from that month's guest sponsor.
• Every holiday card you submit to the link up, earns you one chance to win a special digital Christmas kit that will be offered up after the year is complete.

Now that the basics are out of the way, how about we get on with the details of Challenge #20.

Challenge #20

Optional Theme: Christmas Confectionery

One can't possibly think of Christmas without thinking of all the edible goodies associated with the holiday season. Gingerbread, plum pudding, candy canes and hot cocoa with whipped cream or marshmallows are just a few of the yummy treats available for noshing on during the holidays. 

In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month, make sure that your card has some sort of candy or goodies suitable for the Christmas holidays, in the design. Examples include: candy canes, cake, muffins, bread pudding, gingerbread, cocoa, etc. If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.

Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month, and have your name thrown into the year end draw for some extra digital goodies. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a $10 gift certificate to the Imagine That! Digistamp store.
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will join us at the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up and get a start on your Christmas cards. It's never too early to get started. Happy new week and month!