Stella Says Sketch 308

Can I just say that I look exactly like this bird today ... clutching my coffee and wishing desperately for the end of the day!!  I've said it before and I'll say it again, you never realize how much your partner does to keep the household going until he is gone.  I think I'm even too pooped to read and THAT is saying something!

I'm entering this guy in a few challenges.  The sketch comes from the Catch The Bug Challenge.

I'm also entering Creative Card Crew's use a sentiment challenge as well as the coffee challenge over on Dragonfly Journeys.  My color palette comes from the Color Throwdown.  I LOVE this site.

From The Heart Progressive: March

Yep, it's the VERY last day of March and here I am .... waiting til' the last second to use this fabulous From the Heart image.

I used the sketch from Mojo Monday.  It was perfect.  They wanted a "tall and skinny" card and I had JUST spilled coffee on my folded card stock!  I trimmed off the soggy portion and DONE!  I do like how it turned out.  This being my hubby's birthday, is the first of his cards (yeah, I spoil him).  Poor boy, two of his cards are pink.  What can I say, I like pink!

I'm also entering into the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant: Anything Goes
Digi Sketch Challenge theme: Furry Friends
Eureka Stamps: More Spring

Bugaboo Christmas Chaos 3

I'm killing you with all my card posts aren't I?  I'm STILL not caught up.  Just to break it up a bit, I went with a birthday card this time!  It's still Stella (because I adore her).
 

I'm doing the color challenge over at Bugaboo.  I focused on the pinks and the cream since I'm not a big fan of mustard yellow.  Blech.

I'm also doing the Creative Card Crew challenge of a birthday card WITH a sentiment on the front.

I wanted a sketch to base my card on so I'm using a new blog for that,  Creaine Challenges.  It was a fun one so I'm sure to be back for further challenges.

Doodle Pantry: Arizona Christmas

As soon as I saw the Stella Says Stamp sketch this month, I knew that I had to play.  It's a fun one.

This set is also a fun one.  It's from Doodle Pantry and it's called Holiday Cactus.  Being from Arizona, I love all things cactus-y.  This sight is all too familiar.  Many folks string lights on cactus during the Christmas season (leading to the joke, "How do you hang lights in Arizona?  Carefully!")  Laurie's sentiment cracked me up too.

Creative Card Crew's theme this fortnight is Christmas so this card fits right in!

Thanks for stopping by ...

Don't Be A Beach - #162

I could SOOO use a vacation to a beach, sipping a drink with a little umbrella.  I hear Bora Bora is nice this time of year.  Sadly, I will have to make due with the backyard, getting wet from my kids running through the sprinkler and the dog helping herself to my iced tea.  Sooo not the same!

I'm making another card for SSMIS.  This card is actually ON-TIME!!  Woot, woot!!  Tracie was our July hostess and she challenged us with this Dearie Dolls image and those amazing little chipboard sunglasses.  I created a little beach scene with my dies and copics. 

I started out using the Try Stamping on a Tuesday sketch but deviated from it ... a tad as you can see!

Challenges:
 Opus Gluei: Don't Be A Beach #162
 Creative Card Crew #41 dominate pink or blue

CCC challenge: Make Your Own Flowers

 I got a little time to stamp today.  The boys are out playing in the yard (it's beeeee-yoooo-tiful here today. ... Almost 70) and the hubster is busy hooking up the TV in the movie room.  Everyone once in a while he'll call me to go in and check out what he's figured out but essentially ... I'm all alone! (hysterical giggle)  Can you tell that "mommy' time is scarce on the weekend?

I needed a birthday card for my niece, Kelsey.  I know that you can't believe from my youthful picture ... but I am a great-aunt.  But the reason for this card is that my niece is a GREAT mom.  I am so impressed with her ability to be a mom, a social worker and a fantastic wife.  Love her lots.

I pinned this very phrase to my pinterest account and LOVED it.  I just used the computer to print it and off I went.

Even though Creative Card Crew's "linky" thingee is closed, I still used this fortnight's flower challenge.

CCC-Fancy Folding

It's with great sadness that I write my last post for the Creative Card Crew.  I decided to step down from the Design Team when I found myself crying and practically hyperventilating trying to get everything done that I needed to get done.  Ken didn't tell me what to do, but the look he gave me when I tried to explain my stress was enough.

I have too much on my plate.

Buying a new house
Starting a new business
Getting a puppy
and working on 2 design teams should probably never be combined.

So until the puppy is trained, and the move is over ... I'm removing a few things from my overloaded dixie plate!  Mari generously offered that I could return when I was feeling more "balanced."  And I would love to because CCC has been one of the best experiences.

But on to this week's challenge over at Creative Card Crew.

We'd like you to show us your fancy folding techniques.

I have to admit that this is a bit out of my comfort zone.  I am a simple card maker ... if I can't put it in an envelope and mail it, what is the point?  Having said that, I have to admit that I REALLY like what I made.  I  plan to let the boys give these to their teachers for Halloween.  I'm going to slap some chocolate inside the boxes and tape a Starbucks gift card to the back ... and voila, best room mom EVAH!!

Our sponsor is Stamp Fairy.  I REALLY like her new Halloween images.  Although the team always gets a few images to play with, I immediately went and bought the rest of the images.  They were too cute to pass up.  This week's winner gets a $10 gift certificate to spend on-line which is a pretty cool prize.

So get out there and put some folds in your paper.  If you need some inspiration, check out what my teamies made this week.

Creative Card Crew - Birds

  

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Creative Card Crew challenge.  This week we're sponsored by the amazing Simon Says Stamp and we want you to show us your birds.

Ironically, until recently, I didn't have many bird stamps at all.  I don't know why but birds have never been at the top of my list of most desired stamps.  But I just acquired two bird digi-stamps in the last month.

The one I wanted to use the most was this one from Doodle Pantry.  How stinkin' cute is he?!!  This image is free and for the month of October, there is another totally cute ant image that is free with any purchase.  I highly recommend a visit to Doodle Pantry's site.

I used an old sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday to make my card. 

So give us the bird ... and don't forget to link your card.  You could win a $20 voucher to spend in the Simon Says Stamp store.


I'm entering the card in the following challenges:
Polka Doodles: Wings and Things

Creative Card Crew: Purple

Good morning my friends.  Today is a busy morning for me ... please scroll down if you are looking for Jan's wedding blog hop.

It's Tuesday and time for another Creative Card Crew Challenge.  For this one, we want you to use purple.  That was certainly easy for me since purple is one of my FAVORITE crafting colors.

We're sponsored by Robyns Fetish Digital Stamps and More.  I used her Katie Reading which I just noticed is ON SALE until October 31st!  I fell in love with this image as soon as I saw it.  It totally reminds me of how I feel about reading.  I practically hyperventilate when I have a new book to crack open!

This week I used jen's deconstructed sketch from August (yep, I'm a wee bit behind in my sketch challenges)  As always, I altered it a bit to fit my image and my style.

So head on over to the blog and upload YOUR purple card.  You could win 4 digital images for your cute card!

Images: Robyns Fetish Digital Stamps: Katie Reading, MFT: phrase

Blog Hopping

Good morning.

If you came here from Elle's blog, you are RIGHT on track!  We're having an old fashioned blog hop to celebrate our Creative Card Crew teamie's wedding.  Yes, that's right, Jan got married last week! (look how happy she looks)

We all made cards to say, "Yippee and congratulations Sweetie!"

I absolutely adore Bugaboo's Stella and Gus so I had to use them in MY card for Jan.

I send you off to Angela to continue your hop.  When you are finished, be sure and leave some love for the blushing bride on her blog! 

CCC: Trees

Creative Card Crew's challenge this fortnight makes me yearn for for the beach, sand and the warm Gulf of Mexico water lapping at my toes.  What?  You say?  Isn't the challenge to make a tree card?  Yes.  And YOUR card can be any kind of tree you want but I was in the mood for a Christmas card, with a bit of a twist so I grabbed one of my favorite Stampin' Up! sets to make my tree card.  Doncha' love how tan Santa turned out?!!

Simon Says Stamp is our sponsor this time and they are offering a $20 voucher for the winner of this challenge. There are lots of yummy crafty goodies to be found over in the store!

So get out your tree stamps and join in the fun!

CCC: Bugaboo-Christmas

Welcome back my friends.  It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another challenge over at Creative Card Crew.  This time we want you to channel your inner child and make a Christmas card.

We are sponsored by the amazing Bugaboo Digital Stamps so thinking about Christmas was sooper-dooper easy.  They generously let me pick out an image and I chose Stella.  But then I went back and bought Ruby (and several more.)   I love the humor in these images.

So if you feel intrigued by the thought of Santa, snow and everything Christmas-sy, come on over to the Crew and enter your card.  YOU might win 7 digital images!

Challenges entered:
Winter Wonderland: Red and Green
Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog: Christmas in August

Stamps: Bugaboo images
Accessories: Nestibilities, MS punch

CCC: Maps/Newsprint/Sheet Music/Script

Good Tuesday to YOU!

It's time for another Creative Card Crew challenge.  This time we want you to use a map, newspaper, music or script somewhere on your card.

I had to laugh, because as soon as I read what the challenge was, I remembered THIS (pointing to the map DP) paper and wanted to use it.  I think I bought it 8 or 9 years ago to scrap my honeymoon album.  I find it stunning that I can remember that I own this paper yet can't remember names, appointments or my PIN number for the ATM machine to save my life.  My memory is TRULY pathetic.  I'm a little bummed that the paper is sideways but I had such a small amount left, and I was kinda set on my sketch at this point; it would only work sideways.

This week we are sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and a $20 gift certificate at the store will be awarded to the winner.  Pretty cool.  So hurry over to the blog and post your photo.

Stamps & Supplies: Krafting Kimmie: Speedy, SU phrase, MS punch, Nestibilities die

CCC-On the Beach or Under the Sea Challenge

Good morning my friends.

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Creative Card Crew Challenge.  For this one, we want you to go to the beach (or get under the sea).  It's an appropriate theme since the amazing Michelle Perkett is sponsoring this challenge.

I chose to use her Camille since this image fit the theme so well.  I tried to imitate my teamie's ribbon explosion technique but it kinda ended up being more of a ribbon whimper.  I don't think I used enough ribbon.  If you want to see a REAL ribbon blossom, check out Angela's blog (who by the way, just hit 100 followers)  Congratulations Sweetpea.

CCC: Black Cardstock Challenge

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Creative Card Crew Challenge.  This week we want you to make something amazing using black cardstock.

Our sponsor is Kenny K.  He has some great coloring tutorials on his site.  I really do recommend a looksie.


I used a REALLY old sketch from Mojo Monday.  I'm actually ashamed to admit that it's from June of 2010.  It's one of those sketches that I've been meaning to get to ... but never do.

So come to the darkside, join CCC this week in a great challenge!  You may win a prize when you link your creation.

Supplies:
stamps: Kenny K anime Rocker digi, "Your Smoking" phrase MFT

Creative Card Crew: Pearls and Swirls

 Welcome Tuesday!

I'm chirpy today because (1) I have a house to live in and (2) I am IN my house.  And that is in large part to the efforts of a lot of firefighters, policemen and forest rangers.  I TOTALLY would have made a firefighter card but ... I don't have a firefighter stamp (kinda thinking I NEED this one tho from MFT or maybe even this one from Whippersnapper)  I MAY even need both!!!

But back to Creative Card Crew!  This week, we are hosted by the amazing Simon Says Stamp and we want you to create something beautiful with pearls, swirls or both.  My card has both swirls from Memory Box dies and also four pearls up by the sentiment. 

When you use the linked in tool on our page, you become eligible for a $20 gift certificate at the Simon Says store.  Pretty cool.

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Use it Tuesday: Be a Patriot

Supplies:
Stamps: Whippersnapper Designs, MFT: phrases
Accessories: Memory Box swirls, copics, pop dots, pearls

Creative Card Crew: "3-2-1"

Happy Tuesday!  It's time for another challenge at Creative Card Crew.  This fortnight we're giving you the challenge of

3-2-1

You get to pick what you want to have as your 3,2, and 1.  This week I used:
3 rectangles
2 Designer Papers (and 2 dies: the music note and scallops)
1 brad


Our wonderful sponsor is Robyn's Fetish.  This digi is called "An elephant never forgets."  Isn't he the cutest?  Robyn is giving 5 (that's right, five) free digis to the winning card this week.  Yay.

 I used the sketch from MFT for my card this week.

B-I-N-G-O

Happy Tuesday.

This week Creative Card Crew wants you to hum a little tune and make a card based on that song.  Easy right?  My guess is that there already IS a song tumbling around in your little brain right now.

Sadly, for me, that song is Bingo.  You know the one ... "There was a farmer, had a dog and Bingo was his name-O  B-I-N-G-O" (now it's in your head too right?!!)  You are probably asking, "Why Joanna, why is such a lame song in your head instead of the latest Maroon 5, Coldplay or even Lady Gaga?" 

The short answer is because my oldest is in 3rd grade and that's when the Music teacher introduces the recorder.  Caleb has fallen in love with that little torture device (I mean instrument).  I thought I was going to lose my mind when he played "Hot Cross Buns" over and over (and over and over) but now he has moved onto the hit song "Bingo."  I sincerely hope that soon we can move on to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or some other song, perhaps some Train?!!

I actually made two cards.  I wasn't sure that I liked my fist attempt (and I HAD to put BINGO somewhere on the card, right?)  All the yummy paper on both cards was sent to me from my lovely SS.  The kits she made were ... A-mazing!

Don't forget that YOU can cash in on the song stuck in YOUR head.  Make a card illustrating it and you can win a $20 gift certificate from our sponsor, Simon Says Stamp. So get off the computer, and sing or craft or ... maybe BOTH!

Creative Card Crew: "Dimension"

 It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Creative Card Crew Challenge.  This fortnight we want to see your dimension.  That's right it's time to pop your top and use those pop dots!  This challenge our sponsor is Stamp Fairy. 

I chose to use Barry Bee.  Isn't he cute?  With it being the end of the school year, I need a million "thank you" cards.  He certainly fit the bill.  This is the inside of the card


And of course, the close up shot to show all the dimension.  I popped both his arms and head, and then his head again.

We would love to have you "pop" in to join us (snort, I crack me up) Any-who, stop by Creative Card Crew and have some fun with us this challenge! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Stamp Fairy: Barry Bee, SU: unknown bug set
Paper: Neenah Solar White, Doodlebug
Accessories: Ribbon, copics, sewing machine, MS punch, pop dots, crystal effects, nestibilities