[Scrap Our Stash] April Challenge - Spring Fling

Good morning, everyone. I hope you're having a fabulous Saturday. I am on my way to get some shopping done. Mother's day is coming up after all and it's time to do some serious shopping. I'm also going to go shop at my favorite grocery store: HMart. If you have never been there before, I recommend it for its fresh product, great customer service, friendliness and cleanliness. I always measure the cleanliness of a grocery store by how meaty or fishy the meat and fish sections smell. And there are always great samples to taste around the store...! The only downside is that it is further away from me and I always try to combine a bunch of errands together to make the trip worthwhile.

Anyways, on to the post... At Scrap Our Stash's April Challenge we have a theme challenge this month: Spring Fling.

I decided to focus on nature...Spring is the time for trees and flowers to start budding and blooming. This gave my Maya Road Chipboard a good dusting off.



Stamps: (Wonderfully Whimsical) Papertrey Ink
Paper: (Perfect Basics Card Stock - Smokey Shadow, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar) Ranger
Embellishments: (Point 88) Stabilo; (Mister Huey - Clover, Dark Calico) Studio Calico; (Glossy Accents) Ranger; (Fresh Chipboard Trees) Maya Road

The chipboards were misted using two Mister Huey colors. While they were drying off, I was working on another project. 



This little bird is outlined with a Stabilo light blue pen and I decided to give him a set of glossy accents for extra sheen. Makes the card pop a little.



A quick little sentiment border and off this card went into the mail! The best part, it's one of those quickie cards!


In the meantime, check out the Scrap Our Stash's April Challenge. You have until the end of the month to get your inspirations in. What things have you been doing to enjoy this Spring?

[Paperplay Challenges] Week No. 17 - Monochromatic & Ribbon

Note: If you are looking for DYSU challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Hello there! Happy Thursday everyone. I am looking forward for this month to end. Work and personal life has been overdrive, but I can't complain. Rather better to stay busy than not, right? At work we have a conference-type event planned for next week so my work hours will probably start at around 7a and end around 930p or 10p. It'll be a long day, but I hope everyone will enjoy their time here and take away something related to Requirements Engineering or networking. Anways, but you're for the weekly challenge, right? ;)

At PaperPlay Challenge we are challenging you with Monochormatic & Ribbon. Here is a birthday card for a buy friend. Hope you like it...


Stamps: (Heirloom Patterns, Teeny Trees) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft, Blueberry Sky) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 9 Spice Tin) Ranger
Embellishments:  (Nestability - Standard Circles Small, Classic Scalloped Circles Small) Spellbinders; (Puffies - Birthday Boy) KI Memories; (Inksssentials - Glossy Accents) Ranger; (Ribbon) Recycled

I love these little Puffies and found them on a sale / clearance at Michaels about a month back. So I kinda grabbed one of each (and now that I'm thinking about it, should have probably grabbed all those great generic ones ;) This little party hat was my inspiration and I love the two blue tones in it.



With a little bit of background stamping and a nice frame around the window, I thought this card was good to go. Guys don't like frilly cards! But the ribbon adds a little bit of festive flair. Almost like pennants or banners, so I thought it would be a good idea to bring out the light blue tone again with this little recycled ribbon.


Hop on over to the other PPC girls and see what they have created for this week's challenge. They have always lovely creations and bring great ideas to the table!

Our sponsors this week:

• The Ribbon Girl

[DYSU] Challenge #69 - CASE the DT

Good morning, everyone! Time for another challenge with DYSU. We are off for a great week here, because this challenge we are asking you to draw your entires based on the inspiration by the Design Team. In other words, CASE a DYSU DT. So bust out your pattern papers, stamps, markers, pencils, embellishments...anything to pull of a fun stripy pattern!


This week I'm showcasing an image from one of my favorite companies called A Day for Daisies. I have been a big fan for a long while, so when they offered to sponsor DYSU again, I'm ecstatic. Tammy's images are truly beautiful, and it is tough just choosing one to work with. This one is actually a freebie of their website, and it's probably 


Stamps: (Two Daisies in a Bottle) A Day for Daisies; (Eat Cake) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Terracotta) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections; (Farmhouse Collection) Crate Paper
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 5 - Chicken Feed) Ranger
Embellishments: (Point 88) Stabilo; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Vintage Button - Fall Collection) Papertrey Ink; (Border Stickers - Farmhouse Collection) Crate Paper; (Gelly Roll - White) Sakura

I was drawn to this digi probably by my dining table's center piece. These flowers are from Ikea and costs about $1 a piece (I believe). The green bottle is jus a recycled wine bottle and I really liked its hue.



My card drew inspiration from the orange flowers and decided to give play off the orange. If you haven't already heard I am heads over heels into this orange. It's just so fun! What color can't you get enough of?

I added some faux stitching with my gel pen, gave this flower image a fun sticker border and some buttons to anchor the flower's panel, which is situated on some dimensionals.



Lastly a fitting little sentiment to match the card, and I call it done. Short, sweet, simple...my kind of card :)



So that's all I have for you today; please check out the amazing creations by the talented DT and welcome our guest designers. And I look forward to seeing your creations!

Our sponsors this week:

Little Darlings - $10 Gift Certificate

A Day for Daisies - $16 gift certificate

The Paper Shelter - $20 Gift Certificate

[DYSU] Challenge #68 - Stripes

Good morning, everyone! Time for another challenge with DYSU. I'm going to get right down to business since I am a little on a time crunch. We are going Stripes this week. So bust out your pattern papers, stamps, markers, pencils, embellishments...anything to pull of a fun stripy pattern!

This week I'm working with a one of our sponsor images. It's a cute little bakery and I was having a tough time thinking how I can bring out stripes in this dear little image. So i decided to make a backgrounds of strips with pattern paper that was stripey.



Stamps: (Cupcake Bakery Digital Stamp) The Stamping Boutique; (Eat Cake) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - White) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections; (Dots & Stripes) Echo Park
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar) Ranger
Embellishments: (Gelly Roll - White) Sakura; (Sticklers - Diamond) Ranger; (Border Punch - Scalloped Sentiment) Fiskars

I wanted to create a fun background and repeat those colors into the bake shoppe. To make the cupcakes pop more, I decided to shade in the structure of the house in gray. To give the cupcakes a little more pizzaz I gave them a little of the Stickles treatment. These Stickles were still sitting out from last week's DYSU Glitter projects, so I decided to use them.



The whole bakery is grounded on a piece of brown sentiment strip. And since the digi has a nice scalloped border along the bakery, I thought I would mimic it using my border punch. A quick sentiment on the sentiment banner and the card is done.





So that's all I have for you today; please check out the amazing creations by the talented DT and welcome our guest designers. And I look forward to seeing your creations!

Our sponsors this week:

£10 voucher

Winner's Choice of 5 Digis

A "Toodle Club Membership" and a free Toodle Birthday Calendar.

[Waltzingmouse Blog Party] New Beginnings

Hello everyone! It's time for my all-time favorite stamping event. This is one waltz or blog hop that got me addicted to stamping and paper crafting. The huge fun with the amazing girls and the amazing inspiration by all the Waltzingmouse fans and design team members that join in, really makes this a special place to get new ideas and ways to look at your stamps. I ran out of time last month so I didn't get to join, but this month I had my card done by April 7 - ten whopping days before it was due. That's because I checked the theme like a good lil girl...we're celebrating New Beginnings theme. I'm glad I finally got to have a moment at my crafting desk to whip it out. I hope you enjoy it!


Stamps: (Compact Sentiments; Sewing Box - Hugs, Chicken Wire) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Spring Moss, Lemon Zest) Papertrey Ink; (Nantucket Collection) Pink Paislee; (vintage cardstock) scrap
Ink: (Memento - London Fog) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Ribbons - Rose Trim) Prima; (Nestabilities - Classic Circle Scallops Small, Labels No. 18) Spellbinders; (Twill Ribbon - Lemon Zest) Papertrey Ink; (Embossing Floss) DMC

I am so in love with this Chicken Wire stamp. When I got my package of new goodies to play with, that was the first one I inked up and then inked up again about five more times after that. (I think it hasn't left my desk yet. Which stamp set has found a 'permanent' home on your crafting desk?) I made the rest inspired by the gray chicken wire on green card stock and the theme of new Baby, since so many of my friends are having their first child!



Sewing Box Hugs is the perfect stamp set to add a lil baby charm. I decided to stamp this little guy three times on some pattern paper, cut out each layer to stack him to give it a little bit of dimension. Then I paper pierced each stamped stitch along the pattern paper and then threaded each layer with some embossing floss. This card took so much hard labor and much love, that this will be going to a special family! ;) Adding the embossing floss around the perimeter of the bird takes patience and dedication - so don't dive into it thinking it'll be quick ... (yeah i don't know who would think that... ahem) but I do love the results: it's truly sewing box hugs :)

The ribbon trim from Prima and the Lemon Zest twill ribbon makes a great grounding element for the little bird and a separator to add the label panel for the sentiment. The label is a Labels No. 18 from Spellbinders that I cut into half. I wish the embossing on the label came through more...



Since I wanted this lil cute bird to pop more, I added a cream card stock from my scrap stash to make it pop a tad. The paper piercing around the scallop was probably me getting a little "paper piercing happy" after all that piercing from the bird ;)

Hope you love this little creation... I can't wait to see all of yours. In the meantime I want to hear what your go-to gift is for a new baby if the couple doesn't have a registry...I'll be making my rounds soon! Thanks for inspiring!

Amour

Hello everyone! Here is a quick post for the Embellish challenge. I had laid out all my stamping supplies and items out that I wanted to use for this, but never got around to it. And then to my surprise there was an extension. So since I needed my crafting fix and I only have a limited amount today, I thought, why not make this card, since I already knew what I wanted to make?

These colors to me say "elegance." Perhaps it's the influence of the that aqua makes me think of Tiffany's... but hey, whatever gets the creative juices flowing.


Stamps: (Grand Starburst Lace) Hero Arts; (Paris Nouveau, French Kitchen) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist, Smokey Shadow) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Versamark; Briliance - Pearlescent Sky Blue) Tsukineko; (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink
Embellishments: (Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder - Silver) Ranger; (Pearl Strip - White; Sparklets - Crystal) Kaisercraft; (Border Punch - ?) Fiskars

I wanted to emboss this Hero Arts stamp for a while now. Isn't it gorgeous and rich with details? To give this amazing doily a place to anchor I opted for a Sparklet crystal ball.



The rest of the card has a hint of each color (the aqua and the blue) with the Brilliance ink giving this whole card a nice shimmery background. Sorry about the picture - I don't think it's picking up the shimmer very well. The rest of the card has little pearls (similar to the one lining the sentiment) speckled throughout the background.



Hope you enjoyed this little card! Thanks for looking :)

Happy Birthday, Karin

Hello there! Third post today...who's on fire? Just kiddin - I was out crafting with my friend last night and made a few cards. Here is a birthday card for a friend using the latest Waltzingmouse Sketch as an inspiration. I really miss joining the Mischief Makers and the other participants, since this is one of my favorite all-time challenges; so I am extra pleased whenever I can make it.

I love how the topic is pennants. They are always so festive and make me think of parties or birthdays or anything worth celebrating...which is basically everything great, isn't it? I have a dear friend who recently had a birthday. And although there were plans for her and her husband to travel to the US this Spring, but something came up and they had to postpone their flight. I hope there will be another opportunity for me to see her soon. In the meantime, this card will have to suffice to tell her how much I have thought of her and how much I miss her :)


Stamps: (Bitty Banners) Waltzingmouse Stamps; (Old Letter Writing) Hero Arts
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Sweet Blush, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Memoir Collection) Studio Calico
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 10 - Malted Milk, No. 11 - Brown Sugar; Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Antique Linen) Ranger
Embellishments:  (Decorative Scissors) ?; (Chip Shapes - Butterflies) Sassafras for Studio Calico; (Emma's Shoppe Collection - Chipboard) Crate Paper; (Micro Mono Stickers - Hopscotch) Basic Grey

I am absolutely thrilled how this card came together. I love scrapping together with friend, since that means I get to play with a variety of stamps. I love this Hero Arts Text Background, and I love these Bitty Banners from Waltzingmouse, and together - its just an unbeatable combination!



I also got to delve into some Studio Calico goodness. The paper is from the Memoirs collection, which has this amazing text pattern paper. I loved it so much, that I had to pick up the collection... ;) So are these beautiful butterfly chipboards...



The rose was actually the element that I was inspired by and wanted to work it into a card along with the banners. Everything else fell into place - from the color scheme to the chipboards. Ever have those zen moments during crafting where it all just seems to come together? It was one of those great crafting moments for me :)

[Paperplay Challenges] Week No. 15 - Things With Wings

Note: If you are looking for DYSU challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Hello there! What does April have in store with you? We have plenty of challenges going for you at PaperPlay Challenge. And this week we're challenging you with Things With Wings. So, I decided to pull out this lil digi...


Stamps: (Baker Fairy) Pixie Dust Studios; (Compact Sentiments) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Lemon Zest, Aqua Mist) Papertrey Ink; (birthday pattern paper ?) The Craft's Meow Grab Bag
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 3 - Chili Powder) Ranger
Embellishments:  (Tiny Twinkles - Multicolored) Taylored Expressions; (Border Punch - Apron Lace); (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Stamp & Stick Glitter - Ultrafine Prisma) Palette

I thought this would make a cute and cheerful birthday cards. Yep, I am behind in sending them out ;) This lil baker fairy was colored in color pencils and then the wings glittered with some iridescent glitter from Palette.



The apron lace border punch adds a lil anchoring point for the Fairy, and a place to add the sentiment. I decided a few twinkles (to add to the bling) would not hurt to bring more focus to the sentiment.



Hope this tickles. Please hop on over to the other PPC girls and see what they have created for this week's challenge.

Our sponsors this week:

• Stamp Fairy

[DYSU] Challenge #67 - Bling or Glitter

Good morning, everyone! Easter came and went. Do all these calendar milestones happen so fast? I probably should not admit that I have a few Easter cards sitting on my desk to be mailed off... Oooops. So how did you spend your Easter? Mine was very relaxing, and we went to see Hunger Games (which was not so relaxing). I think the movie was really well made, but the topic is pretty heavy - I mean 12-16 year olds battling each other, until one stands? Yikes...

In the meantime, my cough could be gone by now, but it must feel so attached to me, because I can't seem to get rid of it! Any home cough remedies? I've been sucking those Ricola cough drops like they are my favorite candies.

But we're here for a challenge, instead of my babble ;) We are working with Glitter or Bling this week. Can I be super honest with you? I like glitter, but I do not like working with it. It gets everywhere, it follows you out of the craft room, into the bedroom, into the living room, into the work place, onto my laptop, onto my hunny, onto my cats. Just when you think you're done with it, it appears one glimmer fleck at a time...

But the challenge says glitter, so I will be a good sport and bust it out. Plus, it's probably the only way I will make a dent into my big set of essential glitter collection.

Stamps: (Lovely Apple) Hope Jacare
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - White) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar) Ranger
Embellishments: (Double Sided Ultra Sticky Clear Tape - 3.5mm) Stix2; (Essential Colos Glitters - Garnet, Onyx, Peridot) Martha Stewart; (Sickles - Xmas Red) Ranger; (Point 88) Stabilo; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor

I decided the apple and the hearts had to be glittered up. Since the outline was so faint in contrast, I decided to run a fine-tip black Stabilo pen around it. This what the center looks like after finished...



After that I wanted to try this technique I have seen a while, where double-sided sticky tape is doused with glitter. The results look clean and amazing. I'm happy to report that it is as easy as laying down the sticky strips, and one at a time coating them with glitter and tapping off the excess. Voila! In the words of the Waltzingmouse mistress, "easy peasy, lemon squeaky."

So that's all I have for you today; go check out the amazing creations by the talented DT. And I look forward to seeing your creations!

Our sponsors this week:

Winner's Choice 5 Images

Winner’s Choice of 3 Images

$25 Gift Certificate

Happy Easter

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. We received a really fun digital e-greeting by Florian's brother, Philipp. He's a talented designer, who just finished his studies. I thought this cute little Easter greeting and his talent has to be shared with the world :)


I'm off to go craft. That's all for now...

[DYSU] Challenge #66 - Friendly Critters

Good morning, everyone! I've fallen on radio silence here because I and the BF caught the flu. I came home sick from my training course on Friday and was in bed with a fever until Monday. Tuesday I still felt sick and queasy and was not able to move much. The boy decided to follow suit and we were lying in bed or on the couch like two helpless little kidlets. We played a lot of "Rock Paper Scissors" to see whose turn it was to go cook up another batch of tea. Then again, it could be worst, such as being sick by myself ;) I guess they are right when they say "Misery loves company." But we're slowly back onto our slow feet and hope that I get to catch up on all things crafty and good this weekend.

In the meantime, I'm glad I got this challenge done ahead of time. We're celebrating spring with Friendly Critters. Since I have a slew of baby cards to get done, I decided to pull a cute animal favorite out for this...

Isn't this giraffe not cute?


Stamps: (Snag 'em Stamps - Baby Powder Collection: Giraffe) imaginesce; (Compact Sentiments, Free Spirit) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft, Lemon Zest) Papertrey Ink; (Polka Dot) Scrap
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 11 - Brown Sugar) Ranger
Embellishments: (Border Punch - Treading Water) Fiskars; (Nestabilities - Label No. 18) Spellbinders; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor

Decided this CSA card needed to be less CSA and stamped the bubbles from the Free Spirit Waltzingmouse Stamps... They would make a good background for the giraffe to pop.



So that's all I have for you today; go check out the amazing creations by the talented DT. And I look forward to seeing your creations!

Our sponsors this week:

5 Gift Certificate

Winner’s choice of 7 digital images

Winner’s choice of 4 digital images