Calendar Girls ~ Garden Angel

It is the 28th,  and is also the last day of the month.  Please scroll down for my Crafters of Faith Post.

Being the 28th, so I am here to welcome you to another round with the Calendar Girls!

Who are the Calendar Girls? We are a group of bloggers who want to have a place where friendships blossom, creativity abounds, and encouragement prevails! In keeping with that dream, this blog group has been created so we will have a place to interact and enjoy being fellow bloggers. 

Kelly is our hostess and her challenge is  *~* Share the LOVE! *~*

It’s February, the month of LOVE ♥ I’m thrilled to be your hostess this month and offer you a challenge of a different sort Rather than go for the traditional Valentine’s card, I wanted to ask that you each make a card – as a reflection of yourself – and share a little LOVE!

This month, please create a card (or project) that shows what YOU love … something that when we look upon your card, we will know exactly what that ONE thing is that you love so much!

*You may use any colors you would like but extra brownie points for using non - traditional colors!!
* Please include one thing only – I know it’s hard {However, if it's fruit, for example, you may include a basket of it rather than just one fruit}

YOUR BONUS CHALLENGE: As a extra bonus, but completely optional part of the challenge, I would LOVE for you to send your card to a place/organization that you LOVE. ♥ Share the LOVE ♥ this month by sending your card to someone in need – OWH, children’s charities, RMH-- the possibilities are endless. Know that somewhere out there, your generous mailing of your card could bring a smile to someone in need

Have fun creating and crafting and I so look forward to sharing the love with you this month!

This is a wonderful challenge as we get to see the “one thing” that illustrates what we love.  I can’t wait to check out all of the other creations—however I probably should talk about my card first.  I love flowers and am getting so ready to get the seeds planted and putting the little pots under the grow lights in the basement.  Then—in April, we can move the trays out to the greenhouse.  This will be year 2 of that great structure and we will see what we learned last year.  Bring on the sunshine!  And—you all knew that I would probably use a Whipper Snapper stamp too.

Here is the inside with the sentiment--I am so ready for a Party!

Image/Sentiment—Whipper Snapper Garden Angel/Let’s Party

Cardstock—Gina K White; Stampin’ Up Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Pool Party, Pebbles Ever After Little Princess Patterned Paper

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Pool Party

Accessories—Copic Markers; Prima Flower with Rhinestone Brad; Frames 3 Dies.

Please check out the blogs of all of the Calendar Girls—there are 10 of us, so it might take you a bit.   I am sure you will enjoy all of the creations inspired by what we love! All of the blogs are listed on my left sidebar. Thanks for joining us!!!!!!!

Crafters of Faith ~ Make A Wish

Today is the last day of the month and I am here to welcome you to my Crafters of Faith card! The Crafters of Faith blogging group is a joyous blending of Christian friends ~ joined together to fellowship, share our faith, build friendships and craft together!

This is our February Challenge—as posed by the one and only Tami:  I have a crafting tool that I just had to have and have hardly used. Does that sound remotely familiar?! I think you all may have the same tool in your arsenal. I would like you to drag out your scoring tool. Scor-Pal mini, biggie, Martha mini, biggie or if you do not have one of those, I am sure that you may have a scoring blade on your paper cutter. SCORE!!! It would be fun to see how you all incorporate scoring onto your card. You know I am into 'use what'cha got', so if you do not have a scoring tool of any sort, please create without this element. Oh and I do not mean just a score to fold your card base in half! LOL

While it is a 'lovely' month February, let's create a card that is not Valentine's themed. That being said, it is the second part of this challenge. Let's not use Valentine theme, red, pink or white colors anywhere on our cards. That includes the paper you stamp your image on....*gasp*!

For our third element, how about we place both an image and a sentiment on the front of the card.

Well, that ought to keep us busy {now what am I going to do?! LOL} I am looking forward to seeing your projects. I get the best ideas from you girls.

I do have a scoring “tool”—in fact I have two.  I used my little Scor-Buddy for this card and that sits by my craft desk.  I have had two of the original Scor-Pal in the past and have sold both of them at a LSS rummage to get the newest and best.  In fact—I just sold the second one this month and bought the Martha Steward one so I can get some of the new SU scoring plates to use with it.

So—I went basic and scored an ½ inch on the card and highlighted the scores by using striped DSP going in the opposite direction.  I was a bit more challenged by the no white part of the challenge—so I thought I would emboss on black cardstock.  I tried a few colors before I came up with gold and I think it turned out well.  And—the sentiment and image are all in one—on the front of the card!  I just got this Whipper Snapper stamp a few weeks ago—and many of you know how I love that place!  However—I did show a bit of my rebel side by not totally following directions—just a bit………………………….  Did you see it?

Here is the inside of my card:

 

Image/Sentiment—Whipper Snapper Make A Wish

Cardstock—PTI Black, Gold, Vanilla; Stampin’ Up Mocha Morning DSP

Ink—Versamark

Accessories—Gold Embossing Powder; Score-Buddy; SU Glimmer Brads; Stickles

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you do check out the other new creations from the wonderful ladies in the Crafters of Faith group! The blog list is on the left side--please check out all of the cards.

Emma and Rosey

I am back with another {PIN}Spirational Challenges card.

February 26-March 4

 

Here's the photo to inspire us:

Our sponsor this week is Fred She Said Designs

 

Fred She Said Designs kindly provided a choice of digital images for this challenge. I think Emma is one of the cutest little girls and I think the image with Rosey is the sweetest! THANK YOU, Fred She Said Designs
 

I used some of my favorite Basic Grey paper--Max and Whiskers.  I think the colors are so cool in that line.

 

Here is the inside of my card:



Image/Sentiment—Fred She Said Designs Emma & Rosey/PTI Think Big Favorites #4

Cardstock—Gina K White; Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard; Basic Grey Max & Whiskers Gannet-Tiger Designer Paper

Ink—SU Cajun Craze

Accessories—Copic Markers;  Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon; Cajun Button with Baker's Twine; Mustard Brads


I hope you'll play along with this week's {PIN}Spirational Challenge, too! Be sure to go to the challenge blog and add your creations for the challenge this week!

Glow and Warmth

A local stamp and scrapbook store hosts an every other month swap with various themes.  It is fun to get cards from area ladies and see all of the different styles!  This month we are making cards with a sympathy theme.  I have had this Inky Antic stamp for a few years as I purchased it at a stamp show in Madison in 2010 or 2011--but it has not been inked up yet.  I really like the sentiment.

Image/Sentiment—Inky Antics Glow and Warmth

Cardstock—Gina K White; Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy, Old Olive and Designer Paper Series

Ink—SU Not Quite Navy

Accessories—Blue Brads and Old Olive Graosgrain Ribbon

Happy 4th of July

This card is for the monthly swap that Pam hosts on SCS.  Each month we make 10 swap cards and they can be any theme.  All of the swappers are wonderful and I have gotten some awesome cards back in the past.  We made a card similar to this at a  stamp club last month and I really liked the layout.

 
Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up July Fourth

Cardstock—Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Night of Navy, Real Red;  Moxie The Red, White and Blue/Star Spangled Patterned Paper

Ink—SU Night of Navy

Accessories—SU Real Red Ribbon; White Button, Punches, Red-White-Blue Bakers  Twine

Wine Glass ~ Half Full or Half Empty?

This is the second of the two cards that I made for Samantha’s “After 5” Swap.  We were to use anything that you consider after 5:00—like drinks, romance, evening, anything at all!  Samantha has hosted four previous swaps—with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and now 5 in the title of the theme.  I hope #6 is a good one!

Image/Sentiment—Rubbernecker Stamps-Glass is Half-full…….

Cardstock—Stampin’ Up Bravo Burgundy, River Rock, Pretty in Pink; Flair Designs Keep on Cooking Collection Wine Country

Ink—SU Bravo Burgundy

Accessories—SU Bravo Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon; Wine Glass Brad;

Angel Pattieboop

I am back with another {PIN}Spirational Challenges card. 

 

February 19-25
 

Here's the photo to inspire us:

Our sponsor this week is Pattie's Creations Digital Stamps

 

Pattie's Creations Digital Stamps kindly provided a digital image for this challenge.  I think this cute angel is the sweetest!  THANK YOU, Pattie's Creations

I used a Basic Grey theme on this card--the Two Scoop line for the designer paper along with glazed brads and fibers for the embellishments.  I like the whimsical effect.

 

Here is the inside of my card:



Image/Sentiment—Pattie's Creations Angel Pattieboop digital stamp/Stampin' Up Warm Words

Cardstock—Gina K White; SU Pink Pirouette Pear Pizzaz, Pool  Party;  Basic Grey Two Scoops-Spumni, Sprinkles, Pistashio Almond Designer Paper

Ink—SU Pear Pizzaz

Accessories—Copic Markers;  Oval Punches;  Basic Grey Glazed Brads and Fiber


I hope you'll play along with this week's {PIN}Spirational Challenge, too! Be sure to go to the challenge blog and add your creations for the challenge this week!

Martinis Make Other People More Interesting

 

This is the one of the two cards that I made for Samantha’s “After 5” Swap. We were to use anything that you consider after 5:00—like drinks, romance, evening, anything at all! Samantha has hosted four previous swaps—with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and now 5 in the title of the theme. I am sure #6 will be a good one too!

And—the brads are silver—though they look like eyeballs in the picture……….

Image/Sentiment—Rubbernecker Stamps-Martinis make…….

Cardstock—Stampin’ Up Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso; Creative Imaginations Cheers-Red

Ink—SU Cherry Cobbler

Accessories—SU Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin Ribbon; Martini Glass Brad; Silver Brads;

Dueling Darlings ~ It's All About Love

It is the 15^th of the month and that means another Dueling Darlings challenge.  It’s February and our hostess’s Paola for the Dazzlers and Judy for the Divas have chosen the theme “It’s All About Love” based on the Bible verses from Corinthians 13: 4,7, 13

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud….It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…And now these three remain:  faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.” (New International Version)  There is so much about love to celebrate in February besides the forever traditional day of love, Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14^th.  To name a few more celebrations that take place this month and that may inspire you as you create your card for this month’s duel:

• American Heart Month
• International Friend Month
• Random Acts of Kindness Week (10th – 16th in 2013)
• Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week (17th – 23rd in 2013)
• Send a Card to a Friend Day (Feb. 7th)
• Love Your Pet Day (Feb. 21st)
• Family Day (Feb 18, 2013 in Canada)

Being the day after Valentine’s Day, I hope you are not on love overload or have had too many sweets, as I have a sweet card to share……………..

I absolutely love the image she sent to us—I have seen so many wonderful cards made with this image.  I actually have this stamp set—but it has rarely been inked up.

I love both of the sentiments Judy sent--so one is on the front and the other on the inside.

Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up Summer by the Sea and Circle of Friendship

Paper—SU Riding Hood Red, Vanilla, Basic Black; Pinecone Press Papers Be Mine/Smoochie Patterned Paper

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories—Nestabilities Labels 7; Copic Marker; Round Punches; Pink and Red Buttons; Divine Twine; Heart Brads; Pink Glitter Ribbon; Heart Embossing Folder

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Paper Crafting Journey ~ Love
LRJ Designs ~ For Someone
Loves rubber Stamps ~ All About Love
Sassy Cheryl's ~ With Love


Please be sure to stop in to see what all of the Divas as well the Dazzlers have created this month.  All of the blogs are on the left sidebar of my blog.  I am sure you will enjoy all of the Love Creations! 

 

Valentine's Day ~ The Sounding Joy

Yes--I am aware today is Valentine's Day--but I am sharing a card I made for the Shoebox Swap I attended last Saturday. There were two optional swaps and one was Christmas or Holiday. I made a similar card before Christmas and loved it; so I created it again.  This is becoming my favorite Christmas Set!

Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up The Sounding Joy

Cardstock—SU Very Vanilla, Old Olive, River Rock, Holiday Harmony DSP

Ink—SU Old Olive

Accessories— SU Olive Button with Twine; Stripes Embossing Folder; Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribbon over Cream Taffeta

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Craft Us Crazy ~ Favorites
C.R.A.F.T ~ Christmas
Use Your Stuff ~ Winter Wonderland

Adorable Elephant

I am back with another {PIN}Spirational Challenges card.  With Valentine's Day later this week--I wanted to make a card with a love theme!

 

February 12-18

 

Here's the photo to inspire us:
 

 

Our sponsor this week is Floppy Latte's Digital Designs
 

 

Floppy Latte's Digital Designs  kindly provided digital images for this challenge.Isn't this elephant just the cutest image!  THANK YOU, Floppy Latte's

 

 

I used sheer pink ribbon with hearts on it and placed it over some pink velvet ribbon I have in my stash--I think it turned out well.  Then--I inked up one of my favorite Stampin' Up sentiment sets and used my oval punches for the layers.

 



 

Image/Sentiment—Floppy Latte Love Elephant digital stamp/Stampin' Up Warm Words

Cardstock—Gina K White; SU Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink;  Kaisercraft Love Notes Collection Promise

Ink—Riding Hood Red 

Accessories—Copic Markers, Oval Punches, Pink Brads; Pink Sheer Heart Ribbon over Pink Velvet Ribbon; Red, Pink and White Buttons with Pink Bakers Twine

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Milk Coffee ~ Valentine
Digi Haven ~ Love-Valentine
Card Makin Mamas ~ Love
Dream Valley ~ Valentines
Come and Get it ~ Love is in the Air
The Squirrel and The Fox ~ Love
Totally Papercrafts ~ Valentine or Love
Paper Crafting Journey ~ Love

I hope you'll play along with this week's {PIN}Spirational Challenge, too! Be sure to go to the challenge blog and add your creations for the challenge this week!

Unidentified Image ~ Tail Wagger

 

This is the card for the 6^th round an Unidentified Image swap on SCS.  It is a group of ladies who are a part of a bi-monthly swap where we all use the same image, sent to us by the hostess.  The unidentified part is that we to not discuss the image at all until the day they are to be posted--today!   The images for this round were provided Linda.  She will swap the cards and include the next image that Carol, our next hostess, provides in our return envie.And then we get to do it all again!!!!

The image the Linda sent was so cute—she found this adorable stamp at a LSS while in Massachusetts on a college visit with her hubby and daughter.  I too think this image can be used for many occasions and I chose to use mine for a birthday card.

Here is the inside of my card:

Image/Sentiment—Stampotique Tail Wagger/Sentiment-Craft Lounge-Pat the Bad Dog

Cardstock— SU Riding Early Espresso, So Saffron; Gina K Ocean Mist; Echo Paper Woof/Woof Stripe Designer Paper

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories—Copic Markers; Blue Brads; Paw Brad; SU Oval Punches

The Gift of Music

This is the second of the two swap cards I made for Jeanette’s newest forest swap on SCS—the theme is “Music in the Forest”.  I realize there is nothing “forestry” on this card—However…..the forest is the place we visit and chat and chat some more.  We were directed to make a card that reminds us of music.  Thanks to the inspiration by my friend Darlene, I have inked up one of the few D. Morgan stamps I have and love the sentiment around the outside--The Gift of Music is a Gift From God.

I also placed some washi tape on the inside—I just bought it this past week at Mike’s!

 
Image/Sentiment—Stamps Happen D. Morgan Gift of Music

Cardstock—Gina K Designs White, Black and Rocket Red; Creative Imaginations Red Music Designer Paper

Ink—Memento Tuxedo

Accessories—Copic Markers; Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Musical Note Brad

Shoebox Swap Card

This is the card I made for the Shoebox Swap in South Milwaukee this Saturday.  We make 22 pre-made cards that are distributed to half of the attendees and then we make 20 card kits.  Those are made by the other half of the ladies that day.  So—we will have 40 new cards from the swap (the other 2 are for the organizers of the swap in case you were checking my math).  There are two optional swaps—one is any occasion and I posted that card earlier this week and the other is Christmas—which will be posted next week.

The DSP on this card along with the pleated ribbon were recent purchases from the Stampin’ Up Clearance Rack—I loved both the ribbon and paper when it was regular price, so I stocked up on a few of each for the awesome sale price!

I look forward to this day for a long time—it is great to see swappers who I only get to chat with at this as well as get some great ideas.  Carrie Ann does an outstanding job coordinating the day and we all walk out with great cards, sweet door prizes, maybe a raffle prizes and good friendships.  Hopefully I will walk out with less items than I came in with as there is also a small rummage as a part of it—and I am taking about 15 items that I hope find a new home!

Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up Word Play

Cardstock—Gina K White; SU Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze and Peach Parfait, Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper

Ink—SU Baja Breeze

Accessories—Peach Brads; Baja Breeze Pleated Satin Ribbon;