Dueling Darlings Celebrate The Great Outdoors

It's that time of month again - the 15th! That means the Divas and the Dazzlers are Dueling it out. This month, Barb and Michelle were the hostesses. They chose The Great Outdoors for their theme.


If you are unfamiliar with our monthly duel, it's actually quite fun. There are two teams, each has a different hostess each month. The two hostesses decide on a theme and then each hostess sends identical theme-appropriate card kits to each of her team members. Neither hostess knows what the other one is sending, nor do the teams know what the other team received.

I'm a DAZZLER! Michelle was our hostess and she sent us a marvelous kit filled with all kinda of wonderful goodies - stamped images, designer papers, ribbon, buttons, twine, a brad.

Here's the card I created:

The hostesses this month asked us to share an experience... be it good or bad... relating to the topic. Well, this might come as a surprise to my online friends (since my online name is Forest Ranger) but I'm really not an outdoorsy kind of gal. I never have been. Growing up, my family's idea of camping was to take out our RV, with all of its modern conveniences, such as indoor bathroom (with potty and shower) and comfy beds.

My first real camping experience (in my opinion) happened when my daughter was a Girl Scout. I was her Girl Scout leader and our troop's co-leader was the grandmother of one of the other scouts in the troop. Grandma was a seasoned Girl Scout AND a seasoned camper. So with her help, we took the troop camping at least a couple of times a year - usually in tents. How fun!!! I loved it! But of course, the girls did all the challenging work - setting up the tents, gathering the stuff for the camp fire, etc. I supervised. ;) Oh, and I enjoyed the S'mores! I also enjoyed hearing the girls giggle and tell stories around the camp fire. I enjoyed hearing their sweet voices singing silly songs. I enjoyed the meals cooked on the open fire (nothing tastes better!) I enjoyed walks in the woods, admiring nature. I enjoyed the Great Outdoors. Thank you, Brittney, Grandma Bev, and all the Girl Scouts in our troop!


One of the fun things about the Duel is going to see what everyone else created (and what the other team received for their kit), so let's go...

DAZZLERS

April ♥ Darlene ♥ Debbie ♥ Melina ♥ Michelle ♥ Paola ♥ Terry

DIVAS

Barb ♥ Carol ♥ Jamie ♥ Joan ♥ Judy ♥ Laura Jean ♥ Kelly ♥ Tami

Image: Whipper Snapper Roasting Mellows Bear

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers

Cardstock: Neenah Solar Crest White and Stampin' UP! Cherry Cobbbler, Crumb Cake, and Early Espresso

Designer Paper: Imaginisce Happy Camper Collection

Embellishments: American Crafts Ribbon, Eyelet Outlet Brad, October Afternoon Campfire Buttons, and Twine (unknown vendor)

Fresh Brewed Designs New Digi Release and Blog Hop

If you have been checking out the Fresh Brewed Blog this week, you know something special is happening! It's a blog hop to celebrate the new digis being released this week.

There has been a different image featured each day this week. Today's digi is Scooters BBQ and I am delighted that Heather (the owner of Fresh Brewed Designs) asked me to create a card featuring this amazing image.

I told you it was a great image, didn't I? And it's perfect for this time of year when so many of us are heading outdoors to cook our dinner.

I used lots of layers of designer paper and a few black pearls for accent on my card.

Now, if you happened to miss the previous days of the Fresh Brewed Designs New Digi Release and Blog Hop, you'll want to go back and check them out.

Day 1 was Linda

Day 2 was Gale

Day 3 was Stacie

I am Day 4

Leave comments along the way... and be sure to go to the Fresh Brewed Blog to see what you need to do to have a chance to win an amazing prize!!!

Have fun on the Fresh Brewed Designs New Digi Release and Blog Hop!

Image: Fresh Brewed Designs Scooter's BBQ

Ink: Copic Markers and Spica Pen

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Bashful Blue and Black

Designer Paper: Miss Elizabeth's

Embellishments: Queen & Co. Black Pearls

Fetch!

It's time for another Craft Us Crazy Challenge! YAY!

This time it's a card using masculine colors or Father's Day.

June 9 - 22

Lauretta's Digital Stamps is the sponsor this week. Lauretta's has provided an awesome prize package for one lucky participant, as well as complimentary images for the Craft Us Crazy design team to use for this challenge. THANK YOU, Lauretta's Digital Stamps!!!

Here's my card:

Cocker Epagnaul by Lauretta's Digital Stamps

Here's the inside of my card:

I hope you'll participate in the Craft Us Crazy Challenge! I'd love to see your masculine colors and/or Father's Day creations!

Image: Lauretta's Digital Images

Ink: Copic markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Pear Pizzazz and Real Red

Designer Paper: from my scrap file

Embellishments: Paw brads and ribbonFX

We All Scream for Ice Cream

It's time for a Fresh Brewed Challenge

June 8 - 14

Theme: Lots of Yellow

I love this theme... reminds me of my Grandma, who has been gone for way too many years! Yellow was her favorite color! I loved going to the farm to visit my grandparents. There was always so much to do there - exploring the pastures/fields, wading in the creek (though Grandma could never find out because she was terrified of water), gathering eggs from the chicken house (but ewwwwwwwww, the smell, not to mention the occasional black snake stealing eggs), and on warm summer evenings, making homemade ice cream!!! I always got to sit on the freezer to hold it in place while my Grandpa and Uncle took turns turning the crank. My reward? I got to clean the ice cream paddle as soon as it came out of the freezer. Yum! Yum!!!


So, in memory of my Grandma (and her favorite color), I created an ICE CREAM card for this week's challenge!

Image and I Scream Sentiment: Fresh Brewed Designs

Simple Joys Sentiment: Vendor Unknown

Ink: A Muse French Roast and Copic Markers

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, and Real Red

Designer Paper: Corina Nielson Breathe Paper Collection and Paper Studio Yellow With White Polka Dots

Embellishments: Studio 18 Rhinestones and Grosgrain Ribbon (Vendor Unknown)

A Wise Old Owl

I was recently in a swap on Splitcoast Stampers that really took me out of my comfort zone. You know how it is, you join the swap because you like the hostess, then you wonder what you'll create. Well, that's how it was for me with Dani's Victorian/Vintage Card Swap.


I thought and I thought... and I thought some more. Thought so hard I was afraid my brain was going to wear out. LOL!

This is what I finally came up with:

Dani was a very good sport; she didn't kick me out of her swap. Thank you, Dani!



Image and Sentiment: Unity Bold Insight

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, and Perfect Plum

EEK! There was NO designer paper!!!

Vintage Items: Buttons (vendor unknown) and Offray Lace and Ribbon

Other Embellishments: Prima Flower and a Brad (vendor unknown)

Tranquil... Peaceful...

... a lovely beach scene!

... BUT WAIT! Is that Christmas lights wrapped around the palm tree? It sure is!

tee hee!

Look at the inside of the card:

Ho! Ho! Ho!!!

Image & Sentiment: Darcie's Who Needs Snow

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers and Spica Pens

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Pacific Blue and scraps from my scrap file

Designer Paper: Sandy Lion Green Spice

Embellishment: Hemp

I'm Lucky to Have Some Great Friends

Note: I have two blog posts today; this one and the summery one that follows it. Please check them both out!

The first Sunday of the month is always special....... because I get to hang out with four of my good online friends, the KitCats. We've been doing this for months and months now; I honestly can't remember how many, but it's been a long time. Each month, one of the KitCats serves as hostess and mails identical (or nearly identical) kits to all the other "kittens". We are enthralled with these kits, which often get petted (sometimes even drooled upon) prior to our actually beginning the creative process. LOL!

This month was no exception! Kelly sent out our kits and oh-my-goodness! THANK YOU, KELLY!!! I wish you could have seen all the wonderful items in that kit. Tons of designer papers (double-sided even), glittery buttons, flowery buttons, rhinestones, ribbons, and so much more. The images were too cute, too - MFT A La Mode Wishing You Luck - with a sentiment that says exactly the way I feel to have such marvelous friends as the Kit Cats!

Kelly

Lorie

Michelle

Susan

(I usually put their names later in the post, but this time I put them first, because they are so very special!!!)

NOTE: Click on each name and it will take you to her blog, so you can see the other KitCat creations.

Here's my card:

Oh how I loved the soft and sweet designer papers in Kelly's kit. Honestly, it was so difficult to decide which ones to use! They are luscious... som of them even sparkle and shine.

Of course, I had to decorate the inside of my card, too:

I'm truly lucky to have Kelly, Lorie, Michelle, and Susan in my life!

Image & Sentiment: My Favorite Things A La Mode Wishing You Luck

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers

Cardstock: PTI White and Stampin' UP! Cool Caribbean and Lavendar Lace

Designer Paper: K & Co. Botanicals

Embellishments: K & Co. Bling Butterflies, Prima Mulberry Flower, Wright's Velvet Ribbon, Offray Organdy Border Ribbon, Glitter Button, and Busy Kids Rhinestones

Beach Babe

It's time for a new Crafty Ho Challenge!

June 5 - 11

Theme: Summer

What communicates summer better than hanging out at the beach?

I used the Cheeky Beach image (The Greeting Farm) and a flip flop charm from a bracelet I purchased at a dollar store on my card. Oh, and that beach? It's sandpaper.










Image: The Greeting Farm Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers and Spica Pen Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black and Marina Mist Designer Paper: Colorbok Prismatic Waves and real sandpaper Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Black Organdy and Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbons and Stickles Glitter Glue

Happy Carnival

Have you seen the current

Chi Chi Memories Challenge?

June 2 - 15

This is the sketch for the challenge:

Here's a card I created, using the sketch:

I decided to try something different this time. I've never used vellum to cover the entire piece of designer paper before. NOTE TO SELF: Don't try that again. LOL! While it was an interesting idea, especially since the designer paper was so bold, I didn't think the outcome was desirable.

Here's a picture of what I mean:

Oh well, live and learn!

Image & Sentiment: Chi Chi Memories Happy Carnival

Ink: Copic Markers and Spica Pen

Cardstock: Stampin' UP Crushed Curry and Poppy Parade

Designer Paper: Miss Elizabeth's Braun

Embellishments: Queen & Co. Felt Flower, Stampin' UP! Poppy Parade Stitched Ribbon, and Studio 18 Rhinestones

Ah Nuts!

Remember the carpenter's rule:

Measure twice, cut once!

The little carpenter bear goes so nicely with the carpenter-themed paper and brads.

Image: Bugaboo Occupational Bear (Carpenter)
Ink: Copic Markers and a Gel Pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Bashful Blue and Gray
Designer Paper: Autumn Leaves Honey Do Screw Head and Screwed Up
Embellishments: Screw Head Brads (vendor unknown)

Bee-cause I Love Life

The Craft Us Crazy Challenge continues.....

Theme: Love/Remembrance

May 26 - June 8

Image: Digi's By Phooka Bee and Flower

We are delighted to have Digi's by Phooka as a sponsor for this challenge!

Prize Package: $10 Gift Voucher

THANK YOU to Digi's by Phooka for the prize package and the images given to the Craft Us Crazy Design Team (including me)!

My card opens to reveal a sentiment. Actually, this is a piece of the designer paper that seemed to communicate what I wanted it to say.... fall in love with life.



Image: Digi's by Phooka Bee and Flower
Ink: Copic Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black and Daffodil Delight
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stickles Glitter Glue and Studio 18 Rhinestones

Caution: Contents Are Hot

Today begins a new

Fresh Brewed Challenge

Theme: A Guy Thing

This is a prize challenge! Be sure to play along!!!

June 1 - 7

Here's a picture of the front of my card:

I added a few rhinestones to the designer paper to make it shine.









The focal image is found inside the card:

Fresh Brewed Designs Hot Date

Image and Sentiment: Fresh Brewed Designs

Ink: Copic Markers and Copic Spica Pen

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black, Metallic Silver, and Real Red

Designer Paper: Reminisce Prom Night and scraps from my scrap file

Embellishments: Recollections Rhinestones and Satin Ribbon (vendor unknown)