Roar Like a Lion

MelonHeadz Friends has a new challenge starting today... one that will make us growl, bark, tweet, meow, hiss, roar, cluck, moo, and so much more.

MelonHeadz Friends Challenge 

Theme: Add/Include an Animal

February 29 - March 13

 I hope you'll participate!

I used one of the brand new MelonHeadz Illustrating stamp sets to make my card...

 

MelonHeadz Illustrating Bible Extras Bundle

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: MelonHeadz Illustrating Bible Extras Bundle colored with Koh-l-Noor Colored Pencils and Finesse Blending Marker
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! True Thyme
Designer Paper: Ki Metro Garden Paper Pad
Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

Trio of Dragonflies

JessicaLynnOriginal has a cute dragonfly digital image...

She also has a challenge to go with it. The image is free on the FB page and she's encouraging everyone to show pictures of their projects. Hurry and check it out HERE because it won't last long.

I had so much fun playing with the image that I made 3 cards.

Card #1

For this first card, I tried a technique that I had noticed in a Unity tutorial earlier this week. It involved stamping the image on Kraft cardstock and coloring it with a white colored pencil. My card is much too plain for my liking, but the coloring technique was fun!

Card #2

Card #3

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!


I used the following items on these cards:
JessicaLynnOriginal Dragonfly Digital Image 
Copic Markers
Koh-l-Noor White Colored Pencil
Cardstock - Recollections Black and Kraft and Stampin' UP! Garden Green
Designer Paper - Scraps from my scrap file
Cloud 9 Rain Dots
Paper Studio Brads

With a Chick Chick Here...

... and a Chick Chick there.

Here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick chick.

The JessicaLynnOriginal design team is showcasing the cutest little chicks today........ so you're going to see them all over blogland. That being said, if you've arrived here from Maria's blog, you are in the right spot in the blog hop. However, if you've arrived here some other way - and I am glad you're here! - you really are going to want to go back to the beginning so you won't miss a single post featuring this cute stamp set...

I made a couple of cards....

I rarely stamp on designer paper, but decided to do so on this card.... and then because the paper wasn't very heavy, I decided it would be better to color it with my colored pencils rather than Copic markers.That was a good thing, because I had just purchased a Finesse Blending marker for colored pencils and I wanted to give it a try. Oh. my. goodness. I was soooooooooooooo impressed! It worked like a charm! I can forsee using colored pencils more often now that  I have this amazing blending marker.

I tried something new on my second card, too. I'd never done the masking technique when stamping before, so I hunted up a good tutorial and then tried it with the basket and the fence. It worked!



I colored the area behind the basket with a shade lighter markers, to give the appearance that the basket was dulling/muting the color.

Oh, and just so you know.... the fence is actually stamped twice. Yes, the fence piece does work to repeat again and again to build a fence row, if one chooses. Of course I used a Stamp-a-ma-Jig to help line it up.

Thanks for stopping by. The next stop on the hop is Jennifer's blog. And be sure to go to the JessicaLynnOriginal Craft, Create, and Share facebook page. JOIN! Because the members of that group will receive a special code for free shipping today in the JessicaLynnOriginal store. How cool!

Images/Sentiment: JessicaLynnOriginal Brentwood Spring Chickens stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Colored Pencils and a Finesse Blending Marker
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Bordering Blue and So Saffron
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Images/Sentiment: JessicaLynnOrigina Brentwood Spring Chickens stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and Colored with Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Pacific Point
Designer Paper: Pebbles Family Ties Paper Pad
Embellishments: Oriental Trading Dots and Paper Studio Gemstones

Peek at My Week

I've been busy this week... getting ready to lead a state-wide Vacation Bible School Workshop. The theme this year is "Submerged" and the Bible study takes place in a submarine (well, that's the visual, not a real submarine, you understand). Soooooooooo I've been making room decor - portholes, a command center, and coral, fish, etc that can be seen outside the submarine.

It's been fun, but it has also kind of consumed much of my creative time. That being said, I've also managed to make 11 cards... and put together and mail 4 card kits. Whew! I have been busy, haven't I?

My family hasn't starved either.... and the laundry managed to get done. Now cleaning house? That's a different story. LOL!

The workshop is tomorrow - so I don't have the room set up yet. If I did, I would show you  how good it looks (I hope it will look good anyway)... but since I can't do that here are a few pictures of my work in progress.

The Command Center:

Some Coral:

A Treasure Chest:

Maybe next Friday I can show you some pictures of the real deal.

SCORE TIME: Would I give this week a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down”?

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Focus!

Sometimes we just need to FOCUS!

I made this super SUPER easy card in about 10 minutes, MAX. Gotta love CAS.

I even did a wee bit on the inside:

Thanks for stopping  by my blog today!

Quote: MFT Picture This stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic markers
Cardstock: Recollections
Designer Paper: scrps from my scrap file
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

The Chase Is On

The duel may have happened on the 15th of February, but I missed it. Seems my kit was taking the scenic route to arrive at my house. So, today is the day for my contribution to the duel - Dueling Darlings that is.

Kadie (Divas) and Paola (Dazzlers) were the hostesses this month and they chose the theme...

Being a Kid at Heart

Being a kid at heart is not a question of age, 

but more so a question of spirit.
You can be a child by enjoying small things 

and being happy with almost anything.
Don't mistake "being a kid at heart" for immaturity. 

As adults, we learn to become more
mature and responsible individuals. 

Ironically, I believe that one of the biggest
signs of maturity is choosing to be a kid at heart! 

 ~~♥~~

Here's what Paola sent:

Stamped Images :
'Jack' by Ladybug Craft-clear stamp ;
'Kite Fhiona' by Fun and Whimsical Rubber Stamps ;
Four assorted stamped hearts all from SU!
ALL images are stamped in Memento Tuxedo black ink
on white card stock : 'Cougar Smooth' by Domtar.

Designer Papers :
'Playful' by Martha Stewart ;
'Jersey Shore' by Stamping Up ;
'Thought of Spring/Hello Sunshine' by Doodlebug Design

Ribbons :
Grosgrain Green by SU;
Pink & Green by Dashes, Dots and Cheeks
Green & Blue sheer from Costco

Others :
White embroidery thread + metal white flower + blue/yellow/pink buttons - all from Michael's

THANK YOU, Paola!

Here's my card:

Now, before I go further, I must post a disclaimer. See, it's like this. I was soooooooooooo excited when my kit arrived that I just started creating, without reading the details. That. is. never. a. good. plan. I'm just sayin'.

After my card was made - and photographed - I read the "fine print." Oops! It seems that I was supposed to have a heart somewhere on my card. Okay, I exercised a little creative liberty and decided YES there is a heart on my card... because that little boy is FULL OF LIFE, so I'm sure there is a heart inside his shirt. Whew! Does that count???

Then I read further...................... Oops #2! There is also supposed to be a sentiment on my card. UGH! Okay I can do this................... exercising more creative liberty. I am one of the most SENTIMENTal women you can imagine... and this image reminds me of my son Brock when he was young and I get a little teary-eyed reminiscing.... so yes, that is SENTIMENTal.

Oh, I give up... Paola and Kadie, I'm sorry I failed to read the instructions and therefore didn't meet your criteria. I'll try to do better next time, okay?

Here's the inside of my card:

Yes, I know... 

that would have been a perfect place to put a sentiment. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

The only thing of my own I used on this card was the cardstock for the card base - Recollections Blue.

Show Me the Love

The Baker's Dozen group received a fun image from Carol this month - along with lots of goodies to play with...

Art Impressions "Show the Love" images/sentiments
Paper Studio puffed hearts
K & C Brenda Watson designer paper
Paper Studio designer paper - Random Doodle Hearts and Tiny Pink Hearts
Lace, ribbon and rhinestones, too

THANK YOU, Carol! (I'm sorry but there was no way to use all of the goodies you sent.)

Here's my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

The only thing of my own that I used on this card was black cardstock. (Well, and my Copic markers and Zig Wink of Stella markers.)

Friendship Blessings

I love the Mystery Image group I'm part of on SCS. Each month one of the ladies in the group sends images to the others and we all create with the same image. Then we mail the card to a specified woman in the group, so we each get some happy mail, too. And Imke, our leader, keeps us so well organized.

This month Tracie was the "hostess" and sent us the Two Paper Diva's "Bloom Wildly" image. I'd never seen this image/stamp before, so it was a real treat to play with something new.

Here's the card I made:

I love the image - it's is a breath of Springtime air!

You might not be able to see it in the picture, but I used Irresistible Shimmer Pico Embellisher on some of the flowers to make them glossy and a little bit dimensional. I like how that turned out.

Thanks Tracie, for a fun image. My card is now on its way to Patti's house. I sure hope she likes it.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: Two Paper Divas "Bloom Wildly" colored with Copic Markes
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Pink Passion
Designer Paper: Pebbles Best of Paper Pad
Embellishments: Irresistible Shimmer Pico Embellisher and Paper Studio Gemstones

Say What!?!?!

I never EVER know what to make when I'm challenged to make something other than a card, so when I found out the One Stitch at a Time Challenge was going to be 3D.......... I sort of panicked. YIKES! What to make? What to make???

I thought... and thought... and thought some more. I even went shopping at Michael's, looking for some inspiration. Then I went home and THUNK some more.

But good golly, I do think all that thinking paid off. Tell me what you think...

I decorated a cube box of Kleenex. 

What will you make for the OSAAT Anything Goes with 3D Challenge?

OSAAT Challenge #256 

February 21 - March 5

Sponsor: StitchyBear Digi Outlet

Prize:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Item: A Kleenex Box to alter
Image: StitchyBear Digi Outlet Coosty Creations "Orchid Beauty" (precolored)
Papers: Recollections Black Cardstock and scraps of Designer Paper from my scrap file
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestone and Stampin' UP! Organdy Ribbon

A JLO Boston Terrier Launch

NOTE: I have two blog posts today - this one and the Sweet Stampin' Challenges post that follows it, so please keep scrolling or go directly to the Sweet Stampin' post by clicking HERE. 

The JessicaLynnOriginal design team is showcasing the Boston Terrier stamp set today! Check it out........ Chrissy, Jennifer, Maria, Sharon, Vickie, and mine...............

Be sure to follow Jessica's blog where you'll find lots of JessicaLynnOriginal inspiration.

And if you haven't found the JessicaLynnOriginal Craft, Create, & Share facebook group yet, you need to check that out, too.

You can find the AKC Dog - Boston Terrier's stamp set in the JessicaLynnOriginal store.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: JessicaLynnOriginal AKC Dog Boston Terrier 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Image: JessicaLynnOriginal AKD Dog Boston Terrier
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections
Designer Paper: Recollections Black and White Paper Pad
Embellishments: Paper Studio Gemstones and Ranger Glossy Accents (for the monocle)

All That Glitters

There's nothing quite as sparkly as fresh fallen snow... 
so I chose a snowman image for the Sweet Stampin' Glitter & Sparkle Challenge.

February 20 - 26

Theme: Glitter & Sparkle

Sponsor: Crafts and Me

I hope you'll participate!

Here's my card:

The snowman (snowgirl) image and coordinating sentiment are part of the From the Heart Stamps free stamp of the month digi set. If you get it and create with it and post the link to their challenge blog, you'll receive next month's free image for FREE. It's really a SWEET DEAL! So that's exactly what I'm doing... I'm linking this card to the From the Hearts Digital Stamp of the Month Challenge.

I've never been very good at getting glitter to stick... no, let me rephrase that... I've ALWAYS had MAJOR difficulties trying to get glitter to stick. So I've been doing some research... and it seems I've found a plan that works for me. I used Ranger Glossy Accents and "colored" the pom pom and rim of the hat, then while it was still wet, I covered it with glitter and shook off the excess. Voila! It seems to have worked for me! YAY!!!!

Here's the inside of my card:

A closeup of the left side which features the sentiment:

Remember, it's all about the glitter!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image & Sentiment: From the Heart Stamps Snowman and Cocoa colored with Copic Markers and Zig Wink of Stella marker (the steam on the cocoa)
All Papers (including the silvery sparkly paper): from my scrap file
Embellishments: Snowflake Button (a gift from Barb - THANKS!), Michael's Pearls and American Crafts WOW Glitter adhered by using Ranger Glossy Accents