Final Halloween Cards for OWH 2013

I'd like to share the last three Halloween cards I made for Operation Write Home to send before this years deadline of 8-31.

Now I will be concentrating on Thanksgiving cards before the September deadline hits.

For todays first card I used sketch #160 from OWH:

For my version of the sketch I went for some darling papers, chipboard and stickers in Cosmo Crickets Nevermore collection.

Supplies used: card stock - orange, black, tan; patterned papers from Nevermore by Cosmo Cricket; chipboard and stickers in Nevermore by Cosmo Cricket; stamp - Craft Smart; ink Tuxedo Black by memento; twine and button - my stash; Pop Dots

For card #2 today I used sketch #161 from OWH:

For my card I changed the oval shape to a rectangle and used some of my Spellbinder dies and a darling sticker by Reminisce as the focal point of my card. 

Supplies used: card stock - black, vanilla, orange; patterned papers - Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble and Pick Of The Patch in Halloween by Reminisce; stickers - Halloween by Reminisce; Dies - Curved Rectangles, A2Matting Basics A and A2 matting Basics B Nestabilities by Spellbinder; brads - Kaiser Craft; Pop Dots.

And the last card for today uses Sketch #162 by OWH:

For my card I used a Silhouette Studio cut file to cut out the cauldron and stamps from Wicked Cool by Stampin' Up.

I wanted it to look like she tumbled into the cauldron so I added the lines by the hat to give it the feel of spinning as it fell off of her head.

Supplies used: card stock - recycled white, green, black; patterned papers are both scraps from my stash; stamps - Wicked Cool by Stampin' Up; ink - Tuxedo Black by Memento; Copic marker; 1/2" circle punch - EK Success; clip - Making Memories; Pop Dots

More Halloween Cards For OWH

I'm back again today with a couple more Halloween cards for Operation Write Home.

It's such a good cause and right up my alley. I think it is wonderful to give our heros cards made with love to write home with. If you are interested in donating cards you can read about their guidelines on the web site. They do have a few rules you need to follow.

For my first card today I used OWH sketch # 158:

I used some papers, buttons and stamps from Little Yellow Bicycle, adding some twine and a rhinestone for fun.

Supplies used: card stock 2 shades of purple, white; patterned papers from Frightful Collection by Little Yellow Bicycle; stamps from Craft Smart and Frightful Collection by Little Yellow Bicycle; ink - Tuxedo Black by Memento; buttons in Frightful Collection by Little Yellow Bicycle; twine - Liz's Paper Loft Boutique; rhinestone - Doodlebug; Pop Dots

For my second card today I used sketch # 159 by OWH:

For this card I decided to make my circle a rosette with a clock I fussy cut from paper by The Girls Paperie. I loved the way the clock was almost at the stroke of midnight.

I embossed my pattern paper for some intrest.

Supplies used: card stock - black, orange; patterned papers in Toil & Trouble by The Girls Paperie; rosette - Silhouette Studio cut file; sentiment - Authentique; ribbon - Michaels; brad - Making Memories; embossing folder - James set by Cuttlebug; Pop Dots.

Halloween Cards For OWH

I'm popping in today to share another couple of cards I made for Operation Write Home.

I constructed quite a few Halloween Cards using OWH sketches last week. I was trying to get them done so I could mail them before their August 31st deadline.

Here is a card I made using sketch #156:

I chose some bright green card stock, some letter brads for my sentiment and a cute sticker by K & Co. to whip up this simple card.

Supplies used: card stock - green, orange, black; brads - Queen & Co.; sticker - K & Co.; ribbon - Michaels.

For my second card today I used sketch # 157 :

I went pretty simple on this card also, just using card stock, patterned paper, a stamp and some stickers.

Supplies used: card stock - black orange, tan; patterned papers from Heebie Jeebies by We R Memory Keepers; stamp - Martha Stewart; ink - Tuxedo Black by Memento; stickers - K & Co.

Sneak Peek - LUFP

I have a little sneak peek of a card I made for Link Up For Pink!

I hope you'll stop by the blog and check it out.

Ladies - Don't forget your mammograms!!! Take care of your girls!

Halloween Cards for OWH

Yay, it's Friday and my birthday too!!!!!

My hubby is making me homemade pizza tonight!!! All my family is coming and we are going to have an awesome time :) Plus my Mom and Dad are taking me out to dinner tomorrow night to one of my favorite restaurants. Birthday weekends are the best!!!

I wanted to share a couple of Halloween cards I made for Operation Write Home. I know it is a tad early for Halloween, but they require the cards for Halloween to arrive to them by August 31st for shipping.

I used a couple of their sketches for my cards.

For the first card I used OWH sketch #154

Supplies used: card stock - black, orange; patterned papers from Nightfall by American Crafts and Tangerine from Poolside Collection by Lasting Impressions; scalloped circle and circle punches - Stampin' Up; Flair Button - Spooky by American Crafts; ribbon - my stash

My second card is from OWH sketch #155

Supplies used: card stock - blue, black; patterned paper - Goulish Ghosts in Spookville by We R Memory Keepers; embossing folder - Sizzix; border punch - Martha Stewart; stamp - Spooky House by We R Memory Keepers; ink Tuxedo Black by Memento; ghost die cut - Making Memories; Pop Dots

Link Up For Pink Challenge #16

It's that time again!!!

Time for a new challenge over at Link Up For Pink!

Please join us in in our new challenge and help us raise awareness. Get your creative juices going because we are getting closer to our linking party in October!!! Lots of wonderful prizes will be up for grabs.

Our sponsor for this months challenge is My Besties and two people will have a chance to win 5 digis of their choice.

The theme for this months challenge is breast cancer awareness,

inspirational, healthy reminders, "celebrate more birthdays", you're in

my thoughts, encouragement, etc.

For my card I chose to make a congratulations type of card, thinking it would be nice to give to someone who has just finished treatments, etc.

I know from experience that wonderful feeling after completing your last chemo treatment. You just want to celebrate!!

Supplies used: card stock - recycled white; patterned papers - Staccato, Vivo, Eco from Chanteuse Collection by Kaiser Craft; Silhouette Studio cut file; stamp from Chandeliers by Sizzix; ink - Rich Cocoa by Memento; rub ons - American Crafts; letter stickers - Authentique; ribbon - Michaels; twine, button - my stash.

Remember Ladies - Take Care of Your Girls!!!

Get Your Mammograms!!!

Teacher Back To School Survival Kit

Happy hump day all!!!

Today I'd like to share a little Back To School Survival kit I made for my grandsons teacher.
His first day of kindergarten was Monday. He looked like such a big boy and was so excited to go to school. I thought it would be fun for him to take his teacher a little something.

I went to one of my favorite sources for inspiration - Pinterest!!!
I found lots of variations of this theme and I kind of combined several to come up with my little gift basket.

I found most of the items for my little basket at the Dollar Store, so it didn't cost me an arm and a leg to fill my survival kit with lots of fun stuff.

Some of the items were fairly small, so I put them in a plastic, divided container, which I also purchased at the Dollar Store. It was in the craft section.

I decorated the top of the plastic container too!!

I created this sign in my print shop program using a red cross image I downloaded from the internet. I printed it out on sticker paper which you can purchase at Staples and then I trimmed it down before sticking it to the top of my container.

You can download this pdf file here.

I also created this list of all the items included in my basket, listing the significance of each item.

I had Jeff sign it and I rolled it up, tied it with a ribbon and popped it in my basket with all of my goodies.

A close up of the description so you can read it better.

If you'd like to download a copy of this list you may do so here.

For the outside of my little basket I dusted off my trusty Cricut machine and pulled out several cartridges to cut out my apple, pencil and the teachers name. Of course I first had surrounded my basket with some cute school themed paper.

My pencil was cut at 2 1/2" with Locker Talk, my apple was cut at 4" with Preserves; and my letters were cut at 3/4" with Cutttin Up.

My grandson said she loved it!!!

Supplies used: basket and goodies - Dollar Store; card stock - tan, yellow, grey, pink, black, light yellow, 2 shades of green, red; patterned paper by Provocraft; 

Locker Talk, Preserves, and Cuttin Up Cricut cartridges.

Sneak Peek - LUFP

I have a little sneak peek of a card I made for Link Up For Pink!

I hope you'll stop by the blog and check it out.

Ladies - Don't forget your mammograms!!! Take care of your girls!

Be My Love Monster

I wanted to share a card I made for the Paper Smooches Sparks challenge blog.

This week is the Designer Drafts challenge. You can use the provided sketch either closely or loosely.

As you can see by my card I followed it rather loosely. I used stamps from Falling For You by Paper Smooches which my sweet daughter gave me for Mother's Day!!!! 

I stamped the monster on patterned paper so I could fussy cut him out. I also did a lot of masking on the sentiment stamps, so that I could get the words Be and My; and also make the Love in Love Monster red.

Supplies used: card stock - recycled white; patterned paper - Crawly from Heebie Jeebies by We R Memory Keepers; stamps - Falling For You by Paper Smooches; ink - Tuxedo Black by memento, Barn Red Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger; sequins - Martha Stewart; google eyes - Michaels; sewing machine.

Wine Time Drink Coasters

Today for the Itty Bitty A Day challenge that is going on at the Unity Show & Tell page on Facebook I wanted to share some drink coasters I made for my father.

He is an avid wine connoisseur and also the chef at home, so I made these coasters for him along with an apron that was also "wine" themed :)

I began my project with four tiles that I picked up at Home Depot. I picked out four different "wine themed" Itty Bitty stamps by Unity.

I used StazOn ink in Timber Brown to stamp the images on my tiles.

When the ink was dry I colored the images in with Dove Grey, Olive Green, and Blazing Red StazOn ink using "fantastix" coloring tools with both the bullet and brush points.

After all the ink had dried, I sealed them with two coats of Modge Podge letting them dry after each coat. Then, to protect any table they might be set on, I glued cork to the bottoms of the coasters using a little E6000.

Supplies used: coasters - Home Depot; stamps - It's Wine O'Clock, Shall We UnWined?, Coffee and Wine, and Wine & Friends Itty Bitty's by Unity; ink - Timber Brown, Dove Grey, Olive Green and Blazing Red StazOn ink; Fantstix color blending sticks; Modge Podge; cork; E6000 glue.

I'm Your Biggest Fan

It was almost 100° when I was making this card, so I guess I was hoping the cute image would help cool me down :)

It's day 4 of the Itty Bitty A Day challenge over at the Unity Show & Tell page on Facebook and I wanted to keep playing along.

For my card I used some retro looking paper by Cosmo Cricket and the "Biggest Fan" Itty Bitty stamp set by Unity.

A few Skittles in the corner reminded me of water droplets.

Supplies used:  card stock - red; patterned paper - Swingin' in Social Club by Cosmo Cricket; stamps - Biggest Fan Itty Bitty by Unity; ink - Iced Spruce Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger; Serenade Thickers alphabet stickers by American Crafts; Skittles; corner rounder - Zutter

I Love My Teacher

My grandson will be starting kindergarten on Monday! I can hardly believe that he is 5 and ready to start school. He went to a "meet the teacher" day yesterday. Today we went out and purchased a back pack. He picked a Transformers back pack with Bumble Bee on it. He is definitely a boy :)

Anyway... it got me in the mood to make a school themed card, so I pulled out another Itty Bitty stamp set and made this for the challenge going on at Facebook. It is an Itty Bitty A Day challenge this week, and there have been all kinds of beautiful inspiration!!!

For my card I used Apple Of My Eye stamp set paired with some cute paper by The Paper Loft.

I couldn't believe the ribbon I had would match the blue in the "abc" paper so well, LOL

Sometimes you just get lucky :)

Supplies used: card stock - blue, brown; patterned paper - Light Olive Checks in Flip Flops by The Paper Loft and scrap from Creative Imaginations; stamps - Apple Of My Eye Itty Bitty by Unity; ink - Rich Cocoa by Memento; border punch and photo corner punch - EK Success; eyelets  and ribbon- Making Memories; Pop Dots

When Life Gives You Limes.....

I don't know about you, but I love Margaritas!!! Especially in the summertime :)

So.... I love this Itty Bitty stamp set by Unity 'cause it's so cute & fun and makes my mouth water for one of these delicious drinks!

I paired it with some limes I cut using my Cricut to make this card for the Unity Show and Tell page on Facebook. This week there is an Itty Bitty a Day challenge going on.

If you have any Itty Bitty stamps, just ask to join the group and you can play along :)

Supplies used: card stock - recycled white, 4 shades of green; patterned paper - Bitty Dot Basics by Papertrey Inc.; Stamps- When Life Gives You Limes by Unity; Copic markers; Preserves Cricut cartridge; Clear Dazzle Glue by Hero Arts; Pop Dots

Life Is A Succession of Moments....

I created this card for a post over at Link Up For Pink and I would also like to share it on the Unity Show and Tell page on Facebook as they are having a challenge this week to use an Itty Bitty each day to create a card or tag.

I used a brand new Itty Bitty Stamp of The Week I just received called Each Moment Is Success.

To create my card I first stamped my sentiment in the middle of my card base. I then masked off a portion over the sentiment.

I stamped my flower on a piece of scrap paper and fussy cut it out so that I could use it as a mask also.
Then I went about stamping the flower both above and below the masked sentiment, stamping across the mask. Then I took my fussy cut flower and masked off the flowers I just stamped, so that I could stamp them again, giving it a more 3D look.

I colored the flowers with Copics and the removed my mask over the sentiment. I then used a ruler to draw a black line above and below the sentiment.

A few rhinestones for a little sparkle and some glitter glue in the middle of my flowers.

Supplies used: card stock - white, pink; stamps - Each Moment Is Success by Unity; ink - Tuxedo Black by Memento; Copic markers; rhinestones - Recollections and Little Yellow Bicycle; Clear Dazzle Glue by Hero Arts.

Sneak Peek - LUFP

I have a little sneak peek of a card I made for Link Up For Pink!

I hope you'll stop by the blog and check it out.

Ladies - Don't forget your mammograms!!! Take care of your girls!

Sup?

I had so much fun making this card. I used some super fun stamps sets from Paper Smooches!
Just love her fun and whimsical stamps!!!

I'd like to enter it into the Paper Smooches Sparks challenge this week, which is "anything goes".

For my card I used 4 Paper Smooches stamp sets: Forest Whimsey, He Said She Said, Green Thumb and Slang Gang.

I did a lot of stamping and paper piecing, but I think it makes for a really fun, whimsical card. I love all the bright papers by Jillibean.

Isn't the garden gnome just so cute? Lovin' the fun sentiments in Slang Gang. Green Thumb has all kinds of fun garden stuff including those adorable veggies and He Said She Said has all the perfect speech bubbles.

Supplies used: card stock - recycled white, 3 shades of brown; patterned papers - Green Salt, Red Salt, Navy Salt, Orange Salt all In Soup Staples II and Chicken Base in Fresh Vegetable Soup  by Jillibean; stamps - Forest Whimsey, He Said She Said, Slang Gang, and Green Thumb all by Paper Smooches; ink - Tuxedo Black by Memento; Copic markers; Pop Dots