Anything Goes at Creative Knockouts (and DT Call)

Challenge time at Creative Knockouts with our fab sponsor Dr. Digi's House of Stamps!  The winner will receive 2 images of their choice.  Our theme is Anything Goes!

I love working with Dr. Digi's stamps - they are truly unique and they add a great sense of humor to any card, take Banksy Claus for instance!

I used Distress Inks to create the background and used an embossing folder to create some texture and illusion of a wall. I was hoping to use a brick wall stencil but haven't been lucky to find one in our crafting store.

 I cut apart the image and used distress inks again on the Ho Ho Ho and also used some smooch spritz to give it a bit of a graffiti feel to it.

I added some foam dots to Santa and a bit of white puff stuff on his hat and the sentiment is from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your creations!

Prize:  2 images

Anything Goes at Creatalicious Challenges

Anything Goes with optional Reindeer is our challenge at Creatalicious Challenges!  Our sponsor for this challenge is The Paper Shelter and the winner will receive 3 digis of their choice!

With Christmas just around the corner, I'm sure we are all now in the frenzy of decorating and wrapping presents ... Rudolph is no exception!

This image by The Paper Shelter is What a Mess and I have to admit I think I look like that too!! Along with Copic markers, I also used Spica markers to add a bit of sparkle and wrapped it up with a bow.

I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Prize:  3 digis

Just for Fun at Christmas with the Cuties

We are sooooo close to Christmas and this will be the last challenge of 2019 over at Christmas with the Cuties!  Sometimes it's difficult to relax in the days up to Christmas so we've decided this challenge is going to be JUST FOR FUN with no sponsor.

So, if you need to de-stress, pull out your CUTE stamps and have some fun with it!

Meet Merle, this darling giraffe is a digital image is by Beccy and can be found at Beccy's Place.  I have a thing for giraffes, I simply adore these animals and I have had the chance to be up close and personal and I couldn't get enough of them.  The digital stamp set also comes with sentiments and "twinkle, twinkle Christmas lights" is one of them.

Thank you for stopping by and I'd like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cheers!

Christmas Critters Challenge and new DT Member

This is my first challenge as a Design Team member for Christmas at Sweet Stampin' and I'm super excited to be a part of the team!  

We have a fun challenge for you this month - showcase your Christmas Critters!  

I came across this image on Pinterest, Fa La La Llama is from Just Me Digital Stamps on Etsy and creator Elena is wonderful.   Unfortunately this image is no longer available and Elena will be slowly phasing out her images which is so unfortunate.  I encourage you all to visit her on Etsy and check out her adorable images. 

I colored this adorable image with Copic markers and the background papers are from Oh Deer Collection by Fancy Pants Designs. To add a bit of dimension, I included pink and white sequins and some stickles on the pom pom. 

I hope you have as much fun creating your critter cards as I did mine and I look forward to seeing them all!


Challenges:
Ellibelle's Corner - Creatures Great and Small
A Place to Start - Happy Holidays
The Cutie Pie Challenge - Christmas Cuties
Incy Wincy Designs - Christmas without Red or Green

Anything Goes at Winter Wonderland

It's challenge time at Winter Wonderland!  Our theme for our December challenge is Anything Goes (Christmas of course!).

Our sponsor for this challenge is Digital Delights and the lucky winner will receive a $5 voucher to use in their store.

This Christmas image is Magical Tree Santa.  I colored it up with my Copic markers, matching it to the non-traditional Christmas colored paper (I love pink).  This is a great image to color if you don't have a lot of time, it's quick to color which is perfect for this time of year when we are all so busy.

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Prize:  $5 Voucher

Christmas Delight Challenge

It's time for another fab challenge at Creative Knockouts!  Our theme for this challenge is Christmas Delight.

Our sponsor for this challenge is our very own Kelly and the lucky winner will receive a stamp set from CTMH (Close to my Heart).

I chose to work with Holly Jolly my Butt by Whimsy Stamps for this challenge.  Christmas Delight you say?!  Well, it's my "spoof" on Christmas Delight.

This stamp set is too funny and I look forward to making many more cards with it.  I colored the image with Copic markers and the papers are from the Blitzen Collection by Bo Bunny.  

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Prize:   One stamp set

Challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Christmas or Winter Sentiment #241
Cardz 4 Galz - Cute Christmas #112
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes with a Critter

Santa Hats Challenge

How many more sleeps until Santa arrives???? I swear Christmas comes earlier and earlier every year!

If you haven't started already, this challenge at Christmas with the Cuties will get you into the Christmas card spirit!  Our theme for this challenge is "Show us your Santa Hats".  It doesn't have to be the big man himself, just a darling image wearing a Santa hat.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Crafty Sentiment Designs and the winner will receive a digital  image of their choosing!

The image below is Benson and Betty.  I want to sigh every time I look at this adorable pair, they are just so darn cute AND they are both wearing Santa Hats!

I colored the duo with Copic markers and used a glitter Spica pen around the hat fur.  The papers are from Lawn Fawn "Rainbow Christmas"  Along with the layers, I added some bling in the corners to finish it off.

Remember to head over to Christmas with the Cuties to link up your creation, I'm looking forward to seeing it!

Challenges

Dragonfly Dreams - Christmas/Winter
Crafty Friends - Christmas
My Time to Craft - Christmas Animals
Crimbo Crackers - Animals

Snow Much Fun at Creative Knockouts

It's time for our "Snow Much Fun" Challenge at Creative Knockouts!  

Our sponsor for this challenge is Star Stampz and the lucky winner will receive 3 images of their choice!

I chose to work with Santa's Letter for this challenge.

I used Copic markers to color the image and was going to try something fancy with the background but it wasn't quite working so I just left the blue sky ... blue!  

This image brings a smile to my face as I remember my kids sending letters to Santa, it's such a wonderful time of year!

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Challenges:
Star Stampz Challenge - Christmas #4
Cardz 4  Galz - Getting Ready for Christmas #110
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - Christmas/Holidays

Stitchin' Time at Creatalicious Challenges!

It's challenge time over at Creatalicious Challenges, Anything Goes and here's the twist ... we want you to add stitching to your creation, real or faux.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Polkadoodles and the lucky winner will receive a voucher to spend in their store!

This too cute image is Lucky Present.  Just looking at him makes melt, he's just so darn adorable.

I colored him up with Copic markers, added some puff paint on the hat and stickles on the pom pom.  I also used a white gel pen and added some dots on his kerchief.

I hauled out my sewing machine and added some blue stitching around the image.  I really like adding stitching to images I just hate pulling out my machine, wish I had room to leave it out. 


Now it's your turn to show us your stitching.  Make sure you check out the Design Team's creations for some inspiration.

Prize  -  £6.75 / US $10 digi voucher

Challenges:
Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Anything Goes #46
ABC Christmas Challenge - X is for FauX (hat fur)
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Animals
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas
Cute Card Thursday - Festive

Border Time at Creative Knockouts

It's time for another challenge at Creative Knockouts and Border Time is the theme!

Our sponsor for this challenge is Di's Digi Stamps and the lucky winner will receive $6 voucher.

It's hard to believe the holiday season is almost upon us, to get a head start on some Christmas cards, I decided to work with the Snuggle Muffs.  I colored her up with Copic Markers, added some glossy accents, stickles and a few sparkly embellies. 

The paper is part of the Polar Pals collection by Doodlebug Design, I love the colors and the adorable designs.

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Winter Wonderland Challenge - Holly or Ivy

I'm thrilled to be a new member of the Winter Wonderland Design Team!  Our challenge to you this month is to incorporate Holly or Ivy into your creation!

Our sponsor for this challenge is SheepSki Designs.  The winner will receive 3 images of their choice!

The image below is Snowman Selfie and I loved working with the image.  This selfie is much better than the selfies I try to take with my family, usually only my eye is captured and everyone's heads are cut out of the image - I blame it on my short arms!

I used Copic Markers to color the image and followed up with a white gel pen to add some dimension.  When I use this image again, I am going to use my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a hashtag, will have to think of a funny caption....

The background papers have been in my stash for a long time, it's called Jolly by Golly: Play Day by Cosmo Cricket.
  
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will join us and link up your Holly/Ivy creations!  Don't forget to stop in and see what our Design Team has created!

Prize:  3 images

Challenges:
Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - Anything Goes Christmas #455
SheepSki Design Challenges - Christmas is Coming #32
Cards 4 Galz - Something Begins with S #108
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Winter #534
Cute Card Thursday - Christmas/Holidays #606

Christmas with the Cuties Challenge!

I am super excited to announce that I am now a member of the fab Design Team over at Christmas with the Cuties!  

Our challenge this month is "Personalize It".  Show us who your card is for, maybe your son, daughter, hubby, niece, neighbour ... make it special by personalizing their card (remember it must be cute!).

Our sponsor for this challenge is Di's Digi Stamps and this sweet image is Deliver Wendy.  

With my Copic Markers I colored her up to match the background papers, added some clouds in the background and decided not to make a snowy path for her to walk on as I thought it would be too much white.   I used my stash of sentiment stamps from Stampin Up! to create the Sweet Daughter tag.

I didn't realize how low my stash of Christmas/Winter embellies has become so I used a couple of buttons and ribbon to finish the card off.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing what you create!  Remember to stop in and see what the design team has in store for you!

Prize:  Gift Voucher

Challenges:
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Make your own background #461
Aud Sentiments - For a child #238

Embossing Challenge at Creative Knockouts

It's time for another fab challenge at Creative Knockouts!  Our theme for this challenge is EMBOSSING ... any kind of embossing!

Our sponsor for this challenge is Fabrika Fantasy and the lucky winner will receive 3 images of their choice!


I chose to work with Little Witch for this challenge since it's soooo close to Halloween!

Not only do you receive black and white .jpg and .png files, you also receive colored images in both .jpg and .png.  I decided to play with the color files for this challenge.  

I placed the image in front of some Halloween subway art and printed it off.  I used scissors to cut around the image and and printed the October 31 sentiment and used distressed ink to give it an old vibe.

I used a chevron embossing folder on the black layer and attached the image and sentiment with foam squares.  To finish it off, I added some ribbon and a couple of Halloween embellies.

Here is another version of the colored image paired with digital Halloween paper.  There are so many things you can do with these images!

Have some fun and start creating, I'm looking forward to seeing your design!

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team and remember to leave them some love!

Prize:  3 images

Anything Goes with Autumn/Halloween Twist at Creatalicious Challenges

It's challenge time over at Creatalicious Challenges, Anything Goes with optional Autumn/Halloween twist!

Our sponsor for this challenge is Cute as a Button and the lucky winner will receive two digi's of their choice!

This image by Cute as a Button is Having an Apple. Apologies for the poor picture quality, I was having issues (grrr).

This little autumn gem was colored with Copic Markers to match the background papers (Forever Fall by Bo Bunny).  I added some colorful fabric leaves along the border and cardboard enjoy sentiment.

Now it's your turn to show us your Autumn inspirations.  Make sure you check out the Design Team's creations!

Fall Challenge at Creative Knockouts

The weather is changing and Fall is upon us with the beautiful colors and crisp weather, Autumn is my favorite time of the year!

Nice segue into announcing our new challenge at Creative Knockouts!  Our theme for this challenge is "Fall".  Our sponsor for this challenge is Sweet N Sassy Stamps and the lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate!

This cute little image is Cocoa's Candy Apple.  Back in the day when we went out trick or treating, we would often chant "Halloween Apples" at the door so when I saw this image my Halloween memories came flooding back.

I used my Copic markers to color this cute little image and added glossy accents to the bow and finished it off with a spray of pewter shimmer spritz.

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Prize:  $10 gift certificate

#Reindeergames at Creative Knockouts

It's an ANYTHING GOES challenge over at Creative Knockouts!  Time to brush off that workspace of yours and get down and dirty - show us what you got!

Our sponsor for this challenge is Sheepski Designs and the lucky winner will receive 3 images of their choice!

I LOVE this image, Rudolph's Selfie and it makes me smile every time I look at it! 

I colored the image with Copic markers and let me tell you, I was having some difficulties.  Trying to match the coloring in both pictures proved to be a challenge for me - none the less, I love it anyways!  

I cased the design/layout from Sheepski Designs, I really liked the background and wanted to give it a shot (needs some work, forgot about matching the image again!).

I used a white gel pen to add some dimension on the nose(s) and as falling snow.  I sprayed some Pewter Spritz and added glossy accent to the nose(s) and stuck on some bling.  The hashtag "#reindeergames" was computer generated.  

For the layout I was trying to find the right patterned paper but felt the image was lost in the patterns I had so I stuck with CAS.

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to have some fun.

Prize:  3 images

Challenges:

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
ABC Christmas Challenge - S for Sparkle and T for texture (glossy accents)
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Christmas - Anything Goes
Cute N' Crafty Chirstmas - Anything Goes

Bug Buster and a Challenge

It's challenge time over at Creatalicious Challenges, Anything Goes and here's the twist "Circles" ... we want you to add circles to your creation.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Di's Digi Downloads and the lucky winner will receive a $12 voucher to their store!

This image is Bug Buster by Art Impressions (unfortunately the stamp is no longer available).  The Best Bug Buster goes to my 16 year old son, he is forever saving me from all things creepy!

The image was colored with Copic markers and in keeping with our optional circles theme, I used polka dot paper inside a larger circle.

Now it's your turn to show us your circles!  Make sure you check out the Design Team's creations for some inspiration.

Prize:  $12 Voucher

Challenges:

Ellibelle's Corner - Things Beginning with "B"
Creative Craft Cottage - For the Men in your Life #122
Art Impressions - Use Circles

Relaxing at Creative Knockouts

It's challenge time at Creative Knockouts!  Our theme for this challenge is "A Charmed Life"... that means we would like you to add a charm to your creation!

Our sponsor for this challenge is Crafty Sentiments Designs and the lucky winner will receive 3 images of their choice!

This image is Relaxing by Crafty Sentiments Design.  I love this image and it reminds me that I need to take more time for myself to just relax.

I colored her up with Copic markers and created the cloud background watching my trusted YouTube video because I can never remember how to do it!  

The layout was inspired by Vicki.  With my spellbinders I created the smaller circles and the large circle was made using my Creative Memories Circle Custom Cutting System and finally the addition of the flower charm and I am done!

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Prize: 3 images

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Use dies and/or punch
Make My Monday - Use Shapes #104

Magical Birthday

It's time for another fab challenge at Creative Knockouts!  Our theme for this challenge is "Something to Say" ... include a sentiment on your creation!

Our sponsor for this challenge is The Paper  Shelter and the lucky winner will receive 3 images of their choice!

There are so many adorable images to work with, it was hard to choose!  This image is Unicornmania.

Oooh, I had fun making this card.  The papers are actually St. Patrick's Day themed (Lots of Luck Collection by Dooglebug) but the bright colors were too magical not to use!  Three different types of paper designs, polka dot, striped and rainbows.

I used Copic markers to color the image and added a touch of sparkle here and there using my Spica markers.  The banner die cuts are Tiny Banners & Toppers from My Craft Spot.

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Prize:  3 images

Challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges - Buttons and/or Bow
Allsorts Challenge - Feminine
Paper Minutes - Happy Colorful
Papercraft Challenges - Stripes
Unicorn Challenge - Fully Loaded

Happy Birthday Charlie

I had the pleasure of creating a card for a co-worker, her nephew is turning 25 and she wanted a personalized birthday card.  He enjoys skateboarding, singing, and his phone so I took to searching for the right image.  

All my images were of young boys, too young for a soon to be 25 year old so I started looking online. Surprisingly, I couldn't locate an image that covered his interests for his age group.  I came across Aiden by Mo Manning and right away I had a good feeling about the image.

I colored Aiden with my Copic markers and kept the layout simple.  My co-worker was grateful for the card and I hope Charlie likes it!

Challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Masculine + Sentiment
WaterCooler Wednesday - Masculine
Creative with Stamps - Dad or Masculine
AAA Birthday - For the Boys

Sparkle and Shine at Creative Knockouts

Challenge time over at Creative Knockouts and our theme is "Sparkle and Shine"!

Our sponsor for this challenge is Fred, She Said Designs and the lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend in their store!


I chose to work with Dragonfly Flower Doodledallion SET for this challenge.  You have to check this set out!  Along with the digi stamps, you get the colored version as well as different flower designs and sentiments.

I know it doesn't look like it but there is some sparkle and shine on my card, you just have to look closely!  I used clear sparkle embossing power on the blue flower petals and the dragonfly and pulled out my spica pen to trace around the leaves.  Glossy accents was used on the dragonfly for the shine and to top off the sparkle I added clear sparkly background paper.

Hop on over to see the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!

Prize: $10 gift certificate

Challenges:
Dragonfly Dreams - No Patterned Paper
Stamping Sensations - Things with wings
Sweet Stampin' - Things with wings

Be A Mermaid

It's challenge time over at Creatalicious Challenges - Anything Goes with a twist ... we want you to "add some sparkle".

Our sponsor for this challenge is The Paper Shelter and the lucky winner will receive 3 digi stamps of their choice!

This image is Little Mermaid on Vacation and comes with color images along with the digi stamp, it's a fab package!

I colored her up with Copic markers and used Stickles to add some sparkle in her hair and tail.  The paper is Mermaid Dreams by Echo Park.

Now it's your turn to show us your sparkly creations!  Make sure you check out the Design Team for some inspiration.

Prize:  3 digi stamps

Challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs - Fantasy

Green and Orange Christmas Joy

I'm finally getting a start on my Christmas cards this year, unlike last year when I was in a mad rush to get them done.

This image is from Bugaboo Digi Stamps, Christmas Words - Joy.  This image is perfect for quick coloring and simple to add to any background.  I colored the images with Copic markers and applied glossy accents to add some dimension.

I added faux stitching around the border and finished it off with twine, button and sequins.  The background paper is from the North Pole collection by Doodlebug Design Inc.

Unlike drawing in faux stitching like the card above, I used my stitched border diecut on this card.  The background paper is from the 6" x 6" paper pad Really Rainbow Christmas by Lawn Fawn. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I have provided you with some Christmas inspiration!

Challenges:
Christmas with the Cuties - Going Green (green card)
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes (orange card)
Alphabet Challenge - J is for Joy (green card)
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas (orange card)

Card for a Child at Creative Knockouts

It's challenge time over at Creative Knockouts!  For this challenge we would love to see you create a card for a child.

Our sponsor for this challenge is our own Kelly and the lucky winner will receive a $25 surprise package from Close to my Heart!

We've finally had some great summer weather and with kids enjoying their summer vacation, I chose to work with this adorable image  Swimmer Girl from Kinda  Cute by Patricia.

(Apologies for the shadows in the picture, this was taken at 1am and I wasn't seeing clearly)

Swimmer girl was colored with Copic markers, I used paper from Echo Park "Good Day Sunshine" so I tried to keep the colors consistent with the papers.  I added some faux stitching and diecut circles to finish it off.

Make sure you check out the amazingly creative creations from our Design Team then it's your turn to start creating!  I look forward to seeing your creation!


Challenges:

Creative Craft Cottage - Summer
The Cutie Pie Challenge - Girls just wanna have fun
Sweet Stampers - Summer
Cards for Galz - Summer Fun

Summer Wild Thing

This card making hobby of mine leaves me with stacks of cards that just sit in a pile, waiting to be used.  I finally gathered them up and put them on display for sale at work.  A co-worker came across a card I made back in 2013, it's the male version of this card (Bob can be found here on my blog). 

She laughed at the card and said her girlfriend's birthday was on Friday and she wished it was a female image instead ....

... it was quite a few years back (6 years in fact) when I purchased this image Betty, along with her partner Bob from Fresh Brewed Designs (sadly, they are no longer open).  I combed through my images and when I found her I created this card.

I am so happy with how it turned out, I even took a chance at creating clouds, a big feat for me!  I'm in love with the papers and in love with this card, I had a lot of fun creating it.


Challenges

Cardz 4 Galz - Sun, Sea, Sand
Moving Along With The Times - Splish Splash
Double D Challenges - Birthday/Mood Board
Crafty Cardmakers - Here Comes Summer