Oh Happy Day!

Hello and Welcome!

Today is a new day, and a new challenge over with us at Pile it On!
Your creations last week were all so fantastic!  Be sure to watch the Pile it On blog for the winners announcement. 

 I have a quick announcement myself...this will be my last post with Pile it On until September.  The team has been gracious enough to allow me to take the summer off and enjoy my time with my kiddos!  But don't worry...I know that the summer will go by quickly and I'll be back showing you creations with the team in no time.  

So...our theme this week is 

"Outdoor Fun"

This is such a great challenge.  The theme is wide open and so many ways to interpret it!

I guess I must have a relaxing vacation on my mind, because when I saw the digi I've used on my card I knew it was the one.  

Ready?


Doesn't that just make you wanna sit outside, soak up a little sun and just relax?  
This card has been water colored with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  I've inked the edges of all the papers brown to give them kind of a weathered look.  I've used one of my Stamp'n Up stamps for the sentiment and lastly added some yellow and white twine to give the card a carefree feeling.  

Now, before we go any further, I must share with you who our sponsor is for the week.
We are sponsored by...



...and they are offering one lucky winner a $10 gift certificate to their online store.
How awesome is that!

So think of your favorite outdoor activity and create a card around it.  Then, don't forget to link up with us at Pile it On.  You never know...you may be the next lucky winner!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Crafty Girls Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"
MilkCoffee Challenges..."Summer Fun"
Crafting By Designs..."Here Comes Summer"
Hambo Hoedown..."Here Comes Summer"
Inky Impressions..."Anything Goes"
Crafty Sentiments Designs..."Summer"
Fan-Tastic Tuesday..."Anything Goes"
Just Inspirational Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Sweet Stamps..."Summer"


Christmas Fairy

Happy Friday Morning!
And happy it is...today is the last day of school for our kiddos.  They go for an hour and 10 minutes today...can you believe they run the buses for an hour and 10 minutes of school.  I still shake my head and wonder sometimes!  LOL
However, the kids are ready to jump out of their skin and let loose on their summer vacation.

I'm back today with a new challenge at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long!
As usual, it's an "Anything Goes" theme with the twist of...

"Made for a Child"

I bet you have a grandchild, niece, nephew, son or daughter that you can be inspired to create for.  

Our sponsor this week is...



...be sure to check out the CSAYL blog for prize details.

Here is the small note sized card I created...


I thought it would be perfect for a tween, teen or young adult.  Being note sized, it would be perfect to slip in a gift card for that special someone to their favorite store.

Well, it's short and sweet today.
Gotta be ready for when that bus rolls onto the yard for the last time this school year, and then head out to our last day of swimming lessons.

Until next time... 

A Child Reaches for Your Hand and Touches Your Heart

Welcome!
I hope things are good in your neck of the woods, and life is treating you well!
I'm so glad you took time out of your day to stop by for a visit!

Today begins a new challenge over at The Crafters Cafe Challenge Blog.
This week we are asking you to incorporate

"Polka Dots & Ribbons"

The two just go so well together don't they?

Our challenge this week is sponsored by
The Stamping Boutique

Be sure to check out the challenge blog for the prize being offered.  

I fell in love with the image that we were given to work with and knew when I saw it that I would be breaking out the scissors, fussy cutting and paper piecing.  

Here's how it all came together...

*this card is available for purchase in my Etsy store

I chose to go with polka dots on the little girls outfit as well as the background paper.  I added a doily to make the card feel soft and feminine.  The sentiment comes from a printed 12x12 vellum baby sheet, and has been backed with the same polka dotted paper.  I added just a small ribbon on the corner of the sentiment to finish off the card.  Wouldn't this just be great for a baby shower or arrival of a new little one!

I hope that you've been inspired to join us over at The Cafe this week.
For more awesome inspiration, be sure to check out the other DT creations.

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...


Camping Fun!

I'm back...and glad you're still here to visit!
The family have all returned to a basically healthy status, although my cough still is hanging on!  Grrr!

Today begins a new challenge at {Pin}spirational Challenges!
Our {pin}spiring pic is a celebratory one this week.
Here's a look...



Doesn't that just get your creative juices flowing?
In Canada we are fast approaching Canada Day and our kids will be anticipating watching fireworks in a small community close to our vacation spot!
And this picture also inspires thoughts of our favorite summer past time which is camping!
This is where I drew my inspiration for my creation this week.

Here's what I came up with...


This was actually a very special creation for my daughter.  It was her birthday party invitation for her camping sleep over party which we just held this last weekend.  She and I browsed the Silhouette Online store and she fell in love with this camper card immediately.  She picked out the papers and the color scheme which of course I knew would be pink and purple.  We created 3 of them all the same as she had three friends that she wanted to invite, and that was pretty much all the room we had for extra bodies in our camper.  The day of the party, the weather was absolutely horrible.  We had downpour upon downpour, but by the time I picked up all the gals from school the sunshine was out and the air was damp and humid.  We made our way to the seasonal site where our camper is for the season and had grilled cheese cooked over the campfire for supper and pizza cookies baked in our pizza over and smores for dessert.  We headed out for an evening boat ride and the lake was smooth and the weather beautiful.  We finally called it a night at 11:00pm for the girls and moved them inside where they were allowed to watch one movie.  Amazingly enough, they actually all went to bed right after.  Needless to say, everyone slept in the next morning and all these young girls were poor little sad sacks of skin that were tired and very laid back for the rest of the trip. 
Everyone had a great time and said that it had been one of the best bday parties ever!
(My poor hubby and I are still feeling the effects of not enough sleep on the weekend!  LOL)

I hope that you'll find something inspiring in our photo this week and link up with us so we can see what type of creation you came up with. 

We have some fabulous sponsors this week who are offering some fabulous prizes...

Sassy Studio
 
as well as...

Paper Pretties


and lastly...

The Stamping Boutique
 
Be sure to check out the {Pin}spirational Challenges blog for the prizes being offered. 

Until next time...



Life is Easier...

...with a friend by your side!
Isn't that so true!  Especially when you wanna have a little fun or cause a little trouble!  LOL
Or when you're down in the dumps and need a little lift!

I've finally felt well enough to join back in with my design teams!  I just need this crazy cough to disappear!

So let's get down to business.  
This week we have a new challenge starting over at Pile it On!
This one is sure to get your mind whirling...I really had to think hard on this one and actually didn't come up with anything too creative...

"Wrong But So Right...Use Something in a Way it Wasn't Originally Intended"

Won't that be fun!
Hope you're not to spooked to join us!

Let me show you what I finally was able to dream up...


As I mentioned, I wasn't really too creative.  My items that were not originally intended for card making use are the button, thread and sequins! 

Isn't the little guy so cute splashing around in the water with his little frog buddy.  
This adorable image comes from our sponsor for the week...


...and they are offering one lucky winner a $7 gift certificate.
How awesome is that!

And I must make mention that the awesome sentiment used on this card comes from TLC Creations!

Now if you're needing a few more ideas for this weeks challenge be sure to check out the other DT creations!  They've had some awesome ideas!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today!  
Hope the week will treat you well.

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...



More Christmas Creations

Hi Everyone!
I'm glad you're able to join me today!  
I have to apologize that I've been MIA lately...but it would seem that there has been a nasty chest cold moving through our house and I was not immune to it this time!
My apologies again to the design teams I've let down this week!

I do however have a card to share with you today!
A new challenge is starting at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long and the theme this week is...

"One Layer"

We are sponsored this week by



and one lucky winner will be receiving a $12 gift certificate to their store.

One layer cards can tend to be a little daunting...but here is my attempt...


Be sure to check out the other wonderful DT creations on the CSAYL challenge blog. 
Lots of terrific inspiration there. 

Hopefully you've been inspired to join us in creating a holiday card...remember that's one less that you need to make during the busy holiday season.

Until next time...

Reindeer Games

Happy Friday!
It would be much happier if I still wasn't battling this sore throat, ear aches and brutal headache!
Anyhoo...on with the show...

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long is starting a new challenge this week!
As always, our theme is "Anything Goes" with the twist of ...

"Use Ribbon and Trims"

I found a cute reindeer image die cut in my stash of "vintagey" Christmas things and thought it would be fun to use him in a card.  I gathered up some fun patterned paper, ribbon and some sequins (not sure if you consider them trims but for this moment we will, LOL) and got to creating. 

Here's the card...


I die cut some snowflakes to add to the card and then colored them with my Wink of Stella pen to give them a very subtle shimmer.  I also colored the white on his Santa hat and the shadows on the ground so that they would sparkle as well.

The challenge at CSAYL does not have a sponsor this week...but one lucky winner will be able to be a Guest Designer with us in the month of July!
So get crafting...you never know...you could be our next lucky winner!

Until next time...

Peace, Love & Joy

I woke up under the weather this morning.  A scratchy throat and the sweats so I knew it wasn't going to be a very productive day.  So what did I do....off to the craft room I went!

I wanted to make a Christmas card so I put on the Christmas music and started crafting!
(No I'm not delirious....LOL)
It was different to make a card for sheer pleasure and not for a challenge with one of the design teams!

Here's what I managed to come up with...


I love that old world Santa with his sack on his back ready to deliver to all of the good boys and girls!
I added some die cuts in the corner...different types of greens, holly and berries and a few swirls.  Three rhinestones in the bottom corner finished it off.  
Nothing too fancy!
You may have noticed that there are 2 new buttons on the top of my blog.  
I'm selling on Etsy and Artfire now...and guess what...this card was added to the inventory today!
Feel free to pop by one of the stores today and favorite one of the cards there.

That's it for me today...think I might just go crawl into bed for a bit.  

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...


Mixed Media Canvas

Two posts in one day!  How does that happen!  LOL

Today begins a new challenge over at Unstampbelles Challenge Blog!
Oh I had fun with this one and I hope you will too!

"Mixed Media with the Twist to Alter Something"

How fun!

I had a small canvas kicking around the craft room and decided to go with that.  I completed it in stages and was able to still do a bit of housework in between the various coats of paint, etc. as they were drying!  Multitasking at its finest!

Here's how it came out...


Aren't the colors fabulous!  I find them so happy!
I dabbled in a little paint, a little texture paste, some rub ons and some stickers for the lettering!
I am really learning to enjoy the concept of mixed media and the fact that its not perfection that you're striving for.  It's carefree and lets you be artistic in the ways you want to be.  

The other DT members have come up with some fantastic creations themselves!
Be sure to check them out here!

Of course we have a wonderful sponsor for this month as well...

 
One lucky winner will be taking home this fantastic prize...
 
 

A Marianne Die


Now, remember that our one and only real rule is that you are not allowed to use any stamps in your creation...not rubber, digi or clear!  Believe me...it's really not that hard!  We encourage you to follow our "twist", however it is not mandatory...but it sure makes it more fun!  I had a great time using our twist by altering a canvas in a mixed media style. 
We at Unstampabelles are so excited to see where this challenge takes your creativity!
Remember you have a whole month to enter!

Until next time...

House Keeping Humor

Hi there!
I have a quick question for you today before we get into the good stuff!
What does your typical Saturday hold for you?  
Is it full of laundry, dusting, vacuuming and cleaning?
I'll be the first to admit that I really don't spend enough time cleaning in our house.  The nooks and crannies are usually a little dusty, and there are usually a few thing sitting around.  Life is really to short to just spend all day making the house perfect.  My thought is that if you don't like the dust, the few things laying around...you have two choices...you can either clean for me or not come back for a visit!  LOL

You must be wondering where I'm going with this!
It's a new challenge over at Pile it On!
Our theme for this week is ...

"Humorous"

What a great theme!

We are sponsored by 


who has some of the most humorous stamps around!
They are offering one lucky winner 2 digis of their choice.  

I had the fun of creating with Deirdery Dunderton!

Let's take a peek at her humorous words of wisdom about house cleaning!


Oh...don't you just wish!  LOL
Visit with your company in the dark so they don't see the mess!
The awesome sentiment comes from TLC Creations.

It's your turn now to come up with something funny!  Be sure to check out the other DT creations so you can have several good chuckles!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for visiting!