Eat Cake!

 This sweet House Mouse stamp is called "Eat Your Cake & Nap Too"....it has lived in my craft room for many years & has graced the front of a lot of birthday cards. That little mouse looks oh so comfy after munching down on the yummy cake. The image is coloured with copic markers; DP is Recollections & CS is Bazzill. The birthday balloons are from a Simon Says Stamp set (Oh, Gnome) I cut them out & coated them with Glossy Accents. The dies are also from Simon Says.

Challenges:

1. House Mouse & Friends Ch.#344.....ATG

2. Passion for Markers Ch#599.....animals

3. Through the Craft Room Door.....ATG

4. Addicted to Stamps & More Ch#409.....any occasion

5. Crafty Creations Ch#423.....ATG

6. Creative Moments Ch#218.....ATG

7. Cute Card Thursday Ch#690.....ATG

8. Stamping Sensations...July.....For A Lady

9. Simon Says Wed. Ch.....ATG

Graduation Time!

Our granddaughter Jessica just graduated with honors from high school & received a university scholarship to the Faculty of Physical Education. Needless to say we are pretty proud grandparents! This Mo Manning image was perfect for her card....it even looks a bit like her! (You can find her here) Due to COVID restrictions the grad ceremonies were very restricted....no gathering allowed. There was a stage set up in front of the school & each grad was assigned a time to show up to receive their diploma. They weren't able to have a dinner & dance to celebrate with their classmates. Tough times! Jessica has 2 best friends that she has gone to school with right from kindergarten so they got all dressed up in their beautiful dresses & had pictures taken any way. They were so lovely!

                                                             (Jessica & proud Grandma!

                                                                    

                                                         ( BFF's.....Jessica is in the red)

                                                         

So, about my card. The image is Mo Manning's Grad Girl with Rose which is coloured with Copics. I made an easel card using Prism dark green cardstock & the beautiful DP is "Graduation" by Reminisce.

The grad cap holding up the easel is a sticker also by Reminisce. The "Congrats" is an Impression Obsession die cut from gold shiny CS. The lacy frame dies are from Simon Says. If you look closely you will find a little silver grad cap charm attached to the green lace frame. 

Challenges I am entering:

1. Crafty Calendar.....ATG

2. Mo's Digital Pencil.....ATG with a Mo image

3. Creative Knockouts Challenge #409.....Include a sentiment

4. CRAFT Challenge #605.....Graduation

5. Sheepski Designs Challenge # 52.....celebration

6. Happy Little Stampers Dies....ATG with a die

7. Dies Are Us Challenge #172.....ATG

8. Daisy Chain Challenge #54.....use dies &/or stencils

9. Let's Craft & Create Ch. # 173.....ATG

10. Crafts Galore Encore #89.....ATG

Best Friends

 

My Paper crafting journey started almost 18 years ago with the birth of this sweet girl....our first granddaughter Jessica. Most of my time is spent card making these days but with Jessica's 18th birthday coming up next month I have made it my mission to finish her scrapbook so I can give it to her as part of her birthday gift. These pages make me smile! "Scout" has been Jess' best friend for 12 years & they have had many adventures together. He is the most docile, lovable dog who has put up with being dressed up in everything from Christmas onsies to sweatshirts & glasses. His favourite pastime is swimming in the pool on hot summer days. The sentiment on the first page is perfect for the picture! It's hard to tell from the pictures but the punched hearts are chocolate brown & coated with glossy accents. The DP is Recollections & the CS is Prism. I've had the little paw print buttons for years....finally had a chance to use them.

Challenges I am entering:

1. Simon Says Ch:.....4 legged friends

2. Unstampables Ch.#111.....Adventure.....use 3 of something ( pictures, hearts )

3. 2 Crafty Crazy Critters Ch#50

4. A Bit More Time to Craft Ch#140.....ATG

5. A Perfect Time to Craft.....ATG

6. Your Scrapbook Place.....May Ch.

Gin & Bear It!

 

I have been MIA for some time now....2 members of my family have some serious health issues & I just haven't even thought of blogging for the last few months. I have missed this crafty outlet though as it's a great stress relief! 

So, this card is for my son in law's birthday. His new favourite drink is gin & tonic so this cute House Mouse stamp "Citrus Bath" was perfect.  The inside says "gin & bear it" The DP is Little Yellow Bicycle & the CS is Bazzill & Prism. The image is coloured with copics.

Challenges I am entering:

1. House Mouse Ch#340.....ATG 

2. AAABirthday #25.....Happy Birthday

3. Seize the Birthday.....must be a birthday card 

4. Just Add Ink #554.....just add "G"  (gin, glass, green)

Birthday Flowers

This little ragamuffin is a digital stamp from Polkadoodles. I love using digital images because I can make them any size I want, flip them or even combine several images.  I used this one to make an easel birthday card for my niece Georgia who has lovely red hair....but not quite as crazy as this & she is too old for the bow in her hair. 😊The dies I used are from Simon Says & Sizzix.
 

Challenges I am entering:

1. As You Like It Ch.....do you prefer rubber, clear or digital stamps & why

2. Colour Crazy Ch.....ATG

3. Happy Little Stamper Ch.....ATG with dies

4. Papercraft Ch. #67.....for a loved one

5. The Crafting Ch. Feb.....dies or punches

6. CD Sunday Plus #54.....ATG 

7. Addicted to Stamps & More #399.....any occasion

Be Mine!

Who would be able to say no to this sweet little bear if she asked them to be her Valentine? The image is by Connie Fong & is coloured with copic markers. The lovely polka dot paper is My Minds Eye & the Sizzix heart die is cut from Stampin Up cherry cobbler cardstock. I really need to improve my photography skills because her dress looks red but it is actually magenta.

Challenges I am entering:

1. As You Like It.....true love or fabulous friends & why....both; I love making cards for my family but I

      know my fabulous crafty friends really appreciate the love that goes into making their cards.

2. Aud Sentiments Ch.#267.....Sending Love

3. Cardz 4 Galz Ch.#139.....Inspired by a Beatles song.....All You Need Is Love

4. Cute Card Thursday Ch.#671.....Valentines

5. Krafty Chicks Ch.#544.....any occasion

6. Createful Heart Ch.#28.....ATG

7. Creations in Pink Ch.#30.....ATG (using pink)

8. Creative Craft Cottage Ch.#136.....use a digi

9. Sweet Stampin.....Love

 

Veronica

 

I decided to take a bit of a break after Christmas & just discovered it has been a month since I posted. Time flies! So, without further delay....meet the fabulous Veronica from Mo's Digital Pencil. Isn't she priceless? I have coloured her with copic markers. Dies used are from Sizzix (scalloped circle & bold flora) & Stampin Up leaves. The DP is from my stash so I don't know the name or company but the CS is Prism. I'm sure you are all like me & have stacks of paper from years gone by....I don't think I will ever be able to use all my stash. 😀

Challenges I am entering:

1. Always Fun Ch.#197......favourite product  (Mo images)

2. CD Sunday Plus #52......ATG

3. Stamping Sensations.....favourite stamp (anything Mo's)

4. Gem of a Challenge #2......ATG

5. Crafty Calendar Ch......make it cute (Veronica is cute!)

6. Mo's Digital Pencil #299......ATG with a Mo image

7. Crafty Sentiment Designs.....ATG

8. TTCRD.....ATG

Pine Boughs

 So, I decided to make a couple of cards that didn't have any kind of  colouring on them.  I thought I would save myself some time.....Ha Ha, jokes on me! While I love how this card turned out it certainly took me longer than most of the cards I have coloured this year! (& there was glitter everywhere 😁) I used my lovely new Altenew classic pine stencils, pine needles Distress ink, Memento rich cocoa & Adirondack caramel inks. After inking the pine cones & boughs I used the caramel to ink the white space in between. Next I used a Versamark ink pad & tapped it over the whole thing & then heat embossed it with Stardust embossing powder. It was then adhered to chocolate brown CS, some bronze ribbon was wrapped around it & then adhered to a Kraft card base. The Merry Christmas is a Hero Arts stamp. 

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas & a happy, healthy 2021!

Challenges I am entering:

1. Crimbo Crackers Ch.#222.....ATG

2. Crafty Gals Corner Ch. #214.....Tis the Season

3. Fezziwig Festive Frolics Ch.#26.....last minute makes

4. Crafty Catz Ch.#532.....ATG with option something new 

5. Creative Crafting Uncles Ch.#12.....Christmas

6. Love to Craft Ch. #53.....ATG

7. Sparkles Christmas Ch.#119.....non traditional Christmas colours

8. Allsorts Ch. #603/4.....Sparkle & shine

9. Crafty Calendar..December.....Christmas

10. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch. #521.....ATG/option.....use the word Christmas 

Beary Merry Christmas

 

Wishing you a "Beary Merry Christmas"! The image I have used today is from Di's Digital Stamps & is coloured with copic markers. It doesn't show very well in the picture but I "textured" his fur by putting blender solution on a rough face cloth & dabbing it over the surface. I've added stickles to the brim & pom pom on his hat.  The DP is "sleigh ride" by Bo Bunny & the snowflakes are a Recollections punch & I used a Spectrum Noir glitter pen on them. And that's it for another clean & simple card from me.

Challenges I am entering:

1. Dream Valley #238.....Christmas

2. Make My Monday #137.....Christmas

3. 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #45

4. Classic Design Ch......ATG

5. Country View Ch.....AT Christmas

6. Crafty Hazelnut's patterned paper Ch.

7. Love to Craft #53.....ATG

8. Love to Scrap #140.....Winter Wonderland

9. Cupcake Inspirations......shades of blue

Ho Ho Ho!

 

I love this jolly looking Santa from All Dressed Up digital stamps.....this is what a Santa should look like! Are you going to be on Santa's good list or his naughty list? 😂 I coloured this jolly fellow with copic markers & you can't really see it in this picture but I outlined the snowflakes on the background with a glaze pen. The DP is from Doodlebug Designs & the snowflakes are a Cuttlebug die made sparkly with a Spectrum Noir glitter pen.

Challenges I am entering:

1. Color My Heart #423.....traditional Christmas colors

2. Winter Wonderland.....ATG

3. 52 Christmas Card Throwdown....use a previous challenge.....July.....Santa

4. Crafty Calendar.....Christmas

5. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas.....ATG

6. CD Sunday Plus #50.....ATG

7. All Dressed Up #111.....ATG

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

 Can't you just hear this little choir singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" on a clear, frosty evening? The image is called Christmas caroling critters & it is one of many adorable images available at Di's Digital Stamps. I've used copics to colour it & stickles to make the snow "glitter". The DP is Ice Crystals by Craft Smith. The snowflake die is Memory Box "Frostville wreath". 

We have very little snow here at the moment & the temperatures have been really mild. Perfect for getting out for a walk on the trails that run along the river behind our apartment building. There's always lots of deer in the bushes watching us. 

Challenges:

1. Cut It Up #214.....Christmas

2. Aud Sentiments #265....Christmas/winter animals

3. Crafty Creations #416.....ATG

4. Simon Says Stamp Wed.....fun with dies

5. Shopping Our Stash #434.....Let It Snow

6. The Holly & the Ivy #84.....AT Christmas

7. Christmas With the Cuties #44.....must be cute

8. 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #45.....ATG with a critter

9. Dies R Us #158.....Christmas

Snowman

 

This sweet image is from Rachelle Anne Miller digital stamps & is simply called "Snowman" If you haven't seen her images you should visit her site here. I have coloured the image with copic markers & made an easel card with some lovely snowflakes to hold the easel up. I'm not sure about the DP...it is from my Christmas scrap pile.

Challenges I am entering:

1. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #515.....ATG Christmas

2. Kraftin' Kimmie.....shaped/easel card

3. Sweet Stampin'.....use red

4. Christmas 24...Ch. 21.....Christmas landscape

5. Christmas crafts all year round.....for family

6. Creative Craft Cottage.....Christmas/winter

7. Creative Craft Cottage digi creations...Ch.120.....Christmas is on the way

8. The Holly & the Ivy.....Ch.83.....Christmas

9. Try it on Tuesday.....traditional Christmas colours

Autumn Beauty

 

The beautiful colours of autumn have left us here in Manitoba & the nip of winter is in the air. This adorable image is from All Dressed Up & was a freebie! How sweet is that?  Coloured with copics, die cuts by Sizzix, the beautiful DP is from Carta Bella & the leaf embelliskment is a Sticko sticker that I stuck on CS & fussy cut to give it some body, sentiment is from Power Poppy. 

Challenges I am entering:

1. Stamping Sensations.....Autumn Glory

2. Di's Digi Ch......Harvest or Halloween

3. Inkspirational.....photo 

4. Colour Crazy Ch. wk. 42.....ATG

5. Cardz 4 Galz.....Autumn

6. DLArt Ch. #270.....pumpkin

Summer Breeze

 Today I am using another sweet image from ADU stamps called Summer Breeze. Summer has made a quick exit from my neck of the woods & there is a real nip in the air these days. The snow can't be too far away 😒. Because of COVID this will be the first winter in 12 years that we haven't gone somewhere warm for a few months to get away from the nasty winter weather. We have fairly strict restrictions at the minute so I can't even go & watch my granddaughters play hockey to pass the time! I see a lot of time in the craft room ahead! Anyway, back to my card....the lovely sentiment is from Graciellie Designs; DP is Bo Bunny-Harmony Petals & CS is Bazzill. The flower & leaves are a combination of Sizzix-Bold Flora & Stampin Up.

Challenges:

1. Sweet Stampin.....Girly but no P!*K

2. ADU.....ATG with an ADU image

3. Creative Craft Cottage Digi Ch.#119.....ATG

4. More Than One Score #75.....ATG (Z fold card)

5. Colour Crazy Craft Ch. Wk 41.....ATG

6. Crafty Catz #523.....ATG

7. Polkadoodles Wk. 42.....ATG

Happy Birthday from the Gnomies!

 

Gnomes seem to be popping up everywhere lately & this smiley crew are from SheepSki Designs. This was one of 3 images I won on their FB page challenge last month. Andrea has some wonderful images which you can check out here. 

This is the first time I have made a "swing" card & it gave me a headache!😂 The instructions were simple enough but I'm not the most patient person when it comes to measuring accurately & that's a big mistake when making these cards....I had to do some creative "cutting". I will definitely know better next time! I made this card for my SIL who loves gnomes & the colour blue. It's coloured with copic markers & the balloons are coated with glossy accents. The papers are Recollections.

Thanks for taking a look. Stay safe!

Hugs, Renee

Challenges I am entering:

1. Cute Card Thursday Ch.#653.....folds

2. Krafty Chicks Ch.#526.....all occasions

3. Stinkin Inkers....Times 3 (3 balloons)

4. Little Red Wagon #659.....Celebrate (birthday)

Have a "Ducky" Day

 

This cutie & her duck friends are from All Dressed Up digital stamps & I couldn't resist using the sentiment "Hope your birthday is just ducky" on the inside of it. She is coloured with copic markers with a little bit of sparkle added to her umbrella with Diamond Stickles. The floral DP is from Doodlebug Designs but the yellow & white polka dot is from my scrap bucket so I don't know where it's from. The flowers are Sissix dies with little heart centers that are from a Martha Stewart punch.

 Here in Manitoba we were doing so well with COVID cases but then let our guard down & now our numbers are going crazy. Well, crazy compared to what they were. We had 43 new cases today.....until the beginning of September we were only getting a couple of cases a day. Thank goodness for crafting because it's going to be a LONG winter. We usually go somewhere warm for a few months in the winter but that is not an option this year.  Stay safe out there!

Challenges I am entering:

1. Always Fun Ch. #181.....ATG

2. Cupcake Inspiration #502.....use green, pink & lime

3. The Cutie Pie Ch. #151.....birthday

4. Dream Valley #233.....make it digital

5. The Paper Girls #208.....pick 3 (I am using flowers, heart & dots)

6. ADU Ch. #109.....ATG with an ADU image

7. SheepSki Designs #42.....use layers

8. Crafty Calendar---Sept.....ATG

9. CD Sunday Plus #44.....I have used a digital stamp

Hoppy Birthday!

Our youngest granddaughter just had her 13th birthday.....I'm not quite sure how that happened because it seems like just yesterday she was born! Emily is our animal lover, tree hugger & defender of the underdog. Her favourite animals are llamas but I have made her llama cards for 3 years in a row so it was time for a change. Along came this adorable birthday bunny from Mo Manning just on time for the big day. Emily has a bunny called Poppy (& a kitten called George & 2 dogs called Penny & Scout & about 400 tropical fish whose names I don't know LOL)

We have had an extremely hot summer here in Manitoba. Today was 33C....too hot for me outside so I have been spending lots of time in my craft room. Thank goodness for air conditioning! We have been staying pretty close to home anyway with COVID19.  Hope you are all staying safe!
Hugs, Renee

Challenges:
1. Cupcake Inspirations #500...

2. Cutie Pie Ch. #150....hip to be square
3. Jan's Digi Stamps...August....ATG
4. 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Ch. #41.....ATG with a critter
5. Sheepski Designs #41.....ATG
6. Gem of a Challenge....Wk 17.....ATG
7. Mo's Digital Pencil #294.....ATG with a Mo image
8. CD Sunday Plus #42.....ATG (I have used a digital image)
9. Craft Rocket Ch. #73.....Birthday
10. Simon Says Stamp.....Oh So Cute

I Do

This lovely image is "First Dance" from All Dressed Up stamps. The card is for a lovely young couple who are having an outdoor wedding next week. (thanks to COVID restrictions) The pretty designer paper is Kaisercraft, Sage & Grace collection....Dainty & the cardstock is Bazzill....petal soft. The dies used are a combination of Memory Box, Sizzix & Stampin Up. Ribbon is from Michael's.

Challenges I am entering:
1. All Dressed Up Challenge.....ATG (with ADU image)
2. Crafts Galore Encore #78.....ATG
3. Die Cut Divas.....August.....ATG
4. Love to Craft Challenge Blog #49.....ATG
5. Morgan's Artworld #8.....ATG
6. Pearly Sparkles Ch. #54.....ATG
7. Jan's Digi Stamps Ch. August.....ATG
8. Crafty Creations #412..... ATG

Cottage Life

My Hubby & I lived full time at our little cottage on the lake for 9 years before we had to sell it & move back into the city. It was a wonderful time & I certainly miss lots of things about living there but all good things must come to an end. Now, life in the city is full of new adventures...& with 3 incredible grandchildren things are never boring! This lovely Stampscapes image reminds me of those peaceful times. I coloured it with copic markers & the "lake" is shimmering thanks to a Spectrum Noir glitter pen. The woodgrain paper is from a pad by ms.sparkle & co. & the pinecone stamp & die came with a Cardmaker magazine.

Challenges I am entering:
1. Daring Cardmakers.....show 3 of something on your card (pinecones)
2. Creatalicious #191....ATG with option: 3 of a kind
3. Seize the Birthday #195.....non-neutral background
4. The Crafters Cafe #247.....male card
5. Pearly Sparkles Ch. #53.....3 of a kind
6. The Creative Crafters Ch.#30.....ATG
7. Craft Rocket Ch. #72.....for the men

Fairy Garden

Do you believe in fairies? I was born in Ireland & grew up with tales of fairies & leprechauns...the "little people!"  I remember as a child going down to the bottom of my Granny's garden to try to find them. Much to my disappointment I never did succeed. Now I can create my own fairy garden with beautiful Lavinia stamps! This one is called "Seeing is Believing". The wildflower border along the bottom is an oldie from Indigo Blu. I created my background with Distress Inks: moon...mustard seed & wild honey; northern lights....wilted violet, cracked pistachio, worn lipstick, mustard seed & wild honey as well as Momento Bahama blue. I'm really happy with the way this little bit of magic turned out!

Challenges:
1. Crafty Gals Corner #209.....fantasy
2. Lavinia World #31
3. Creative Moments #195.....ATG
4. Fab 'n Funky Ch. # 491.....use a "real" stamp
5. All Fun Ch. #11.....ATG with option: "magical world"
6. Time Out Ch. #166.....peaceful