Yippee! Lauren Is Graduating!

Hello people!  It is Friday here and that means another Totally PaperCrafts Challenge.  This week I am the hostess and I'm challenging everyone to use more than one fold.  I made this for my most awesome Grandson Chase's special friend Lauren.  She is graduating with him this Saturday.  This card has three folds in the paper.  The base is folded in an inverted V with two flaps folded in on each other and glued together.  This provides the strength needed to support the large circles, digi and embellishments.  I am on a paper crimping binge so I crimped the base for some interest.  The circle base is something I masked, brayed, stamped and just kept playing with until I was happy with the results.  I couldn't recreate this if I tried.  It is most definitely one of a kind.  The digi is from the Sassy Cheryl store and called  Frantic Graduate.    I think she captures the spirit of a graduate perfectly.  Graduates do tend to jump, scream and make a lot of noise at commencement I promise you.  The butterfly is from MS and the Glittered Grad is a 3 Dimensional Sticker from Jolee's.  I have used pop up take on the image to make her appear to be dancing off the page.  The lace border is a piece from my stash.

So easy peasy.  Get out your Score Pal and bone folder and start folding.  I want to see the unusual this week so go have some fun.  Get crazy and enjoy your precious crafting time.  Be sure to post your finished product here.  You just may win a GC from Simon Says Stamp.  I sure wish I could win this one because I have a wish list already prepared for their ship.

                                                 

I'll be back later today to announce the winner of my Blog Candy.  Thank you all for entering the drawing.

Happy Crafting.

And The Winner Is.........

Drum Roll Please:

Congratulations Sarah, The Stressed Stamper!  You are the winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate to Sassy Cheryl's.

I asked my Mom to do the honors of choosing a number between 1 and 26.  She chose number 4 because it was her wedding day.  She considers that the happiest day of her life.  So now, Miz Sarah 4 you share in my Mom's happiness too.

I will email Cheryl to credit your account so you can start spending!  I can't wait to see what creations you come up with.

A big Mahoosive Thanks to all who entered.  I wish I could have a prize for all of you.

Turtle's 3rd Anniversary Candy

*This post will remain at the top of my blog from April 29, 2012 through May 31, 2012

Wow, has it really been 3 years since I started my blog?   It has been such a fun trip for me and I have met so many wonderful new friends from all over the world.  I originally started this blog at the urging of my friend Jeni, so I could join in the Sassy Cheryl's challenges.   I fell in love with her characters the moment I clicked on her blog.  They all have so much spunk, cuteness, and that little bit of mischief in them.  

I wanted to say thank-you to all of my new friends and offer a little gift to them.  Since it all began with Sassy Cheryl, I thought I 'd give you the chance to win some of her adorable digis. If you are one of the lucky, talented ladies on her design team, go ahead and enter this anyway.  It will make a lovely gift certificate for you to give to another dear friend. 

                        $25.00 Gift Certificate

                 To Sassy Cheryl's Shop

www.sassycherylsdigis.com

                        

You have until the end of May to enter this contest.  All you have to do is be a follower of my blog and post the badge that you see on my sidebar on your blog.  Please don't become a follower of my blog just to win the candy.  I am always looking for new friends to share my love of crafting with.  Enter your information below and a winner will be chosen at random and announced on June 1, 2012.  Only one entry per person please.

Good Luck to everyone, hugs and Happy Crafting to all of you.

Graduation Favors

We are still in graduation mode in our family today.  I made these 20 favors for my DG Chase's Graduation family dinner on Saturday.  I sent my DD a picture and she liked them so much she asked me to make 50 more for another Graduation party being held on Sunday for Chase and his girlfriend Lauren. Guess what?  They are so quick to make that I will be able to make them easily tomorrow.

My pal Jeni taught our Inky Digit Stamp Club how to make these a couple of weeks ago and I was amazed at the WOW factor and speed of the project.  Here is a link to a  video on  You Tube to show you step by step how to make them.  They are so handy for any kind of party favor and wouldn't they be cute for those special little Halloween Trick or Treaters?
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My paper is from Stampin Up and believe me I love this paper and only use it for very special people.  I constructed the "sour cream" containers crimped the edges with a crimper, filled it with Hershey Kisses and tied the opening with twine.  The sentiment is one I made in Microsoft Word.  I used a Marvy scallop circle punch, Creative Memories Circle Punch and a McGill punch for the 2 holes I threaded the twine through.  I stamped a diploma with a clear stamp and cut it out and attached with a foam dot.

Hope you enjoy the project as much as I did.  My Mom was even able to get into the production by adding the Hershey's Kisses. It is a great little project you can do with the kids or grans.  Just be real careful on who you chose to handle the candy.  If my diabetic husband would have added the chocolate................

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Less Is More - Not A Square
Make It Monday

PS:  You only have 2 more days to enter my Blogaversary Candy.  A $25.00 gift certificate to Sassy Cheryls is going to be awarded to one lucky winner!

Come On Baby and Snuggle Up With Me!

It's Friday and there is a new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts.  This week, our oh so talented and helpful leader is Cathy.  Cathy loves her animals and she wants us to honor them this week.   Our very special sponsor this week is the Digi Stamp Boutique and they offered the design team members a digi of our own choice to use.  There are so many cuties over there that I had a most difficult time choosing.  But in the end this cute little creature captured my heart. He's called Snuggles.  Now don't you just want him snuggling up with you in your sleeping bag????

I colored him with my Copics and did some splotchies with my Copic Blender pen.  I know frogs tongues are not purple, but I am claiming artists privilege and making his purple to match my DP and so I could use a new set of Copic colors I had just purchased.  LOL.  I cut him and his flower out, popped them up with foam tape.  The green grass is a cut-out from Jolee's.  The ribbon is from my stash.  The sign is a SU stamp from the Halloween Hoot collection.  The lips were free-handed by moi'.  This precious DP is from Doodlebug Design Inc., "Hello Spring" collection.  I picked the paper up at my lss, Aww Shucks.  I paper-glazed his eyes to give a little more dimension and interest

Now hop on over to our blog and find a couple of surprises for you.  #1 are all the creations my talented Design Teamies have created this week.  #2 is that we are having a Design Team Call.  We are looking for a few talented fun loving girls who want to join a zany group of ladies.  We have different sponsors each week and we can use any images we want to create our projects.  Lots of flexibility here for all your designing minds.  So go check it out here.  We would love to have you join us.

Don't forget, one more week to enter my Candy Give-A-Way.  Be sure and check it out, I would love to award it to YOU!

Linda

News Flash

I did it!  I finally finished my Grandson Chases' afghan.  I only took me 2 years, but just like the turtle, I made it to the finished line. 2 years ago I made my #1 Granddaughter, Ashley an afghan.  All the grans had to have their own.  So I said I would make them each one in the order of their births.  Chase is only #2 and I have 3 more to go.  LOL  (If I live that long)

This is a geometric pattern which consists of 20 squares of 4 colors.  I then joined the 20 squares and crocheted a border that consisted of  3 rows of  single crochet stitches.  The pattern was a freebie and if you would like the instructions, please shoot me an email and I get it over to you.

When I started this  Chase was considering going to his parents, and uncle's Alma Mater, University of South Carolina.  We are all Gamecock fans in this house and their colors are garnet and black.  Well 2 years later he is starting to college and he is not going to USC.  Too bad, Chase, you are going to have to make due with the prestigious Gamecock colors to cuddle up with on those cold SC winter nights, cause Nana is not making you another one honey.

I'm so darn proud that I am posting this in Sassy Cheryl's Show Me Thursday Challenge.  Pretty easy to post in if you would like to brag  I mean show what you are working on today.  Just take a picture of whatever you are working on and enter.  You just might win you know.

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all my buddies in the  USA.  Happy weekend to all my buddies across the pond.

Don't forget to enter my candy give away.  This is the last week, I announce a winner next Friday!

Hugs,

Linda

Less Is More

I had so much fun with my "Less Is More" card last week I thought I would try again this week.  I promise you this is not as easy as it looks.  I have a tendency to use more that less but I am determined to learn this style.  I am having so much fun stamping again.  I don't do it as much since I entered the digi world.   It is a whole different art style and I get to use all those old favorite stamps in my stash.

This week we have to make a baby or child card.  I love teddy bears, so I pulled out two of my bear stamps, stamped them with Versa Mark Ink and heat embossed with Opaque White powder.  The ribbon is from my stash and so is the button.  The button is a word art that says Sweet Baby.  I used some yellow embrodiery floss to tie a bow on the button.  The sentiment stamp is SU but I don't know which set.  (My label has come off the case)  I cut the bears out and glued them on the card so I could use the pink, blue and pearl papers.  Everything is shimmery and textured so it is hard to photograph.  I promise this looks so much better IRL.

If you have a few free crafting moments, why not try something simple as a challenge.  I am posting mine here.  If you click the word "here" you will be able to see all the other cards entered into the challenge.  I am amazed at how lovely these less is more cards can be.


PS:  There is still time to enter in the drawing for my candy.  It is a $25.00 gift certificate to Sassy Cheryl.  She has the sweetest little digis.  Go check them out here.    Happy Rest Of The Weekend to You, Linda

It's sketch time over at Totally PaperCrafts this week.  The most talented Lisa is our hostess this week and has designed this awesome sketch for us to use.  This time I followed it exactly.  No extra embellishments or anything.  My friend Kim from Oak Pond Creations drew this little darling called "Just Kona".  Kona is a sketch of Kim's own little pooch, Kona.She was offering him for free and I absolutely could not pass up those big adorable eyes!

I have had this paper pad from TPC Studio (Paws and Claws Dog collection) in my stash for some time now.  I pull it out and have fun creating with it every time I do.  The patterns are so busy and perfect that I couldn't think of one single embellishment to enhance it.  So wallah, quick, easy and totally adorable.  I just love it when cards come together this quick.  The 3 dots are paper candy from Craftworks Cards.  I Spellbinder Dies, Ovals and Lacy Ovals to cut out Kona and the mat.  I then ran the mat through the Cuttlebug with a Lattice embossing folder from SU.  Base card stock is DCWV and the digi is printed on my one and only Copic paper - Cryogen White card stock from The Paper Temptress.

Couldn't be simpler to play with us this week, so click here, check out all the awesome inspiration my DT sistahs have for you.  I was awed this week, so treat yourself and take a peek.  Hope to see your creations linked into our challenge.  Happy Crafting and if you haven't signed up for my candy, be sure and do so.  It is only up for 2 more weeks and a $25.00 gift certificate to the oh so awesome Sassy Cheryls is going to be so much fun to craft with.

TTFN, Linda

PS:  Don't forget to enter my candy contest.  It's a goodie for sure!

Avery's May Flower

                                                                             Front View

                       

                                                                         Back View

The very talented Pat at Sassy Cheryls' wants to see anything but a square card.  I had this scalloped circle paper from Making Memories, Chloe's Closet collection.  I folded it in half and then fan folded it to make my card base.  My sweet little digi is called Avery's May Flower and you can get her here.  (If you win my blog candy, you can get her for free :)  I cut the mat from a piece of  DCWV's  Nana's Kids pad.  Popped a bow on it and was finished.  Definitely not a square Miz Pat.  Now I just have to make Anything But  A Card Challenge.  Hope you will join us!

Have a crafty happy weekend everyone!  Hugs, Linda

One Layer - Three Stamps

I was looking for something different to do today and I came across the Less is More Challenge.  You have to use 3 stamps and one layer.  Now smug me thought, ok I can whip that up real quick.  2 hours later here I am writing up my quickie!  I haven't stamped for a long time and I was really wanting to ink up some of my favorites.  Do you have any of those?  The ones that were on your have to have list only to find themselves neglected in storage.  Well I pulled some of my favs and opened up my drawer of "had to have rainbow of colors inkpads" that haven't been used lately either.

I wasted 3 sheets of my very loved crumbcake SU cardstock.  I either didn't get the stamped image evenly inked or I put the sentiment on crooked.  Lordy Lordy was I out of practice.  One layer is hard because you mess up the whole card when you make a mistake.  But here is my finished product.  The children stamp is a distressed stamp image that my friend Susan surprised me with one day.  I believe it was from AC Moore.  The lovely tree stamp is a SU stamp from their Pendant Park set.  The sentiment is from the SU Vintage Voyage  set.  It is all one layer and my embellishment is classic lines I scored on the sides. I distressed the edges with a TH distressing tool and then inked the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink.

The second picture is one of my discards.  I finished it and my critic Kahuna liked the large tree version better.  I keep looking at both and think I like the cleaner one more.  What do you think?

I am entering it in the Less Is More Challenge.  It is my first and I hope I have qualified.  Regardless, it was a learning experience that was too too fun!

Hugs,
Linda

There's A Bee On Your Nose

Today has been my play day.  It is Mother's Day here in the US and my DH  has let me play all day.  I wanted to color just for fun, so I picked one of my Sassy Cheryls' images and colored away.  Don't you just love the fun colors I used on "There's a Bee On Your Nose"?  I have used the image several times and it is one of my fave's.  I colored it up with Copics, cut it in a square then reverse rounded my corners with a SU punch. The butterflies are a Beautiful Wings, SU Embosslit.  The flower is cut from a Tim Holtz die and layered, glittered, wrinkled up and attached with a brad. It look so much better IRL, but the camera doesn't pick up the sparkle on all the petals. The marvelous papers are Kaiser Craft that I purchased at Aww Shucks, my LSS.  Finished with a bit of orange polka dot ribbon from my stash.

The challenge this week at SC calls for stitching.  I had to opt for faux because my sewing machine is still not fixed.  I grabbed a Copic multi-liner and my ruler and stitched it right up. I used a black pen, but now that I look at it, I wished I had chosen one of the colors in the card.

It's not too late for you to enter into my Candy-Give-A-Way.  It is a $25.00 gift certificate to Sassy Cheryls,  If you haven't joined already, I would love for you to enter in it.

Hope your Mother's Day was a delight and Happy Crafting Ya'll!

No Pesky Girls Allowed

It is Friday and that means a new challenge for Totally Papercrafts.  This week our hostess is our newest Design Teammate, Susan and she doesn't want to see any girly girly stuff in our creations.  Now my grandson Chase is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks and I used this opportunity to make his graduation card.  I am not sure if Chase would agree with the "No Pesky Girls Allowed" challenge.  He is quite fond of a little gal and I am sure he doesn't find her pesky a bit.  LOL.

I found this "Glad Grad Boy" over at Mo's Digital Pencil.  Mo designs some of the most realistic characters.  This looks just like my Chase.  The card was really pretty quick to make.   The thing that took the most time, was the coloring.  I cringe everytime I have to use black and red Copics.  I tend to make a mess most of the time.  This time I used every shade of Gray and even my Black Copic on the gown.  I colored and colored until I just gave up and said  "This is it!  No More".  There was so much ink on this card that it took a whole day to dry and loose it's tacky feel.  Go ahead click on it to get a close up look.  You know you want to see my mess close up.  Ha Ha

I used the "side stair step fold" and Large Scalloped Circles and Circles Spellbinder dies.  The books, pencil and composition books are some old stickers from my stash.  The Congratulations and Graduation Banners are from Jolee so I only had to press and stick all of them into place.  Easy Peasy for sure.  The bag of shredded money is from our Federal Reserve Bank and left over from my banking days.  Everyone gets a charge out of seeing real shredded currency.

I sincerely hope you will join our challenge this week.  I love to see what other people come up with for "Male" cards.  Since they are a great challenge, I am always looking for inspiration.  We have a wonderful prize to give away this week.  Our sponsor is  Alotta Stamps.  Isn't this a precious little bumble bee?

So go ahead click here to pop over to the Totally PaperCrafts Challenge Blog to see what cute cards my marvelously talented teamies have come up with this week.  Sure hope to see you there.

It is Mother's Day in the US this Sunday.  Here's a great big shout out to all you Mother's out there in Bloggyland.  I hope your day is filled with everything special that you want to do.  MUWAH!

White on White

It is Friday and  your know what that means......Totally PaperCrafts Challenge time.  This week our most sweet, talented Cathy challenged us to do white on white.  I decided to combine a formal feminine look with a shabby vintage image.   This image is Melissa from Sugar Nellie.  I love the intensity of the little girl studying the flower without even seeing the expression on her face.

I colored the image with my Copics, embossed a piece of white paper with the "Dotted Swiss" Cuttelbug embossing folder. I then cut out a center rectangle using the scalloped rectangle Spellbinder.  The sentiment is computer generated and punched out with a scallop punch and folded in half.  I tucked have of the sentiment under the dotted swiss frame which made it stand up like a fan.  In the picture it looks crooked, but that is just a trick of the camera.  IRL it is straight.  I glued some paper flowers and pearls from my stash along the card.  The lace butterfly is from Martha Stewart.  The border was made with a scalloped edge punch from SU.

I was, as my friend Sarah says, "quite chuffed" at how this turned out. LOL  I just love the drama a white on white card creates.  So please grab some white papers, embellies and have a creative session.  Some people find it quite challenging.  Let me know how challenging you find making a white on white card.  Hey look at the great prize you can win from our sponsor "Simon Says Stamp".  I wish I qualified to enter this one.                                                           .                                   

Have a great weekend.  I have to work at Coastal Carolina University graduation tomorrow.  It is held  outside at the stadium  and going to be in the 90's.  I have to be there at 6:30 AM so I feel a nap will be on my Saturday afternoon itinerary. What special plans do you all have?

If you haven't entered to win my Candy, please do so.  I think you will be "quite chuffed" to win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the Sassy Cheryl Store.

Happy Crafting,

Linda