Mo's Digital challenge~IN THE DOGHOUSE

Over at Mo's Challenge Blog they are looking for someone to choose a Mo Manning image with a dog...or choose one that depicts someone in trouble (in the "doghouse" as it were!)   Boy did I ever find one that just tugs at my heartstrings!


Beings that my husband was an art teacher, our kids had a tendency to "feel creative" quite often during their young lives...I'm going to plead "selective memory" when it comes to catching them drawing on the walls but chances are that it did happen!  I just love Mo's digitals-they are so fun loving and detailed!  I kept this card pretty simple to focus on her artwork.  Used boy colors and shapes-I just love making these kind.  I matted the fish tail banners, used red & white baker's twine and matted the image and sentiment with kraft paper.  The inside of the card has a western flair to it and a top note die for notations.  Hope you got inspired and remembered when your little one might have gotten creative! Carolyn

Squiggle Fly Paper PIERCING Challenge--See the POINT? WINNER!!!

The creative juices must be flowing today~watching the Olympics and cranking out cards!
On Squiggly this week they have asked us to make a card using PAPER PIERCING, where you're actually making holes through your card.  Of course, in order to win their challenge, you must use a SF image-they have so many to choose from and some veteran artists as well as some Very Interesting newcomers-check them out here when you get a chance!  The Fan image that I'm using was part of a Valentine set called My Punny Valentine 4 by Lynn Stransbery with multiple images and sentiments!




A while back I learned a trick with PP that is an easy way to process designs~ you take the thread out of your sewing machine and, using a fairly large needle, create your design.  This card that I made today was one of my favorites today-made with swapped papers from my stash, mounted on cream and loden green textured card stock, image colored with copics, I creased the front page so that it would bend and then, placing a matching paper underneath, I mounted 3 blue dome topped eyelets on the top.  It just flips up for the inside notations.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving some Luv behind!  Come back soon to visit please!  Carolyn

Clown Alert On Hambo Hoedown Challenge!

It's time for a POLKA at the Hoedown!

POLKA DOTS, that is!

Today's challenge is brought to you by CLOWN SHOES:

This week at Hambo, they have given us the dual challenge of using Polka Dots and the Clown Shoes digital image, which includes 4 great sentiments that can be used in various ways.  Remember that you don't have to this image to enter the challenge- But they do require that a Hambo Image only images be used and you can use ANY of those for your Polka Dot creation. 

I chose to use this shoe template that I had-makes it look like a Converse tennis shoe with that circle on the ankle.  I mounted the polka dot paper onto heavier cardstock as I was putting in eyelets in the bottom (air vents-blast from the past eh?) and for the shoe lace (this is actually woven between the back and front layer) and needed the extra strength. Then copic colored the clown and mounted the sentiment as a "sign" that the clown was holding.  

Hope you can join in all the fun at the Hambo Hoedown and if you make the deadline of Monday, July 30, at 10:00 PM CST**** then you will get a free digi to use on the next challenge!  Great way to expand your digi library with great images!  Thanks for looking ~ Carolyn

Mayzy and Me--Love it!

 Recently I contacted Mayzy Green of MayzyArt to see if she was planning on an open Design Team Call anytime soon.  Much to my sadness, she said that she was in good shape currently.  I love her digi designs so much!
However, she did mention that one of her designers was under the weather and if I was interested, I could help her out in a pinch as Guest DT!  I was thrilled and am pleased to show you this card that I made for her using Mallory w/ ice cream cone from her shop.  She has got so many cute digis, for both guys and gals you'll want to check it out.  I love this layered look on the card-as I didn't have a deep scalloped edger, I used this Martha Stewart one instead and think I like the "ruffle" eyelet look even better!   Thanks for looking and try to get a chance to check her store out!

Fred, She Said is "WINGING" us away on Another Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Fred, She Said Winged Things Blog Hop! Summer is in full swing and flying by fast, and the FSS team wants to share a winged wonderland with you!

• If you have arrived from Zehra's blog, you are right on track. If you are just happening by, you will want to start on the FSS Blog.  

Collect a secret word on each blog along the way, leave us some love on our posts and follow the directions at the end of the hop for your chance to win this FABULOUS PRIZE!

One winner will receive ALL of this:
$25 GC to CropStop
£15 GC to Bearly Mine Designs
$25 GC to Fred She Said Store

Hop ends Friday, August 3, midnight EST.

My recipe for success with this card follows: 

• Yellow flower embossed cardstock-bg
• Black & white mini polka dot fishtail banner w/ red posie paper
• Stamped Sentiment on Red & Black PD paper
• Little Bitty Fairy digi from Fred, She Says-comes in a variety of styles, dress prints-with or w/o wings
• Daisy chain pre-colored digi from Fred, paper pieced w/ addl pieces, then painted with Diamond Glaze
• 1" wide Ladybug ribbon from stash

My secret word on my blog is  IS 

Your next stop on the hop is Patty's blog.

 Here's the lineup in case you get lost!

Tracey-Lynn  

Robin 

Zehra

Carolyn --> That's me

Patty 

Crystal 

Maureen 

Nancy 

Valerie 

Karen 

Janet Kay 

Michelle 

FSS Challenge Blog  

Thanks for stopping by, I would love it if you would like to follow my Blog~ Please leave some Luv along the way!  Come back soon!

My Angelic Entry for Sketch 18 Challenge at SALS

I think it's always hard to come up with a comforting, classy sympathy card for friends so, when I had the choice to choose a digital image from this weeks' sponsor, Robyns Fetish Digital Stamps & More, I chose her Blissful Angel.  At Seems a Little Sketchy , we are using Sketch 18 seen here. You always have the option to turn the sketch suggestion in different directions so this week I did a landscape layout-it seemed to suit the spread of the wings much better. Using the bonus of double-sided paper, I used the soft colored floral side for the Angels' backdrop and the beige floral for one side of the BP.  These soft papers used are wonderful for weddings also.  I used handcut paper ribbon that I had just received from my friend Pam-each piece she creates is unique.  I love to use it!  I kept the Copic colors in soft colors in keeping with the sentiment, which I also colored the background to match.  Be sure to watch for our next challenge in 2 weeks!  We have great sponsors and super prizes for the winners!  Please be sure to leave a little Luv behind!

Squiggle Fly Recipe Challenge-Mad Scientist

Now, on to this week's Squiggle Fly challenge, SFC2812 I Give Thee, a Recipe

The recipe, in addition to an image is the following three things:

1) ribbon or lace;

2) brad or eyelets;

3) die cut(s) which may be store bought, or hand cut, or hand punched, or cut with your own machine, or used to cut out your stamped image, or used to cut the shape of your card;

Combine these three things, your image (you must use a Squigglefly image to be eligible for the prize, but it is not required to play along), and any other goodies you would like to share on your card. 

I love this image called Octo Lab Partner by Denise Clemmensen and decided it would be a great image for my son's Birthday-He's a Chemical Engineer and I think would be tickled to get this!  I used green baker's twine as "ribbon", there are 2 black brads in the gear border at the bottom (it's raised with pop dots) and there's several diecuts on the card.  Thanks for looking and I hope you will soon be a follower of mine!  I love to share ideas and friendship with fellow crafters!  Carolyn

Skippin' By Birthdays for Fred, She says

This is such an adorable digi that Tracey (aka Fred) has created for us in her store Fred, She Says.  I just had to use it with this blue, green and yellow Spring paper that I had in my stash.  I colored her with Copics and used the cloud template by Bev Rochester-when used with the B000 you can scatter the cloud effect randomly in the background and it looks so real.  She offers it free on her blog, you just have to print it out.  I double matted the image, added the MFT large Monarch Die in mellow yellow at the bottom. The inside sentiment says "to Wish you a Happy Birthday"
Be sure to watch for the monthly Blog Hop on the 27th for Fred, she Says!  There are always great prizes and once again there will be a hidden phrase that you compose by visiting all the DT's blogs--it puts you in the running to win this:
$25 GC to CropStop
£15 GC to Bearly Mine Designs
$25 GC to Fred She Said Store
Wow what a Great prize!  The theme is "Winged Things" so be sure and visit us to see what we create! 

Scrapbook Stamp Society & Scrapbook Place=Great Blog Hop!

Welcome to the first ever blog hop combining Scrapbook Place and Scrapbook StampSociety!!

This hop has wonderful designers from the Scrapbook Place using amazing images from artists of  Scrapbook Stamp Society to create some delightful cards for your enjoyment.  Each design team member has used an image from Scrapbook Stamp Society,  in their creations.   Please hop though the blogs below and leave a little comment on each blog in the hop.  Here's the blog hop order:

Scrapbook Place   

Carolyn, Luv My Cards   <===You Are Here

 Susan, Sue in CT 

 Teresa, T's Scrappin' Spot 

 Karissa, Live Laugh Love Scrapbook Stamp 

 Holley, Holley's Blog 

 Judy, Dragon Crossing 

 Linda, The Scrap Lady's Craft Heaven 

 Scrapbook Stamp Society  

I've chosen as my digi a gorgeous detailed Digi Doodle Stamp by Heather Valentin called LOVE BIRDS .  I think it's just awesome and will be PERFECT! for all the wedding, anniversary, love cards I've got plans to make this year! I've laid the card on a dark flowered paper so you can see the details of this neutral patterned project. I off-set 2 different taupe papers, placed a wonderful paper ribbon made by my friend Pammie, and showcased the copic colored digi with a complimentary paper die cut.

 There's a prize today from Scrapbook Stamp Society, that will be given to a winner selected at random chosen on Sunday afternoon.  The winner will be announced and posted both on the Scrapbook Stamp Society blog and the Scrapbook Place blog.  Good Luck everyone and thanks for joining us!  Remember to leave some Luv on your travels!

Fred, She Says and the Iris-my Favorite Flower

I was so excited when Tracey (aka Fred) from Fred, She Says launched the pre-colored digi IRIS family in her store called Bearded Iris.  It is by far my favorite flower because from back in my childhood, I can remember wandering the flower beds with my Mom, trimming flowers and cutting the "fans".  No matter where we moved to, Mom always took a bulb or 2 from each of her plants for the journey, leaving the rest as a gift to the new homeowners and a piece of her soul behind.  I have followed that practice myself as has my daughter...Mom you do live on.
With the gorgeous depth in these colors, I knew of a textured wine colored cardstock that I had in my stash.  This is an A7 sized card with the front flap cut back to show that paper and let me add some lacy paper ribbon to the edge-how frilly!  The heritage-style paper on the front with the black velvet ribbon at the bottom makes the Iris colors pop off the card. I fancy cut the flower and used an extra print (advantage to having a digi!) so that I could cut out the large front purple petal in front and add it as a paper piece for dimension.  I also did this with the longest leaf as you can see by the side view.  A touch of Diamond glaze just made the colors deepen!  The sentiment stamp says Always & Forever and will be great as an Anniversary card!

Scrapbook Stamp Society & Scrapbook Place-Hop coming!!!

Hey there! Just popping in with an announcement!

Please mark your calendars!

I am going to be a part of the FIRST Blog Hop combining Scrapbook Place and Scrapbook Stamp Society on July 18th!

Each design team member has used an image from Scrapbook Stamp Society in their creations.

There's a prize from Scrapbook Stamp Society, that will given to a winner selected at random chosen on Sunday afternoon, July 22nd.

Come join us for a FUN FUN time~see you then!

Carolyn

Paper Piecing challenge from Squiggle Fly-Luv It! WINNER!!

One of my first things I learned to love when I started Scrapbooking was the Love of Paper Piecing!  My daughter and I would cut all the little layers from cardstock and patterned paper and then sell our creations on Ebay.  Then came the popularity of the computer generated images and the "old ways" were put aside.  But, I still  love the look and feel of layering and being able to create the depth of pp on my scrapbooking projects.  

This week Squiggle Fly is making me smile by giving us all a chance to create using our visual senses...lets see how we will make the cardboard box of the Cheryl Alger's Little Astronaut look dimensional!  I printed 2 images, just lightly colored the base then detailed colored the 2nd image at the box and the bucket.  Those areas were fancy cut and mounted with pop dots.  I also crimped the blue forms used for the legs complete with dangling feet-the arm sleeves I just mounted without the crimping.

I hope you will join us on Squiggle fly, it's a great chance to build up your digi library because if you use a SF image, you could win another one.  That's how I got this one--from their Facebook site--by commenting to a question!  

Please remember to also check out the prior post for the Seems A Little Sketchy challenge that runs for 2 weeks.  By using the Seems a Little Sketchy sketch, you can be eligible for several prizes from 2 Sponsors!!

Seems a Little Sketchy Sketch 17 Challenge from AiFactory

Our sponsor for this next challenge is AiFactory and they have such cute digital designs!  We were lucky enough to choose 2 groups from their store to make our cards from~such fun!
The first one I chose

was "Little Cowboy digital set" and for your little cowpoke, this set comes loaded with a frame, cactus, star, hat, rope,the Cowboy, etc.  So it's nice to have so many combinations to put together on your cards or layouts.  I used lots of my western papers and had such fun with this boyish 6x6 card using this SALS sketch #17 as a template.  The accents on this are the hemp lasso, the stitched mat, and the buttons.

Then I couldn't turn down the chance to use the very pretty digital, Ella Ballerina, using the same sketch. It's nice to get such a totally different look!  I love the use of the renaissance Spellbinder die-makes the cut so lacy and feminine-thanks to a dear friend that gave this item to me out of the kindness of her heart. I love the use of the buttons (of course, it's me!), primas, dew drops, stitching and butterflys.

Thanks for checking out all the neat ideas that AiFactory has given us to work with and get into the Challenge and win some nice prizes!  Carolyn

Batter-Up with Fred, She Says~It's Summertime!

You can hear kids playing in yards, the hum of mowers, smell the hamburgers cookin' on the grill, the splash of children playing in pools and the rousing cheers from the Ball Diamonds as summer Little Leagues are playing their hearts out~Yippee, It's Summertime across America.

I found this older post in the Fred, She Says store and was so happy to use it!  You see, I'm planning on sending it to our grandson in NJ that just visited us for a week here in IL. and we are missing him and his sister tremendously.  They both play ball and are pretty good at it!  

I'm using one of Tracey's (aka Fred) Pre-Colored digis and the matching sentiment that comes with the digis because it says it all. That's what's great about her sets-in most, you get not only the B&W digi for you to color yourself, but the pre-colored ones also!  I love being on her DT because it opens up so many beautiful products for us to use, hopefully to inspire others to try her site out! 

I made a tri-fold card because I wanted the "baseball uniform red striped" paper to show.  Mounted the digi on a red mat, added a shiny red star brad with a flag of some neat baseball ribbon from my stash that says "Batter Up".  I glazed the I Love You heart with diamond glaze to make it *pop* from the center of the mit.  When you open the card up all the way, there is a weathered looking paper the whole length for sentiments that is trimmed with the red baseball stitching.  I think it will be a card that puts a smile on his face as well sit proudly on his dresser.  Think he will remember what fun he had the summer of '12 with Grandma and Grandpa!
Challenges:
Outlawz/Monday-Greeting Cards: Anything Goes

Fisherman's Birthday~a Big One!

The Love of my life is celebrating his 60th Birthday today and because I have to share him with his "other" love (Fishing), I decided to make him a special card!  I came across this card & a Template in a great book by Paper Crafts called The best of Card Creations.  I haven't even begun to use it for ideas but I did come across this one and had to make it.
You start with the pattern cut out of med. weight green cardstock and then I covered it with a fish camo paper on the back and fronts.  I had blown this up so the end result was a card 6.5 x 6.5 roughly.  I cut pockets and flaps out and then put stickers, stickles, some fishing line, fish charms, and some chipboard accents all over them.  The inside opens to a sentiment I had from a challenge I entered.  Since we both will reach this milestone this year, it only seemed appropriate!  Thanks for looking and if you need the template, just contact me and I will try and send it to you via email.  Happy Fishing!  Carolyn 


Challenges:

• Twisted Thursday-Outlawz--Fishing

Happy Scrapping 4th of July to all of you!

I wish you all a day filled with picnics, watermelon, parades, family gatherings, swimming pools, taking pictures, and scrapping your memories into whatever medium you enjoy using!  But most of all, I hope that each and everyone of you will take several minutes during your day to remember all the Men and Women that continue to serve and give their lives for our Country and our Freedoms.  Lest we Forget...
Carolyn


Challenges:

• Tammy's Scrapin Corner-Celebrations/4th of July
• Delightful Challenges-Celebration
• Sentimental Sundays-Be Patriotic
• Ribbon Carousel-Independence Day (ribbon)
• Party Time Tuesdays-Patriotic (USA)
• 2 Sisters Challenge-R, W, B w/option of glitter-bling

Squiggle Fly Challenge~Summer Color~It's raining Oranges

Summer Color?  What is yours?  Do you love orange for the sun?  maybe it's yellow for the sun;  perhaps you love blue for the ocean or tan for the sand.  Maybe you are a pink girl because you always wore a cute little pink polka dot bikini.  Maybe your summer color is red because the first thing you associate with summer is that awful sunburn!  
Well when I think of summer, I think of the Blazing sun and heat here in Illinois, which makes me think of ORANGE...and the juicy, refreshing, moist slices of an Orange or the cold, icy glass of orange juice, gulped down trying to quench your parched thirst.  
At Squiggle Fly this week, they want you to tell them what your summer color is...the challenge this week is doesn't mean you have to create a summer theme card, just that you PICK one color that you associate with summer and create your card in that color! And tell them why you picked that color. AND an added bonus for us fans: since they didn't have a winner for last week's challenge, they've decided to add the previous week's prizes to the current prize so this week's prize is THREE digi-stamps of your choice from the store.  WOW.  Remember to win the Challenge, you must use a digi-stamp from Squigglefly.  
I chose Land Swimmers by Cheryl Alger -it's got such fun elements-and decided to do an Easel Card because I had 2 great papers from Scrapease that just reeked of Summer Fun. I fancy cut the oranges from the paper to use as accents with button centers. Then decided to do the same thing to the starfish accents.  There's a scalloped die cut to use on the inside for sentiments (see it peeking out from under the image).
Hope you will go have some fun on their site and enter a card! 
Challenges:

•  Sassy Cheryl-anything Goes
• Cheryl Algers Show Me #81-Anything Goes
• Crafty Sentiments Designs-Summertime
• Flourishes-Summer
• Tuesday Throwdown-Summertime
• Cupcake Craft Challenge-Bright as a Button
• Paper Pretties-Summer Fun
• Joanna Sheen Challenge-Summer Daze

Clean & Fresh Challenge on Freshly Made Sketches!

This is my first visit to this great website called Freshly Made Sketches but I'm liking what I'm seeing! Each week, one member of their design team creates a sketch for you to try, the twist is to keep your project clean-lined and fresh!  Now those that have seen my creations know I'm all about layering and embellies so I like that I have to get out of my comfort zone and try this style.  Because of that, I'm planning on making this a must see site every week.  This is the sketch for this week-check them out ladies for some fantastic ideas full of beauty!  Really, why wouldn't you try it-it makes cards so easy to complete right?

Patriotic Blog Hop from Your Scrapbook Place

It's that time of year when watermelons are chillin', grills are heating up, firecrackers are ready to light, and Americans celebrate with "Star-spangled happiness and banner waves of pride" (Cherishe Archer)!

Welcome to Your Scrapbook Place Blog Patriotic Blog Hop!  The theme is love of America and the color RED.  If you're coming here from Karissa's Blog, you are on the right path.  If you lose your way, you can start fresh at Your Scrapbook Place.

Designers are using a special image from one of their own, Pammie Lehto, and one lucky hopper will win this digi, as well as a patriotic-themed Goody Bag!
Each participating designer is in the running for prizes, too, so leave a little love at each blog along the way.
My card has the following recipe all from my scraping stash:

Deep red double-sided paper that's printed with 4th of July phrases-the blue polka-dots is the backside
Use of Label and oval die cuts to frame the phrase and the gorgeous digi from our Pam-the flowers make it so versatile for color choices
star ribbon and stickles for the flag stars.  

Here is the Blog Hop order and remember to leave a little Luv along the way please-I would love for you to become one of My Followers and ALSO a follower of Your Scrapbook Place!  We're a great group of friends sharing our love of Scrapbooking and Fellowship:

Karissa

Carolyn  (That's Me)

Linda

Teresa

Pat

Shannon

Sue

Anna

Pammie

Your Scrapbook Place


And please remember that you can still participate in the Fabulous Flowers

Blog Hop from Fred, She Says until July 6th