Christmas Chickadees

I like to get several Christmas cards done each month so that I don't have to scramble at the end of the year. I found in my stash that I had printed a free picture quite some time ago of these beautiful Chickadees and had this evergreen scrap of paper I don't know the maker of either of them. I embossed a woodgrain background and die cut a pine cone with glitter and liquid pearl. I didn't add a sentiment since I was trying to keep it simple and peaceful.

Patterned Paper:  Unknown

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Unknown

Dies:  My Favorite Things; Lifestyle Crafts; Sizzix

Button:  My Favorite Things

Divine Twine

Liquid Pearls

Glitter:  Unknown

Embossing Folder:  Darice

Challenges

Get Creative - Ch. 94 Sketch see above

CHNC - Ch. 504 Anything Christmas with optional embossing dry or heat

Christmas Kickstart - Ch. 36 Christmas Birds

Krafty Chicks - Ch. 521 CAS

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 648 Embossing

The Paper Girls - Ch. 206 Emboss like a Boss

Dream higher and deeper

Well here is something totally different that I did. I finally played with my Lavinia Stamps and made a scene with VersaFine ink. I made an two easel cards and on the inside I heat embossed a Lavinia sentiment and then added some die cuts and a button to have it stamp up. I just love seahorses and this Sebastian. He's so intricate.

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollections
Stamps:  Lavinia - Sebastian (see above); Seaweed, Seaweed2, Sea Bubbles
Sentiment:  Lavinia Deeper than the ocean
Ink:  VersaFine - Black
        VersaFine Clair - Green Oasis, Verdant, Paradise, Blue Belle, Fantasia
Button:  Stash
Hemptique
VersaMark
Embossing Powder:  Stampendous
Dies:  Paper Rose & Cottage Cutz

Challenges
Lavinia World - Ch. 32
Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 450 - 451 Anything Goes
little red wagon - Ch. 560 Give us your backgrounds
DL Art Thankful Thursday - Ch. 264 Animals
Scrapping 4 Fun - Ch. 172 Oceans
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Ocean / Beachy
If you give a crafter a cookie - Ch. 147

Perfect Fit - Happy Father's Day

I made a card for my Dad for Father's Day using an image from Scribbles, Nut and Bolt and a computer generated sentiment.  I am frustrated now that I am posting it because I realize that my spellcheck changed it from "you're the"  to "your" so I am going to have to re-do the sentiment. I used Tim Holtz Woodgrain distressed cardstock and strayed it with Distress Spray.

Patterned Paper: Echo Park

Cardstock:  Tim Holtz Woodgrain Cardstock; Recollections

Stamp:  Scribbles - Nut and Bold

Sentiment:  Computer generated

Spellbinder:  Heart; Small Circles

Button:  Stash

Hemptique

Ink:  Old Paper

Distress Spray:  Walnut Ink

Challenges

Cardz 4 Guyz - Ch. 245 Sketch

Scribbles - Ch. 89 Brads, buttons or bows

Alphabet Challenge - D for dry embossing

As you like it challenge - Favorite embellishment and why (buttons, great for a masculine card when you don't want to look to frilly)

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 440 - 441 Anything Goes

Watercooler Wednesday - Ch 272 Anything Goes with a masculine twist

Time Out Challenge - Ch. 162 Visual Image

Artsystamper Digitals - Ch. 16 It's a guy thing

Happy Birthday to You TMS 549

Today we have a new sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches and for my card I made a monochromatic red card using a die cut from My Favorite Things and also heat embossed a sentiment from the All About You.  I dry embossed the white paper and put a white flower with a red enamel center on one side of the sentiment and a button with twine on the other.

Patterned Paper:  Recollections

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp: My Favorite Things -   All about You (see above for direct link)

Die:  My Favorite Things - You (see above for direct link)

Punch:  Martha Stewart & Tonic

Divine Twine

Embossing Folder:  Sizzix

Embossing Powder:  Stampendous

VersaMark

Enamel Dots:  Paper Studio

Challenges

Color My Heart Color Dare - Ch. 387 Red Monochromatic

As You Like It - Favorite Buttons or pearls and why? (Buttons, because you can add them plain or with twine for additional color and texture)

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 432 - 433 Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments - Ch. 248 Anything Goes

International Art & Soul - ch. 80 No focal point

Krafty Chicks - Ch. 501 Stamp Act

You're worth celebrating!

Today at Catch the Bug there is a new challenge and it's a BINGO.  I was able to do a black out again and use all the elements (otherwise I just can't decide). My image is Bug Flower Teddy and the sentiment is from TLC, Create.  I was looking for a bright cheery card since we have it snowy and cold with temps below zero....and I am tired of winter. We had our first snow on Halloween so it seems to be lasting forever!

Patterned Paper:  Core-dinatioins; Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp: Bugaboo - Bug Flower Teddy (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - You're worth celebrating

Button:  Stash

Divine Twine

Die:  My Favorite Things

Ribbon:  Michael's

Ink:  Distress Oxide - Broken China

Stencil:  My Favorite Things

Sakura Jelly Glitter Pen

Pearls & Bling:  Prima

Challenges

Hand Stamped Sentiments - Ch. 332 Sketch (see above)

lil red wagon - Ch. 536 Wild One

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 426 - 427 Anything Goes

Crafty Friends - Ch. 129 Gemstones/Pearls

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Ch. 35

Crafty Animals - Ch. 35

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 621 CAS

Seize the Birthday - Ch. 183 Show your white space

Watercolor Wednesday - Ch. 258 All about occasions

Crafty Sentiments - Use red

Birthday Wishes on Day 6 of the Bash

We are getting to the end of the Catch the Bug Down on the Farm 10th Annual Birthday Bash. Today is a Color Challenge and for my card I used Ewe Move Me and a sentiment which is retired from Verve. We are going to have it with wind chills today around -10. I just took my garbage out and the wind is a blowing - nasty. So I wanted to keep things sunny and bright so I added a huge button to my Spellbinder die cut to look like a sun. Welcome to my new members Corry and Connie.

Patterned Paper:  Core-dinations; Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Bazzil

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Ewe Move Me (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  Verve (retired)

Ink:  Close to My Heart

       Distress Oxide - Broken China

Stencil:  My Favorite Things

Spellbinder:  Small Scalloped Circle; Label Four

Button:  My Favorite Things

Jute:  MayArts

Sakura jelly glitter pen

Spectrum Noir

Challenges

Sweet Wednesday Sketch 2 - Ch. 175

Di Digi Design - Celebrations

Dies R Us - Ch. 137 Birthdays (Spellbinders)

Papercraft - Ch. 54 Use 2 Design Papers minimum

Pattie's Creations - Ch. 166 Anything Goes

Love to Scrap - Ch. 129 Anything Goes

Going HOG WILD for your birthday!

Today it is Friday Freebie at Catch the Bug and it's time to celebrate with these fun party pig trio. I used a sentiment from TLC, Create.  Make sure to grab this one which is available for a week.  It can work for little ones or adults. And most importantly....have fun!

Patterned Paper:  Core-diations

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections; Paper Studio

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Party pig trio (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Going Hog Wild for your birthday

Punches: EK Success

Buttons:  JoAnn's Basics

Hemptiuqe

Sakura jelly glitter pen

Ribbon:  American Crafts

Challenges

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Ch. 517

Crafty Sentiments - Animal Challenge

Creative Knockouts - Ch. 312 Tic Tac Toe (digi stamp / sentiment / ribbon,twine)

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Ch. 29

Crafty Animals - Ch. 29

Sports Loss of your Father

Last Saturday I went to my BFF's Daughter's wedding which was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun. This is a group of 3 other nurses and myself that have been friends for 30 years and it's just wonderful to see our babies grown and moving on with their own lives. Then the sad part....the Groom's Father was scheduled for a triple heart bypass surgery on Wednesday and instead God decided to take him that night after the wedding when he went to sleep.  So this beautiful couple went from being on cloud 9 from getting married to being devastated with the loss of an immediate family member. As a person that has lost a husband...I know what it is like to see your kids hurt and I think that's why this is hitting me so hard beside knowing all the people involved.
So this is the card I made for the Megan and her new husband Jason on the loss of his Father. It is using a sentiment from TLC, Create.  Jason wrote a letter that was endearing tribute to his Dad and thanked him for being at all of his sporting events so that's why I thought this was appropriate paper for him.

Megan and her Dad

Friends for 30 years

Patterned Paper:  Echo Park

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  TLC, Create - Loss of you Father

Punches:  EK Success

Die:  My Favorite Things

Button:  Stash

Hemp:  May Arts

Ribbon:  Michael's

Challenges

Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C498 Sketch

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 400 - 401 Anything Goes

Aud Sentiment - Ch. 234 Masculine & Sentiment

Crafter's Cafe - Ch. 225 I spy something beginning with "A" (Athletic items)

Scrapping 4 Fun - Ch. 147 Deepest Sympathy or Get Well

Birthday filled to the brim with Happiness

Well, I am late again with my Catch the Bug post.  This is because my daughter came to spend some time with me since around my birthday we had to travel for a family funeral. So Saturday started a new challenge which is an Anything Goes since it's the beginning of the month.  I used an image from the new Christmas set, Gingerbread Wishes Set and a sentiment from TLC, Create.  I have quite a few birthdays just before the holidays so I thought this would be a perfect birthday card.  The 50% of Christmas sale is extended until August 5th so still time to grab this set.

Patterned Paper:  Recollection

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Bugaboo Gingerbread Wishes Set (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Birthday filled to brim

Button:  Stash

Divine Twine

Sakura jelly glitter pen

Border punch:  Martha Stewart

Challenges

YNS - Ch. 119 Lots of squares

DL Thankful Thursday - Ch. 246 Birthday

CHNC Patterned - August

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 398 - 399 Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 593 Anything Goes

Gus Yappy Birthday

I had meant to get this card done quite sometime ago for the SSW2 Sketch Challenge, but obviously I didn't finish it in time. It was Gus's 2nd birthday in May and I haven't seen my Grandpup until this past weekend. I found this wonderful Whimsy stamp, West Highland Terrier.  Gus is a Teddybear, but they look similar. I cannot display the pictures that I would love to where my daughter, who is a teacher, takes him to school with her. He is excellent with the children. She has him certified as a therapy dog and he does help calm some of her kids with special needs. This is a write up that I found on-line about the breed.
 These energetic and lively dogs are excellent companions, and generally of a much more pleasant disposition than other dogs of similar size. Teddies are obtained by intentional crossing, specifically of a Shih Tzu with a Bichon or Bichon-Poodle mix, not just any two small breeds. They are fast gaining popularity as "designer dogs".

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Can We Keep It & Bow Wow

Cardstock:  Bazzil

Stamp:  Whimsy - West Highland Terrier (see above)

Sentiment:  Whimsy

Spellbinder:  Small and Large Petite Ovals

Button:  Stash

Divine Twine

bling:  Recollection

Challenges

Your Next Stamp - Ch. 116 Pets

2 Crazy Critter Crazies - Ch. 27

Crazy Animals - Ch. 27

Paper Shelter - Ch. 387 Ribbons and Buttons

Penny's Paper Crafty - Ch. 434 Anything Goes

Cat got your tongue?

Today starts a new challenge at Catch the Bug and the theme is a BINGO.  I was able to use all the elements.  I used a new image called, Kitty Your Purrfect along with a sentiment from TLC, Create.

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe!

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Can we keep it

Cardstock:  Recollections; Bazzil

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Kitty your Purrfect (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Pennant

Die:  Tutti

Ribbon:  American Craft

Lace:  Paper Studio

Button:  My Favorite Things

Divine Twine

Ink:  Memento - London Fog

Tim Holtz Distress Tool

Pearls:  Recollection

Challenges

Try Stampin' on Tuesday - Ch. 411

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 245 Anything Goes

Your Next Step - Ch. 116 Pets

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Ch. 27

Crafty Animals - Ch. 27

Show us your Pussycats - Ch. 43 Furrything Goes

Friends make life blossom

Today starts a new challenge at Catch the Bug and this is a color challenge. For my card I used image, Fat Mice Flower and the sentiment is from TLC, Create.  I made this a

Patterned Paper:  Recollection and Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Core-dinations and Bazzil

Stamp: Bugaboo - Fat Mice Flower (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Friends make life blossom

Flowers:  Prima

Buttons:  Dress it Up

Spellbinder: Small and large petite ovals

Stencil:  My Favorite Things

Ink:  Distress - Broken China

Challenges

little red wagon - Ch. 498 Flower Frenzy

Crafty Gals Corner - Ch. 192 Fancy Folds

Incy Wincy - Embellishment (Flowers, buttons)

Scribbles - Ch. 77 Flowers

Addicted to Stamps - Ch. 174 Loads of Flowers

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Ch. 26

Crafty Animals - Ch. 26

Sparkle Monthly - Ch. 116 Color Purple

Friends are like chocolate chip cookies...

Today is a new release day at Catch the Bug and here is Cookie Friend Sentiment. Who doesn't need friends and chocolate chip cookies? This is the perfect way to let your special friends know how much you appreciate them.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye
Cardstock:  Recollection
Stamp:  Bugaboo - Cookie Friend Sentiment (see above for direct link)
Flower:  Prima
Button:  Stash
Hemptique

Challenges
JUGS - Ch. 487 Bold Letters
Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 386 - 387 Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - Ch. 429 Anything Goes
CHNC Patterned - May
Love to Scrap - Ch. 121 Anything Goes

My American Hero

Today at Catch the Bug is New Release and it's Army Kidlet  and the sentiment is from TLC, Create.  I made this as a simple gate fold card. This is a wonderful image for the holidays coming up later in the month and in July. I always think that we need to support our military.

Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Army Kidlet

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - My American Hero

Spellbinder:  Small Petite Oval

Die:  My Favorite Things

Button:  Bazzil

Hemtique

Ink:  Distress - Old Paper

Challenges

Word Art Wednesday - 384-385 Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 242 Anything Goes

Dragonfly Dreams - Anything Goes

QKR - Ch. 346 Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Ch. 34 Anything Goes

Back to Basics - Ch. 27 Gate Fold Card

You make my heart blossom

There are so many wonderful Valentine images out there, but just like Christmas cards I get tired of all the traditional colors and styles.  So I found this image which being a nurse I thought was wonderful, and typed up my own computer sentiment.  I then went with a red, green and yellow color theme and more so with flowers and butterflies using the heart as a vase.

Patterned Paper Teresa Collins

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Image:  Preguntas by Mabm

Sentiment:  Computer:  Diner font

Spellbinder:  Pennant

Punch:  Martha Stewart

Button:  Stash

Flower:  Recollection

Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black

Challenges

Dragonfly Journeys - Ch. 133 I heart you

Simon Monday Challenge - Love is in the Air

CRAFT - Ch. 498 Love/ Valentines

Cardz 4 Galz - Ch. 88 Dimensional Element

Take time to chase the Snowflakes

I had planned to post this last week, but with the Catch the Bug Birthday Bash I got too busy, but this was last weeks Sketch Saturday. For this card, I used a Bugaboo image called Winter Puppy Dog and the sentiment is from TLC as well as the patterned paper.
This pup reminds me of my daughter's dog....my grandpup, Gus.

Patterned Paper:  TLC, Create - Snowflake Shimmer Papers 4
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dination; Recollection
Stamp:  Bugaboo - Winter Puppy Dog (see above for direct link)
Sentiment;  TLC, Create - Take time to chase the snowflakes
Snowflake:  Fiskars
Gem:  Recollection
Button:  Stash
Hemptique
Spellbinder: Pennant
Ink:  Distress - Broken China
Sakura jelly glitter pen

Challenges
Crafty Sentiments - Winter Challenge
Creatalicious - Ch. 155 Anything Goes with optional Winter Fun
Crafty Cardmaker - Ch. 225 Winter
CHNC - Ch. 421 Anything Christmas with optional use a sentiment
CCAYR - January Let It Snow
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Ch. 22
Crafty Animals - Ch. 22