PagesPat's Ponderings

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Birthday Blowout Starts Tomorrow!

My birthday is in the month of April, and what better way to celebrate than to have a big birthday blowout with all my crafty friends, old and new. the fun starts tomorrow, with games, questions, challenges and, of course, prizes!!
In order to qualify for all the prizes, I ask that you Follow my blog; that you Post the Birthday Blowout Badge in your sidebar (isn't it lovely? I have the most amazing, creative and talented friends. The badge was created especially for me by Lisa of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles).
and most importantly, HAVE FUN! That's the whole idea with crafting--we have fun, right?
So, starting tomorrow, let the FUN begin. I have prizes stacked up and generously donated to give away to my blogging buds, so please become one if you aren't already.
p.s. (While the badge shows my link to be ".ca" it is actually ".com" and if anyone clicks on it thwey will be directed to the right page).

Monday, March 30, 2015

Anything Goes at Craft Your Passion Challenge Blog

Another week, another Anything Goes challenge from Craft Your Passion. This week's guest sponsor is Doodle Pantry, where it will be very difficult to turn away from all the lovely images and products offered to you.
I got to play with a sheet of images called Dolphins, which includes both black line and colored images, and several sentiments, along with three patterned papers.  In fact, pretty much everything on my card is from Doodle Pantry, except for the two adhesive-backed pearls and the wire strung with fish beads that I liberated from my daughter's bracelet (hey, it was broken). LOL
There was just so much to work with that I decided to make a step card so that I could use plenty of images and papers. I will admit that I used the colored images (it made my life sooo much easier), but then I used the time I saved that way by fussy-cutting them out. I used all three patterned papers, one for each "step" on my card, tearing the paper on the middle step to form waves.
I wanted my card to look in motion, so I adhered a couple dolphins by just their tails so that they seemed to leap out of the water, lending my card dimension. Of course, the boss dolphin in front seems to look right at you, saying the words "Don't just float, make waves." That is one of the things dolphins do best, or so I've heard from people who were "lucky" enough to sit in the rows closest to the water's edge at our local zoo. You could say they were "soaking" in the dolphin exhibition.
You really should check out the Doodle Pantry for inspiration and images. And of course, come join us at Craft your Passion challenge blog for your chance to win!
Whatever you decide to do, have fun!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Allsorts Challenges - Feature a Creature
Kit & Clowder - Inspired by a Movie (Flipper)
Left of Center challenges - Mermaids/Water
Dragon's Lair challenges - More than 2 Folds
Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes
Ike's World Challenge blog - More Than 1 Image (I used 4!) 


First Attempt at Acrylic Album Using Angie's Digi Stamps

Hello, crafty peeps! I decided to stretch my comfort zone by attempting an acrylic album, and have created my first page. I have about five of these blank "pages" with which to create, and couldn't resist playing with this image from Angie's Digi Stamps called Kitty in Flowers.
Playing with acrylic pages is different than regular album pages. I have to always remember that what I place on one side shows up on the opposite, only the flip sides of everything. So I have to think "see through" I have to match up with the opposite side, and if I can't the first side has to show a pretty "back side."
Back to my image. I colored this purr-fect little guy with Copics, then rubbed in some Tim Holtz Distress ink on the edges and in toward the image. I framed him with patterned paper and let a few acrylic sticker circles and jewels to frolic along with him.
Do you like my sentiment? I thought this was purr-fect as well, and found it on the Quotegraden.com, printing it in Microsoft Word and punching it out with my circle punch.
Now it's your turn to try something new. The Outlawz Greetings challenge has an Anything Goes theme this week, perfect for trying your wings in a different medium, a new image, a challenging technique.
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Artistic Inspiration - Flowers
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenges - Hop into Spring (cats are known to hop!)


Friday, March 27, 2015

Twice the Fun at Ike's World Challenge Blog

I am entranced with the images I find at Ike's Art. Her challenge blog asks crafters to use more than one image on a project, with extra points for use of her images (but not necessary). I just recently received the digi image called "Easter Bunny," and Ike offered the another image, Bunny on Shelf, as a freebie on her blog. I used them both to make a tongue-in-cheek card for my hubby.
My card is 6x6, and everything but the images came out of my stash. I really am trying to trim that stash down, but I evidently have very generous friends who like to think of me as their Crafty Goodwill Donation Center. I do have a problem with saying NO!! LOL
Check out Ike's Art at her store, then go to the blog for some fun, inspiration and maybe a chance to win free digis!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Jo's Scrap Shack - Happy Easter
Brown Sugar - Easter
Simply Create Too - Anything Goes
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Craft for the Craic - BINGO Board (I used the top line going across: flowers, sentiment, image)
4 Crafty Chicks - Humor
C.R.A.F.T. challenges - Inspired by a Film (House Bunny)
Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
Mod Squad challenges - Easter
Crafty Sentiments - Inspired by a Song (The Bunny Hop)
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes with a Twist: Easter

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Anyone Up for a Little Celebration?

Most people, when arriving at "a certain age." try to forget their birthdays. but I'm a glass-half-full kinda gal, and I like to celebrate things like another trip around the sun. So, to share in this festive time of my personal year, I am hosting a BIRTHDAY BLOW-OUT.
What is a birthday blow-out, you may ask? Well, here on my blog it means loads of chances to win blog candy! And what better way to "dish" out the candy than a giveaway every day from April 1st until my birthday, April 15.
To get the party started, Lisa from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles is offering everyone who participates during this time period, and I mean EVERYONE, this special birthday patterned paper from her Birthday Bash Paper Kit.
Other prizes include stamps from Creative Bug Designs, Ike's Art,  Simply Betty, Stampin Up and Lawn Fawn. Other treats abound from companies like K&Co, Martha Stewart, Fiskars, Making Memories, and many more. I have a box and an Inbox loaded with crafting goodies for all my party guests, so mark your calendars and come ready to play (for prizes).
April 1 is when it all starts, and I'm not fooling!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Get Well Theme This Week at Outlawz Greetings Challenges

I need to get busy making several Get Well cards for the many friends who seem to be feeling off this week. Besides a couple girlfriends with long term illnesses, I have a friend who came down with the flu and could use some cheering up. So I pulled out a lovely image from All Dressed Up called "Little Dreamer."
All Dressed Up has the most delectable images to color and create with, and the Outlawz Greetings challenges is so lucky to have them as one of this month's sponsors. This week, the challenge is to create a Get Well card, and I thought this little dreamer would be perfect to do so.
I cut up a piece of leftover patterned paper from my stash into several smaller pieces, then framed them with dark card stock and moved them around my card front until I liked the arrangement. After coloring her with Copics, I popped Little Dreamer onto the same card stock and adhered her to my card. The sentiment is from a vellum sticker stack from K&Co (also on same card stock.
There wasn't much room to embellish, but I found a space for a couple paper flowers, as well as my butterfly. That should definitely cheer her up, don't you think?
I hope you have some time to create this week. If so, come join us at the Outlawz Greetings Challenges. 
Other Challenges I am Entering:
All Dressed Up _ Anything Goes
Card Mania challenges - #66 Spring
Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
Crafty Boots - Spring
Crafty Cardmakers -  Spring Has Sprung
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
Mema's Crafts - Anything Goes
Ooh La La challenges - Fashion
Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes
the Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Hope Springs Eternal

Today brings a quick reminder that very very soon (April 1) I will be celebrating another year of glorious life on this planet with a Birthday Blowout. There will be games, questions, and challenges, and of course, PRIZES, from generous sponsors like Ike's Art, whose image, Shhh, is showcased in a card above. Other sponsors include Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, Creative Bug Designs, as well as prizes from Queen Kat Designs, Simpy Betty, Stampin Up, and many more.
For my card today, I wanted to help those still in the throes of winter temps, like Chicago. We had one fantastic day of Spring, where short sleeved shirts and capris could be seen against a background setting of mucky old hills of icy snow. Well, the snow finally melted, but Spring hid from our cheers and temps fell back into the 30s and 40s.
So I created this card to warn my peeps to be cautious in welcoming Spring. She's a little shy this year. I colored her with Copics, then popped her onto a shimmery card from DCWV. I added ribbon, jeweled flowers, a butterfly charm, a couple pearls, and even doodled a tad on one edge. My sentiment continues from the word "Shh" to the inside of the card, which reads, "You'll scare away Spring."
I am entering my card in Ike's World Challenge blog, whose challenge for another couple days is "Coloured Hair." I gave her the rich colors of Spring flowers (trying to get her to return). Wish us luck here in the windy city!
Other challenges I am entering:
(Pin)spirational challenges - photo inspired
Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
The Crafter's Cafe - What Season Are You In?
Fab n Funky - Spring into Color
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
Scrappers' Delight - Always Anything Goes #43
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes #51
Crafty Boots challenges - Spring
Monday Morning challenges - Think Spring
Stamp & Create - Is It Spring Yet?
That Craft Place - Add a Charm

Monday, March 16, 2015

Dancing with Serendipity on the Path of Positivity

When a person takes the dance floor of life, she is at the whim of the music, the tempo, even the partners that she may dance with. When the music stops, whatever the outcome, it is at the whim of serendipity.
This month's theme at the Path of Positivity challenge blog takes us down the path of Serendipity, that unexpected good fortune that we have all experienced at one time or another. One of this month's sponsors is Luna Girl, heavenly website of gorgeous, whimsical, and vintage image sheets. I got to play with Music Sheet.
I tore into the images--literally tearing individual images to form a collage on an 8x8 canvas. Sheet music (found at a rummage sale) and patterned papers formed a base of sorts. I adhered images, and a die-cut sentiment that reads: "Everything has a rhythm. Everything dances" by Maya Angelou. 
To embellish, I used ribbon bows, paper flowers and doilies, lace and pearls, then sprayed everything with homemade shimmer mist. I love the look of my project, and can't wait to hang it in my room. Or should I give Serendipity a helping hand and send it to someone as a surprise?
Come join me on the Path of Positivity as we explore serendipity together in the way of cards, mixed media, and writing. The challenge is open through the month of March, and I would love to bump into you there!
The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:

A $12 gift certificate from Sami Stamps, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
  • A $15 gift certificate from Lunagirl, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also be:
  • One digital designer paper (made to order in a couple different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
  • One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Luna Girl Challenge blog - Fruit &/or Flowers 
Craft My Life - All crafts 
 Frilly & Funky challenges - Bring on the Bling
2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes (no cards-mine is an 8x8 canvas)
Crafting Musketeers - Ribbons & Pearls
Altered Eclectics - Mixed media only 

Show Off Those Ribbons & Bows at the Outlawz Greetings This Week

Today brings a new challenge from the Outlawz Greetings challenges: make a card with Ribbons & Bows (and as always, a sentiment must be on the front). I colored up an image from All Dressed Up, our sponsor this week. She's called Sweetie Pie, so I had to make a sweet card with which to showcase her.
Now, I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here in Chicago, we still have lumpy hills of snow and ice in our yards. So when I saw this little sweetie, I thought she looked like I have been looking for the last week, thinking that Spring would never come!
My card is actually a gate fold card, and the photo above shows off one of the "gates." Here's a photo of the card open. The quote is from a poem/song by Gertrude Tooley Buckingham and reads, "Gentle Spring's around the corner, Waiting just to show her face
And to bring us flowers and sunshine; Winter's almost run its race!"
Like her, I have hope that Winter will soon disappear until next year, and Spring is already working its magic under that frozen blanket.
Got some time to create a card this week? Come play in the Outlawz Greetings challenge, where all you need is a sentiment and some ribbon & bows!
Don't forget to check out all the lovely images over at All Dressed Up! There are some freebies as well, which you can use on their challenge blog.



Top o' the Mornin' to You

Top o' the mornin' to you all, peeps! I couldn't resist a Spring holiday card using this fabulous digital image from Rick St. Dennis. She's called "Colleen" and is available at his store. I colored my Irish maiden with Copics, then cut almost all of her out with the Scalloped Oval Spellbinders Nestabilities die before popping her onto some glittery green paper with punched corners. I also framed her with lace and ribbon. My sentiment came from QKD. Some Skittles and a handmade shamrock made out of punched hearts and inked twine.
Today finds us with a new Anything Goes challenge at Craft Your Passion challenge blog. So how about a St. Paddy's Day card, or whatever your little heart desires, and come play with us this week.
Before I go, I leave you with the Irish blessing on my card:
  "May your home always be too small to hold all your friends."
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Naughty or Nice Challenges - Make Green a Central Focus
Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Order of the Opus Gluei - St Patrick's Day
Cupcake Inspirations - Photo Inspiration
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - L is for Leprechaun

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Let It Snow in the 12 Months of Christmas Cards LInk Up

The snow may be melting, but there are still signs of winter. Who am I kidding? I've seen it snow here in Chicago as late as May!! But according to the calendar, soon Spring will be upon us. At the 12 Months of Christmas Cards blog, let's pretend we're all from Chicago and include a little snow on our cards. In other words, if you create your Christmas card with the optional twist of a project featuring SNOW, you'll have a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a $10.00 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs

So if you "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" all over your cards, make sure you add "FT" after your name in the link-up so that we include you in the draw for the special prize.
Here's a little inspiration using the image called "Snow Kisses" from our sponsor, Scribbles Designs:

Along with the sponsor's (very cute) image, I used a digital patterned paper called "Snowflakes 3" patterned paper from the Snow Much Fun Collection, a January Kit of the Month from 2015 from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.
As you can see, I Let It Snow all over my card in the form of felt border, brads and a Christmas greeting sticker. I found the sentiment, a Stampin Up leftover, in my stash.
Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month, as well as have your name thrown into the year-end draw for some extra digital goodies. That free paper is designed by Lisa of Decosse's Dynamite DoodlesCards can be anything goes for this prize; they only have to follow the theme if you want a chance at the sponsor's prize.  The mini set of six digital papers called Snowfest, will also be offered up as a prize to one random winner.
What are you waiting for? Get going on your Christmas card stash, and play for free paper and possible prizes. It's a win-win situation!! LOL
Other Challenges I am Entering:
The Corrosive Challenge blog - Our Animal Friends (my penguin friend)

Midway Challenge Post for Your Scrapbook Place

Time to remind all you crafters out there that you have only two weeks left to join in the fun at Your Scrapbook Place challenge blog. The theme is Anything Goes, and the guest sponsor for March is FRED SHE SAID. They have so many fun images to choose from--I got to play with "I Love You This Much."
After coloring her with Copics, I fussy-cut her and popped her onto a DCWV patterned card using dimensional tape. Last summer, I scored a huge roll of the tape at our church's rummage sale for $5, and am just about out. I need to find another roll, as it is so much easier than using those little pop dots or squares.
The image comes with a sentiment that reads, "I love you this much," curving in an arc you can place above her outstretched arms. I decided to celebrate the coming of Spring by letting her juggle a rainbow of jeweled flowers, and used alpha stickers to say "Welcome Spring."
A lonely leftover piece of ric-rac adorns the bottom of my card, and it is finished.
Now it's your turn. One lucky random winner will receive images from Fred She Said. What are you waiting for? You have until the end of the month to join in the Your Scrapbook Place Anything Goes challenge.
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments challenges - Use a 2 word sentiment "Welcome Spring"
Crafting with an Attitude - Freestyle
Dream It Up - Marching into Spring

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Movember Boys from Scribbles Designs

While my oldest granddaughter sketches while propped against the wall of my craft room, my youngest granddaughter is coloring up a digital image for her own blog, They are 7 and 13 years olf, respectively. And their energy made me feel so guilty that I created some cards of my own (and don't ask me where cause the room is the size of a closet).
I used a favorite image from Scribbles Designs called Movember Boys. I love it because it features a few of my favorite characters from her store, and besides, it's a fun image to color up. It works very well for a n new crafting group I just joined. They are crafters from the Chicagoland area and meet once a week at a local scrapbooking store to swap cards and learn a new technique.
This week I sat in on the group and liked the people I met, so I've taken a schedule of dates and swap themes and started my stack of 16 cards to dish out in April. The theme that month is FACES, interpreted however you like. I like the picture perfect grouping of these silly characters.
I created my first four and have a couple photos to show them to you.
 I'm making birthday cards so that the women I swap with can use them. The sentiment is embossed.
 I colored my images with Copics, leaving the checkered frame uncolored. The card bases are pre-cut.
 Each card has a different background, as well as different embellishments.
This will be my first swap with them, so I hope I measure up to their standards!
Scribbles Designs has a lot of fun images with which to play, and even offers some free images to try out.
  Challenges I am Entering:
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
Sister Act challenges - Anything Goes
As You Like It challenges - Favorite Stamp & Why (Scribbles Designs Movember Boys, because some of my favorite characters are on the entire stamp and it's just plain funny)
Southern Girls challenges - Boys, Boys, Boys!
Mema's Challenges - Anything Goes
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Scrap It with a Song - Inspired by Nickelback's Photograph

Friday, March 13, 2015

Birthday Blow-out Coming Soon!

That's right, crafters. I am celebrating my birthday next month with 15 days of posts, projects and prizes! I have lots of goodies to dole out to my "party guests." Some of my fave designers are donating to my celebration, including Suzy of Ike's Art. Here's a sneak preview of her digital image, made special for me:
So, get ready for some fun and games, challenges and inspiration as I celebrate another year on this big wonderful planet. The party starts April 1.

Monday, March 9, 2015

The Game is Afoot at Ike's World Challenge Blog

March is my month for experimentation, and I enjoyed my paper piecing adventure last week so much that I decided to try one more time.
Today's card features a digi image from Ike's Art called Sherlock. Since he's all about deduction, I used a typography patterned paper to use for his clothing. After coloring the parts not pieced with paper, I added a quote from one of the books in his series, reading "I cannot live without brain work. What else is there to live for?"
Why, it's elementary, my dear Sherlock! Life and living is all about discovering yourself, your talents, your passion, your creativity. What else is there to live for?! LOL
ow about trying paper piecing in your projects this week, then join in on the challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog.

Other Challenges I am Entering:
Imagination Crafts - Anything Goes
MarkerPOP Blog - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes
Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations - One for the Guys
Just Us Girls - Masculine
 Sister Act Challenges - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Movie Madness (Sherlock Holmes starring Robert (sigh) Downey Jr)

Make It Glitter and Shimmer on the Outlawz Greetings Challenge

I had fun today making a card for the Outlawz Greetings challenge. The challenge is to make a card with a sentiment and put some glitter & shimmer on it.
The sponsor this week is Creative Bug Designs, and I got to play with a cute image called "Bed Jumping Sock Monkeys." I grew up with a love for chimps, and used to watch Curious George all the time. Of course, as soon as I saw this image, the children's rhyme came to mind (and never left, to my regret).
I started out with an awesome patterned card front from DCWV. After coloring my image, I decided to embellish with jeweled flourishes, and went a little crazy, but that's my shimmery part of the card. I added some glitter polish on the bed linens for the glittery part of the challenge. I typed up my sentiment using Microsoft Word, putting the rest of the rhyme on the inside of the card.
I thought my card would make a cute get well card for a child, like maybe if my granddaughter Bella got sick, I could mail it to her. I think she'd like it.
And you will like all the inspiration you'll find at the Outlawz Greetings this week. Go check them out  and come play with us!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Crafting by Design - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Movie Madness (Curious George)
Crafting with an Attitude - Anything Goes
Scribble & Scrap Challenges - Always Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Paper Piecing is Not My Thing, but...

Paper piecing is generally not my thing, but I don't back down on a challenge-not when it gives me a chance to stretch out of my comfort zone and grow in creativity. So I DIDN'T color up an image from Ike's Art called "New Baby." What I did was printed it on patterned papers, and pieced it together.
After frantically searching for papers that would try to realistically feature the mother's hand and baby's feet, I stopped, took a breath and laughed at myself. "Come on Pat," I told myself. "You are reaching out of your little creative box, so why bother with realism?" my goodness, I didn't know I was so wise! LOL
So I picked a paper with word art themed around the entity we call mom; then I chose another paper to coordinate, and my image is pieced! I added a sweet sentiment and framed it with a paper doily. Hmm, too plain on that card stock background (my next battle will be with white space). So I popped on some cute baby-themed buttons, that lovely border of trim. Not enough! so I doodled a few tiny white hearts on any un-embellished space and my card was finished.
I am entering my card in Ike's World Challenges blog. The theme is paper piecing and I double dog dare you to play along!! LOL
And remember, crafters--have fun!!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Hiding in My Craft Room - Free Style
Alphabet Challenge blog - B is for Beautiful Babies
Scribble & Scrap Challenges - Always Anything Goes
Sister Act card challenge - Anything Goes
That's Crafty challenge blog - Oodles of Doodles

Monday, March 2, 2015

You're My Serendipity

You never know who you're going to meet on the path of life. Sometimes that chance meeting changes your whole direction. And when it results in good fortune, then you recognize your experience as a brush with Serendipity.
This month the Path of Positivity challenges us to create a project with a serendipitous theme. My mixed media canvas represents my meeting with serendipity when my husband came home and told me in no uncertain terms that he needed to get away from work. With only a moment's notice, I was able to book us on a cruise that got him relaxed and me pregnant--ten years after my one and only pregnancy that gifted us with a son (ten years!).
That serendipitous experience led to my now 19 year old daughter, a crafter, a write, a college student and my best friend.
...and I am just so lucky.  
The Path of Positivity is sponsored this month by Sami Stamps:

and Luna Girl:

I got to play with an image from Sami Stamps called Two Smiles. As soon as I saw it, I knew just the serendipitous experience I would write about (I have been blessed with so many). 
I colored my image with Copics, cut it out, and adhered it to my canvas (already covered with streamers of tissue paper, paint and ModPodge). The hearts represent my love for my daughter. The butterfly is a symbol of her finding her own wings. The many jewels decorating the canvas is for the light she brings to my life.
I gave her this canvas tonight, and she loves it...and I am just so lucky.
Please come join us on our path. You'll see plenty of inspiration and a bit of positivity, and by participating in the challenge, have a chance to win some awesome prizes:
  • A $12 gift certificate from Sami Stamps, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
  • A $15 gift certificate from Lunagirl, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
  • One digital designer paper (made to order in a couple different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment, and
  • One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.
The Path if Positivity challenge log is featuring Stephanie of Steph's Scrap Happenings, as their guest DT member this month. Be sure to stop by her blog and leave a little positivity!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
As You Like It challenges - Favorite Anything but a Card
Southern Girls challenges - Get Your Girly On
 2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes
Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes not a card/ATC
Die Traumfabrik - Inspired by Love Films (Steel Magnolias)
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes Mixed Media/Altered Art only


Gender Reveal Invitation for Craft Your Passion Challenge Blog

Today brings another Anything Goes challenge from Craft Your Passion. The sponsor this week is A Day for Daisies, and I used an image from their store called Blankie.
I printed my image twice, then colored one with a pink blankie and one with a blue blankie. I was asked to make an invitation for my daughter-in-law's Gender Reveal Party, which I am also hosting. We won't know until that party what gender the baby is! I'm so excited to be a grandma again, and my son is thrilled to add another child to his already large family (4 from her & 1 from his ex).
Anyway, After coloring my images with Copics, I popped the two onto my card front, embellishing with lace, ribbon bows and a couple baby-themed buttons.
The inside gives the details and directions for the party. There will be games with prizes, and a photo opp that will have everyone screaming with laughter, and of course the cake, whose inside has been food colored to match the gender of baby Martin: blue if a boy, or pink if a girl. The party is this month!
Meanwhile, get your crafting mojo on, and come play in Craft Your Passion's Anything Goes challenge this week!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
A Day for Daisies - Make it Art Journal-y
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes
Polkadoodles challenges - Ribbons and Lace
QKR Challenges - Circles 
Sister Act challenges - Anything Goes
The ABC Challenge - E is for Exceptionally Cute
The Crafting Cafe - Welcome Little One

Anything Goes with an Extra Fold

Today brings a new challenge to the Outlawz Greetings. This week you are asked to use an extra fold in your card or project. I made an easel card, so my card front folds down, resting on the card inside.
 One of this month's sponsors is Bugaboo, and as soon as I saw this funky chicken, I knew I had to play with it. The image is called Kitchen - Chicken Soup. While chicken soup may be the standard for making the sick feel better, I thought it a little odd that a chicken would be tasting, well, chicken soup!!  And so my sentiment was born..."Sick people should not self-medicate." Inspiration comes from the most unusual places, doesn't it?! LOL
SO, run, don't walk, to your craft area and make a card or project with a sentiment and an extra fold! Show us what you got!! Challenge runs until Sunday night--good luck, and have fun, crafters!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes
 Sister Act challenges - Anything Goes

Sunday, March 1, 2015

New Challenge Starts Today at Your Scrapbook Place

Time for another Anything Goes challenge over at Your Scrapbook Place Challenge Blog. This month's sponsor is Fred She Said. Have you checked out the STORE? Right now you can get 10% off of a $10 order; 20%  off an order of $20 or more!!
 I got to play with an image called Just Skipping By, which came with sentiments. I colored her with Copics, then popped her onto patterned paper. A ribbon, some die-cut flowers, a couple buttons, and some jeweled flowers decorate my card.
On the inside, I added more die-cut flowers to frame the second half of my sentiment.
Now it's your turn. Anything Goes for a whole month, and you can join in three times!! Let's get cracking, crafters! And as always, have fun!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Brown Sugar Challenges - Anything Goes
Craft Catz - Use your dies/punches (flowers)
Fun with Shapes & More - Spring Flowers

the Outlawz Progressive Freebie March Challenge is Here

What's better than an Anything Goes challenge? An Anything Goes challenge where everyone is a winner! That's what the Outlawz Progressive  Freebie challenge is all about. When you sign up and create with an image received from them, the next month's image is FREE! Keep creating and you'll get a free image every month!
 I got to play with this little cutie from Gerda Steiner Designs. They are this month's guest sponsor. Isn't he cute?! His name is Cute Elephant with Balloon Bird. I decided this guy is too cute for grey, so I gave him a pale shade of teal with my Copics, while I colored his friend in bright cardinal red.
I had lots of fun with embellishments on my card, using diecuts, pearls and flourishes, jeweled flowers, fibers and gold glitter alpha stickers.
You can have fun with him too! Check out the Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge for the rules. Don't forget to check out all the digis at Gerda Steiner Designs, too!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Crafting by Designs - Thinking of You
Inspiration Destinations - Always Anything Goes 
Wonderful Wednesdays - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes #95
Sweet Stampin Challenges - All or Nothing (Lots of Layers)