I know you probably thought I had fell of the face of the planet, but I am still around but mostly spending every waking minute at the baseball fields so my crafting time has been extremely scarce!  This week is no exception either with 2 games tonight, 3 tomorrow, and 2 on Thursday- I'm pooped already!!!

Well how about a couple challenges to start the week off with a bang?  I decided to combine challenges to create one fun project!  Craft Your Passion challenge this week is all about "texture" and we are sponsored by The Cutting Cafe and The Robin's Nest.  The end of the month over at Lollipop Crafts brings another "anything goes" challenge.

That adorable image is from "rain rain go way set" from The Cutting Cafe.  I added texture to my card by distressing all the edges of my papers as well as using textured cardstock.  It's hard to tell but when you distress the black cardstock, there is a lovely blue color that shows. A few clear bling on the centers of the flowers on those cute boots, some faux stitching, and black bling to finish the card off!

Lollipop Crafts Spotlight: Meljen's Designs

We are changing things up a little at Lollipop Crafts, our sponsor spotlights will now be on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays.  So remember to check us out on Mondays for new challenges and Wednesdays for more about the AMAZING sponsors we have each week!!!

Vroooom, vroooom!!!!  Isn't this image perfect for all those rough and tumble, dirt covered boys in our lives? Our challenge # 74 this week is all about keeping things simple- NO embellishments allowed, I know it's hard not to add some ribbon or bling to our projects but sometimes less is more. 

This image is courtesy of one of my favorite sponsors this week at Lollipop Crafts, Meljen's Designs.  The image is called "Flaming Monster Truck" which I have colored with my copics and then fussy cut out.  Now the way I wanted to put it on my card required me changing things up a little with the flag, so I cut out my flag and then drew the antenna back on.  After I computer generated my sentiment, I popped up my truck on my card at an angle making it look like it had just finished jumping it.  I am going to give this to my lil' man as he is working hard on his sight words and math at school!

Our prize this week is 4 images from their store. Make sure you check out the Lollipop Crafts blog as we have some new faces as well as some seasoned gals!

Here's a little more about Meljen's:

 Meljen's Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical rubber and digital images inspired by her kids and family. Meljen's Designs has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, a Guest Designer each month at the Meljen's Designs Blog, and freebies and promos now and then on our facebook FAN PAGE!  Please visit the Meljen's Designs line of stamps at our store HERE to browse through all of Melissa's lovely designs! You can also see Melissa's rubber stamps at her corner of Whimsy Stamps, too!

Craft Your Passion 100: Anything Goes

If you are looking for Lollipop Crafts post, please scroll down!

We are celebrating a BIG challenge this week at Craft Your Passion, this week marks our 100th challenge!!!  We have lots of great goodies and prizes up for grabs this week, so make sure to play along.  This week's challenge is "Anything Goes" so show us what you got! 

I got to work with this fun image from Stamp Fairy called "garden goblin" which I have colored with Copics.  My papers are from Doodle Bug Designs 6 x 6 Sweet Cakes stack for the dots and trees is from Echo Park 6 x 6 Country Drive stack.  The sentiment is from Unity's Apple Cheddar Soup stamp set.

Come play along and check out what the rest of the CYP team has created this week HERE.

Shades of Love+ New Release

Woo Hoo it's Friday finally and we have a busy weekend, basketball comes to an end for my lil' man Saturday and baseball season starts Sunday.  However the highlight will be the Mom Prom tonight and I have the cutest date in the world!  I will share pics later, just hope I don't get ditched this year for the same cute little blond-lol!!!

Well Friday means challenge day at Jellypark and this week is all about the "Shades of Love" to get you ready for Valentine's Day.  We want to see projects using reds, pinks, and purples. I grabbed this sweet image from the Jellypark store called "cute rabbit with a balloon"- what is great is this image comes with 2 sentiments to choose from to use on your projects! I have paired my image with paper from
Echo Park Yours Truly 6 x 6 stack. Head over and check out rest of team's projects HERE!

Wait though not only is it challenge day, but it's NEW RELEASE DAY too!!!  We have 2 adorable new images for you this week and you can check them out HERE! This super sweet guy is called "rabbit costume" and I have paired him with paper from MME Love Me 6 x 6 stack and cardstocks from CTMH.  Want to see more, CLICK HERE to see what other fab projects the team has created showcasing these *NEW* images!

Mark your calendars for the weekend of March 2, 3, & 4 because it is going to be BIG BIG BIG fun at Jellypark! Some of our former DT and Guest members will be returning to join us in a first ever Little Havens Charity Fundraiser Blog Hop! Some stops will have blog candy, but EVERY stop will bring you papercraft inspiration using some of Claire's adorable fundraiser images, designed especially for Little Havens Hospice Center. Even the Jellypark Juniors are playing along! :)

Little Havens is the 2012 chairy recipient for Jellypark. All proceeds from the sale of select digi images will go toward helping making life a bit more comfortable for the children who call Little Havens home.

Claire has also set up a special page at justgiving.com for donations.

Won't you please plan to join us?

Won't You Be Mine?

Do you have your Valentine cards ready for all your sweethearts?  I am building my stash and couldn't resist using this image called "Tommy Valentine Toad" from our fantastic sponsor Robyn's Fetish.  

Our sketch # 92 this week at Sunday Sketch and Stamp is courtesy of fellow DT member Emma.

I used some cardstock from my scrap pile and added a little embossing, everything is inked in black.  My image is colored with Copics and the sentiment is from Stampendous Changito Valentines set.  My patterned paper is from another one of my new 6 x6 stacks "Love Story: by Fancy Pants Designs."

Wedded Bliss Club

Jellypark is sponsoring the challenge this week at My Mum's Craft Shop, the theme is "NEW." Well what couldn't be more new than a marriage, so I created this card using "cute wedding couple bride & groom" from the Jellypark store. I had so much fun creating this card, I have used some new Nesties to frame the image.  The roses were created using my Die-Namics Mini Rose die, then I added a little glue to then and dipped in some glitter. I added some hearts on background using one on my embossing folders and cut the heart for sentiment on my Cricut.  The sentiment is from Congrats set from Stampin' Up.

Don't forget to join the "old year/new year challenge going on right now at Jellypark Challenges for a chance to win more FREE images.  You can see all the details HERE!

Craft Your Passion #92+ Lollipop Crafts #62

If you are looking for Sunday Sketch & Stamp, Kaboodle Doodles or 
The Crazy Challenge please scroll up.

I did a little shopping recently thanks to a gift certificate I received (thanks Tracey) and normally I go for Copics, but this time I went for some new 6 x 6 paper packs.  Guess what? My package of goodies arrived from 2 Peas in a Bucket just in time for some weekend crafting. This was my 1st order from them, but certainly won't be last- shipping was super fast!

These gorgeous papers are from My Mind's Eye Love Me 6 x 6 stack, it comes with 24 sheets of double-sided papers.  This was perfect for the challenge this week at Lollipop Crafts, which is 

"anything goes with a twist to use something NEW- that can be a new embellishment, stamp, craft supply, technique, etc on your card/project.  

Come check out the DT projects this week, as we are all back after a short break from the 

holiday and we are feeling refreshed and ready to bring you some wonderful inspiration!

Also over at Craft Your Passion this week the challenge is "Mythical Creatures" and we are over the moon excited to have not one but 2 sponsors this week! That's means double the chance to win an AMAZING prize from either A Day For Daisies or Pizzazaplenty. I have used this sweet image called "tucking in my bugs" from A Day For Daisies. I have colored the image using Copics and then added some glitter to her wings and hair. The sentiment is computer generated.

The design team has made some absolutely fantastic projects this week, so make sure to go check them out and leave a little love!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Seems A Little Sketchy-sketch

Happy New Year + Thank You Card

Hope everyone's 2012 is off to a great start already, our starting off a little bumpy with a sick kiddo. My lil' Lucas started puking a little after midnight and continued until almost 7 am on Sunday.  Finally got him down to sleep and he was out until about 1:30 pm, one more round and then things finally settled down, he went to bed early on Sunday and slept until after 10 am on Monday.  Of course he work up and was raring to go, so we headed out to watch to movies to see "Chipwrecked" before having to head back to school today. So finally I think things are settled down, what a way to start the New Year right?

Well this allowed me lots of time to color and I have a stack of images ready to assemble, so be ready for some new projects soon!  I invite you all to come join us this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp, we have a wonderful sketch from our fearless leader Maggie.  I decided to work with this super cute lil' man from Jellypark called "boy with sign." I added the sentiment from a Stampin" Up set, I love the versatility of this lil' guy!  Make sure to check out Jellypark's new challenge this week HERE too!

I am entering this card in following challenges:

Sunday Sketch & Stamp- sketch

My Wish For You......

It's hard to believe that we will be embarking on a new year in just a couple days, I look back and think where did 2011 go? However I am excited to see what 2012 has in store! With that being said what could be better than starting off the New Year with a new design team, that's right I have been invited to join the Jellypark team! Claire draws some of the sweetest images and I have several already colored and ready to be made into cards, that I cannot wait to share with you all!

Our challenges will be on Fridays and today's challenge is: 

"Old Year/New Year- use items from both your old stash and new to you."

Well for my lovely creation I used this adorable image called "angel fairy nativity" along with 

Authentique Journey papers (thanks Arielle), which are both new to me. For my old, I dug deep in my stash to find this silver ribbon as I am entering this in a challenge using blue/silver/white.  I inked my patterned papers using CTMH Crystal Blue ink and the sentiment is computer generated! Come visit us at the 

Jellypark Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the team had created.

Did you know that Jellypark happens to be sponsoring Kaboodle Doodles this week? There is still time to enter the  "angels or fairies" challenge for a chance to win some goodies from Claire. Pssst....there are not many entries so chances of winning are good, what are you waiting for?

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Card Cupids-New Year

4 Crafty Chicks- new

C.R.A.F.T.-New Year

Colour Create- blue/silver/white

Crafty Purple Frog-Christmas/New Year

Crafty Ribbons-sketch

Craft Us Crazy-new

Crafting For All Seasons- fairies

Flutterby Wednesdays- anything goes using something with wings
Hanna & Friends-New Year

Paper Pretties-New Year

Paper Shelter-tied bow
Rainbow Lady's-your choice

7 Kids College Fund- hopes/dreams for New Year

Whimsical Wednesdays-New Year

Aud's Sentiments-anything goes

Digi Doodle Shop-anything goes

My Mum's Craft Shop- anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters- anything goes

Craft Your Passion #87

Are you ready for another challenge from Craft Your Passion? This week is an easy one, it's 

"anything goes + add glitter" and we have 2 sponsors- Pattie's Creations and The Pixie Cottage. The design  team is using images from both sponsors, my image is called "Pattie Boop & Allie Waiting for Santa" courtesy of Pattie's Creations. I have added sparkly fluff to the window seal and Santa hats.  Come over and see what the DT has created, we would love to see your projects!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Pattie's Creations- Christmas

The Holiday Season is upon us!

It's hard to believe the last weekend of November has passed and December is just around the corner!  I have been super busy creating gifts for the upcoming holidays and crafts for my son's Winter party, needless to say the paper has been flying and my crafting area looks like a bomb went off! LOL!!!

Monday brings challenge day over at Kaboodle Doodles where our theme this week is 

"bundle up for winter"  and we are sponsored by Stamp 'n Doodle. Make sure to come over and check out what the rest of team has been up too!

Now this week at Lollipop Crafts is all about "B is for...." so the skies the limit on what you can create. We are sponsored this week by Karber Stamps and I have used this adorable image called "Christmas Millie."

Make sure to check out what the rest of the LC team has done and come back on Thursday as we spotlight our fabulous sponsor!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Karber Challenge- anything goes

"Tis the Season" is our theme this week over at Craft Your Passion Challenge and we are sponsored by Simply Betty Stamps, since I just joined the CYP team I didn't get to work with a SBS image.  However you must go check out their store because they have some FANTASTIC images perfect for your holiday projects! I have created this CAS card using the sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping and Unity stamps.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Get Hippity with Ippity- embossing

Last but certainly not least you must stop over by The Crazy Challenge and join this week's challenge.  It's all about "snowflakes and/or stars" and we are sponsored by Ellephantastic.  I chose to work with

"sketchy snowman" and added this fun sentiment. I wanted to make it look like he was catching snowflakes in his mitten.  Come over and see what the rest of team has created, you won't be disappointed!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Ellephantastic- weather related

A Piece of Pie

With Thanksgiving tomorrow I know many of you are counting your blessings and so am I.  There is something that has been near and dear to my heart for many years and that is our soldiers who are serving our country. When I saw this image from Meljen's called "pink ribbon teddy" the ideas started running through my head on how to use this cutie. I found this sentiment in my stamps and immediately knew I was pairing these to together, the sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Service & Sacrifice set.

Now the challenge this week at Cooking It Up With Katie is "a piece of the pie"- no we don't mean projects using pies so what is that you may ask?  Our recipe is as follows: "Use a punch, add some ink, and finish with some embossing." I used my Nesties for my punch to feature sentiment, inked all my edges, and used my Cuttlebug hearts embossing folder on my yellow paper.  Come one over and our challenge HERE for your chance to win the prize from our sponsor Meljen's Designs.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Meljen's- fall
Crafty Purple Frog- orange
Forever Friends-something old, something new (old embossing folder, new image)
Rainbow Lady's-Thanksgiving
Sassy Studios- thank you card
Shelly's Images- anything goes
Southern Girls- bingo (ribbon, gems, die cuts)

Fancy, Fold, & Flowers Oh My!

Can you tell I am in love with the new CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge? This pillow box, doily shape, and rolled roses were all created using it.  The challenge this week at Cooking It Up With Katie is 

"Add some flowers, use a different fold, and make it fancy!" We are sponsored this week by Robyn's Fetish and our lucky winner of this challenge will get either 5 digital stamps or 4 digital stamps and 1 digital paper set of their choice.

4 Crafty Chicks- Marker It Up

Halloween is just around the corner, so I took the opportunity to sneak in another fun card for this week's challenge at 4 Crafty Chicks. Our challenge this week is called "marker is up" and you just have to use markers on your project.  I have used my Copics of course to color this image called "Autumn Frog" from The Stamping Boutique.  Papers are once again from my scrap stash, yes it's never ending- lol!!! I did use my new punch from EK Success and I know it looks crooked on card but it's not, it's how it's sitting in grass (still playing with a good place to take pics). Sentiment is a small wood block Studio G, which I have stamped with CTMH pansy purple ink and punched out using my SU' punches.

NO Turkey's Around Here

As soon as I saw this hilarious image, I knew I had to work with it! LOL!!!  It is from Digi Doodles Shop and is called "turkey in disguise"- they are our sponsor this week at Cooking It Up With Katie. An added bonus is if you purchase this image, it comes with a set of fun sentiments that compliment the image perfectly.  Our challenge is this week is:

"Use a border, add some buttons, and don't forget the bird!"

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Lollipop Spotlight: Meljen's Designs- Cute Lil' Vampire

It's time to spotlight our fabulous sponsor Meljen's Designs this week at Lollipop Crafts! I have created this fun Halloween card using the adorable "Lil Vampire" image, which I have colored with copics and paired with papers from Fancy Pants Designs Oct 31st stack and CTMH papers. This card is perfect for this week's challenge #51 at Lollipop Crafts, which is to create a Halloween project.  Up for grabs is a prize of 4 digis from their store. Come join us this week and share those spooky & spectacular projects!

Here's a little about Meljen's Designs:

Meljen's Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and is steadily growing! Meljen's Designs has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Monday and a Guest Designer each month at the Meljen's Designs Blog. Please visit the Meljen's Designs line of stamps at the WHIMSY STAMPS STORE to browse and enjoy Melissa's wonderful images!

Card recipe:

Image: Meljen's Designs Lil Vampire

Sketch: Sketch and Stash

Paper: Fancy Pants Designs Oct 31st & CTMH Mistletoe

Sentiment: Stampendous Costume Kids 

Medium: Copics

Challenges:

Sketch & Stash- sketch+ option of 3 pp or 3 embellies (did both- new/papers & image, neglected-buttons)
Meljen's Designs- halloween
Crafty Ribbons-halloween projects
Delightful Challenges- make it dimensional (sentiment is popped up)

Fun, Fabulous, & F for Flowers

Happy Hump Day, hope your week has started off with a bang!  You may wonder what the title of my post is all about, well it's challenge day again at Cooking It Up With Katie and boy is this one great! First let me tell you who our brand new sponsor is this week, Pink Gem Designs and the prize is 4 digital images from the store!

Our challenge is:

Make it Fun
Make it Fabulous
And add your own "F Word!". You can choose fabric, flowers, Fall, felt, flocking, fur, folding, anything at that is an F and make sure you tell us what it is :)

Card Recipe:

Image: Love Hoot from Pink Gem Designs
Paper: patterned-Cosmo Cricket Earth Love, cardstocks- CTMH sorbet/cocoa/vanilla cream
Ink: CTMH cocoa
Medium: Copics
Punch: Stampin' Up- circle/scalloped circle, leaves- EK Success
Embellies: CTMH cocoa brads
Sentiment: CTMH A Little Buzz

Celebrate the Season

I just knew I was gonna love this stamp set when I first saw it, it is from Unity and is called "Celebrate the Season" created by very good friend and owner of Te Stamping Boutique, Tracey Malnofski.  I have stamped the image in black ink and colored with Copics.  To add a little pop, I used gold smooch on swirls and pearls to accent the ornament hangers.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

365Cards- must use 5 layers

Crazyhazelnut's Christmas- Christmas card for a male

Thanks Book Worm-Sunday Sketch & Stamp #73

With school back in session I have decided to build my stash of cards to be ready for when one is needed for a teacher. I grabbed this adorable image from Robyn's Fetish called "book worm" which is our sponsor this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp.

We have a a wonderful sketch from Gry with lots of layers, which is exactly what I LOVE!  I raided my scrap stash and found these fun school papers from DCWV.  As you can see I has a little boo-boo with my red copic, but I decided it wasn't that bad.  Add a little embossing with my Swiss dots folder and sentiment is from CTMH.

Come on over and check out rest of girl's creations and join in the fun!

Ric Rac, fabric, or lace- Oh my!!!

If you are lookinf for Lollipop Crafts or The Crazy Challenge posts, please scroll down!

It's challenge day again at Kaboodle Doodles and for this week if you are like me you will need to dig deep into your stash for this challenge! Our challenge this week is all about using "ric-rac, fabric, or lace" on your projects and we are excited to be sponsored by Robyn's Fetish. One lucky person will win 5 images from the Robyn's Fetish Designs & More Store.

We got the pleasure of working with Christmas/Winter images and I decided to work with this cute little guy called "Christmas Twee." Paper piecing was in order, so I printed my image twice (once on white, once on olive green) and started the fussy cutting!  I added a little color around tree using my G99 copic, the star is colored with Smooch, and a little bling to make this tree sparkle. I chose to work with the sketch from 

365 Cards (rotated is on it's side). A little ric-rac, added a little embossing, and inking my edges with CTMH olive ink to make complete!

I am entering this card in following challenges:

365 Cards- sketch