You Make Me Smile

The blog started years ago for ME.  I was inspired by the movie "Julia and Julie".  I would post a new SVG each week and offer it free to anyone that requested it.  At the end of the year, I had posted wellover 100 free svgs, so I definitely met my goal.  

I took a long break and I'm back. I need to set a new goal even though I'm starting in September.  My goal....to make a card for each of my two grandchildren each week and to make 2 cards to send to a friend or family member....that makes a total of 4 cards a week...a pretty tall order.  They won't be near as detailed and intricate as I have made in the past, but will be made with humor and love.

Dearie Dolls was one of my favorite blogs to follow.  She had a unique style all her own that so many fell in love with, not just me.  Like me, she took a break but has not returned.  I honor her today, and many months to come, with one of her images.  This is called "Take A Bite Out Of Spring".

A2, for my granddaughter Mary Hannah, stitching, grass die cut,
cut out extra head and added pop dots for dimension and on bug,
Diamond Stickles on flower and bug

Paper Smooches sentiment, for my lovely step-granddaughter Audrey,
Clouds are a punch

Penny Black Flower Heart Die

I bought this sweet little Penny Black heart flower die called SOFT CARESS over 9 months ago and had never used it until today.  The (PBSC) Penny Black Saturday February Challenge theme: try something new.  Well, I'm trying this new sweet die.  Upon receiving the die, there was a lovely illustration inspiration card. So, I decided to case most of it.

I used copics for coloring, Die-namics Stitched rounded corner squares die set, and Sue Wilson and Sizzix leaf dies.

A2, buttons and string embellishments added, leaves distresses with dark green ink

Sentiments from old Studio G set, cut lines off around the sentiment

Other Challenges:

Ooh la la - die cuts

Another personalized notecard

Found this lovely design "free" at Freepik if you give credit and a link.  I did some sewing machine stitching on some of the cards....I just use the Lil Inker Stitched Rectangles set for this particular one.
I also used different background colors on each of the cards.  That's it folks.

A2, no machine stitching on this one...just Lil Inker Stitched Rectangle die set

Little B Bouquet card

Another card I am adding as part of a combo set for some in-laws for Christmas.  This is another case I found on Pinterest.  " If it ain't broke, don't fix."   I'm trying to make cards that look pretty or fun, easy to put together but look like they took a long time to make...haha

Lola, at Little Card Maker, got me interested in this die set.  My crafting friends cost me money....you know who you are....haha  I used Little B Bouquet set. The only thing I added was a Sue Wilson Faux Quilled Leaf die.

A2, used distressed inks to make the blue background and the red/orange color behind flowers.

pop-ups behind some flowers for added dimension

used Lil Inker stitched Rectangle die set

Flower Pot Stand Card

Buying this Elizabeth Craft Flower Pot Stand Die Set was a big splurge.  I thought it would be a quick card...NOT!  Now that I have made "one", I'm sure the next one will go more smoothly.  (Karen's video made it look so easy...haha)

It's the first day of Fall, so mums and pansies popped into my head.  This is my attempt at a pansy facsimile.  I left the flowers flat knowing it would be mailed.  I made a boo boo in cutting the base, so as not to waste the cardstock, I placed 2 pansies on the base behind the flower pot.  Do you think I got away with the boo boo?

Hummm...wonder if there are any challenges out there to join?

A7, left off the center dot...oops...added after pic

Ready for the unvailing?  Opening....

Ta Da...I also added a dragonfly along with the two butterflies
Liquid Pearls were added to flower centers and butterfly bodies, along with wire for butterfly antennas 

Flowers on base covering my two boo boos.  The die requires the flower pot to be closer to the front of the card...not the center, so if nothing else, I think the 2 pansies balanced out the base.

Hamlet in the Planter Pull Card

First, I'm not happy the way my card turned out.  I love Hamlet the Pigwit in the Planter from From the Heart Stamps.  I also love the "pull card" effect and the paper, but the flowery paper and all the flowers in the planter are just too busy and fight each other.  I will try and pull apart...wish me luck.

The From the Heart Stamps May 2016 Challenge is progressive.  Use this adorable image, join the challenge and if all rules are followed, you will receive the next month's image free.

A2, copics, bling stone, Sue Wilson die cut flower, 3-D pull card
used Silhouette to cut out image with a white shadow

Sentiment is old Hero Arts set called FRIENDS

Hamlet in Planter - Miss You

I re-did this card.  It is posted on the From the Heart May Challenge, but disappointed in the way it turned out.  The flowers on the image and paper clashed, so I ripped it apart. So now I revamped Hamlet the Pigwit in the Planter and followed the sketch for the From the Heart Weekly Challenge #151.  Now I'm much happier.

A2, stitching, Jim Holtz sentiment, copics, Silhouette for cutting out image, pop-ups for dimension

Charlie Bee

I pulled out "real stamps", not digi...haha!  I used the triple layered method which I haven't done in several years.   I used Charlie Bee from Doodle Pantry.

I cased Evelyn which may had not been politically correct since it is her challenge, CUT IT UP #68,  I am entering. I enjoy entering challenges but had found myself sometimes creating a card I was not ever wanting to use, just to enter a challenge.  I am trying hard now not to do that, so if another person's card pleases me, I want to case knowing I'll use it.  I DO try to add a little of ME in it.

A2, yellow sickles, ribbon, pop-ups for dimension, homemade enamel dots.  The outline is grey (form of black) since I was allowed no white.  I always thought white was allowed no matter what, but I didn't want to take the chance.

angle view

I found this challenge hard since I was not allowed white since it would be an extra color.  Having to use a die cut (Charlie Bee) his legs were too skinny to cut without having some shadow.  I had to turn the leaf yellow on the flower stem, but I will color over with green before sending.  Thanks Evelyn for a challenging challenge...haha

Happies to you

I saw this creation weeks ago at Lawn Fawn.  I knew I had to case Lizzie but I changed the sentiment.  I used the set Gleeful Gardens.  I made the sentiment in my Silhouette Studio.  Fun, quick and easy to put together....need cards like this at the last minute.

Sorry for reflection, copics for coloring, pop-ups for dimension, Lil Inker stitched rectangle, Lawn Fawn stitched hillside

angle view, and again poor lighting

Very Late

This should had been posted on April 1st, but this sinus infection still has me "under the weather".  I go to a specialist on Tuesday.  I hope they have some answers.

April 1st was the first day of Ants in the Pantry Challenge #4 at Doodle Pantry....anything goes!  I hope you will join us.  Always a great opportunity of win a wonderful gift certificate to Doodle Pantry.  I used Rubber Boots as my main image and used several flower images from Doodle Pantry to fill the boot.  You may have seen the same image a while back when I did a 3 layered card.  I also used the rest of the delightful, fun sunburst.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC....a freebie.

A2, pre-colored image from Doodle Pantry

Doodle Pantry Triple Layered card

I did a triple layered card years ago when all I had were rubber stamps.  This is my first attempt using digi images.  I kept it CAS since it was my first try.  It was really quite easy...but not at first....not knowing how to approach it.  I'm sure for many card crafters, they immediately jumped on the wagon and cut away, but NOT ME!  Some things come easy, pop into my head and "away I go".  Other times I spend an hour scratching my head before the lightbulb comes on.  I guess as long as the lightbulb finally comes on, I don't need to start worrying...lol

These are all Doodle Pantry images except for the butterfly die and tag punch.  I cut the images out using my Silhouette Cameo Sets  listed below.  Come join our fun Ants in The Pantry Challenge 3: Anything Goes

A2, pearls on butterfly die from Impression Obsession, pop-ups for dimension, string for bow

Image sets I used:

Rubber Boots

Holy Land Flowers

Jacaranda

Challenges:
Die Cuttin’ Divas: Spring (flowers) and use a die

It's not what they "SAY"...

From the Heart Challenge #99 is going on with a fun sketch with a twist. I stayed with the twist, but I DID add some glitter/sparkle on the flower. I used Surprised Chick but my sentiment was a quote from Errol Flynn.  It almost reminds me of the famous quote from Clark Gable at the end of Gone With The Wind.

I didn't want the flowers just hanging in mid-air so I attempted to ground them by adding stems and a pot.  Do you think I succeeded?

A2, copics, Lil Inker Stitched Circles die, MB pot die, old flower punches, stitching, sparkle gem and pearls

little blurry on the flowers...oops! pop-ups for dimension on flowers and pot

sketch to follow....I turned this way

Still a "Spring" thing (2nd posting)

I'm using the same sentiment as this morning's card.  Can you tell I'm REALLY HUNGRY for Spring?  I been collecting little bird feathers so images from From The Heart Stamps is a perfect place to use them for a little whimsy.

This is the free image Loves Me Birdbrain for participating in the January Monthly Challenge.  I'm entering it in February's Stamp of the Month challenge at FTHS and their weekly Sketch with a Twist Challenge #98....which is to choose any previous sketch and enjoy.

A2, stitching, copics, flower punch, Jennifer Pebbles Pink Clouds digi paper, fern punch, homemade dots, real feather for fun

front view

Birdhouse and cat silhouette

I'm still playing with my Circle Burst die.  I used the large die this time and I cased a lovely card I found on Pinterest. I haven't decided about the sentiment...any ideas?  

Other than the circle burst die, I used old flowers I found in my stash, MB Fanciful Flourish, branch, birds and cats, and a MS border punch. Oh...I made the birdhouse in Silhouette Studio.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

A2

angle view...used pop ups for some dimension

Challenges:

• Stamp & Create - Circles or Dots
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
• Incy Wincy Designs - Anything Goes

A Little Something....

Inside:  ...for one of those days that just stinks!

Almost packed to move, but still had a little time to make a card with this pretty little Card Cut File #2 svg set released this month at Doodle Pantry.  The darling skunk is also from the January Release called Silly Critters.

Come join us for the Doodle Pantry January Challenge #42.  You will have a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the store as well as received "free" the selected set just for your participation and following the guidelines...using a Doodle Pantry image.

5x5, stitching, brad, flower from stash, pop-ups for dimension

Inside (I packed up my lamps so pics are a little dark)

Life is SWEETER.....

(inside): ....when shared with friends

Trust me...this card was so easy to make!  I used a new July Release set called Black Eyed Susan from Doodle Pantry.  I used the beautiful pre-colored flower images, took them into my Silhouette Cameo program and used the Print & Cut feature.  Everything else were punches and dies.  I already had a stash of clouds, fences and flower pots punched and cut out since I used them so much. The grass and watering can are dies.  (PS I was inspired and cased the talented Kitty Kraft).

Join the Doodle Pantry July Challenge.  You will received a free selected set (Holiday Greetings) for participating, and a chance to win a gift certificate to the store.  Hooray!

A2, copics, grey pearl, pop-ups, distressing, deckle scissors for bottom grass, butterfly punch

(inside) mini fanciful flourish, circle punches, butterfly punch, old acrylic sentiment

My Fake Plants

I find some things ridiculously funny and this sentiment, going along with Gertrude from Bugaboo Stamps, was one of those times.

 I used a flower punch, IO flower accents die, Spellbinder leaf die. ribbon and silver watering can charm.

I'm joining the Marker Pop Challenge #22: flowers.

A2, copics, yellow brad

Forget-Me-Nots

Doodle Pantry has some awesome "new releases" this month, but don't forget about some wonderful oldies too.  Forget-Me-Nots has been "re-release" this month with pre-colored images.  I chose to color this time but I'm already working on a card with the pre-colored flowers.

I kept the layout simple by just layering and using pop-ups for dimension....hoping that it would still allow for the flowers to remain the focal point. 

5x5, stitching, copics, homemade flowers and liquid pearls

Materials:

Color Bok DP

Fanciful Flourish die by Cheery Lynn Designs

Martha Stewart fern punch

Challenges:

Buttercups (2nd posting today)

I wasn't born with a green thumb, but I give it my best shot each year by planting annuals and perennials and hoping for the best.  Zinnias are my all time favorite flowers.  I don't like receiving flowers unless they can be planted.  I will not be planting any buttercups this year, so I will settle on a few cards I made using the Buttercup set from Doodle Pantry. 

Remember, join the fun challenge at Doodle Pantry Blog and you will receive the fun Scuba Sheep as a gift.

A2, Pre-colored, but also added some copic accents

Materials:

Micro beads for flower centers

MS fern punch

Spellbinder floral dies and Fleur De Lis 

Cheery Lynn Fancy Flourish

Pop-ups for dimension

Stitching 

DCWV Cafe Caribbean

Printed image twice and cut one to layer on top of the other

For a Valentine Girl's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my friend Carola!

Birthday Blog Hop - Day 4

at Catch The Bug

"With Love" is the lovely Bugaboo Stamps image I used for my project.  We continue to celebrate the birthday of Bugaboo Stamps.  Mini challenges continue through Jan.20.  Today's challenge:  use a birthday theme and "2" of something.  I chose 2 pearls for the bag.

My box/bag project affords me the opportunity to help introduce today's challenge at Craft Your Passion. The challenge: make a box or bag (not bought) and I get to use a Bugaboo image.  My bag is from Silhouette.  I added extra dimension by adding a complementary color to the handle area, adding ribbon, pearls and sizing to my liking.

Surely you want to head over to Catch The Bug and Craft Your Passion and be dazzled.

Me & Stamp; My Big Ideas DP, scallop punch, ribbon and pearls

Challenges:

The Stampman Challenges: use RED

 Card Crafters Circle - Happy Birthday (C5)

Inspire me Friday - Anything Goes

Alphabet Challenge - 'Y' is for You Can Choose (Anything Goes) Limit 1 Entry

Challenge 15 with Hooked on Crafts - new technique: I've never done a box before