Life's Simple Pleasures

ATS Wednesday.....♥Valentine Ideas♥.....

2011-01-19T09:25:00.000-05:00

This is my second post for today, please scroll down to see the Pixie Cottage's Love Themed Challenge.

Hello again!
I'm back with this weeks All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge, this weeks theme is ideas for Valentine's Day . Now that the kids consider themselves "too old "to take treats to school, I had think about this project a little bit. At the end of the day, I decided to make Valentine treat boxes. Originally I had made three treat boxes of various sizes but wasn't able to capture all three treat boxes and card into the photo. I think that treat boxes are perfect ideas for gift giving. You can dress them up beautifully for a more sophisticated crowd or make them simple for kids. The possibilities are endless here! I feel my "mojo" trying to return and I plan to make some fancy Valentine treat boxes for a few of my friends.

Once again I resorted to my scrap bin for design paper and used what I could find to decorate my treat boxes. Both boxes are embellished rather simply, I just add some eyelet lace trim. Of course I had to make a card and decided to feature C.C. Designs Honey Teacher Rubber Stamp. I covered Honey's Teachers apple with my sentiment titled "For You". The base layer of my card was embossed with Sizzix's textured hearts embossing folder. I also used my EK Success hearts border punch to embellish Honey Teacher's mat and added ribbon and Kaiser half back gems for contrast.

Be sure to head over to the ATS Wednesdays Challenge Blog to play along with us. Every week there is a new and exciting prize being offered .... but in order to be eligible to win,your card must include a stamp that is sold in the ALL THAT SCRAPS store..Whether it is one of our wonderful in-house designs or from the various other stamp companies that ATS carries, the choice is yours. Then be sure to link up your creation with Mr. Linky by next Tuesday at 10:00pm EST with only one entry per person please! For more Valentine Day Ideas, be sure to check out the ATS DT Blogs♥

Have a beautiful day and I thank all of you so much for your kind and beautiful words of inspiration. Your acts of kindness truly touched my heart in ways that you could never imagine.

Hugs
Risa:)

card details........
stamp ATS Honey Teacher, sentiment PTI, c/s Bazzill and PTI....DP Yellow Bicycle (on treat bags).....inks Copic Markers, SU Red Riding Hood and Memento Tuxedo Black, tools Sizzix's textured heart embossing folder, EK Success Hearts border edge punch and MS fancy scallop border edge punch.....Embellishments ribbon, lace and half back gems

The Pixie Cottage Challenge#53...Love/Sketch

2011-01-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Wednesday!
Today's Pixie Cottage Challenge theme is ♥♥♥...Love...♥♥♥ ! As with all of our challenges, you can make a card based on our weekly theme or you can make a card based on the present sketch.

This weeks challenge really helped to cheer my spirits. My image, Fairy Molly, designed by Ellen Gutierrez is among my favorite Pixie Cottage images. My image is colored in with Copic Markers and her wings were embellished with extra fine glitter. Other embellishments are felt flowers, Liquid Pearls an Kaiser half back pearls. I haven't brought any new Valentine design papers yet and had to resort to looking around in my scrap bin. I found a couple pieces that were large enough to make a card and that made me happy. Usually my scrap pieces are small and I can't stand it when I find a great piece of DP that is too small to do anything with!

Should you decide to participate in this weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge, remember the theme is ♥♥♥ and we are looking forward to viewing your creations! Have lots of fun with our LOVE theme and if you feel the need for more inspiration, feel free to use this weeks sketch as well.

For more LOVE inspired cards, please click here to see the Pixie Cottage DT Creations, the girls really had fun with this challenge and I hope that you do too! Click here for the rules etc.

card details...... stamp...The Pixie Cottage's Fairy Molly,sentiment MFT....c/s Bazzill...DP from my scrap bin....inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxdeo Black....tools SU's window punch, Spellbinders lg. circle and lg. scalloped circle dies.....embellishments...felt flowers, Kaiser half back pearls, extra fine glitter,Liquid Pearls and Liquid Glass on Fairy Molly's heart.

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges.....

The Reason Why I Haven't Been Around...

2011-01-17T23:56:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year Wishes To All!

I've been meaning to post a note regarding my absence but no matter how many times I tried, I wasn't able to do anything that made sense. My cousin passed away suddenly right before Christmas and I haven't been myself for a while.
We were very close throughout childhood and as adults, my cousin was like the sister that I never had, almost like my mom in some cases and most of all, my best friend. My entire family is still reeling from our sudden lost and the past few days (or weeks) have been very painful. I never knew that losing someone so close to me could be this painful, I've cried buckets of tears wondering why her? I know that God has his reason for everything and I'm really trying to come terms and get a grip on life itself.
When I woke up today, I decided that today was the day to take life by the horns and deal with my pain by dealing with life itself. My husband and the kids have been understanding to some degree and I can tell by their faces that they are happy to see me coming back around.
I hope that you all can forgive me but I wasn't in any shape to do too much of anything, I tried but when old memories got in the way, I just fell apart and retreated to my bed.
I finally finished my card for Wednesday's challenge and it took me forever to finish it but I hung in there and managed a card that I can live with.
Well...enough gabbing for me, I'm going to take a hot shower and get ready for bed, today has been a long one.

Hugs
Risa:)

*My Christmas post was created a week before Christmas and pre-scheduled, I should have said something before hand, but I didn't have the strength...the shock was too much to handle.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm wishing the warmest of Christmas wishes to you and your family. May God shower his choicest blessings on you and your family this Christmas!

Merry Christmas and may the New Year begin on a joyful note.

hugs
Risa

All That Scraps Wednesday....Inspired By A Song

2010-12-22T12:27:00.006-05:00

* I typed up both ATS and The Pixie Cottages challenges last night before I started baking. I thought that I had scheduled both post but apparently I didn't. At any rate, I'm glad that I followed "my mine" and checked everything out.

Hello Again!

This weeks All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge is to make a card that is inspired by a song. The song that came to my mind was "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow", I think the song is by Dean Martin but I'm not 100% certain.

I gave Sugarplums Polar Bear some dimension with layering and for a little color, I lightly airbrushed B00 around Polar Bears outer edges. I embossed the white background with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder. At one point, I was going to emboss Polar Bear but decided not to at the last minute. (I was afraid that I was going to mess up and didn't have the time to start over again). My design paper, by Imaginisce, is titled "Let it Snow" and I simply punched out the words and applied it to my card.

For more Inspired By A Song cards, please be sure to stop by the All That Scraps Blog for inspiration. The girls had a lot of fun with this challenge and I'm sure that you will too!
We hope that you are inspired by a song and that you participate in this week challenge. Please link your challenge cards to the All That Scraps blog before 9:00 p.m. est next Tuesday.

card details...
stamp C.C. Designs Sugarplums Polar Bear rubber stamp, sentiment taken from my design paper.....Imaginisce, c/s Bazzill and PTI, design paper Imaginisce....inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black.....tools SU's window punch, Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder and air brush compressor ....embellishments ribbon, Prima Flowers, Black Stickles and Kaiser half back pearls.

Take care, have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

hugs

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges...

Pixie Cottage #50 Team Sketch/Party Theme

2010-12-22T11:18:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Are most of you ready for Christmas yet? Or are you still running around in a mad rush decorating the house and planning your dinner? As usual, I'm still running around with last minute details for gifts, dinner and baking obligations. Each year I promise myself that the next year will be different but so far, I'm in the same rut, I think that I was more organized when I was working a full time job...seriously!

Enough gabbing on my end, this weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge is a team sketch and the theme is "Party/Celebration"! As with all of our challenges, you can choose either the team sketch or the theme for our challenges. Please note that our "Party/Celebration Challenge" will last two weeks! Yes...we are giving everyone a lil vacation and we will resume January 5th, 2011.

I'm kicking off the challenge with Playful Penguins, designed by Eileen Gutierrez. I totally adore this stamp, the penguins are too cute!!! At this time, Playful Penguins are not available, but if you are interested, please contact Michelle here.

card details.....
stamp The Pixie Cottage's (Playful Penguins), sentiment Papertrey Ink...c/s Bazzill and PTI...design Paper My Minds Eye (Colorful Christmas)....inks Copic Markers...tools SU's corner rounder punch, snow flake punch and eyelet setter....embellishments ribbon, Kaiser half back pearls, glaze pen on candy cane and Sparkles

In between baking pies and fulfilling cookie orders, I plan to "pop in" from time to time and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

hugs
Risa
My card also meets the following blog challenge requirements

The Pixie Cottage #49..Guest Sketch/Family Friends Theme

2010-12-15T07:00:00.005-05:00

This is my second post for today, please scroll down for All That Scraps Winter Flower Challenge.

Hello Again and Happy Wednesday!

I'm back with a sample for today's Pixie Cottage Challenge. This weeks challenge is a guest sketch and the theme is family and friends.

I had a little trouble trying to incorporate the entire sketch onto my card but I made sure to include as much of the sketch as possible. My image, April with Hearts is fairly large and adjustments were necessary. Once again, I've combined the traditional Christmas colors of red,white and green with lovely holiday design papers, flowers, buttons and ribbon. In my mind, April with Hearts is giving a loved one her heart and wishing them love,peace and joy for the holiday season.

We only have a one more challenges left and you really want to make sure to get in on all of the challenge fun. Be sure to stop by the Pixie Cottage Blog and check out the design teams Family and Friends creations for inspiration and the challenge rules. We hope that you have lots of fun with this weeks challenge as we look forward to viewing your creations! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and for your wonderful and kind comments. Take care and have a beautiful and blessed day!

hugs
Risa:)

card details.....
stamp...April with Hearts...sentiment SU.....c/s Bazzill and PTI.....design paper..American Craft's Dear Lizzy...inks Memento Tuxedo Black, SU's Olive Green and Copic Markers....embellishments ...Kaiser half back pearls, ribbon, Stickles, flowers and buttons

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges...
Creative Belli Blog....Any embellishment that is related to Christmas
Stamp With Fun - Christmas
Allsorts - Christmas
Pear Tree Designs - Christmas
Top Tip Tuesday - Christmas
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes Christmas
AI Factory - Happy Holidays
Hanna and Friends - Christmas in Red
Paper Cupcakes - Christmas with Red and Green
Crafty Ho's - Red and Green
CRAFT - Color Combo "Festivia"
Thrilling Thursday - Celebrate
Cute Card Thursday - Flowers
Sew Many Challenges - Flower Power
Creative Cowgirls - Anything Goes
Mad For Markers - Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
Fresh Brewed...Merry Christmas

All That Scraps Wednesday....Christmas Flowers

2010-12-15T00:00:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,
This weeks All That Scraps Challenge is right on time for the season.....Christmas Flowers! I had ordered a couple of poinsettia's but once they arrived, they were way too big for a card and I was very disappointed with my purchase. Needless to say, I guess that whenever I get around to making a Christmas layout, my huge poinsettia's should workout well! *lol*

While deciding on a image, I decided to use Sweet November's Stamp designed by Amy Young (Nixie). Nixie looks like a snowflake flower and I thought that she would be perfect for this weeks challenge. I love the expression of her face, it looks like she is welcoming the winter snow with such joy and glee.

I colored in Nixie's face,arm ,torso and legs with my Copic Markers. To give a hint of color to her snowflake body, I used the markers B00 (Frost Blue*), RV00 (Water Lily) and 0 (Colorless Blender*). Then I used my colorless blender and swiped the tip against the tip of the RV00 until I obtained just enough color on the tip of my colorless blender. Next step, I took my colorless blender and ran the tip over the outer areas of Nixie's snowflake body and repeated this process until I was finished. I repeated these same steps for the inner areas of Nixie's snowflake body but used B00 and my colorless blender. I also repeated this same process on Nixie's fur, I used my colorless blender and B00. To me, this method is perfect when you only want a hint of color. I applied the ultra fine glitter by generously going over the snowflake with my quickie glue pen and then drizzled the ultra fine glitter onto the snowflake and carefully tapped off the excess glitter. I finished my card by embellishing it with ribbon, flowers and half pearls.

For more All That Scraps DT inspiration, click here to check out the teams lovely creations. Should you decide to accept out Christmas Flowers Challenge, you have a week to finish your project. Please upload your card/project to the ATS Blog with the Mr. Linky feature. You have until Tuesday night at 9:00 PM EST to submit your entry. Each week Christine gives away a lovely prize and the winner of our Christmas Flowers Challenge will receive Imaginisce X-mas flowers! I can't wait to see your creations....have fun and shower us with your flower creations! ☺ Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope that you have a beautiful day!

card details...... image SNS by Amy Young (Nixie), sentiment Whimsy Stamps (Winter Seals) ...c/s Bazzil and PTI....inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black....tools used Cuttlebug's 5X7 Polka Dot embossing folder, quickie glue pen* and Nesties square and square scalloped die....embellishments....ribbon, Kaiser half back pearls(Pearl) , Palette ultra fine glitter and Petal-Loo flowers.........*.....sold out at this time....*

My card also meets the following blog challenge requirements....

Allsorts - Last Minute Christmas

Ellephantastic - Christmas/Winter

Our Daily Bread - Christmas

Lil Red Wagon - Use a Diecut (Nesties)

Penny's Paper Crafty - Christmas

Stampin' Royalty - Winter Holidays

A Spoonfull of Sugar - Christmas

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes

AIFactory - Christmas/Winter Holidays

Dutch Dare - Christmas Tag/Card/Ornament
Doodles - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamps...Holiday card minus the colors red and green

ABC DT Challenge....Non-traditional holiday colors

Sparkle and Shine!

2010-12-14T00:53:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone,
Today I'm back with card that is basically a non-traditional styled holiday card that is full of shine and sparkle. My image, Pirate Princess is dressed up in pink and lots of sparkle and to tell you the truth.... I had a lot of fun with this card.

I paired together stripes,solids and polka dots along with pink snowflakes and lots of glitter for a fun and whimsical card. My image is by My Cute Stamps and I think Pirate Princess is adorable on both land and sea!

card details.....
Stamp...My Cute Stamps (Pirate Princess), sentiment by Impress Rubber Stamps....c/s Bazzill and PTI...design papers My Minds Eye (Madison Ave.) the polka dot paper is from my scrap stash....inks Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers....tools EK Success open scallop border edge punch, various snow flake punches and SU's window tag punch.....embellishments Glitz Stickles on scarf,bodice and shoes...regular Stardust Stickles on dress hem and snowflakes, ribbon half back pearls

Card Challenges.....
Simon Says Challenge......Christmas card without any reds or greens
Bunny Zoe's Crafts.....Sparkle & Shine
The Crazy Challenge......Use at least 3 design papers
Cupcake Craft.....Non-Traditional holiday card
Alphabet Challenge Blog...Glitter
The Character Cafe.....Glitter!!!

Have a beautiful day and if you have to be on the road, drive safely.

hugs

Purple Celebration

2010-12-13T00:07:00.009-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm starting off the week with some fabulous news...I'm a new designer for My Cute Stamps! I was thrilled to bits when I received the news and could not wait to receive my DT starter kit. I tell you, the stamps are super cute, the images stamp like a dream and most of all, you get a lot of stamps for one reasonable price!

My image is from My Cute Stamps Royal Celebration stamp set and would you believe that a total of 13 stamps are in this kit? I see myself having tons of fun making note cards for special and everyday events, the possibilities are endless!

I also want to mention that here in Michigan, we received our first snowfall for the winter season and it came in with a bang! We have a mixture of snow and ice and school has already been canceled for today. I'm not saying that having a snow day so early is unusual but normally, most snow days take effect in the months of January and February. If this snow storm is any indication of what our winter is going to be like, all I can say is "we are in for an good old fashioned winter"!

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details....
stamp and sentiment by My Cute Stamps...c/s Bazzill and PTI...inks Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers..tools Nesties petite circle die and decorative elements eyelet circle die, SU's window tab punch,MS fancy scallop border edge punch and Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder...embellishments ribbon,mini roses and extra fine glitter

card challenges.....
Catered Crop...Use any ingredients from the recipe chart (my ingredients....Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Bazzill c/s, Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss Dots) and glitter)
My Sheri CRAFTS....Parties/Celebrations
Fresh Brewed Challenges...Sparkle & Bling
Paper Pretties....Punches

hugs

Claudia & Co. .....December "Spotlighting" Challenge

2010-12-10T08:55:00.009-05:00

Hello and Happy Friday!

This month's Claudia & Company's challenge theme is "Spotlighting"! We want you to spotlight a particular area of your card and you can apply this technique in various ways. You can either color in your image and spotlight a particular area of your image by omitting color in that area or you can stamp your image and only color in a particular area of interest. The choice is yours to make and we would love to see your take on our spotlighting challenge.

I'm not 100% pleased with the results of my spotlighting but after viewing the Claudia & Co. DT cards, I have an idea for future cards using this technique. Winter Hannah's colors are almost monochrome and I simply spotlighted an area of Winter Hannah's skirt and jacket. Other features are the embossed snowflake background,tiny snowflakes and ribbon.

Be sure to stop by and check out the Claudia & Company Blog and check out the DT cards. I love each DT members take on the challenge and I hope that you are inspired as well. You have a month to complete your card and all cards are to be uploaded to the Claudia & Company Blog. The only rule....you are required to use Claudia & Company Stamps. Have a great weekend and have fun with the challenge!
card details.... stamp and sentiment....Claudia & Company (Winter Hannah)...c/s Bazzill & PTI...inks Copic Markers....tools Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder and EK Succes wavey scallop border edge punch and snowflake punch...embellishments Stickles,half back Pearls and ribbon
card challenges.....
Frosted Designs....Ribbon
If The Shoe Fits....Texture
Paper Cutz....Must have something relating to snow flakes....(I used my snowflake punch and my Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder)
Studio 313...Sparkle & Bling
AiFactory......Holiday or Christmas
Glitterbabe's....Christmas...No Green or Red

All That Scraps Wednesday.....Holiday Gift Ideas

2010-12-08T05:00:00.001-05:00

Note* This is my second post for today, please scroll down for The Pixie Cottages Sparkle & Shine Challenge.

Hello Again!

This weeks All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge is to make gifts for the holiday season. I made a trio of gifts that range from a cocoa treat holder, a nugget treat box and a mini decorated tin.

I found the inspiration for my cocoa treat holder here and the instructions are super easy to follow. Perched on top of the cocoa treat holder is the adorable new C.C. Designs Sugarplum "Brr Emma". I settled for traditional holiday colors and added gold embellishments for sparkle.
A few months ago, I brought a die-cut from my local scrap store. The scalloped die cut was a mini treat holder that had enough room for a single nugget candy. I made a template from the die cut and after several attempts, I came up with a version similar to the one I brought from my LSS.
My treat bag was made with Spellbinder dies and this is what the inside of my treat holder looks like. There is just enough room for a single nugget or in my case, two Hershey's Bliss Chocolates. I also decorated a mini round tin with design papers, ribbon, a flower, gold cord and a tiny gold bell.
The inside of the tin is filled with a few York mini Peppermint Patties.

Be sure to stop by All That Scraps Blog for more holiday gift ideas. The DT did a fabulous job and their creations will surely inspire you! Should you decide to take on this weeks challenge, keep in mind that you can use any stamp that is sold at the All That Scraps On-line Store. Link your creations to the All That Scraps Blog , you have until next Tuesday and the deadline is 9:00 est. The winner of our gift idea challenge will win a $15.00 gift certificate from the All That Scraps Store. Have fun with this weeks challenge and I'm hoping that you "knock our socks off" with your creativity!

Details....
stamp C.C. Designs Sugarplums "Brr Emma", sentiment Whimsy Stamps, c/s Bazzill, DP Imaginisce...inks Copic Markers, SU's Olive and Memento Tuxedo Black....tools Spellbinders Sm. Big Scallop die,Scor- Pal, dbl. sided tape, corner rounder punch and small edged scallop scissors...embellishments ribbon, half back pearls, gold cord, Stickles, clear treat bag and mini gold bells.

Blog Challenges......
Really Reasonable Ribbon.....Anything but card and must include ribbon
Saturday Challenge....Christmas
Mark's Finest Papers...Red & Green
* Pile it on - it's all in the wrapping
* A crafty little place - anything goes
* scrap-creations - anything goes
* sugar sweet paper treats - anything goes
* top tip tuesday - anything goes
* There's magic in the air with paper cupcake - anything goes
* totally stampalicious - anything goes
* Bugaboo stamps - anything goes
* Creative inspirations - christmas gifts
* little red wagon - christmas tag or bag
Paper Sundaes.....Gift It!

Pixie Cottage #48...Guest Sketch/Sparkle & Shine Theme

2010-12-08T00:15:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Wednesday!

Today I am saying "Happy Wednesday" and I'm finally feeling it for a change. It feels so great to feel healthy again!

Getting on with this weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge, this weeks challenge theme is "Sparkle & Shine" and our sketch was designed by the talented Pam Limmerick. Thanks for the inspiration and lovely sketch Pam!

My card features the adorable Hannah with Candle and I made sure to add lots of sparkle. I combined the traditional Christmas colors of red,white and green with lovely holiday design papers and fun holiday ribbon.

We only have a couple of challenges left and you really want to make sure to get in on all of the challenge fun. Be sure to stop by the Pixie Cottage Blog and check out the design teams Sparkle and Shine creations for inspiration and the challenge rules. We hope that you have lots of fun with this weeks challenge as we look forward to viewing your creations!

card details.... stamp The Pixie Cottage's Hannah with Candle and sentiment by Papertrey Ink, c/s Bazzill and PTI, dp Papertrey Ink....tools used Nesties oval scallop die and EK Success open border scallop edge punch...embellishments machine stitching, button, Stickles, Martha Stewart glitter cut tinsel for snow and ribbon from Michael's...inks Copic Markers

I hope that your day is off to a great start and that all is well! Take care and thanks so much for stopping by!

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges......
Bugaboo - Anything Goes
Card Making Mama's - Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes
Sugar Sweet Paper Treats - Anything Goes
The Artistic Stamper - Christmas
The Paper Players - Christmas
Little Paper Shop - Funky Edge
Paper Issues - Holiday Hookup
Diva Stamper - Photo Inspiration
Challenge Up Your Life - Christmas or Advent
The Secret Crafter - Christmas
Papercutz - Christmas with 2 patterned papers
Stamp Something - Christmas Colors
Speedy the Cat's Friends - Red and Green

All That Scraps Wednesday....Snowflakes!

2010-12-01T13:30:00.010-05:00

Hello Again,

This weeks All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge is a super fun one....Snowflakes!

I don't have a card ready for this weeks challenge yet. I'm showing what I would have presented for last weeks tag challenge. I'm going to work on a snowflake card and hope to have it ready to post soon.

I think that tags are so cool and most definitely will be making a lot more of these for the holidays and other occasions. I made my tag with my Cricut Expressions and my image Sugar September was the perfect size.

I kept the layout simple, the embellishments are tiny roses and a few of the smaller half back pearls. Sugar September is mounted on a small circular die and I cut it so that she is sitting in the curve. There is a name for this but I can't think of it right now. Sugar Honey is colored in with Copic Markers and I added Stickles here and there and embellished my tag with Prima mini roses.

For more fabulous ATS Snowflake DT inspiration and the rules to our weekly challenges, please click here.

Thank you all so much for everything and for stopping by! I'm super drowsy and gotta lay down for a while. Take care and once again, thanks so much for everything!

hugs

Pixie Cottage #47....Team Sketch/Paper Piecing

2010-12-01T12:37:00.006-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm "back in the drivers seat" and finally starting to feel better and what a relief that is...my poor nose is raw...I feel like Rudolph. The only difference is Rudolph's nose was cute, mine isn't!

This weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge is a team sketch and the theme is Paper Piecing. As with all of our challenges , you have a choice. You can either make a card based on the team sketch or you can make a card based on this weeks theme.

I paper pieced Cassie's dress with a scrap piece of design paper and put everything together layer by layer. With my base layer, I colored in the stockings, the ribbon and shoes and for the second layer, I added the paper pieced dress. For the final layer, I attached my images upper body (the head,pony tail, neck and arms supporting the kitty were all one piece that was already colored in , cut out and put aside) I carefully lined everything up and applied my images upper body to the paper pieced dress. * I use Tombow Glue and you only need a little bit. I apply the glue in a series of tiny dots and use my craft tweezers when layering*

For more Pixie Cottage DT inspiration and the rules to the challenge, please click here.

I also want to thank everyone for their kind comments. It is a bummer to be sick and I'm so thankful that I am finally getting over this. Once again, thank all of you, I am so blessed to have met some of the best people in the world. People that I will most likely never meet in real life but that's OK ....I'm just thankful and blessed for the opportunity to have met some of the best people in the world!

*I'm a little drowsy from my meds. but will come back and add card details etc. later tonight.

hugs

Just a note...or two

2010-11-28T16:43:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm so sorry that I haven't posted anything in over a week. I have a simple explanation for my absence though....I've been super sick. I came down with the sniffles and a headache last weekend and from there became progressively worse.
After "doctoring" on myself for three days with over the counter medication, my husband said enough was enough..."something isn't right" and took me to the hospital. I had a temperature, my chest made a terrible rattling sound when I breathed and my entire body ached all over. What started out as a cold snowballed into the flu and a upper respiratory infection.
I spent two days in the hospital including Thanksgiving day and can't remember ever being so sick and miserable! I'm slowly coming around and getting stronger each day especially now that the cold/infection has broken up and is slowing leaving my body.

My craft room is in my basement which happens to be a finished and dry and sorely missed!!!! I can't wait to return to my basement oasis and create something! I will be back some creations very soon, until then take care and have a blessed day.

hugs

ATS Wednesday...Gift Card Holder Challenge!

2010-11-17T08:02:00.001-05:00

*This is my second post for today, please scroll down for The Pixie Cottages Sketch/Ribbon & Bow Challenge.

Hello Again,

I back with All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge and this weeks challenge is to make a gift card holder.

I don't have a specific recipe for my gift holder, I simply started with a mini envelope that originally contained a gift card. I shamelessly tore the envelope apart and made a template for my project and from there I added a decorative cover.

My image, Sugarplums Christmas Angel, really worked well with my gift card holder because of her size and because she is in a sitting position. I adhered her onto the small circular nesties and embellished with Kaiser half back pink gems. I embellished Christmas Angel's halo and wings with extra fine glitter and I attached my sentiment to her hands.

There is a new prize offered every week on the ATS Challenge blog but make sure you use a stamp that is sold in the All That Scraps store

if you want to be eligible to win! ATS carries a wide range of stamps which gives you quite a selection to choose from. You have until 10 PM on the Tuesday following each challenge to link your entry to the ATS Blog. Good luck!

Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

gift card details.....
stamp C.C. Designs Sugarplums Christmas Angel, sentiment Ellen Hutson's and the inside sentiment is a rub on by SU...c/s Bazzill and PTI....tools Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder, nesties circular and circular scalloped dies, 3/4 " circular punch, 1" circular punch, Scor-Pal and scalloped scissors....inks Copic Markrs.....embellishments Kaiser half back pink gems,extra fine glitter,ribbon and a tiny gem snowflake

Challenges......
Reasonable Ribbon - Ribbon and Christmas
Stamp and Create - Tis The Season
Scrappy Frogs - Christmas
Scrapbook Sisters - Christmas
Paper Cupcakes - Christmas, Glitter and Ribbon
Sassy Studios - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Whatever Makes You Happy
Our Daily Bread..Anything But A Card
Secret Crafter.....Sparkle & Shine

Pixie Cottage #44...Sketch/Ribbons & Bows

2010-11-16T22:23:00.012-05:00

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

This weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge is a great one! If you love sketches, check out our team sketch designed Pam. Pam's sketches are amazing and I find them very inspiring, thanks for everything Pam! This weeks theme is a fun one, ribbons and bows! Whew....I can already hear the your brains buzzing with excitement, I mean who doesn't love to embellish with ribbons and bows? I would be so lost without me ribbons!!!

My card features the new Hannah's Letter and it is a stamp set that includes two sentiments and comes mounted with cling foam. Personally, I like the smaller size of Hannah and I hope that there are more Hannah stamp sets sold in the future.

Quick details about my card, I have a lot of white going on here and added texture by embossing my base mat with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder. Hannah is colored in with Copic Markers and the snow is dotted with Stickles Ice. I hope that you can see the ribbon, it's a little sheer but I have a strip of ribbon and a bow even! (my base layer which is white is absorbing my ribbon and it's difficult to see in the picture, but it's there*ü*)

For more DT inspiration and the rules to the challenge, please click here. Have fun with this weeks challenge and remember....you have a choice with our challenges. You can choose either our team sketch, or you can create according to our themes. Either way, have fun creating!!!!

hugs

card details....
stamp and sentiment both from the new Hannah's Letter Stamp Set...c/s Bazzill and PTI.....inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black....tools Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots Embossing Folder,EK Success Wavy Border Punch, and Nesties lg. Petite circular and scallop dies.... Embellishments ribbon, half back pearls, miniature gold bell and gold cord

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges...
The Crafty Pad....X-Mas Sparkle
I Did It Creations.....Traditional X-Mas Color
Sentimental Sundays......Childhood plus a sentiment
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Character Cafe - Embossing
Stamp and Create - Tis The Season
Alota Rubber Stamps - Let's Celebrate Christmas
Scrappy Frogs - Christmas
Flourishes - Just Do It! Make A Christmas card :)

Claudia & Co. Party Time Noah and......

2010-11-15T23:42:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you all had a beautiful weekend and that your day is off to a terrific start. I have some terrific news that I want to share with you today, are you ready to hear it? As of right now, you can buy Claudia & Co. Puddle Jumper images as digi's!!!!!
As most of you already know, digi images are very versatile and what I love the most about digi's is that they are an instant buy! If you need a particular image...like..."right now" ...all you have to do is buy it and within minutes you can download your images to your computer and create instantly! How cool is that!!!
You can find all of Lori Boyd's adorable Puddle Jumpers in either stamp or digi form at Die Cuts R Us.

Today's spotlight is on Party Time Noah. I'm finding it a little easier to make cards for boys and men but sometimes it is hard to fight the need to embellish it! I find myself thinking about what embellishment should I use etc. The list goes on and on and with this card I settled for silver brads and a tiny piece of ribbon. The card base colors are navy blue and I added some striped design paper by Bo Bunny* for contrast.

Have a fantastic day and be sure to stop by Die Cuts R Us and check out the new Claudia & Co. Puddle Jumper digi images!

hugs

card details.....
image and sentiment both from Claudia & Co. Party Time Noah stamp set, c/s Bazzill and PTI, design paper from the new Bo Bunny Winter Frost paper pack* ( I think it is sold out but will probably be back in stock soon*.....inks Copic Markers....tools Spellbinders label one and lg. petite circle and scallop dies and SU's window punch .....embellishments small piece of ribbon and mini silver brads

Shiver Me Timbers...It's Cold Outside!

2010-11-12T11:43:00.010-05:00

Hello Everyone,
I hope that you weekend is off to a terrific start and hopefully the weather isn't so cold that you have to bundle up like Claudia & Co. PJ Winter Ella yet! *lol*

I have been super busy creating holiday cards and I'm having so much fun with the new Puddle Jumpers! I played around with different design paper patterns and came up with this colorful holiday card. I know the patterns are a little "busy" but I was having so much fun and one thing led to another. I have traditional Christmas colors, glittered snowflakes, ribbon and even a bell!

Well...I'm going to bring my post to a close. I have to prepare a quick dinner and attend an anniversary dinner this evening. Take care and have a beautiful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details.....
stamp and sentiment both by Claudia & Co. (PJ Winter Ella)....c/s Bazzill and PTI..DP PTI and scrap stash.....inks Copic Markers....tools machine stitching and snow flake punches by MS....embellishments Liquid Pearls, Stickles Ice, gold brads,gold cord, mini bell(from Wild Orchid) and ribbon

Challenges.....
ABC......H is for Holiday
ABC Christmas....Winter Wonderland
Little Red Wagon.....Anything that is in a set of 3's (snowflakes)
A Spoon Full of Sugar....Snowflakes
Christmas Stampin' All Year....Stripes
A Crafty Little Place.....Red, White & Green
Delightful Challenges...Glitter it Up!
Pollycraft....Chill Time
Secret Crafter.....Sparkle & Shine
Speedy The Cat......Snowflakes
Die Cut Dreams Christmas Challenge....Snowflakes
Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog.....Snowflakes
Totally Gorjuss...Traditional Christmas Colors
I Did It Creations.....Traditional X-Mas Color
Stampin' Sisters in Christ.....3 choices...I chose "more is more"

Claudia & Co.....November Color Challenge!

2010-11-12T08:36:00.008-05:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday to you!
This month's Claudia & Co. Challenge is a color challenge. We want you to use the color combination of brown and cream along with another color of your choice. I colored my image, Party Time Piper in the colors of brown,cream and pink. The design papers are from Cosmo Cricket's "WANTED" mini deck and the paper is fabulous! I love the warm rich colors and beautiful patterns that are compatible with either male or female.

For some reason, my browns have a reddish hue to them but in real life, the brown color looks like a natural brown. I embellished my card with brown ribbon, a brown and pink felt flower and cream half back pearls. You can find Party Time Piper, the Cosmo Cricket design paper and Copic Markers here.

For more DT inspiration, please click here to see the beautiful DT creations. We only have one rule .... you can only use Claudia & Company stamps for the challenge. You have a month to complete your cards and we look forward to viewing your fab creations!

hugs
Risa:)

card details.......
image Claudia & Co. PJ Party Time Piper, sentiment comes with Party Time Piper package... c/s Bazzill and PTI,...design papers Cosmo Cricket's Wanted mini deck pad.....inks Copic Markers ......tools MS border edged punch...embellishments brown ribbon, felt flowers and Kaiser half back pearls.

My card also meets the following blog requirements...
AI Factory.....die cuts or punches
Cute Card Thursday.....Anything Goes
Dutch Dare.....Clean and Simple
Fresh Brewed....Two or more patterned papers
Lexi's Creations.....Anything Goes
Fairytale Challenge Blog....Anything Goes

ATS Wednesday....Birthday Theme!

2010-11-10T00:34:00.009-05:00

This is my second post for today, please scroll down for The Pixie Cottage's sketch and 2 color challenge.

Hello Again!
This weeks ATS Wednesday Challenge is a fun one......... Birthday Themed Cards! Don't you love it when the challenge is super fun and easy? I know that I do!!!!!

My card card features one of the new C.C. Designs images designed by Amy R. Young. The name of my image is Penelope with Balloon and she will be available November 15th at All That Scraps Online Store.

Be sure to head over to the ATS Wednesdays Challenge Blog to play along with us. Every week there is a new and exciting prize being offered .... but in order to be eligible to win, your card must include a stamp that is sold in the ALL THAT SCRAPS store. Whether it is one of our wonderful in-house designs or from the various other stamp companies that ATS carries, the choice is yours. Then be sure to link up your creation with Mr. Linky by next Tuesday at 10:00pm EST with only one entry per person please!

I hope that you all have lots of fun creating Birthday themed cards. Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!
hugs
Risa:)

my card meets the following blog challenge requirements...
Sweet Stampin'.......Inspiration photo
Raise The Bar....Curves.....circles,scallops etc.
C.R.A.F.T........Dry Embossing
Meljiens .....Use Three Different Shapes
Hopes Stamps Eternal...Inspiration Photo

Pixie Cottage #44...Sketch/Two Colors Only Theme

2010-11-10T00:01:00.009-05:00

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

This weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge is the usual sketch and the theme is a color challenge and you can only use two colors!

Initially I was "thrown for a loop" cause of the color limitations but after thinking it over, I decided on the colors black and white. My image, is one of four new stamps designed by ArTish ( Pick Your Bird) . I used bird"A" the cardinal for this challenge and what I love about these new bird images is the peacefulness and their beauty. I also love the fact that you can make some super quick cards because it isn't necessary to color these images in. I heat embossed my image and added glitter to the leaves for some sparkle. My card was finished within 30 minutes and for me, that is something! I have all kind of ideas running around in my head for future cards using these bird images.

For more Pixie Cottage DT inspiration and the challenge rules, please click here.

card details....
stamp The Pixie Cottage ( Pick Your Bird ), sentiment SU, c/s Bazzill and PTI, inks SU's Black and VersaMark.....tools Cuttlebug embossing folder,nesties lg. square & lg. scallop square dies, MS butterfly punch, heat embossing tool and 13/4 circle punch...embellishments ribbon, Diamond Stickles and half back pearls

I hope you have a great time with this weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge. Remember, it's all about fun and creativity! Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges
C.R.A.F.T........Dry Embossing
Meljiens .....Use Three Different Shapes
Anything Goes.....Emboss It!
Cards For Men.....Animals on Card

Claudia & Co. Winter Release Party Blog Hop!

2010-11-04T21:05:00.018-04:00

Hello Everyone and Welcome to the Claudia & Company Winter Release Blog Hop!

Everyone on this team has been super busy creating cards for our November Blog Hop. We have six new winter stamps and I'm telling you,they are super cute!!!! Now...getting back to our blog hop, if you have just arrive from Pam Varnell's Blog, you are on the right track. If not, please scroll down and take a look at the blog hop's manifest and start at the beginning and proceed from there. One lucky winner (maybe two) will win a wonderful prize package so.......be sure to leave a comment on all of the blogs for your chance to win!!!

Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to ........

Winter Hannah Puddle Jumper designed by Lori Boyd

Party Time Penguin (Jane's Doodles)

Party Time Noah PJ (Lori Boyd)

Winter Landon PJ (Lori Boyd)

All of the stamp sets come with their very own sentiment and an additional cute accessory stamp. All of the stamps are made from deeply etched rubber and come to you pre-mounted on cling foam. All you have to do when your stamps arrive is trim and create! Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a super cool prize package! Your next stop is Shelby's Blog.

Claudia & Company Blog

Sandra

Tori

Pam

Risa *me....you are here*

Kadie

Our wonderful guest designer:

Mercy Kerin

Claudia

I hope that you enjoy our Winter Release Blog Hop and I want to wish everyone good luck! Take care and have a beautiful day:)

hugs

Two For Thursday?

2010-11-04T13:40:00.006-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm doing the happy dance right now because I have access to the internet! I've been "MIA" due to technology and don't mention computer with drawls...I was sick without my computer...literally! Well after paying almost $200.00 for repairs, I hoping that my laptop will hang in there until I can afford to buy a new one. *fingers crossed here*

So..... with all of the extra time on my hands, I was creating away and here are the cards that should have been posted yesterday.

The Pixie Cottage.......Re-cycle it or team sketch

Almost everything about my card is from what would have been a card. What I mean by this is, sometimes I make a card that just doesn't work for me and what I do from there is set it aside and start another one. I have learned to save some cards, or the pieces and images because they come in handy later down the road.

My image, The Pixie Cottages, Southend Girl is from my reject pile. I didn't like the dark airbrushed background and had put it aside for later use. The base card and design papers are from my scrap bin.

For more Pixie Cottage inspiration and challenge rules, please click here.
*********** All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge...Be Grateful*******

This weeks ATS is a fun and easy challenge, we want you to make a card that expresses thanks for something.

A Thanksgiving type image would have been perfect for this weeks challenge but I settled on Cupcake Kiki instead.
For more ATS DT inspiration and the challenge details, please click here. I also want to add that if you want a chance to be in the ATS highlights news letter and guest designer, get those challenge cards in. You never know...YOU could be next winner!

Take care and enjoy your day! I'll be back early tomorrow with something special!!!

hugs
Risa:)

ATS Wednesday.....Halloween Treats!

2010-10-27T08:07:00.002-04:00

This is my second post for today, please scroll down for The Pixie Cottage's Guest Sketch/Metal Challenge.

Hello Again,

This weeks All That Scraps Challenge is to make a Halloween treat bag, gift etc. For me, this challenge was "right on time" because it doesn't hurt to have an extra treat bag or two on hand as a last minute gift.

Now that the kids are older, I don't get too many last minute orders for their special friends but it's only Wednesday and I wouldn't be surprised if my DD places an order for her circle of friends.

Originally I had planned to make a variety of treat bags and boxes but I felt strange without making a card and squeezed in this card featuring Sugarplums digi Witch Emma. My sketch is based off of Sweet Sunday's sketch and look... no design paper! That's right, no design paper just cardstock,embossing folders and a punch!

Be sure to head over to the ATS Wednesdays Challenge Blog

to see the DT lovely creations.

Every week there is a new and exciting prize being offered .... but in order to be eligible to win, your card must include a stamp that is sold in the ALL THAT SCRAPS store

. Whether it is one of our wonderful in-house designs or from the various other stamp companies that ATS carries, the choice is yours. Then be sure to link up your creation with Mr. Linky by next Tuesday at 10:00pm EST with only one entry per person please!

card & project details....
stamp C.C. Designs Sugar Plums Witch Emma, sentiment retired SU rub ons, c/s The Cut Card Stock Company and PTI, inks Copic Markers....tools Cuttlebug's Spider Web embossing folder and EK Success small open scallop border edged punch...embellishments ribbon,half pearls and buttons

My card also meets the following blog challenge requirements...
Raise the Bar....Orange,Black & Purple
Really Reasonable Ribbon...Halloween Treat Bag
Crazy 4 Challenge.........Halloween treat bag or project
Anyone For Anya?......Halloween
Corrosive Challenge Blog...Halloween
Cowgirl Sunday.....Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft......Sweet Treats
The Paper Variety.....Sweet Treats
Paper Playtime...Halloween
Creative Cottage.....Embossing
Inktegrity....Anything Goes

Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by! In the meantime, the winds are howling up a breeze and so far the power is still on. I hope that we continue to have power all day and that the winds don't reach the predicted 60 mph....geez...that sounds like a mini tornado to me! Take care and enjoy your day!

hugs

The Pixie Cottage #42 Guest Sketch/Metal

2010-10-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Wednesday!

Normally I write up my blog post a few days ahead but I've been busy the past few days and had to quickly write my post tonight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to finish my post because at the moment, we are experiencing some very nasty weather. What started out as a nice day turned dark and rainy and from there very high winds and power outages. We have lost our power twice already and the weatherman is forecasting more nasty weather for Wednesday! Yikes... once again I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that we don't lose anymore power.

Today's Pixie Cottage Challenge is the usual sketch and this weeks theme is METAL. Our lovely sketch was designed by the very talented Penny and I thank her for the inspirations. The name of my image is "A Little Witch In All Of Us" and she is currently on sale at The Pixie Cottage. The design paper is by SU and I believe that SU has since retired it. My image is colored in with Copic Markers and the sentiment is a Halloween sticker that I have had for ages. Originally I had embellished my card with plain black buttons but the buttons seemed to fade into the background. To give the buttons some contrast, traced over same size buttons and added some stripes.

For more DT inspiration and the complete challenge rules, please click here. Have fun with this weeks challenge as we look forward to viewing your creations!
Take care and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details.....
stamp...The Pixie Cottage (A Little Witch In All Of Us), sentiment Halloween sticker...c/s Bazzill & PTI, DP by SU...inks Copic Markers...tools...saucer to measure lg. half circle, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder and lg. edged scallop Scissors...embellishments buttons that are covered and half back pearls

My card also meets the following blog challenge requirements.....
Paper Playtime...Halloween
Corrosive Challenge Blog...Halloween
Cowgirl Sunday.....Anything Goes
All Sorts....Spots and Stripes
Crafts4Eternity.......Spooky

A Treat For Santa....

2010-10-22T12:33:00.011-04:00

Hello Everyone,

Do you remember believing in Santa Claus and how the holiday season made you feel inside? I remember feeling like that and although we didn't have a lot, I wanted to share what I had. While coloring in SNS Baby Cookie, & Milk Girl, a feeling of nostalgia sort of overwhelmed me. I thought about my childhood and how much I believed in leaving something for Santa and didn't care who laughed at my ideas! Yes...those day are long gone but the sweet memories will be with me forever.

Getting back to my card, my layout is based on Mercy Kerin's Tuesday sketch and the tag sentiment was a freebie that I downloaded from Jami (Stamp Happy!) . Baby Cookie & Milk is colored in with Copic Markers and I embellished my card with mini roses and Zva pearls. The design papers are by Graphic 45 and the card stocks by Papertrey Ink (Kraft and Stamper Select) and Bazzill.

I hope that your Saturday is off to a great start and that you have a wonderful weekend! My husband and I are going to treat the kids to a movie and pizza and that's about it! So ...take good care have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

hugs

Card details.....
stamp C.C. Designs SNS Baby Cookie & Milk Girl, sentiment by Jamie...c/s PTI (kraft & stampers select white) DP Graphic 45...inks Copic Markers....tools sewing machine, air brush compressor, EK Success small scallop border edge punch.....Embellishments Zva mini pearl swirls, mini roses and a tiny amount of Stickles

My card also qualifies for the following challenge blogs....
ABC Challenge....Flowers
Fresh Brewed...Sweet Treats
AI Factory.....Color Challenge (brown & blue)
Case Study...Photo Inspiration...I chose the blingand Kraft c/s
Charisma Cardz...Vintage
Meljens Designs....Anything Goes
Pals Paper Arts....Bring on the Bling!
*****Case Study...Photo Inspiration...I chose the Kraft c/s and BLING! *****
Charisma Cardz...Vintage

more challenges wednesday 11-05 thru 1109

2010-10-20T23:04:00.021-04:00

for inspiration only

Alice in Wonderland......Ticket on card
All Sorts.....Twas the night before Christmas
Basic Grey....Sketch by Heather
Crazy 4 Challenges....Square Card
Saturday Challenge....Red & Gold
Speedy The Cat....Paper Piercing
Sweet Stampin'.......Inspiration photo
everything above is from Saturday
Crafty Catz....Spots and Stripes
If The Shoe fits....."BLUE"
Raise The Bar....Curves.....circles,scallops etc.
Really Reasonable Ribbon...Blue,White and Silver
Winter Wonderland....Christmas Carol...something with music?
Paper Sundaes......Let it Snow
All of the above are from Friday Challenges
Aud Sentiments...Use the word "thanks"
Charisma Cards....Christmas
C.R.A.F.T........Dry Embossing
Meljiens .....Use Three Different Shapes
all of the above are from Saturday
Anyone for Anya?.....Kraft
Christmas Card Challenges.....color inspiration (red,white and green)
Corrosive Challenge Blog....Black & Blue
The Crafty Pad.......1 circle and 2 ribbons
Hopes Stamps Eternal.....photo inspiration

Pixie Cottage #41....Team Sketch/Something Sweet

2010-10-20T07:00:00.005-04:00

*This is my second post for today, please scroll down or click here for All That Scraps Magnet Challenge.

Hello Everyone!

Wednesday has rolled around again and it's time for another Pixie Cottage Challenge! This weeks challenge is the team sketch or "Something Sweet"!

My image (Halloween Froggy) happens to be The Pixie Cottage's digi stamp of the month and its so sweet that it will give you a cavity or two! If you love fun whimsical images that make you smile, simply click here.

Halloween Froggy is colored in with Copic Markers and I embellished my image with Stickles,brads,a flower and ric rac. I think I went a lil' nuts this time cause I kept adding more stuff but I had fun,fun fun making this card. Oh....speaking of "sweets", Michelle has blog candy up for grabs and the prizes are SWEET! Click here to get in on the fun!

For more DT inspiration and the complete challenge rules, please click here. We look forward to viewing your challenge cards and hope that you join in this weeks fun! Have a beautiful day and enjoy the autumn sunshine!

hugs

card details...
stamp....digi from The Pixie Cottage (Halloween Froggy), sentiment taken from scrap Halloween paper, c/s Bazzill and PTI, DP scrap by but I think it is by SU....inks Copic Markers.....tools EK Success border punch(dotted wave) and 1/16 hand held punch used to make hole for brads....embellishments Stickles, button brads, flower and black ric rak.

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges......
AiFactory........Animal Side
Glitterbabe's ..... Halloween
Scrapping With I Did It Creations....Halloween or Holiday
A Spoon Full Of Sugar..."BOO"
Tuesday Throwdown...Anything Goes
Paper Playtime....Pumpkins or Spider webs
Pollycraft Monday.....Purple.Green + 1 additional color
Stamp With Fun.....Halloween

Fresh Brewed...Sweet Treats
Paper Pretties....Color Inspiration....green,purple and orange

All That Scraps Wednesday.....Decorative Magnets!

2010-10-20T00:45:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Wednesday!

This weeks All That Scraps Challenge is to make a decorative project using magnets!
I have all kind of magnets laying at my house and the first thing that came to mind was to make a decorative refrigerator magnet. I used a sheet magnet for my project and the size is about 3"X4" and it is very strong.

My project was simple to make and now that I have the hang of it, I plan to make a few more. After coloring Love Lolita Pumpkin, I trimmed her and then matted her onto black card stock and trimmed my image a second time. I applied thin pop dots to the backside of my image and carefully adhered her to the sentiment area. The sentiment is from an older package of SU Halloween rub ons and I embellished the sentiment area with a spider and a trio of black buttons.
Initially I had wanted to take a picture of my project on my refrigerator but the skies were gray and lighting in my kitchen was terrible. I ended up placing my project against a metal shelf in my craft room and this worked out OK. *note... for the first photo, I placed some black card stock against an upright metal tin and then placed my refrigerator magnet on the card stock. My refrigerator is black and if my pictures would have come out right, this is basically what my project would have looked like on my fridge.*

Be sure to stop by The All That Scraps Blog for more DT inspiration, you won't be disappointed! Keep in mind that you are free to use any stamp that Christine sells at the All That Scraps online store and she has a huge variety to choose from. All cards/projects are to be uploaded to the ATS blog and you have until next Tuesday 10:00 PM EST to get your entry in. We hope you take the challenge and create some fabulous decorative magnet projects. Have fun with this week challenge and let your imagination run wild!

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details....
stamp C.C. Designs Love Lolita Pumpkin, sentiment SU Halloween rub ons, c/s Bazzill and PTI stampers select used for my image...DP Reminisce....inks Copic Markers.....tools MS lg. scallop edged border punch, corner rounder punch, sheet magnet, Scor- tape and SU dimensionals...embellishments buttons, ribbon and Stickles. * I had saved my magnet from some junk mail advertising.

my card also meets the following blog challenge requirements....

Creative Cottage Challenge....Halloween
Creative Inspirations....Spooky
Fab N' funky...Things that go bump in the night
The Sisterhood of Crafters...Halloween

Sugar N' Spice and Everything Nice!

2010-10-18T12:34:00.011-04:00

Oh My Goodness....I can't believe that a week has almost passed since I have posted anything! I'm been super busy making projects and my craft room is a mess, it's funny how quickly the days fly by!

The past couple of days, I've been in the mood for creating holiday cards and this is actually my first holiday card. Yeah I know....I have the best of intentions to start early with my holiday cards but so far, I haven't kept my promises to myself.

After looking for design paper that I thought would compliment my Sweet November Stamp (Baby Stocking Girl),I came up with a layout and put my card together. Baby Stocking Girl is colored in with Copic Markers and I airbrushed the background area. Other embellishments are half back pearls, mini roses and a gold cording. After looking over some blog challenges, my card fits the requirements for a little girl theme, some recipes, BINGO ( Allsorts...I chose the diagonal row = pearls, flowers and punch) and anything goes.

Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details....
stamp Sweet November Stamps (Baby Stocking Girl), sentiment SU rub on..c/s Bazzill and PTI...DP My Minds Eye (Mary Mary's Beautiful and Grown Up)...inks Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers....Tools Nesties Label 11,EK Success open scallop border punch and mini edged scallop scissors, embellishments Stickles Ice, mini pink roses,half back pearls and gold cord.

Card Challenges.....
Allsorts....Let's Play Bingo!
Totally Gorjuss..Pink
I Did It....Make a card for a girl
One Stitch At A Time...Embellish It
Paper Sundaes....For someone little
Paper Cutz....Anything Goes
Simon Says...Recipe...1image,2DP and 3 different embellishments

The Pixie Cottage#40.....Guest Sketch/Stitching!

2010-10-13T07:00:00.002-04:00

This is my second post for today, please scroll down for All That Scraps Fall Theme Decoration Challenge.

Hello Again and if you are feeling under the weather today, this card is for you! Today's Pixie Cottage Challenge is either a sketch or this weeks theme STITCHING! Our sketch was designed by this weeks guest Hazel ( ), thanks for the awesome sketch and inspiration Hazel!

My image is one of The Pixie Cottage's digi images designed by ArTish and the name is Puddle Jumper. This whimsical image makes me smile and I know that anyone who happens to receive her would smile and feel better in an instant.

My image is colored in with Copic Markers and my color theme is raspberry pink and purple and embellished with embossing and a spray of buttons.

Should you decide to participate in our challenge, you are free to use any stamp that you desire. You also are free to choose between our sketch and this weeks theme and if you are ambitious, why not try both? Have a blast with our challenge and link your creations to The Pixie Cottage's Blog.
For more DT inspiration and more information regarding this weeks challenge, please click here.

card information....... stamp .. The Pixie Cottage digi stamp designed by ArTish (Puddle Jumper), sentiment Stamping Bella... c/s Bazzill and Papertrey Ink... DP Pebbles Inc. (Princess Stripes) and scraps... inks Copic Markers ...tools used sewing machine, nesties lg. circle/circle scallop dies, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder...embellishments ribbon, buttons and Diamond Stickles.
*** click here for a direct link to Michelle's Scrapbooking and More (The Pixie Cottage) to see what's new!!!
My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges.....

Marks Finest Papers...Stripes
Digital Tuesday...Sewing
Paper Sundaes...Change of Season
Glitterbabe's...Anything Goes

All That Scraps Wednesday...

2010-10-13T00:30:00.004-04:00

Hello Everyone!

This weeks All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge is to make a Fall Themed decoration. OK....I had so many ideas for this challenge and had a variety of projects to choose from. In my case, I had everything but one main ingredient or my image would not fit perfectly with my project etc. In the end,I settled on decorating one of my many tins with C.C. Designs Honey Witch digi stamp and my theme is Halloween.

Honey Witch is colored in with Copic Markers in traditional Halloween colors of black,orange and purple. I decorated the tin both inside and out with various design papers and black card stock. I matted my image with Spellbinders curved rectangle die and created a mat by tracing the outline of the same die on black card stock. Then I trimmed out the mat by cutting along the inside of the trace marks. I embellished my tin with flowers and stamped my sentiment on a raffle like tag.

We hope that you have some fabulous non-card creations that you would like to share with us. Remember, you can use only the stamps that Christine sells at her All that Scraps online store. Click here to see the wide variety of stamps that you can use for our weekly challenges. All cards and creations are to linked up with the Mr. Linky feature on the ATS Blog. We also give away a fabulous prize to the winner of our weekly challenges so don't miss out! Have fun with the challenge and let your creativity run wild!

Details......
digi stamp...C.C. Designs Honey Witch, sentiment SU....c/s Bazzill and PTI, DP A Cherry On Top(polka dots) Cosmo Cricket Matilda mini deck paper pad on inside...inks Copic Markers.....tools used ruler, mini edged scallop scissors,nesties curved rectangle die, corner rounder punch, 1" circle punch and double sided tape...embellishments Petaloo Flowers and Kaisercraft pearls

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges.....
Aly's Sunday Challenge.......Halloween
The Crafty Pad.....Make Something For Friend
Let's Ink It Up.....Halloween Colors
Colour Q.......Color Challenge
Everybody Art.....Halloween
Scrap Creations...Make it 3-D
Cupcake Craft....Halloween
Lexi's Creations...Spooky
Let's Ink It Up...Halloween Colors
One Stop Craft Challenge...Alter It
Scrap Stamp & Doodle...Fall or Halloween Project
Fussy and Fancy...Halloween
Stamp and Doodle...Halloween
Crafty Creations....Number on card
Fresh Brewed Blog....Color Challenge (purple & black)

Think Pink!

2010-10-11T07:39:00.006-04:00

Hello and Happy Monday!

I'm starting the week off with one of my new Tickled Pink Stamps, Lil Lolita Willow. I have seen these stamps on various blogs and fell in love with them from the moment I saw them.

After making so many autumn and Halloween cards, it felt great to lighten things up a bit. My base colors are pink and white and for contrast, I colored Willow's hair,lips and eye lids black. Other embellishments are ribbon, half back pearls, Diamond and Fruit Punch Stickles. I also made this card for various blog challenges that range from girlie and the color pink.

I hope that your week is off to a terrific start and that you had a wonderful weekend. Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details......
stamp Tickled Pink Stamps, Lil Lolita Willow, sentiment Lockhart Stamp Company, c/s Bazzill and Papertrey Ink, DP 3Bugs in a Rug (Savannah and A Trip T Paris)....inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black, tools used sewing machine and MS lg. scallop border edge punch, SU's window punch and small edge scallop scissors, embellishments ribbon, Kaisercraft pearls, Diamond and Fruit Punch Stickles.

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges.....

A Spoon Full of Sugar....sparkle and shine
Just add ink......pink
Raise The Bar....pink
Colour Create...Pink,Green and Cream
Creative Cottage...Bling
Inky Impressions....Anything Goes
Cowgirl Sunday.........Girly Girl
365 Cards... In Stitches
Wild Orchid....Stitch it Up!
My Sheri CRAFTS....Stitches

Claudia & Company......October Challenge!

2010-10-08T08:14:00.005-04:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday!!!

If you are looking for a fun challenge to add to your "to do" list list, you are in for a treat! The theme of this month's Claudia & Company Challenge is the color ORANGE, buttons and ribbon!

All you have to do is make a card that includes the color orange and some buttons and ribbon. Our only rule is that you use a Claudia & Company Stamp. All challenge cards are to be uploaded to the Claudia & Company blog. The great thing about our challenges is that you have a month to finish your cards. So....take advantage the time frame and make a whole lotta cards! *lol* The winner of the orange challenge will receive a nice gift from Claudia & Company. For more DT inspiration and challenge rules, please click here.

Princess Chloe Puddle Jumper is colored in with Copic Markers and I matted her onto the large Spellbinder rectangle/rectangle scallop dies. I decided to go with the colors orange and white and to make the color orange pop, I used a lot of white. Other accents are the orange buttons, the ribbon and Diamond Stickles on her crown and the tip of her wand.

Have a beautiful weekend and have lots of fun with our orange themed challenge! Take care and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details..... image Claudia & Company (Princess Chloe PJ), sentiment taken from Ella PJc/s Bazzill and PTI, DP by SU, inks Copic Markers.....tools Nesties lg. rectangle and scallop dies, 1" circle punch,paper pierce tool and mini edged scallop scissors....embellishments buttons, Diamond Stickles and ribbon.

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges......
Stamp Something....dies, punches etc.
Glitterbabe's.....Anything Goes
Fresh Brewed.....Anything Girly
Inky Impressions....Anything Goes

ATS Wednesday...Cards For Men

2010-10-06T01:04:00.006-04:00

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for The Pixie Cottage's Team Sketch or Something Sweet Challenge.

Hello Everyone!

Today's All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge is "Manly Cards"!

Yes .....I know my image is female but she is supposed to represent "me" and the poem is to my husband. Therefore in my mind, my card is a "manly card".

I found a Halloween love poem and was inspired by it and wanted to make something special for my hubby. The focal point of my card is my image Sugarplums Witch Emma and the Halloween poem. I also added elements of texture to my card with the black netting, buttons and Cuttlebug's spider web embossing folder. Design papers are by Cosmo Cricket and some scraps pieces.

To play along with our weekly challenges, you must use a image that is sold at the All That Scraps Store. Upload your finished card to the ATS blog using the Mr. Linky feature. The winner of every challenge wins a really nice package from C.C. Designs Store. So....What are you waiting for lets get crafty and show off those cards! *lol*

Have a super great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details.......
stamp....Sugarplums Witch Emma (digi image), Halloween poem found online, c/s Bazzill and PTI... DP -the base paper by Cosmo Cricket (Matilda, mini deck) - poems frame are papers from my scrap stash. ... inks Copic Markers.....tools EK Success open scallop border punch, Cuttlebug's spiderweb embossing folder and paper piercing tool.....embellishments black spider web netting (a gift), buttons and tiny half back pearls

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges....
Anyone For Anya....Recipe 1-image,2DP and 3 embellishments The Crafty Pad....Spooky I Did It Creations....Spooky... One Stitch At A Time...Spooky (Anything Goes) Stamptacular Sunday....Layer it On! (must have at least 5 layers) Sweet Sunday Sketch.... Allsorts Challenge......Travel/holiday... Secret Craft Challenge...Punch It Out

Pixie Cottage #39....Sketch or Embossing

2010-10-05T23:52:00.012-04:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Wednesday!

Today's Pixie Cottage Challenge kicks off with a team sketch and this weeks theme is Embossing! As with all of our challenges, you are free to choose! You can make a card according to this weeks theme or you can make a card based on our team sketch.

For this weeks challenge, I decided to play with my new stamp designed by Di Carubia. (To You From Us) I think this set of kittens are adorable and sweet and couldn't resist inking them up! My color combo is a pastel shade of Aqua and I embellished my card with sheer white ribbon,half pearls and flowers. I colored my images in with Copic Markers and add a tiny dab of Stickles to both button noses and the rose. The design papers are all by October Afternoon.

We look forward to seeing your "Embossed" cards and we hope you have fun with this weeks challenge! For more DT inspiration and challenge information, please click here.

card details....
stamp...The Pixie Cottage's To You From Us, c/s Bazzill and PTI, DP October Afternoon, inks Copic Markers.....tools used air compressor and corner rounder punch by SU.....embellishments ribbon,half back pearls and Prima roses.

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges... Cowgirl Sunday....Anything Goes Oh, Alice!....Use Text as design paper Catch The Bug.....anything Goes (Sat)

Airbrushing Tutorial by Risa W.

2010-10-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone!
Today, I'm going to give you a picture tutorial on how I airbrush my finished images. I started airbrushing my images almost two years ago and started out using cans of compressed air. I loved the results but buying cans of air is a little too expensive for me though. I saved my money and brought a small air compressor that I absolutely love!
The supplies that you need are, an air compressor, scissors,re-positionable adhesive,scrap paper, Copic Marker and a double of your stamped image.
Using your scissors, trim closely along the inside lines of your image.(a close trim prevents ghost like white shadows when airbrushing) For tight in between areas, I use my Friskars fingertip control knife for cutting.
Notice how much of the inked edges are left on the paper. Click on arrows for a closer look.

Get out your repositionable adhesive and apply the adhesive to the backside of your trimmed out image.
and then adhere the trimmed image to your colored in image.

Now you are ready to begin airbrushing!
Insert your Copic Marker with the broad side tip showing into the slot opening on top of the nozzle. Holding a scrap piece of paper in front of the nozzle, pull the trigger and release the air. (you will a noisy type buzzing as the air is being released) Once you are satisfied with the paint flow, pick up your covered image and start to airbrush. For me, the trick is in your wrist, I gently move my wrist around as I airbrush. You also want to make sure that your image isn't too close to the nozzle. If your image is too close, you will get specks of ink on your paper.
Finished airbrushed image.
Gently start to peel away your trimmed out top image.
Finished image! *My image was a little too close to my nozzle and the result is specked dots!
Now all you have to do is make your card! I hope that my tutorial was easy to follow and understand. *Once I have trimmed out an image, I put it away and save it for another card or project.

Thank You!

Happy World Card Making Day!

2010-10-02T01:51:00.013-04:00

* You still have time to play along with Claudia & Co. October Release Blog Hop...Click here for a chance to win a free stamp.

Hello and Happy World Card Making Day!

I'm starting off the day with a card that I made to celebrate World Card Making Day with Avery Lollipop!

I love this stamp for the simple reason that Avery is versatile and most everyday type sentiments are compatible with her. Is she waving hello, saying goodbye or trying to balance on her toes? At any rate, today she is saying hello friend you are in my thoughts 365 days of the year.
I gave Avery Lollipop's body a little dimension by layering the focal points of her body. I had matted my image already but only colored in her arms,legs and slippers and set it aside. I then colored in another image of Avery Lollipop and this time I colored in her hair,face and dress and carefully trimmed out her upper body. To hide the white edges of Avery's head and body, I used a C03 Copic Marker and very carefully went around the edges of Avery's body. To me, it makes your image look neater and it blends in better if you color the edges of anything you have cut out. I then applied my favorite adhesive ,Tombow Multi liquid glue to Avery's head and torso. Then I carefully adhered the head and torso to my image that I had set aside earlier. The dimension is not huge but enough to make Avery pop a bit.

Well...enough blabbering from me! *lol* Enjoy your weekend and once again, Happy Card Making Day!

hugs
Risa:)

card details......
image digi image designed by Lori Boyd. (Avery Lollipop) sentiment SU• c/s Bazzill and PTI, DP Die Cuts With A View (Sweet Paper Pack) and a mixture of scraps• inks Copic Markers• tools large scallop scissors used on the half circle, machine stitching, sm. edge scallop scissors;used on mat around the sentiment, paper pierce tool and Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots Embossing folder• embellishments ribbon, Fruit Punch Stickles, paper flowers and pink gems

My Card also qualifies for the following blog challenges

365 Cards Polka Dot, Paper piercing and pop dots
Crafts 4 Eternity

....Sketch
Paper Cutz...recipe...3 design papers
Sew Many Challenges.....Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Fancy Floral
Drunken Stampers...Think Pink
Stamp,Scrap & Doodle...Stitching
Crafty Catz....Card for a child with sparkle
Glitterbabes.....Embossing
Cute Card Thursday...Tic Toc (time related)
Cupcake Craft....Pink and Brown
A Spoonful of Sugar....Spots & Stripes
Belli Challenges....Numbers *mine are on the sentiment...365 day of the year*

Claudia & Company Oct. Release Blog Hop

2010-10-01T10:00:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday!

Today is the day to show off the new October release stamps from Claudia & Company. We have two new release stamps designed by Lori Boyd and a new stamp designed by Jane Beljo.

So....without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Princess Chloe

Cowboy Mc Coy and.........

Mr. Smiles

Both Princess Chloe and Cowboy McCoy are designed by Lori Boyd and Mr. Smiles is designed by Jane Beljo (Janie's Doodles). All three stamps are made from deeply etched red rubber and are foam mounted, all you have to do is trim, mount and stamp! I also want to mention that anyone who purchases both Princess Chloe and Cowboy McCoy will receive a free set of Halloween treat bags. These treat bags are adorable and easy to color! If you take a look at Princess Chloe, you will notice that she is carrying one of the bags. You can attach the bag to your image, or dress up the inside of your card, the possibilities are endless!

During the entire month of October, Claudia will donate (to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation) $1.00 for every single Claudia & Co. rubber stamp sold through Die Cuts R Us ; $2.00 for every set sold.

Blog Hop Order:

Claudia and Company Blog
Lori
Tori
Krista
Kim
Tracy
Kadie
Risa *you are here*
Sandra
Sheri
Jessica Diedrich - Our wonderful October Guest Designer
Claudia

Be sure to stop by and comment on all of the blogs for a chance to win a Claudia & Company Stamp. Your next stop is Sandra's Blog.

Thanks so much for stopping By! Because of the long post, I didn't mention the recipe to any of my cards. If anyone has any questions, I will make a special post Saturday. Take care and Good Luck!

hugs

All That Scraps Wednesday...Clear Card Challenge!

2010-09-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

This is my second post for today, please scroll down for The Pixie Cottage's Orange Challenge.

I'm back with this weeks All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge and this weeks challenge is to make a clear card.

Although I have seen quite a few cards made using acetate, this is my first time actually making one. I'm pleased with the results but what irritates me is that it's a little difficult to get a good picture.
I highlighted the background and hopefully you can get a better view.

The layout for my card is based on Cute Card Thursday's sketch and the name of my image is Swiss Pixies Fall Scene. My sentiment is on the inside and it says "Autumn Wishes". After coloring in my image, I trimmed it out and adhered it to design paper. I goofed up with my original plans and decided to use design paper as a background instead. For dimension, I paper pierced holes along the edges of the circle and scallop die cuts and added felt flowers. The inside of my card is decorated with the same layout as the front of my card. The next time I make another card with acetate, I think I'll be a lot more creative and step the detailing.

For more clear card inspiration, please click here to see the ATS DT cards. The ladies did a fabulous job with this weeks challenge! I hope that you enjoy this weeks clear card challenge, just remember to have fun with it and let your creativity soar!

card details.....
Stamp C.C. Designs (Swiss Pixies Fall Scene), sentiment Magnolia Stamps 2008 Autumn Collection• card stock Bazzill and PTI• design paper from my scrap stash• inks Copic Markers• tools nesties lg. petite circle and scallop dies and paper pierce tool• embellishments felt flowers, half pearls, Stickles and ribbon

My card also meets the following blog challenge requirements.....

Stamp Something...Fall Colors
Cute Card Thursday.....Sketch
Drunken Stampers....Fall...Sat.
Stamp,Scrap & Doodle ... Stitching
Creative Card Crew....Flowers
Melijens Design....Autumn Colors
Stamptacular Sunday....Fall Colors
Drunken Stampers....Fall
A Crafty Little Place.....Autumn Theme
Flourishes....Autumn Colors...green,brown,orange and cream
Tuesday Taggers...Autumn
Marks Finest Papers....Pumpkin on Card

I hope that you all have a beautiful day and thanks so so much for stopping by!

hugs

Pixie Cottage... Guest Sketch and Orange Theme

2010-09-29T02:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone,
This weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge is super cool.....the theme is the color ORANGE and the weeks sketch was designed by our guest Aud Nordheim. Thanks so much for the sketch and inspiration Aud!

My image is a newer Pixie Cottage Stamp that is designed by the artist Di Carubia and I think Cassie is adorable holding her kitten. I machine stitched my design papers and embellished my card with light orange half back pearls and ribbon. I didn't add a sentiment at this time but when I do, the sentiment will probably be in the "thinking of you" category.

For more Pixie Cottage DT inspiration, please click here. Have fun with this weeks challenge and let your imaginations run wild with the color Orange!

card details....
stamp The Pixie Cottage (Cassie) • card stocks Bazzill & PTI• design papers SU, PTI (scalloped border) and Graphic 45 (tag)• inks Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers• tools sewing machine, EK Success open scallop border punch,SU's corner rounder punch and tag punch•embellishments ribbon,Stickles and half pearls

my card also qualifies for the following blog challenges....
If The Shoe Fits....Flowers
Crazy 4 Challenges...Bling...Sat...
Stamp,Scrap & Doodle ... Stitching
Creative Card Crew....Flowers
One Stitch At A Time....Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs.....Anything Goes
Anything Goes Fun Challenges....Anything Goes
Stamp Something....Fall Colors
Craftalicious Challenges.....Fall Colors
Drunken Stampers....Fall
Stampin' for The Weekend...Tag It!
Wee Memories....CAS/or Tag

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!

hugs

Sparkle Creations....So Long and Farewell Blog Hop

2010-09-28T00:00:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge #12! We hope you will join us for a fun sketch challenge this week (sketch designed by Mary Giles). In Mary's honor, the team is doing a special farewell blog hop as this is Mary's final month as a SCRS design team member. We are sorry to see you go Mary and will miss your wonderful creations. I hope that our paths will cross again in our papercrafting journeys! Speaking of "good byes", today is my last day as a guest designer for Sparkle Creations. I want to thank Sparkle and her wonderful team for the opportunity to be a guest designer, I had a blast and enjoyed every second as a guest designer! Thanks so much!

My last SCRS challenge card features Turntable Josh and he is playing Mary a sweet goodbye melody. I think Josh represents most teens and that my card would be suitable for either boy or girl. I paired the leopard print with strips of DP from My Mind's Eye (laundry line collection) and added small copper brads. Turntable Josh is matted on Nesties Label 10 die and I created the second layer (brown c/s) by tracing my die on card stock. Then I cut along the inside lines of my trace marks and cleaned up the edges with my stylus. Inks used are Copic Markers and I airbrushed the background for dimension.

Please visit all of the designers and leave some cyber hugs for Mary as she rounds out our hop!

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps blog

Simonne

Lisa

Risa••••You are here••••

Laurel

Stephanie
Sparkle

Mary

card details....
stamp• SCRS Turntable Josh•sentiment A Muse Art Stamps•c/s Bazzill & PTI•Design Paper DCWV and My Minds Eye (Laundry Line)•inks Copic Markers & air brush system• Tools Nesties Label 10 Die• Embellishments Sm. Copper Brads, sm. dabs of Stickles on turntable buttons and extra fine glitter on the musical grid.

my card also meets the following blog challenge requirements..

Raise The Bar.......Bundle Up
Charisma Cardz....Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T.......Teenagers
My Sheri CRAFTS......Masculine

This week is starting out on a busy note ♫! Stay tuned for more blog challenges and another blog hop later this week!

Birthday RAKs

2010-09-24T08:10:00.012-04:00

Hello And Happy Friday!

Today I have a few Birthday RAKs that I would like to share with you all. I can't thank these ladies enough for their acts of kindness, I seriously cannot! I know that I will probably never meet most of my blogging buddies in real life but I am very thankful for the friendships that have sparked through this thing called "blogging". Thank you all so much for making my day shine even brighter!

RAK from Barbara Walker
I love the soft pastel shade of yellow and the sparkly cupcake is beautiful! Barbara also lined the envelope and talk about gorgeous!!!!
RAK from Rita Santos
Rita is the queen at making beautiful cards and gifts with die cuts, the silhouette of the bird and tree branch is beautiful! I absolutely love everything about my card and gifts!
RAK from Jana Oliveira
I ♥♥ my yummy cupcake card and fantastic Halloween Treats from Jana! So perfect for the season!!
RAK from Denise Nibling

All three of these beautiful gifts are from Denise. The card is too cute for words! Denise also made the tiny note card with the matching envelope...so cute and tiny! The earrings shown in the last photo were handmade by Denise as well and they are gorgeous!!!!

Thank you all so so much for everything and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! ♥
I doubt that I will post anything over the weekend, I have a busy week ahead of me and time is awaiting for no one. One day it's Friday and before you know it, challenge and blog hops (hint) days are here. So.. ... I'm going to head to my craft room and try to accomplish something . Take care and have a beautiful weekend and as always, thanks so much for stopping by!

The Pixie Cottage Team Sketch/Fun & Games Theme

2010-09-22T05:00:00.002-04:00

Please scroll down to see my ATS post.........Color Challenge

Hello Again!
I'm moving right along and this weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge is a team sketch and the theme is fun and games. You have a choice and can either make a card according to the team sketch, or you can design a card according to the theme or better yet....why not try both? ☺

While deciding upon an image for this weeks challenge, I thought about my Southend Girl Stamp designed by Andrea Seller. To me, the beauty of the Southend Girl stamps is timeless and will always be in style. The inspiration for using bingo mini cards as an embellishment was found here on Deb Neerman's blog. The idea captivated me and I thank Deb for the inspiration!

My best friend loves to play bingo and I think that she would love this birthday bingo card. I trimmed the sample piece from Jenny Bowlin's mini bingo card set and matted it to the large circle die cut. After coloring in my image, I carefully trimmed her away from the card stock. Extra fine glitter was added to the wings and the lace around her ankles. For fun, I added half back pearls to the bingo cards and if you look closely, some of the cards are winners!

We would love it if you play along with this weeks challenge. You are free to use any stamp that you desire! Simply link your finished card up to The Pixie Cottage's Blog. For more Pixie Cottage DT inspiration, please click here.

card details....
stamp The Pixie Cottages (Southend Girl 2) sentiment Whiff of Joy, c/s Bazzill and PTI, design paper G.C.D. Studios (Abeille Provence Collection), inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black....Tools...lg. nesties circle die and lg. blossom die....embellishments - ribbon, Jenny Bowlin's mini bingo cards, Kaiser half back pearls and extra fine glitter.

My card qualifies for the following blog challenges..
Flutter By Wednesday....Wings
Anything Goes....Cute

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope that your day is off to a great start!

All That Scraps......Color Challenge!

2010-09-22T00:30:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Wednesday!

Today we have a great challenge in store for you at All That Scraps! The challenge is to use the colors Pumpkin, Burgundy and Artichoke.....which are perfect fall colors!!

For some reason, my image (SNS, Twisted Sisters Jessamin) reminds me of Lady Gaga and I decided to go with bold colors for her hair and clothing. Jessamin's hair is a rich burgundy and her dress a dark artichoke with pumpkin accents. After coloring Jessamin, I nervously airbrushed the background with C7 and strangely enough, I like the results! My base design paper has grid lines and each line supports the colors of our challenge. I embellished my card with felt flowers, half back pearls and two small buttons.

For more ATS DT inspiration, please click here! Have fun with our color challenge and upload your creations to All That Scraps Blog. We look forward to seeing your amazing cards! I'm going to log off the computer for now, we are having a really bad thunder storm with very strong wind and rain and I better play it safe. Take care and enjoy your day and thanks so much for stopping by!

card details....
stamp C.C. Designs, Sweet November Twisted Sisters Jessamin, sentiment Stamping Bella Stamps * c/s Papertrey Ink and Bazzill* DP Reminisce (2 sided)*inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black* tools lg. nestie circle dies,air brush machine and S's window punch* embellishments felt flowers, Kaiser half back pearls
and buttons.

My card meets the following blog challenge requirements......

Two For Tuesday....Sparkle Creations!

2010-09-21T00:30:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone!

Today is Tuesday and time to start the week with another Sparkle Creations Challenge. This weeks challenge is to make a card pertaining to fall... harvest,Halloween etc. I chose the theme of Halloween for my challenge card which features Broomstick Lucy.
I wanted something different for this card and decided not to use design paper. I embossed the base layer of card stock with Cuttlebug's new 5X7 Clockworks folder. Instead of the rich colors of fall, I went with the bolder colors of Halloween, lots of black and orange on this one. The only embellishments are ribbon,buttons and Stickles.

We hope that you join in with this weeks challenge and look forward to viewing your creations. You must use a Sparkle Creations image on your card and the winner of each challenge wins a special treat from Sparkle! For more Sparkle Creations DT inspiration, please click here.
card details... stamp....Sparkles Creations Broomstick Lucy, sentiment clipped from a sheet of design paper by Reminisce, c/s...PTI and Bazzill, inks...Copic Markers...Tools Cuttlebug's 5X7 Clockworks embossing folder and EK Success scallop border punch...embellishments...ribbon,buttons and Stickles

My card also meets the following blog challenge requirements...
Daisy Doodles....Clean & Simple
Paper Playtime.....Autumn (Anything that pertains to fall i.e. colors or Halloween)
Scrap Creations....Fall
Wild Orchard...Ribbon and bows
I Did It Creations.....Keep It Simple
Paper Sundaes.....Fall or Halloween Colors
I also want to thank everyone for the beautiful birthday wishes and the birthday RAKs. I enjoyed every moment of my special day and I just want to thank everyone for making my day shine even brighter

hugs

Sparkle Creations....Two For Tuesday!

2010-09-20T23:19:00.009-04:00

Hello and Happy Tuesday!
I'm starting off today with a card that I made for a few challenges in "blog land". I had hoped to post my card Sunday, but after my company from out of town went home, I was too tired and went to bed instead.

Scooter Chloe is the name of my image and she is dressed up in the colors from this photo inspiration picture and the layout is designed by Mercy (Lord Have Mercy). Other details are glitter, sparkle and buttons and even a sentiment from the sentiment challenged queen herself! *lol*

Well...I'm going to wrap up my Two for Tuesday post and even I'm surprised when I can type up a short post for a change! ☺

card details.....
stamp Sparkle Creations (Scooter Chloe) sentiment MFT, c/s Bazzill and PTI, DP A Cherry On Top and scrap stash...inks Copic Markers....Tools Nesties lg. circle die, Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder and EK Success scallop border punch....embellishments....Stickles and buttons

I hope that your day is off to a fantastic start and thanks so much for stopping by!
hugs
Risa:)

My card meets the following blog challenge requirements......
Aud Sentiments......Cheer Up!
Glitterbabe's.....Anything Goes
For Fun Challenges.....Glitter,glitter and more glitter
Papertake Weekly....Photo Inspiration...purple,pink,blue,raspberry and white
Stamp,Scrap & Doodle....Birthday
Secret Crafter.....Anything Goes
A Spoon Full of Sugar.....Anything Goes

All That Scraps Wednesday...Sketch!

2010-09-15T01:00:00.000-04:00

Please scroll down for my Pixie Cottage Challenge Post.

Hello Everyone,

Today I am out of town celebrating my birthday (the big 50! ) and I have pre-scheduled my post. I'm on pins and needles as I am typing because if something can go wrong with Blogger it will... but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that all will be OK.

This weeks All That Scraps Challenge is to make a card based off of the sketch designed by the talented Janneke.

My card features Swiss Pixies Fall Hansel surrounded by warm rich fall colors. The design papers are all by Reminisce and the sentiment is from an older Reminisce Fall Scrapbook kit that I have had for ages. Although all of the tree leaves are still quite green, in a matter of weeks, the scenery will change dramatically. I love the crisp cool mornings of fall and look forward to decorating my porch with decorated pumpkins and maybe a ghost or two!

For more inspiration from the ATS DT and the rules to the challenge, please click here. I hope that you enjoy this weeks sketch and that you have fun with the challenge!

card details......
stamp...C.C. Designs, Swiss Pixies Fall Hansel, sentiment taken from an older Reminisce Scrapbook Kit, c/s Papertrey Ink and Bazzill, DP Reminisce (Forest Stripes and Sharing Squirrels, inks Copic Markers, Memento Tuxedo Black and airbrushed background....tools...SU's corner punch and 1 3/4" circle punch and paper piercing tool....embellishments....Stickles and small copper brads

Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Pixie Cottage #37....Team Sketch/Mellow Fruitness!

2010-09-15T00:30:00.004-04:00

Hello Again!

I'm marching right along with this weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge. This weeks challenge is our team sketch designed by the talented Adrina and our theme this week is "Mellow Fruitiness". Did I hear someone say what is mellow fruitiness? lol Well according to Katie, the phrase "Mellow Fruitiness" simply means anything related to Autumn. As with all of The Pixie Cottage Challenges, you have a choice! You can either make a card according the our sketch or you can simply stay with the theme....your choice!

I titled my card "Natures Beauty" and it features Pumpkin Fairy Hannah, designed by Sandra Hammer, kissing the fruits of nature with her wand. The background design papers are by Die Cuts With a View and although the paper is a bit dark and busy, the contrasting fall colors are very pretty in real life. I embellished Hannah's wings, wand and the leaves with extra fine glitter.

This weeks challenge is so perfect for the fall season and I hope that you have tons of fun creating fall inspired cards. For more Pixie Cottage DT inspiration and the rules to the challenge, please click here.

card details.....
stamp..The Pixie Cottages, Pumpkin Fairy Hannah...sentiment taken from a Reminisce Fall Scrapbook Kit, c/s Bazzill and PTI, design papers DCWV (MI Casa Flowers glitter paper) and Reminisce(Forest Pupmkin Patch), inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black....embellishments...Prima Flowers, extra fine glitter and Kaiser half back pearls

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges.....

Stamp Magic......Autumn Colors
Wee Memories...Fall Into Autumn
A Spoon Full Of Sugar.....Fall Into Autumn
Incy Wincy Designs....Autumn Colors
PaperPlay.....Autumn Is Coming!
Theme Thursday...Autumn
Creative Card Crew....Autumn
The Paper Players....Color Challenge...More Mustard,Old Olive,Early Espresso and Cajun Craze

Have a beautiful day and thank you all so very much for stopping by!
hugs

Sparkle Creations #10....Color Challenge!

2010-09-14T10:37:00.008-04:00

Good Morning Everyone,

I feel as though I am a baby that has his days and nights mixed up! I created my card for this particular challenge on Sunday and for some unknown reason, I'm thinking the challenge is for tomorrow. I must be going nuts in my old age and I apologize to Sparkle and the team!!!!
This weeks Sparkle Creations Challenge is all about those luscious and captivating Fall Colors...orange,green and cream. My card features Farming Oliver and I added some rich browns to compliment the colors of our challenge. My design paper is a stripe print from Reminisce and I think the colors are perfect for Fall. Other details are are bold bronze gromlet, small copper brads and a few dabs of Stickles. The sentiment was taken from a Reminisce Fall Scrapbook Kit that I have had laying around here for ages. I simply trimmed the sentiment that I wanted, matted it.

For more Sparkle Creations DT inspiration and the rules to the challenge, please click here.

card details....
stamp...Farming Oliver ...sentiment taken from an older Reminisce Fall Scrapbook kit, inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black and airbrushed background...c/s all Papertrey Ink...DP Reminisce (Forest Stripe) and a sm. green scrap piece of dp...Tools corner rounder punch....details SU's Soho Designer Hardware, Stickles and sm. copper brads

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges....
Raise The Bar.....Color Challenge...Orange,Brown and Green
Creative Card Crew....Autumn
The Paper Players....Color Challenge...More Mustard,Old Olive,Early Espresso and Cajun Craze
Polycraft Monday...Autumn
365 Cards...Country Charm
Anything Goes Challenge Blog....Autumn

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Sparkle Creations ...September Release..Day 3

2010-09-11T01:36:00.004-04:00

Hello Everyone,
I would love to introduce you to another Sparkle Creations new September release, Farmer Oliver. The Sparkle Creations Team is celebrating the release of the new stamps with a blog hop!

Sparkle has a special surprise in store for this blog hop, she is going to give away one of each of the new Sept. release stamps! For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on each the Sparkle Creation DT blogs and the September Guest. (Me) You have until midnight tomorrow est. to post a comment and the winner will be announced the following morning.

Sparkle Creations DT Links

Laurel Seabrook
Lisa Hjulberg
Mary Giles
Simonne Clays
Sparkle Smith - Owner
Stephanie Kraft - DT Co
SCRS Blog
Risa West- (me) September Guest Designer

Have fun with the blog hop and thanks so much for stopping by!
card details....
stamp....Sparkle Creations, c/s Bazzill and PTI, DP Die Cuts With A View, inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black...embellishments small copper brads, Stickles and one button

Hugs
Risa:)

Claudia & Company Challenge!

2010-09-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

This is my second post today, please scroll down or click here for Sparkle Creations day 2 Sept. release blog hop.

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Friday!

At this time, Claudia & Co. challenges are held monthly. We post a new challenge on the 2nd Friday of each month. This month's theme is the color RED!

My card features Birthday Owen Puddle Jumper and I'm having lots of fun with this stamp! I think that even little boys are attracted to bling and added some sparkly stars as an embellishment. Other detailing is paper piercing and the use of double sided design paper for contrast.

For more Claudia & Co. DT inspiration and the rules to the challenge, please click here. I also want to remind you that we have a promo going on right now. So...... get out those adorable Puddle Jumper Stamps and get creating! You never know, your card might make next weeks "You've Been Spotted" post!

card details....
stamp & sentiment by Claudia & Company (Birthday Owen Puddle Jumper), c/s all PTI, DP...3Bugs in a Rug (To The Rescue), inks Copic Markers and Memento Tuxedo Black.....tools MS wavy border punch, SU's window punch and paper piercing tool....embellishments star gems (Zva Creations)

Have a lovely weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!

hugs

Sparkle Creations....Sept. Release Day2

2010-09-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I would love to introduce you to another Sparkle Creations new September release, Broomstick Lucy. The Sparkle Creations Team is celebrating the release of the new stamps with a blog hop!

Sparkle has a special surprise in store for this blog hop, she is going to give away one of each of the new Sept. release stamps! For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on each the Sparkle Creation DT blogs and the September Guest. (Me*ü*) You have until midnight tomorrow est. to post a comment and the winner will be announced the following morning.

Sparkle Creations DT Links

Laurel Seabrook
Lisa Hjulberg
Mary Giles
Simonne Clays
Sparkle Smith - Owner
Stephanie Kraft - DT Co
SCRS Blog
Risa West- (me) September Guest Designer

Have fun with the blog hop and thanks so much for stopping by!

Sparkle Creations ...September Release

2010-09-08T22:50:00.008-04:00

Hello Everyone,
I would love to introduce you to one of Sparkle Creations new September release stamps, Fall Charlotte. The Sparkle Creations Team is celebrating the release of the new stamps with a blog hop!

Sparkle has a special surprise in store for this blog hop, she is going to give away one of each of the new Sept. release stamps! For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on each the Sparkle Creation DT blogs and the September Guest. (* Me*ü*) You have until midnight tomorrow night est. to post a comment and the winner will be announced the following morning.

Sparkle Creations DT Links

Laurel Seabrook
Lisa Hjulberg
Mary Giles
Simonne Clays
Sparkle Smith - Owner
Stephanie Kraft - DT Co
SCRS Blog
Risa West- (me) September Guest Designer

Have fun with the blog hop and thanks so much for stopping by!

Pixie Cottage.....Team Sketch and Animal Theme

2010-09-08T08:09:00.000-04:00

This is my second post for today, please click here for ATS Corner Bookmark Challenge.

This weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge is a team sketch and this weeks theme is furry friends. As with all of our challenges, you have the choice to either make a card according to the theme or you can make a card based on our weekly theme.
The name of my image is Cuddly Cute and I think the name is appropriate, Cuddly Cute is adorable! All of my card stocks and design papers are from Papertrey Ink and the embellishments are a single button and a few half back pearls.

For more Pixie Cottage DT inspiration and the challenge rules, please click here.

card details..... stamp ..The Pixie Cottage (Cuddly Cute by Alisa Ramirez), sentiment MFT... c/s all PTI... dp PTI (Chocolate Remix)...inks Memento tuxedo Black and Copic Markers....tools MS scallop border punch and paper pierce tool...embellishments...half back pearls, Stickles and button

My card also qualifies for the following blog challenges....
Shirley2Girls...animals
Paper Romance....Furry Friends
A Spoon Full Of Sugar.....Animal Crackers
Cowgirl Sunday....Anything Goes
Gingerloft Challenge...anything Goes
365 Cards....All Creatures Great & Small
My Time To Craft....Jewels

Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!
hugs

All That Scraps....Corner Bookmark

2010-09-08T06:30:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone,
Today is Wednesday and time for a new All That Scraps Challenge. This weeks challenge is to make a corner bookmark. What I love about these corner bookmarks is they are super easy to make and they make terrific small gifts!

Another thing that I love about these corner bookmarks is that they are perfect for those small accessory stamps that are sometimes overlooked. My image is Palu Octopus and he is a pal to Bubbles Lostlagoon and the perfect size for my bookmark!

For more All That Scraps DT inspiration and the ATS Challenge rules, please click here. We hope that you have fun with this weeks challenge, unleash your creativity and have fun!!!!

card details....
stamp...Sweet November accessory stamp to Bubbles Lostlagoon, Palu Octopus...Sentiment...AmyR's Beach Sentiments... c/s Bazzill and PTI... DP SU..inks Copic Markers...tools sm. oval Nestie dies, SU's window punch and MS scallop border punch...embellishments...ribbon, string of half back pearls and Liquid Pearls

Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Sparkle Creations...Button & Bling Challenge!

2010-09-07T00:29:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday,

I hope that everyone had a safe and beautiful Labor Day weekend and I hope that your day is off to a great start! My family and I didn't do anything special and spent the holiday quietly at home. Moving right along, I also have some more great news to share with you all. For the month of September, I will be a guest designer for Sparkle Creations. I am truly honored that Sparkle asked me and totally thrilled to be a guest on her amazing team!

Today, the Sparkle Creations team is kicking off the week with a button and "bling" challenge. My card features the adorable Cupcake Ruby and I think I went a little nuts with the glitter. Cupcake Ruby has Sparkles in her hair dressings, her dress,the cupcake and even her shoes are all glittery!
I think that most of you love to make cards with buttons and some type of "bling" and I hope that you look forward to making a card for the challenge. For more Sparkle Creations DT inspiration and the rules, please click here. We hope that you have fun with this weeks challenge and look forward to seeing your creations!!!

card details....
image....Sparkle Creations (Cupcake Ruby),sentiment from Claudia & Co., c/s Bazzill and PTI, DP DaisyBucket, inks Copic Markers....tools SU's window punch....embellishments...ribbon, Stickles and Basic Grey buttons.

Have a beautiful day and I hope that you have loads of fun with this weeks Sparkle Creations Button and Bling Challenge!

hugs