The Crazies Think Spring

 

 

Happy Saturday and welcome to the last challenge for February!  Peggy is the hostess for the Crazy4Challenges.  A big thank you to Vicki Dutcher for guesting with us this month!

Here is Peggy's challenge for this week.....
 

Spring is just around the corner, so let's see some Spring themed cards. For those of you "down under", feel free to do an Autumn themed card.

 

 

I created a Spring scene.  The tree and the flowers are from There She Goes Stamps.  The sentiment and the girl image are from My Favorite Things as part of their Pure Innocence stamps.  The cloud background is a 6x6 stamp from Impression Obsession.  I added some paper piercing as well.  The fishtail panel was not created with a die, but is like the ones from MFT.

 

Be aure to stop in at the Crazies Blog so you can start to get the feeling that spring is around the corner.....

Citizenship Day with the CCEE

 

 

 

Lois continues her 'duties' as the hostess for the CCEE Stampers Challenge.  This is her challenge for this week.

 

 

Lois here again, hosting the CCEE challenge this week.  Today is Citizenship Day.  I ask that you make a patriotic card or a card indicating your heritage.

 

 

I went with the heritage portion of the challenge.  During a fabulous trip long ago to Poland, the land of my father's family, I learned how to do pysanki, which is egg decorating.  When I came home I also took a night course in pysanky, or Ukrainian egg decorating.  This represents my love of decorated eggs that was born due to my heritage.

 

Here is a picture I shared before that shows some of the eggs I decorated when my peepers were working better than they do now.

 

 

Now be sure to visit the CCEE Blog to see the fab creations by the rest of this creative and fabulous DT.

Crazies Prepare for an EGG-cellent Eater

This week, as the April hostess for the Crazy4Challenge DT, I asked the Crazies to 'think EGG'.  As a child, egg decorating, hiding and hunting was part of our Easter tradition.  As an adult I have grown to appreciate and love the many traditional decorating techniques from around the world.  Before my peepers got weak, I learned and practiced the egg decorating skills of Ukrainian eggs and Polish eggs.

Be sure to check out the wonderfully egg-inspired creations at the Crazies Blog.

CCEE Stampers Get Ready for Easter

Kathy is our hostess for the CCEE Challenges for the month of April.  For this second challenge she reminded us that Easter is approaching and challenged us to use a bunny or egg (or both) on our cards/projects.



I actually went with the egg totally because the egg here seemed to mimic the design in the designer paper.....funny how we get our ideas, eh????



Check out the team's Easter inspired designs at the CCEE Blog.

Crazies Go 'Veggie'

Hello....Joanne here as your April Crazy4Challenges hostess.

It is about time for some of us to start thinking about gardening, whether it is just in the planning stage or, for some, might involve actual planting.  This week I’d like you to have a vegetable garden theme.  This could  include vegetables, gardening tools, seed packets, as well as vegetable plants or gardens. 

I would also like to introduce our Guest Designer of the month of April.  Brenda O'Rear will be sharing her talents with us.  Brenda can 'play' with any style, from CAS to multilayered......creating fab art in each style.  Welcome to Brenda!!!!

Be sure to visit the Crazies Blog to see the fab creations of this fabulous team and guest designer.

Go Crazy for Stamps with the CCEE Stampers

This week the CCEE Stampers Challenge was to use at least three different stamps in the creation of our cards/projects.  I actually used more than that.  My main image and the sentiment are from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  The circle frame is unmounted atamp which I think is from II Brake for Stamps.  In the center of each embossed circle in the background I stamped a design that is a peg stamp.  Below the ribbon area of the card I also lightly stamped a lacey border design in both blue and pink.





Be sure to visit the CCEE Blog to see the fabulous creations by the rest of this friendly and fabulous team.

A Recipe Challenge with the CCEE Stampers

A recipe challenge is on the table for the CCEE Stampers this week......and here is the recipe

Recipe: (In addition to your card base) use 2 designer papers, 1 circle, 1 square and whatever else your heart desires!

My main image panel is my square, my brads are my circles, I have two designer papers, and I added some paper piercing.  I used stamps from Flourishes for this card.

I know that Easter is long gone, but I made this before Easter and it has already graced someone's mailbox.

Now.....let's both that a trip to the CCEE Stampers Blog to see what the other uber-talented DT members did with this recipe.

CCEE1313....Oldies But Goodies

Charlene challenged the CCEE Stampers to a fun challenge this week.  She challenged us to use stamps that we haven't used in a longggggggg time.  It was fun rummaging through my stamps.  I finally decided to use an old favorite from SU.  I kept the design pretty simple.  Have been working at increasing my CAS skills lately....makes mailing easier.

The blog post at the CCEE Stampers Blog should be filled with lots of wonderful old iimages....can't wait to see what stamps were used!!!

CCEE1312 Pretty Color Challenge

Okay.....I am going to admit right away that I goofed on this challenge.  Charlene gave the CCEE Stampers a color challenge this week, and I honestly thought I had followed the requirements until I went to post this blogpost.  We were supposed to use Pink Pirouette (I subbed Pretty in Pink), Rose Red, River Rock, Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla.  Well....somehow my mind totally skipped over the Soft Suede part.  I could fib and say that my sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede, but it isn't.......the challenge police will have to issue me a citation this week......lol!!!!!
Anyhooooo....be sure to visit the CCEE Blog to see the fabulous cards created using this wonderful color combo.

CCEE1310 ....The Eyelets Have It

 

Charlene is our CCEE Stampers Challenge hostess for the month of March.  She probably has no idea how hard she made me work for this challenge.  The challenge is to use eyelets.  Well, the eyelets were the easy part.  I was once obsessed with eyelets and have them in every color and shape....well, almost!!!  My problem was that I hadn't used them in soooooo long that I couldn't find my tools to use them.  My hammer was totally missing.  It took me ages to find the 'spreading tool' (or whatever it is called that you hammer) to make the eyelets permanent.  I finally found it in a tool bag I had to first clear of paper dust before I could look in it.  Anyhoooooo....once I had the TOOLS it was an easy challenge.

 

I can't wait to see how the rest of this fabulously creative DT uses their eyelets.  Now that I have my tools located, I really want to use them more often.  So.....if you are curious like me to see what they created, be sure to visit the CCEE Stampers Blog.

Anything But a Card with Totally Stampalicious

Welcome to another Totally Stampalicious Monday Challenge.  This week the challenge was clear.....Anything But a Card.  Well, since Easter is coming up in a week, I thought I would use the sweet lamb from the Moo-velous Set to make a tag for my treat package.  The sentiment is not from Totally Stampalcious, but comes from an Easter set from Mark's Finest Papers.

I used a solid coffee fold down bag as my base.  I used my circle Nesties to cut a window in both the front and back.  I decorated the front window, again using my Nesties.  I then put a piece of heavyweight transparency in to cover the 'windows'.    I made my tage with my oval and scalloped Nesties.  I filled it up with jellybeans and then finished it off with a yellow gingham bow which will actually slide off if the recipient wants to sneak some out and then repackage it.

Now ...you really must take some time to visit the Totally Stampalicious Blog to see what I am sure are going to be FABULOUS projects.

Speedy's Friends and Crazy4Challenges

I'll apologize ahead of time for the quick post. I had the challenge cards done early, but am posting last minute.....so all will be short and sweet.

Silli wraps up her month as Crazy4Challenges hostess with a challenge to make an Easter card.

This is the 1year anniversary  for the Speedy's Friends Challenge, so the challenge this week was to make an anniversary card.  I used the Bearded Iris set from Mark's Finest Papers.

Be sure to take the time to visit both teams to see the fab work of the rest of the DT.  You can also visit their individual blogs by using the links on my sidebar.

Crazy4Challenges Link

Speedy's Friends Link

Speedy's Friends and Crazy4Challenges

Colleen is the hostess for the Speedy's Friends Challenge this week.  She asked us to make a collage card and gave us a link to use for a tutorial.  I must admit to veering off the straight and narrow path and doing a different version of a collage card.  Sorry, team!!!

I used a variety of floral iimages along with a sentiment from various sets by Mark's Finest Papers.  I love the flowers, but really do wish I had a softer touch with the sponging.  That is a weak area for me, but I keep trying!!!

Now be sure to visit the Speedy's Friends post on the blog to see the fab collages by the rest of this fabulous team of stampers.

Silke continues as our April hostess for the Crazy4Challenges.  This week she challenged us to make an Easter gift .....a box, package, basket...or such.  I used a template provided by our sponsor....

It is actually a template for a box to hold sets of cards, but I will be using it to hold some Dove Chocolate for a gift.  The image I used is by QKR Stampede and is a digital image.  She seems to be the Minnie Pearl of Bunnies.

Be sure to check out the Crazies blog to see some fabulous packaging ideas.  I am sure you will be dazzled.

A Few to Share Today

Brenda was the hostess for the Stampin B's this week.  She challenged us to make a card using navy, green, and either stripes, dots, or ? (I forget the other choice).  I used this fab Penny Black image and kept my card pretty simple.  The pearl stick pin is available from Mark's Finest Papers.

We are very excited on the B's this week as we are welcoming two fabulous stampers to our group.  Anne (jdmommy) Harmon is joining us this week.  Pam (Pam124) Lawver will be joining us next week.  Welcome to both of you!!!!  I look forward to your dazzling work!!!

To see the fabulous creations of the DT for this challenge you can go to the Stampin B's Blog or you can use the links on my sidebar to get to the individual members' blogs or galleries.

Cindy is our hostess for the CCEE Stampers' Challenge for the month of April.  She challenged us to create a card using doilies or lace.  I had this new doily die so, of course, I went with that!  I used this image from Verve as my main image.  I successfully used rhinestone flourishes for the first time. ( I usually ruin them.)  After taking the photo I realized I should have used a different ribbon, but just left it with my fav polka dotted one for now.  Will probably replace it before sending it out to someone.

Now be sure to go visit the CCEE Stampers' Blog.  My guess would be that you will see some fabulously feminine cards with the lace and doilies.  Remember you can always use the links on my sidebar to get to the individual blogs or galleries of team members.

Roxie gave us a great sketch on SCS yesterday.  This was the card I created using an image from QKR Stampede digital images and a sentiment from SU.

Wishing you a fabulous day full of sunshine and warmth ....that is what I am hoping for!!!

Speedy's Friends and Crazy4Challenges

Angela was our hostess for the Crazy4Challenges this month, and for this last challenge of the month, she asked us to use flowers as spring is around the corner.  I used this image from Innovative Stamp Creations for my flower.  The layout developed a life of its own -- the results being nothing like my intention.

Now be sure to visit the Crazy4Challenges Blog to see the garden of delight waiting there for you.

The challenge for Speedy's Friends this week was to use an image of something you could eat.  Well,  that somewhat limited the images I could use, but I went with this egg image from the Spring has Sprung set recently released by Mark's Finest Papers.

You must take a moment to visit the Speedy's Blog post to see the delicious samples made by the rest of this fab team.

The Crazies and The Friends

The Crazies are going crazy for HEARTS this week.  I used this old Hero Arts Viine Heart along with my Cuttlebug Heart embossing folder to meet that goal.  I added some Primas, lace from May Arts, and ruffled gingham ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I used my Lacey Circles from Spellbinders, my Copics, and some pearls from A.C.Moore.

Now you really need to hop over to the Crazy4Challenges blog to see the works of  'heart' by the rest of this fabulous team.  But....first check out my other challenge team card.........

We had our first sketch challenge on the Speedy's Friends Blog Team (well, first since I have been playing).  Unfortunately, I am somewhat computer illiterate and just could not 'snatch' the sketch from Vicki's original email to show you here.  You can check the team blog to see it, or imagine my card reversed.....I just couldn't have that bunny looking the wrong way on the card.....so I used the sketch in reverse.

I used this fun basket of 'cuteness' from the newly released set by Mark's Finest Papers called SPRING HAS SPRUNG.  I used my Spellbinder dies, a Martha Stewart border punch, my Marvy corner rounder, my Copics, and my fav May Arts lace.

It will be fab to see how the rest of the team used the sketch. 

Now here are the links to get you to the two challenge team blogs so you can gaze upon the creations of the other team members.

Speedy's Friends
Crazy4Challenges

This third card I am sharing with you is the one I made for the Teapot challenge this week.  Our goal was to create cards  with things that fly.  The recipient of our cards this week is Sean who is 23 years old. He has stage 3C testicular cancer. He has had initial surgery and four rounds of chemo, and unfortunately has identified spots in other locations, some that surgery cannot help.

Let's hope the 'swarm' of cards can help brighten his day.  It is so sad when someone this young is facing such a difficult medical journey.

If you have some free time, join the Teapot Challenge each week and help make someon's day.

MFP Blog Hop, CCEE Challenge, Stampin B's Challenge

This first card was done with a newly released set called Spring Has Sprung from Mark's Finest Papers.  There is a blog hop going on today showing you fabulous creations by the Design Team members using this springy set.  To get started, click HERE.  (However, please save that click until you have seen the rest of my post.....lol!!!!)

Brenda is our hostess for the Stampin B's this week, and she asked us to use a bird/birds on our card.  Tosh, this month's hostess for the CCEE Challenge, challenged us to use embossing folders.  Well, both challenges were right up my alley AND could be combined.....which is a good thing as the new pup is keeping me hopping!!!!  If you need to know the company of either stamp, just ask for it in a comment and I'll get back to you....I forgot to write it down.   The border punches used on both cards are by Martha Stewart.  I also used Spellbinders dies and a SU embossing folder.

Be sure to use the following links to get you to where you want to go....

Stampin B's Blog -- to see more monochromatic beauties
CCEE Blog -- to see fabulous ways to use scoring on your creations
MFP Blog -- to join the blog hop

Thursday Challenges AND a Hop Notice (again)

First......The CCEE Stampers are going WILD this week.......WILD with the shapes of their cards.  Frances challenged us to create cards that were not rectangular or square.  I think I managed to meet that criteria.

The sweet image I used is by Penny Black.  I have invested in a few stamps with this cutie, so you may be seeing her pretty regularly on my blog.  Now, to see the other fabulous WILD cards you must travel to the CCEE BLOG.  However, please finish seeing the rest of this post first, okay???

This second card is my card for the Stampin B's Challenge which was issued by Faith.  We were to use a die cut.

I used the just released PRETTY PANSIES set by Mark's Finest Papers to create the card, along with a Spellbinder's Labels die and a Martha Stewart punch.  I am in love with these pansies......truly!!!  At the Stampin B's Blog you will get to see the rest of the creations by the DT.  BUT WAIT.....I have one more for you......

The third and last card was created as an enticement for you to go on a blog hop.

This rather simple card shows you one image and one sentiment from the very versatile set called SEW WHAT by Marks Finest Papers.  As a matter of a fact, YOU could be a winner by participating in the DT's blog hop going on right now.  You will need to go to Mark's Finest Papers Blog to get all the details and to begin HOPPING.  Good Luck!!!

Had to edit to add a couple of pics I took today WHILE SHOVELING.......

I had to try to find some beauty in the snowstorm that had me shoveling a good part of the day.  We have a Japanese maple 'bush' (really a small tree) in our front yard.  It overhangs the driveway we were shoveling, so I took a couple of shots in the branches.  The first one I am sharing is in natural coloring, but the second one I edited with a sepia tone, and I just love it.

  You may be seeing that one behind a sentiment on a card in the future.

Embossed and Inspired

The Crazy4Challenges goal this week was to be inspired by a photograph.

Here is the card I made......

My inspiration came from the pinks in the photograph.  I chose the embossing folder as it seemed to repeat the banister designs in the photo. Then I veered off a bit with the green.  Guess my mind went from PINK to SPRING all on its own!!!  Oh well, I did get my original idea from the colors.  It just might be the snow that is still on the ground from Christmas weekend that is making me yearn for spring!!!  (At least here in eastern Connecticut, we missed the snowstorm that hit the western and central parts of the state today.....!!!)

For this card I used a soon-to-be-released set by Mark's Finest Papers.  Aren't these pansies so very gorgeous???!!! 

The goal for the Speedy's Friends Challenge was to use embossiing.  Now, this is not a stretch for me as it is a rare card of mine that does NOT have embossing.  I am a total texture person....in so many ways!!!!

On this one I used the small hearts embossing folder for the texture.  Again I used a soon-to-be-released set by Mark's Finest Papers.  This set, called Sew What, has all sorts of sewing/button related images/sentiments.  It is 'sew' cute!!!

NOW...you really must visit the blogs of both of these very talented teams.  You will enjoy and be dazzled by their work.

Crazy4Challenges Blog
Speedy's Friends Blog

Sunday Fun in the Stamp Cave

This first card was done for the Speedy's Friends Challenge which was to use embossing.  All images are by Mark's Finest Papers.

This second card was done for the WaltzingMouse Stamps challenge which was a sketch challenge.  My image (the egg) is by that company.

This third card was done for the Penny Black Challenge which was to make a card with 'summer' as a theme and to use at least one Penny Black stamp.

Thanks for stopping in......I LOVE visitors.  Now I have to go spend some time with a dog who is already feeling the effects of a thunderstorm that is still a long time away......animals can be so amazing....although this is a talent I wish he didn't have 'cuz he hyperventilates and cries long before the storm gets here and long after it has left.