Baby....Baby....Baby.......

Brenda has challenged the CCEE Stampers to make a baby card.   She offered bonus points if we used some soft green or soft yellow colors.  I finally broke open this baby set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for both the image and the sentiment.  I earned the bonus points by using some soft green and soft yellow.  I used two fancy Spellbinders dies to frame the image...gotta say I love these two dies layered.  A bow was added and a variety of designer paper used.

I always love to see what this fabulous team has created.  If you are like me, be sure to visit the CCEE Stampers Blog.

The Crazies Are Crazy for Babies

In her final week as our April hostess for the Crazy4Challenges, Kelli challenged us to make baby cards.  I let my 'inner child' out and built this card from a number of elements:  stamps, dies, ribbon, border punches, ribbon, Copics, embossing folders, and designer paper.

The Crazies Blog is sure to have many different styles of baby cards for you (and me) to see and gaze upon, so be sure to stop in there for a visit and inspiration.

Get Moving with the Crazies

 

The Crazy4Challenges DT is 'moving' this week.  Well, not exactly moving......our challenge is to use images that show movement.  I used this sweet elephant image from Totally Stampalicious from the Bugaboo Line.  The elephant seems to be floating off in celebration.

 

I hope you will stop by the Crazies Blog to see the fab creations of the rest of the team.  You will also find details on how you can play along with us.

The Totally Stampalicious Team Shares Their Fav Sketches

Welcome to the last Totally Stampalicious Monday Challenge for January.  Our challenge this week, as the title implied, was to use our favorite sketch to make our cards.  I must admit to having several favorite sketches I fall back on if needed.  This is just one of them.  It is perfect if you want to focus on the image.  I used the set called Balloon Critters.  This set, as well as all the other Totally Stampalicious sets, is on sale at the moment for just $5,00.....an unbelievable bargain.  Be sure to visit the TS Blog to check out the DT's favorite sketches AND to get the details on this fabulous sale.

A New Year of CCEE Challenges, Baby!!!!

I am so excited to be starting a new year of challenges with my CCEE Stamper friends.  They are each so talented and kind.  I am so proud to call them my friends.

I am the hostess for January, and this week I challenged them to make a baby card as this was a time of 'new beginnings'.  I sincerely hope you will be able to play along with us.  I used a Penny Black image, addes some embossing, a scalloped border, and some bling.  Gotta make a girlie card for a little baby girl, right????  And one is never too young for bling, right????

Now, hop on over to the CCEE Blog to check out the precious creations by the rest of the team.  You are sure to see some 'sweet thangs'!!!

Totally Stampalicious Babies

Welcome to the Totally Stampalicious Monday Challenge.  This week we were challenged to create baby cards.  I used the newly released set called      .  I kept my card pretty simple, using a doily die from My Favorite Things along with my Spellbinders.  I added paper piercing, some rhinestones, and rounded my corners.  And.....that is about it!!!

Be sure to check out the fabulous baby cards at the Totally Stampalicious Blog.  There is bound to be an abundance of cuteness this week.

Totally Stampalicious New Release and Blog Hop

For today's CCEE Challenge card, please go HERE.

Now.....on to the New Release and Blog Hop.......

Card made using the set called Scarlette Cupcake.

Welcome to the 4th Stop of the
Totally Stampalicious
February New Release and Blog Hop!!

We are super excited to share another round of stamps from our witty, hilarious and just plain ol' adorable Bugaboo Line by artist Jodie Mackrell of Bugaboo Digi Stamps!

We have FOUR BRAND NEW SETS for you tonight and they are all available NOW at
Totally Stampalicious!!

Card made using set called Stella Peeker - Darth Vader

As always we want you to play along in our Release Blog Hop so we're going to give away some PRIZES!!!

1st Prize - All FOUR New Stamp Sets
2nd Prize - $15 Gift Certificate
3rd Prize - $5 Gift Certificate

All you have to do is comment your way through the hop and YOU could be a lucky winner!!!  (Remember to leave a comment at EACH stop!

Card made using the set called Funny Strollers

Don't forget that Totally Stampalicious also has an awesome promotion going on right now!
Stampalicious Dessert Men
Level 1 - Vanilla Ice Cream - Buy 5 Get 1 Free
Add 5 items to your shopping cart and then enter the code VANILLA

Level 2 - Strawberry Shortcake - Buy 8 Get 2 Free
Add 8 items to your shopping cart and then enter the code STRAWBERRY

Level 3 - Triple Layer Chocolate Cake - Buy 11 Get 3 Free
Add 11 items to your cart and then enter the code CHOCOLATE

Card made using the set called Gus Golf

Now it's time to HOP on over to the uber-creative Jessica's Blog to see what she's come up with to inspire us!!

And here is the entire Blog Hop Line Up in case there are any glitches along the way!

Totally Stampalicious

 Angel
Stacy
Joanne
Jessica

Kendra

Dawn

Lori

Julie

Jessie

Laurie

Lynda

Becky

Joycelyn

Vicki

Sue

Crazy4Challenges AND Speedy's Friends

The sponsor for this week's Crazy4Challenges challenge this week is Paper Pretties.  The team was lucky enough to be offered some digi stamps to work with.  This digi stamp is called  Pink or Blue.  Our challenge this week was to use die cuts.  Well, I did use my Spellbinders to die cut and emboss the main image.  I then created diecut hearts with both Spellbinders and a Martha Stewart heart punch.  I also played around with lace and ribbon quite a bit, as well as with a Martha Stewart border punch.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder on the background, and added a few rhinestones here and there.

Now be sure to visit the Crazies Blog to see the creations of the rest of this dynamic team.

The Speedy's Friends' Challenge this week was to use the color combo of red, black, and white.  Well, since that is my fav color combo, this was an easy one for me.  I used the new Greet the Day with Gerber set, heat embossing it on red with white embossing powder.  I also used ribbon (MFP), Spellbinders Labels die, Martha Stewart border punch, and my piercing tools.  A rather simple card.....yet sure to brighten someone's day if they are ill.

Now be sure to stop in at the MFP/Speedy's Friends Blog to view the fabulous creations of the rest of the team.


Speedy's Friends Challenge Post
Crazy4Challenges Blog

A 'Challenging' Share -- C4C, Speedy's Friends, etc.

The Crazies this week are making shabby chic and vintage cards.  I know...there is no distressing or sponging, sure signs of a shabby chic card, but the elegance of pearls and lace is often a characteristic of vintage, and I think I have that covered.  You really must head over to the Crazy4Challenges Blog to see some truly lovely shabby chic cards.

In one of the comments someone asked me to post the company for the Mr. & Mrs. stamp I used.  It is by Stampendous.  Hope that helps.

The challenge for Speedy's Friends this week is to create a Valentine's Day card. I decided to use this cute little critter from Mark's Finest Papers with his 'necklace' of blooms. Be sure to check out the other fabulous V'day cards at the Speedy's Friends post.

This third card was the one I did for this week's Sketch Challenge on SCS.  I used the Happy Pansies set from Mark's Finest Papers for the image and the sentiment.

And...this last card is the one I did for the Teapot Tuesday Challenge on SCS.  This image is by Penny Black, while the sentiment is computer generated.  These cards are being to to honor the birth of twin grandchildren to a fellow SCS'er, Pat (kokirose).  We were to use 'double' of something.  I masked my image and added a second package to the image, representing one boy and one girl present 'from above'.

Phew.....I tried to keep my words short as I had so many cards to share.  Thanks so very much for taking the time to visit.  Your visits and comments are greatly appreciated.

AND...on a personal note......
I AM ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY SICK OF SNOW!!!!

Here in Connecticut we have had snow....snow.....snow.......We actually broke a major record this month.  The snowfall amount in January is the most our state has EVER seen in one month since such things were recorded.  And....as a shoveler, I will attest to that!!!!!!!  Enough already!!!!  More snow is predicted for the weekend....so the month is not even over yet......OMGoodness.........AND we are facing a possible BIG one mid week......ack!!!!!

Irreverent Babies AND Getting Sketchie

This card, using a set from My Favorite Things, was made using the fab sketch from the SCS Sketch Challenge.  Rox does such a great job each week.....she rocks!!!

These two cards were made for the Mudda's Teapot Tuesday Challenge today.  We were celebrating new life with the Smethers.  The first card will go to the excited new parents, while the second will find its way to Grandma and Grandpa 'Buckleman'. 

I used a sweet set from Totally Stampalicious called Bently.  I just LOVE this irreverent and yet sweet little cutie.

Hope you have had some time to return to stamping/creating after the busy holiday season.  As you can see, I have!!!

Baby & Mittens -- My Thursday Challenges

CCEE Challenge -- CCEE1050
Hostess -- Charlene
Challenge -- Mittens of some sort on your card/project

I used a fabulous new set from GinaK Designs for this 'mitten' card.  I was totally influenced to buy it because it matches the fabulous mitten Spellbinders dies.  And....they work so perfectly together.  I really wanted to get them as cutwork is a real challenge to me because of my weak peepers.  And I am thrilled with the results!!!  Anyhooooo.....I started with the mittens and then just 'built' this card. 

I used a Martha Stewart large snowflake punch, a McGill smaller snowflake punch, a Martha Stewart border punch, an SU oval punch, and some Nestabilities.  The rest I am sure you can see for yourself.

Now....be sure to go check out the MITTEN creations by the rest of the fab team at the CCEE BLOG.  We will be taking the rest of December off, so the CCEE will be all ready to play again in the NEW YEAR!!


Stampin B's Challenge # 89
Hostess - Brenda
Challenge - Baby Card

I must first apologize for my photo.  No matter what I did, that bow POPS much more than it does in real life.  The bow actually, in real life, matches the bow on the bear's neck and the base card, but the photo program kind of 'smashes' its color in your face.

Anyhooooooooooooo......I used one of my fav SU retired sets, Button Bear, to make my baby card, which is obviously intended for a baby girl.  I used a Marvy decorative corner punch as well as a Marvy corner rounder.  The border punch is by Martha Stewart, while the ribbon is from SU.

The B's have been busy with their baby cards, so be sure to go to the Stampin B's Blog to check them all out.

(CCEE and Stampin B's Challenges)

Frances is the CCEE hostess for this week, and she challenged us to a sketch with a twist.  Above is the sketch, and the twist is that we must use buttons on our cards.  Well....I decided to keep to this month's theme.....BABIES....and have made another one for my stash.  I usually have a very difficult time with baby cards, so I am pleased to now have a few done and ready for use.  Thanks, Frances.

Now be sure to visit the CCEE blog to see the dazzlers created with this sketch by the rest of the team.  You will also find directions on how you can play along with us.

Vicky was the hostess this week for the Stampin B's Challenge.  In honor of Memorial Day, she asked us to make a patriotic card.  Actually the most amazing thing about this card is that I only matted ONE panel....amazing for me!!!

The Stampin B's Blog is where you will want to visit to see the wonderful creations made by this talented team AND to see how you can play right along with us.

Sunday Playtime

I took some time to just play with a few online challenges today.  I have not done Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Challenge for a longgggg time.  Today's challenge was to have your image askew.

I have NEVAH played in any of the Our Daily Bread Challenges, as I thought you HAD to use their stamps on all of them.  Well...come to find out, thanks to my friend Fran, on the Saturday challenge you can use any stamp.  ODBD happens to be one of the companies I have not yet purchased any stamps from.....!!!  Well, I actually did both of this week's ODBD challenges, even though I am only eligible for one.  Silke created this sketch for the one I can't enter....but I thought it was the perfect way to meet the second challenge which was to have all focus on the sentiment.

This third one was done for the Speedy's Friends Challenge which was to use an animal on your card......and a bee sure fits that category.

Thanks for the time you took to check out my 'play' cards.  Hope you had time for some fun stamping today.

Babies.....Babies.....What a Challenge????

Well, today I have two, yes TWO, baby cards to share.  The first one is for the CCEE where all of our challenges this week have been baby related as Frances is expecting her first grandson's birth.

My second card is for the Stampin B's Challenge, hostessed by Lois.  She challenged us to make a long card with three circles across the front.  My sister needed a card for a friend's daughter who is having twin boys.  This was what I created.  The right circle is computer generated as I have no sentiments for multiple births.  I paper pieced the 'diaper slings' as I just couldn't match a Copic color to this bashful blue paper.

\Now you really MUST go to the two blogs to see what the rest of these two dynamic teams have created.  They dazzle me week after week.  Here are the links to get you there.....

CCEE
Stampin B's

Welcome to the TSG Mother of All Blog Hops

Welcome to the There She Goes Mother of All Blog Hops!

(If you are looking for my Crazy4Challenges post, please go down one post.)

If you have arrived here from Arielle 's blog, then you are in the right spot. If not, I recommend that you start back on the There She Goes company blog  to get the introduction to our hop as well as the information you will need in order to enter to win some exciting prizes!

I was very excited when asked to be part of this TSG blog hop.  My first DT assignment was for this company.  The blog you are now reading is a result of my accepting a spot on that design team.  So....I was more than pleased to be asked to help Jessica and the current DT celebrate this anniversary.

Each stamping participant was assigned a specific set to highlight during the blog hop.  I played with the cute set called Tweeterpated.  This is a set which can be used for Easter, a new baby, a shower, a birthday -- just to give you a few ideas.  I also volunteered to take a second set, so you will also see cards from L.O.L Taglines, a hilarious set.  I hope you enjoy the cards I made to share with you from these two fabulous sets.

Such fun images....and with the L.O.L Taglines.....such fun sentiments!!!!

Be sure to leave a comment on this post first....and then it is time to move on.  From here you need to go to Tanja's blog for your next stop on the hop.  AND...here's wishing you a creative and inspiring trip through this blog hop.  I sincerely hope you will enjoy your journey!!!

Another Sweet Giraffe........It's a Boy!!!

I just love this giraffe.  It is an image by High Hopes Stamps and is the same image I used for the Crazies challenge below which was sponsored by Paper Romance who sells these stamps.  This was done for the TLC on SCS todoay which was paper piercing.  I added some May Arts ribbon, a charm from WalMart, along with some brads and MS designer paper.  I'm sure you can figure out the rest!!!

Am happy to say that, after a two week hiatus due to my eye procedure, I was able to go swimming today and it was FABULOUS.  Hope you did something today that brought you the same joy!!!

C4C33 -- A Fabulous Sketch Challenge

Sorry about the late post.....some glitch with Blogger......

Isn't this an absolutely fabulous sketch???  I just love it and know I will use it again and again.  I hope you will join in this week and play with us and the sketch.  If you do so, be sure to use the Mr. Linky box on the Crazy4Challenges blog so others will know where to check out your creations.

Our sponsor this week is Paper Romance and they were kind enough to send me this precious giraffe image to play with for the challenge.  Isn't she just the sweetest???  (Actually, depending on the colors used it could be a 'he' too....lol!!!)  I kept my card pretty simple so the focus is on the image and the fab sketch.

Now..be sure to visit the Crazies at the team blog and the blogs of the individual members.  Here are the links to help you get around.

Crazy4Challenges Blog
Barbara Anders
Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak (me!!!)
Joycelyn Turner
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden
Mercy Kerin
Vicki Garrett
Silke Kittman

Crazy 4 Challenges Delayed Post....Oops!!!

Apparantly I get my dates confused!!!  Oh well, better late than nevah, I say!!

Our challenge this week was to use Paper Piercing.  I used an Ornare template for that task.

Our sponsor for the first two weeks this month is DRS Designs.  The image used this week was a kind gift from that company, but I happily admit that I am already a customer of their fab stamps.  I always look forward to their Stamp Mania newsletter each month.

The sentiment is an unmounted stamps, and the punch used is by MS.  I also added some bling, a bit of ribbon, and I used my Spellbinders to cut and emboss the main image and its frame.

Thanks for looking.  Be sure to stop in to the Crazies blog and see what the rest of the team has created AND from there you can visit their individual blogs..

CCEE Challenge -- Sketch TURTLE LOVE

For this last challenge of January we again have a fabulous sketch by Cindy Haffner for out CCEE Challenge. I struggled a bit with this sketch, but must say that I absolutely love the final result. I used my Nesties to cut the circles, a corner rounder on the main image, a MS heart punch behind the heart button, MS designer paper, and an image from Stamping Bella. The ribbon, cardstock, and piercing tools are by SU.

Here is the fab sketch Cindy created.

She really could publish a book with all the sketches she has created for various design teams and challenge teams. Fabulous!!!

Now, we would love for you all to play along with us. Come on! You know you want to!!!!

For details on how to play along as well as to see all the fabulous creations by the rest of the team, be sure to visit the CCEE Stampers Blog and the individual blogs of team members. Here are the links to help you do so.

CCEE blog
Frances Bryne
Joanne Grzelak (you are already here)
Cindy Haffner
Tosh Leyendekker
Charlene Merrick
Shirley Quarry

C4C #2 It's a Boy!! (sketch)

Welcome to the second challenge by the Crazy4Challenges team. Cindy again created a sketch for us to use. I must say that sketches are my fav challenges so she is making me very happy with this month's challenges. Be sure to check out the Crazy4Challenges blog to see the creations of the rest of the team. If you are able to play along, be sure to fill in the Mr. Linky on the blog so we can find your creations. Use the keyword C4C2 if you are uploading to Splitcoast.

This card was made for a special purpose, besides this challenge. A dear friend's daughter just gave birth to a long awaited child. I used the turtle image from Cornish Heritage Farms as she has a thing for turtles. The rest o the design is pretty easy to figure out. The designer paper is by Martha Stewart and the charm is from WalMart but I don't know the brand. I am loving these octagonal nesties, and must say I was pleased with the piercing on the octagon...wasn't sure if that would be a success or not!!

Now be sure to see the Crazy4Challenges blog and the individual blog postings by the rest of the team.......


Crazy4Challenges Blog
Barbara Anders
Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessica Diedrich
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Joycelyn Turner
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden
Mercy Kerin
Robin Willis
Vickie Garrett

Have a fabulous weekend.