Sympathy Cards

Our challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is to make vintage, shabby chic or primitive SYMPATHY cards.  Sympathy cards may not be the most fun to make but certainly can be the easiest as long as you think clean and elegant. I am sure this card meets those criteria.

We have a sponsor this week - Robyn's Fetish - and all of us on the Design Team have used wonderful images from her shop in our creations.

We will choose one random winner who will receive 5 images from Robyn's Fetish along with a winner's badge from Sugar Creek Hollow to display.  The Design Team will also choose their Top Pick and the creator will receive a winner's badge and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Fat Pages & Cards With Attitude - Anything Goes
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes
The Poodles Parlour - Use a Digi Stamp
Delightful Challenges - Bling & Bows
It's All About The Vintage - Anything Vintage/Retro Goes
That Craft Place  - Anything Goes

Image:  Bible (Robyn's Fetish)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  (Recollections)
Paper:  Basic Grey
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Oval Nestabilities and Ironworks Accents (Spellbinders), Floral Die (Nellie Snellen), Frayed Burlap Distress Ink (Ranger), Ribbon (Fabricland), Gems (Michaels), Suede Lacing (Wal Mart)

Summer Days

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is called SUMMER DAYS and we want you to make a vintage, shabby chic or primitive card that describes what summer means to you.

I think summer is all about beautiful flowers but I can't grow them so I admire the flowers in my neighbourhood.  This week the heat has been so oppressive in so many places that even the gorgeous flowers are struggling.  Fortunately we didn't lose power like so many in areas of the United States did but I recall a number of years ago when we lost power for 3 days in the August heat.  Thank goodness we have a basement because I lived down there with my flashlight and a couple of books.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Our Craft Lounge - Die Cuts
Totally Papercrafts - Here Comes Summer
Papercraft Star - Embossing
It's All About The Vintage - Anything Vintage Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Summer
Shelly's Images - Use Text/Sentiment
Cooking It Up With Katie - Sunny, Lace, Flower
Fresh Brewed Designs - Summertime

Image:  Lisa's Creative Designs
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Blue (Bazzill), Yellow (Recollections)
Paper:  Raspberry Road
Tools & Embellishments:  Lace (Sussman's Bridal Supply), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Flower (Dollarama), Pearl Sprays (My Stash), Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Corner Punch (Fiskars), Victoria Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Chalk (Mungyo), Ironwork Accents Die (Spellbinders)

Think Initials

I bet that title has you wondering - it is a fun new challenge at Phindy's Place Friday challenge blog.  This challenge is all about using something on your card that relates to your initials.  So since my initials are CW, I have used cork and wood on my card.  Let's see what you can come up with and if your initials are XZ then you have my sympathies.

Now for some important news about the challenges at Phindy's Place - starting with this challenge we are going to challenges every two weeks, which means you have lots of time to get a card finished and entered.  Phindy will still be providing one random winner with a $5 gift certificate to her store and the Card of the Week (I guess we will have to rename that Top Pick) creator will also receive a $5 gift certificate and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Whimsy Inspirations - Anything Goes
Digital Tuesday - Kids
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Sassy Cheryl's - Anything Goes

Image:  Ready To Go (Phindy's Place)
Card Stock:  White (staples), Black & Blue (Recollections)
Papers:  Cork (My Stash), Yellow Plaid (Sandylion Sticker Designs)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Crayon Button (Dress It Up), Brad (Making Memories), Buttons (My Stash), Wood Letters (Dollarama)

Vintage Children

This week our challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow is to create a vintage, shabby chic or primitive card featuring VINTAGE CHILDREN.

We have a fabulous new sponsor this week, Create with TLC.  Paulette, the owner offers vintage images and wonderful word art in her store and on her blog.

This week one random winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to the Create with TLC store along with a winner's badge to display.  The Design Team will also choose their top pick and the creator will receive a winner's badge and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes
Try It On Tuesdays - Anything Goes
Totally Paper Crafts - Use a Digital Image

Image:  Enjoying Nature (Create with TLC)
Card Stock:  Green (Bazzill)
Papers:  All (Basic Grey)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Brads (Making Memories), Antique Paper Distress Ink (Ranger), Flowers (Prima) Button (My Stash), Baker's Twine (My Stash)

Could I Have This Dance

I am from Canada and so is the wonderful singer, Anne Murray (she now lives about 40 minutes away).  In the beginning, she sang mostly country styled songs but also had some pop hits.  She won four Grammy awards over the years and one was for the song Could I Have This Dance.  That is the title of my card and the inspiration for my card for the challenge this week at Phindy's Friday challenge blog.  This week we want you to make cards INSPIRED BY A SONG OR MOVIE.

You don't have to use a Phindy image to enter but you get two entries if you do and there are always two prizes offered. Phindy has lots of wonderful images in her store so if you don't have any, I encourage you to pop over and pick some up and then show what you can create and tell us which song or move inspired that creation.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Bearly Mine  - Anything Goes
Jackson's Digital Expressions - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesday's - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Gingham
Digi Makeover  - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz  - Anything Goes

Image:  Tango for Two (Phindy's Place)
Card Stock:  Red (Bazzill), Blue (Recollections)
Papers:  Gingham (My Stash), Music (Online - don't have source), Brown Snakeskin (Provo Craft)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Frayed Burlap Distress Ink (Ranger), Card Candy (Craftwork Cards), Labels 16 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Circles for Christmas

It has been brutally hot where I live for the past week so I thought a Christmas card was in order for the CIRCLES challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow this week. 

My mojo did not come back from our vacation but it better come back in the next few days because I am not liking my creations this week.  Mind you it could well be that I rushed to get things completed after my guests left.  OK, so that is my excuse and I am sticking to it.

You can create any card with circles for our challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow this week as long as you make it vintage, shabby chic or primitive.  You can enter up to three cards and one random winner will receive a digi of our choice and a winner's badge.  The Design Team will select one entry as their Top Pick and that creator will receive a winner's badge and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

While you are checking out the wonderful inspiration from our designers, make sure you also take a look at the great tutorial called Shiny Metal to Rusty Metal provided by Renee Matarese, our Feature Artist.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crimbo Crackers - Anything Christmas Goes
Paper Play - Use a Die
Crafts and Me - Anything Goes
Divas by Design - Dies
Holly Jolly Christmas - Dies Cuts & Punches

Image:  The Graphics Fairy
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Bazzill
Paper:  Memory Box
Tools & Embellishments:  Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Circle Punches (EK Paper Shapers), Victorian Scissors (Fiskars), Ribbon (Fabricland), Petite Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cutwork Scalloped Circle Die (Nellie Snellen)

Messy Baby

I'm back from my vacation, my guests have flown back to England, the house is clean and my normal routine has returned even if my mojo hasn't. We did lots of sightseeing in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Kingston and I saw things I had never seen before so it was fun for me too.

We have been having horrible heat and our guests struggled with that but otherwise they said they had a good time. Now we are planning to visit them in September and during that time the four of us are going to Rome for a few days.

Our challenge to you this week at Phindy's Place challenge blog is to make a card with GINGHAMS OR PLAIDS.  You don't have to use a Phindy image but if you do, you get to enter twice.

I used soft ginghams on my card but I had a terrible time getting a good photo.  If I brightened everything up, there was no definition on the charm so you have to settle for a little dull photo.  It is quite pretty in real life. The wonderful image from Phindy is paired with some equally wonderful word art from Paulette at Create with TLC - another of their great collaborations.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Baby
Ooh La La Creations - Baby, Baby
Delightful Challenges  - Anything Goes
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes
Southern Girls - Oh Baby, Baby

Image:  Messy Meal (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment:  Create with TLC
Card Stock:  White (Staples), Green (Recollections)
Papers:  Green (Provo Craft), Gingham (American Traditional Designs)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Ribbon (Kate's Paperie), Rose (Wild Orchid Crafts), Charm (My Stash), Circle Punches (EK Paper Shapers)

More is Better

Our challenge to you this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is to create a vintage, shabby chic or primitive card with lots of embellishments so we are calling it MORE IS BETTER.  This isn't the time to do anything clean and simple.

I suppose I could have added more to this card but when I got to this point, I decided I liked it and was going to stop.  I created the flower with some lining fabric and this time I used a candle to melt the edges and I had more control over it so no burning.  I also started with squares rather than circles and I found that easier too.  The lace leaves have been cut from some old lace that came from my husband's late Aunt's sewing basket.  The curly brown ribbon is actually seam binding and I discovered I could make it crinkly even though I wasn't dyeing it myself.

I am on my way back from our road trip today and next week I can tell you what we did and what we saw.

Image:  The Graphics Fairy
Sentiment:  Create with TLC
Card Stock:  Recollections:
Papers:  Authentique
Tools & Embellishments:  Frayed Burlap & Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger), Lace (Sussman Bridal Supply), Brad (Dollarama), Lining Fabric & Seam Binding (Fabricland), Labels 4 & Fleur de Lis Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Pearl Stickers (Dollarama), Feathers (Michaels)

A Beach Day

This week the challenge at Phindy's Friday challenge blog is called BEACH BABIES.  This image is perfect for this challenge because this little guy is at the beach with his Daddy.  It will be fun if Daddy lets him roll up his pants and go wading too.

We will be selecting one random winner who will receive a $5 gift certificate to Phindy's store and the Design Team will also choose one entry as Card of the Week. The creator of that card will also receive a $5 gift certificate to Phindy's store and will be in the running for one of our monthly Guest Designer spots.  You don't have to use a Phindy's image to participate but when you do you get to enter it twice and that means more chances to win the wonderful prizes - more Phindy images.

I am just finishing up our week away as this posts.  We are in Montreal and later this afternoon we are going to see Amaluna, which is the newest Cirque de Soleil show.  Tomorrow we drive back to Toronto and our road trip will be over.  Sadly our visitors are leaving on Tuesday and I can't believe how fast the two weeks have flown by.

Image:  My Cool Dad (Phindy's Place)
Card Stock:  Recollections
Papers:  Sandylion Sticker Designs
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Ribbon (Michaels), Card Candy (Craftwork Cards), Sunglass Button (Dress it Up)

Home & Family

This week at Sugar Creek Hollow, we are asking you to MAKE YOUR OWN DESIGNER PAPER.  We want you to make vintage, shabby chic or primitive cards that feature at least one piece of designer paper that you have created yourself.  You can make it using any technique or tool you wish but you must tell us what you did in your post.

I have actually created two pieces of paper but one is a bit difficult to see because I got carried away with the placement of my embellishments.  Both were created in Photoshop using brushes that I got online.  The background one started with a flourish that I used to create a repeating pattern.  The one you can hardly see is under the frame and started with a spatter brush that I put all over the paper in two colours (pink and purple) and then took the smudge tool to it to blend the two colours together.

We will choose one random winner who will receive a digi of our choice and a winner's badge to display.  The Design Team will select their Top Pick and the creator will receive a winner's badge and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

Sentiment:  My design
Card Stock:  Recollections
Papers:  My designs
Tools & Embellishments:  Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Butterfly Punches (Martha Stewart), Fleur de Lis Nestabilies and Moroccan Shapebilities (Spellbinders), Flower (Wild Orchid Crafts),  Pink Organza Ribbon (Michaels), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Pearl Stick Pin (Excelsior Wholesale), Pink Bead (Michaels), Tattered Rose & Milled Lavender Distress Ink (Ranger)

Relaxing Dad

The challenge this week at Phindy's Friday challenge blog is to make a FATHER'S DAY card.  I think I will give this card to my Grandchildren to give to their Daddy.  He needs to relax after all the woodworking he has been doing.  When I took my Grandson home the other day he wanted to show me the toy box his Daddy made for the back yard toys.  It looks great and doubles as a bench.  The kids also have a large sandbox to play in so I think Daddy has become a hero.

You don't have to use a Phindy image but if you do you can enter it twice for more chances to win the wonderful prizes.  If you don't have any Phindy images, just head over to her store and pick up a few of her fabulous images.

We have friends visiting from England and today we are going into Toronto to take in the Picasso exhibit at the Art Gallery.  We will be travelling over the next week to Niagara Falls, Ottawa and Montreal to give them a taste of this part of Canada since it is their first time in this area.  We will arrive back in time for Father's Day and I think a nice relaxing day is on order for all of us.  Since I had to cook on Mother's Day, I am planning a BBQ for Father's Day and that would be my husband's job.  Sounds right to me :)

Image:  Mr. Brown on Vacation (Phindy's Place)
Card Stock:  Turquoise (Recollections), Red (Wassau)
Papers:  Sandylion Sticker Designs
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Card Candy (Craftwork Cards), Ribbon (Michaels), Twine (My Stash), Alphabet Stencil (Dollarama), Silver Gel Pen (Staedtler)

Vintage Father's Day

Father's Day is June 17th in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. and the challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow is called FATHER'S DAY - make a vintage, shabby chic or primitive Father's Day card.

I am going to give this to my husband because I haven't had a Father for 30 years and my Father-in-Law passed away 8 1/2 years ago.  My husband is a great Father and he and our daughter are very close.  When I am away, she always invites him over for a meal and to spend the evening and they have a great time.  They still go to a Buffalo Bills football game together at least once a year and she calls him for advice from time to time even though she has been married for 11 years.

I must point out that there are some elements on this card that are similar to those on the card created by one of my teammates at Sugar Creek Hollow.  My card was finished and waiting to have its mug shot taken when I saw Yvonne's card so I didn't purposely use those elements - honest!  Let's just say it is a case of great minds thinking alike:)

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Frilly and Funky - Kraft & Twine
The Paper Shelter - Vintage or Shabby Chic
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
City Crafter - Ticket to Ride (Mode of Transportation and Ticket)
Tuesday Throwdown - Masculine
Crafty Cardmakers - Distress It
Lexi's Creations - For the Man/Boy in our lives
Simon Says Stamp and Show - One for the Boys
Here Come the Boys - Anything Goes (Must be Masculine)
The Poodle's Parlour  - Father's Day/Male Card
The Stamp Man Challenge - Make it for a Man

Image:  Cars Extracted from Cars Collage Sheet (The Graphics Fairy), Road Sign (Online)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Kraft & Green (Recollections),  Mettallic (DCWV)
Paper:  My Creation in Photoshop using Postcard Brushes by Fidget Resources
Tools & Embellishments:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger), Jute Twine (My 30 year-old macrame supplies - who does that anymore?), Clock Charm (My Stash), Metal Butterfly (Bought in UK - don't know manufacturer), Deco Fan Edge Punch & Topiary Corner Punch (Martha Stewart)

Has Anyone Seen My Groom?

The challenge this week at Phindy's Friday challenge blog is PILE IT ON, which is the opposite of Clean and Simple so we want to see lots of layers and embellishments.

I have used one of Phindy's Wee Babbies called Babbie Bride and she looks like she has raided Mommy's closet.  Now all she needs is a Groom.

You don't have to use a Phindy image to enter but if you do you get two entries and there are great prizes up for grabs so dig out your Phindy images or pop over to her store and buy some new ones.
I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafts & Me - Add a Ribbon
Crafty Creations - Circles
Creative Belli - Wedding
Divas by Design - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
Ruby's Rainbow - Things with Wings
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Truly Scrumptious - Pretty in Pink
Die Cuttin Divas - Anything Goes (must use die cut)
Party Time Tuesday's - Anything Goes

Image:  Babbie Bride (Phindy's Place)
Card Stock:  Staples
Papers:  Pink & Yellow Polka Dot (Sandylion Sticker Designs), Floral and Wavy Polka Dot (Provo Craft)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Organza Ribbon (Arton Bead Supply, Chalk (Mungyo), Flowers (Wild Orchid Crafts), Front Punch & Large Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Small Butterfly Punch (Marvy Uchida), Trim (Prima), Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Scalloped Circle Die (Nellie Snellen)

Elegant Lady

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is called VINTAGE FASHION.  We want to see vintage, shabby chic or primitive cards with lots of vintage fashion such as the dress this elegant lady is wearing.  She is one of the digis from our fabulous sponsor this week, Digi Doodle Shop.

One random winner will be awarded a $10 gift certificate from Digi Doodle Shop and a winner's badge from Sugar Creek Hollow. The Design Team will select one card as their Top Pick and the creator will receive a winner's badge and will be in the running for a Guest Designer spot.

I tried some new things on my card this week.  I put roses on the mauve card stock with a brass stencil I picked up at the dollar store and some Creative Inspirations Paint.  I also made the flower out of organza and while it took a few tries before I got one that I didn't burn when I was heating the edges to get them to ruffle, I am happy with the result.  I just have to adjust the sizing next time because it could be a bit smaller.  I took a fancy florish digi, changed the colour, cut it out and then highlighted it with a Clear Purple gel pen.  Finally I took a pearl headed pin from the dollar store and added some beads to it to make the stick pin.  Some tulle and lace and voila, my elegant lady.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Sassy Studio - Hats Off To You (include a hat)
Southern Girls - Die Cuts or Punches
Crafts and Me - Flowers
Divas by Design - Flourishes
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
Whimsy Inspirations - Vintage/Shabby Chic
Craft Room Challenge - Add Fabric
Party Time Tuesday's - Vintage/Shabby Chic
Alphabet Challenge  - H is for Handmade Flowers
Hot Shot Crafts - Die Cuts
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Image:  Vintage Dress 3 (Digi Doodle Shop), Flourish (Shery K. Designs)
Card Stock:  White (Staples), Purple (Recollections), Mauve (Bazzill)
Paper:  My Stash
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Lace (My Stash), Organza & Tulle (Fabricland), Pearl Pin (Dollarama), Beads (Michaels), Gel Pen (Sakura), Chalk (Mungyo), Gem (My Stash), Stencil (Dollarama), White Frost Paint (Creative Inspirations Paint), Scallop Scissors (Fiskars), Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Mr. Brown's Hobby

My Son-in-Law has recently gotten into woodworking so this image of Mr. Brown from Phindy's Place is perfect for a card for his upcoming birthday, especially since the first thing he made was a bird house.

The challenge this week at Phindy's Place challenge blog is a 1, 2, 3 Recipe challenge  - 1 image, 2 designer papers and 3 embellishments.

You don't have to use a Phindy image but with so many fabulous ones in her store and a chance to enter twice if you do, why wouldn't you?

I did get my husband to go through the closets and get rid of some of the clothes he hasn't worn in ages and then I did the same.  On top of that, I went through all the drawers, the bathrooms and storage closet and boy have I ever purged.  There are 7 large green garbage bags ready to go to Goodwill and 2 for the garbage.  My back is killing me but I feel super satisfied with all I have accomplished this week.  I still have a few things to wear but I will really have to do some shopping - oh woe is me!

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Sisters - Squares
Top Tip Tuesday - Dig out the Old (Lacing)
Great Impressions - Anything Goes
One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
Crazy 4 Challenges - Birthday Card
Little Claire's - Male Theme
Totally Gorjuss - Charms

Image:  Mr. Brown's Hobby (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Recollections
Papers:  Sweet Treat
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Suede Lacing (My Stash - had it for so long the label is gone), Card Candy (Craftwork Cards), Ruler Charm (Bead Landing)

Pearls & Swirls

We have a long weekend here and the weather is glorious so we will be getting the patio furniture down and moving a few perennials around. I also have my husband convinced to help go through all the clothes closets and dresser drawers and pitch everything that hasn't been worn for a few years. That means this is the weekend I finally admit that I am not as small as I used to be and will never be again. My closet will be bare at the end of this exercise so I hope he is prepared for the fact that a shopping trip is in my near future.

It's time for another challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow.  This week we want you to channel your more frilly side and make vintage, shabby chic or primitive cards with PEARLS & SWIRLS.

One random winner will be chosen to receive a digi of our choice and a winner's badge to display.  The Design Team will select their Top Pick and the creator will receive a winner's badge and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

There is more exciting Design Team news to share this week.  First, Heather Hudson is joining our team today so please welcome her and check out her blog where you will be treated to some fabulous eye candy.

Secondly Amelia Breytenbach is joining us this week as a Guest Designer.  Amelia was chosen from the March Top Picks.  You will want to visit her blog and feast your eyes on her wonderful projects.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Shelly's Images - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Pearls and Lace
Inky Impressions - Lace or Trim
Penny's Paper Crafty - Mom
Sisterhood of Crafters - May Flowers
Whimsy Inspiration - Anything Goes
Card and Scrap - Vintage
Freshly Brewed Challenges - Tic Tac Toe (Flowers, Patterned Paper, Bling)
Bearly Mine - Dies
Deep Ocean Challenge - What a Wonderful Woman
Die Cuttin Divas  - Flowers (must include die cut)
Hooked on Crafts - Flowers
Karen's Doodles - Something for Mom
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes
Creative Inspirations Paint - Mother's Day

Image:  Vintage Hat & Girl (Digi Doodle Shop)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Recollections
Paper:  My Stash
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger), Oval Petite Scallop Nestabilities & Ironworks Accents Shababilities (Spellbinders), Rose (Wild Orchid Crafts) Other Flowers (Prima), Lace Motifs (Sussman Bridal Supply), Corner Die (Nellie Snellen), Pearl & Gem Florishes (Prima)

Summer is Coming

We have had some pretty whacky weather this year where I live but the calendar says that summer is coming so I am hanging my hat on that and have done my annual planting.  The temps have ranged from 24C to 15C over the past few days.  But since they say it is climbing again over the next few days, I don't think I made a mistake.  Besides this is a long weekend and the one where you traditionally plant in my neck of the woods.

The challenge over at Phindy's Place this week is called SUMMER IS COMING so we want to see your summery cards.  You don't have to use a Phindy image but you get two entries if you do.  Who wouldn't want to use a Phindy image when they are this adorable?

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

The Sisterhood of Crafters - May Flowers
Truly Scrumptious - Anything Goes
Whimsy Inspiration - Anything Goes
Crafter's Companion - Here Comes Summer
I Brake for Challenges - Flowers
Die Cuttin Divas - Flowers (must use a die cut)
Crafty Sentiments - Bingo (Patterned Paper, Coloured Image, Punches or Die Cuts)
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges - May Flowers
Hooked on Crafts - Flowers
Whoopsie Daisy - Spring Colours

Image:  Potted Primroses (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment:  Create with TLC
Card Stock:  White (Staples), Gold (Recollections), Red (Wassau)
Papers:  My Scrap Stash
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Chalk (Mungyo), Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Gingham Flowers with Gem Centres (Dollarama)

Christmas Shopping

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is TAGS.  You can make a stand alone tag or add one to a card as I have done.  Whichever way you go, your creation must be vintage, shabby chic or primitive.

We are happy to welcome back A Day for Daisies as our sponsor for this challenge.  They will provide a $12 gift certificate to their store to one random winner to go along with the winner's badge they will get from Sugar Creek Hollow.  The Design Team will also choose one card as their Top Pick. The creator will also receive a winner's badge and will be in the running for a monthly Guest Designer spot.

Surprise, surprise, I have done another Christmas card - two in a row must be a record for me.  This time I am using an adorable image from our sponsor called Christmas Shopping and created a tag on a card.

My 5 year-old Granddaughter is staying here for 9 days (along with her 3 year-old Brother and they leave on Monday when I see a LARGE glass of wine in my future - but that is a whole other story) and she saw this card and wondered why I would do something bad and cut the flowers out of music paper.  I had to explain that I printed the music on paper and then punched it and I did not destroy some sheet music.  At least she has respect for books and the like.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Ribbons - Flowers
Delightful Challenges - Distressing
Do You Stack Up - Use a Flower
Little Miss Muffet Challenges - Flowers
Digi Doodle Shop - Bingo (Buttons, Ribbon, Flowers)
Crafting For All Seasons - Handmade Flowers
Craft Room - Emboss It
Creative Craft Challenges - Anything Goes
Digital Tuesday - Ribbons & Buttons (Must Use Digi)
Cheerful Stamp Pad - Tags
House of Gilli - Embossing
Lexi's Creations - Lace & Ribbon
Tammy's Scrappin Corner - Punches or Dies

Image:  Christmas Shopping (A Day for Daisies)
Sentiment:  Stamp (Hero Arts)
Card Stock:  Recollections
Paper:  My Stash
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Flower Punch (EK Paper Shapers), Doily Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Buttons (Dollarama and Dress it Up), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger), Houndstooth Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Victorian Scissors (Fiskars), Lace (My Stash), Fibers (EK Success), Page Pebble (My Stash), Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

It's Christmas In May

Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you - it really is Christmas in May.  Or at least, that is what it is at Phindy's Place challenge blog this week.  We want you to make CHRISTMAS cards this week and what a great excuse that is to get a head start on your holiday cards.  I think I have at least 6 made so far but if I don't keep at it, I will end up short when it is time to get them in the mail.

You don't have to use a Phindy image but if you do you can enter twice.  There are lots of great Christmas-themed images in her store so if you don't have one, just pop over and pick some up.

I dug into my scrap box to make this card and love how all these bits and pieces came together.  I have two boxes, one for patterned paper and one for card stock scraps and they are starting to get pretty full so I must endeavor to go there first and not to cut into a new piece unless it is absolutely necessary.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes
Waste Not Wednesday - Use Your Forgotten Stuff (the papers)
Shopping Our Stash - Use 3 or more Designer Papers

Image:  Bird Tree (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  White (Staples), Green (Provo Craft), Red (Wassau)
Papers:  My Scrap Box
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolors) with OMS (Gotrick)
Tools & Embellishments:  Buttons (Dress It Up)

Black & White Wedding

The challenge this week at Sugar Creek Hollow is BLACK & WHITE.  We want you to make a vintage, shabby chic or primitive card in Black & White.  If you use any colour it can only be on a focal image.

This week we are welcoming two new designers at Sugar Creek Hollow, Liz Droege and Yvonne Whaley.  I encourage you to check out their blogs and the wonderful work they do.

We will choose one random winner and the Design Team will select their Top Pick so I hope you will join us.

My neighbour was here the other day and noticed this card sitting on my desk.  She asked me if I would sell it to her - YES!  It turns out that her daughter is getting married in July and is having a black and white wedding so this is perfect for the occasion.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crop Stop - Embossing
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Anything Goes
Pixie Dust Studio - Flowers
Crafting For All Seasons - Handmade Flowers
Deep Ocean Challenge - Punches & Dies
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion - Texture
Fashionista Challenge - Wedding, Anniversary or Shower
Truly Madly Crafty - Handmade Flowers
Victorine - Flowers

Image:  The Graphics Fairy
Card Stock:  Black (Recollections), White (Staples), White Pearl (My Stash)
Paper:  Recollections
Tools & Embellishments:  Large & Medium Flower Punch (EK Paper Shapers), Fleur de Lis Edge Punch (EK Success), Fleur de Lis Rectangular Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Pearl Button (My Srash), Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Feather (Michaels), Leaves (Fabricland), Pearl Spray (My Stash), Victoria Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)