A Sketch, a Mouse and a Balloon

I recently came across a card by Mary J with a super cute monster on it from Pollycraft.  I hopped over to check out the store and well, you know how it goes when you go shopping in a store full of cute images and there is a sale...
...I bought a few more images than I planned on! 

This card pairs up "Marley's Party" with some new Basic Grey.  The lo is based on the Pollycraft Monday Challenge sketch - can't resist a sketch either!

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Marley's Party (Pollycraft), Sentiment - PTI, CS - PTI, PP - PB&J Basic Grey, Ink - SU.

Christmas Pup

It is time for another Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge and this week the challenge is ANYTHING GOES!!!

I couldn't resist cuteness this week, so I went with Winter Dog from Whimsie Doodles and kept it CAS.

Be sure to play along, because this week's winner will be a guest designer in July!

 Check out the rest of the CSAYL team's fab creations! Then play along - wouldn't it be great to get a head start on your Christmas crafting???!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Details: Image - Whimsie Doodles (Winter Dog), CS PTI, Embossing Folders - Cuttlebug, copics and PP - October Afternoon.

Spring Gift Set

Happy Spring! 

 Today I am sharing a spring inspired gift set featuring October Afternoon paper and lots of Whimsie Doodles cuteness.

The card features "Snail Garden" and uses April's SFYTT - another great sketch!

This one is also for the Pink Elephant's latest challenge - YELLOW.

Plus, the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge is Loads of Layers - got 'em!

A gift filled paper purse.  It is made using one of my favorite templates from Perfect Presentation - My Little Bag.  No stamping on this one, just alot of stitching!

A "sweet" tag with a turtle from "Single Turtles" attached to some sweets from my favorite local candy maker - Munson's Chocolates (yum!).

Another turtle from "Single Turtles" on an envelope wrap (which would work wrapped around a present too).

This one is for the Whimsy Stamps Punches or Die Cut challenge (corner rounder and PTI Die - I cut out the die twice, once in red and again in the cream - I then cut the sides off the cream with scissors to let the red show).
Plus, challenge #29 from Desert Island Crafts ( I used kraft, rounded corners and embossing on the red die cut).

Have a wonderful day!

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Images - Whimsie Doodles, Sentiment - Wilson Designs and Sweet Shop Stamps, Copics, CS - PTI and SU, PP - October Afternoon, Buttons - PTI, Ribbon and twine from stash.

CSAYL - Special You

It's gift giving time at CSAYL. This week we are challenging you to create a gift set - a package with matching card.  For me, that means creating my own packaging with a template from Perfect Presentation, which is also happens to be our sponsor this week. 

Perfect Presentation has both printable pdf templates as well as cutting files at great prices!  Plus, the owner is super sweet :>)

I have not created a matching set in quite awhile, so I was excited to see this challenge. 
Don't be intimidated!!!
a - templates are easy and fun to work with
b - the results are a polished classy "Perfect Presentation"
c - head to SCS for tutorials on making boxes if you do not yet own any templates or
d - as an alternative create your own wrapping paper or gift bag

My card is based on Viva La Verve's April week #1 sketch.

I stamped on the cream cs and then embossed.  I wanted just a bit of texture, so after the embossing folder I ran it thru my cuttlebug a second time but outside of the folder.

 

Here is your chance to get a jump on your Christmas gift giving and win a template from Perfect Presentation!   Check out all the details to the challenge HERE.  Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's creations for more inspiration.

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamps - Verve, CS - PTI, Embossing - Sizzix, Ink - Olive Vivid.

Tulips

Tulips are my favorite flower.  The shape, the variety of colors, especially pink.  Holland makes me think of fields of tulips.  With tulips in mind I inked up the stamp Anika from Holland from Your Next Stamp (which is currently on sale for only $3). 

She is holding tulips - who can resist that?  I created the grass filled tulips with the side of my copic brush marker - warning I may just be using that again and again!  I also created the tulip by rolling leave shaped petals around a pencil and then layering all of them together.
How about those wooden shoes she has on?!
The colors were inspired by a pair of wooden shoes a friend from Holland gave one of my children when they were born.  These still adorn a shelf in my house.

Luckily I received a surprise package in the mail filled with goodies including this wonderful Basic Grey PP which is full of yellows and reds.  Thank you Melyssa!!!

This one is for the Ribbon Carousel sketch challenge, which just happens to be sponsored by YNS.

Smiles,
Julie


Details:  Stamp - Annika from Holland (YNS), PP - Picadilly (Basic Grey), ribbon, CS - PTI.

CSAYL - Photo Challenge

It's photo challenge time at CSAYL.  This week we are challenging you to use a photo on your card or create a photo holder.  I went the card route and decided to test out a layout for 2012's family Christmas card.  The photo is from 2011 - it is just a little early to start taking pics for the real 2012 Christmas card!

I kept it CAS as I typically make around 90 photo cards.

Here is your chance to get a jump on your Christmas crafting and this week's winner will be a future guest designer!  Check out all the details HERE.

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Verve, CS - PTI, Twine - Twinery, Embossing - Cuttlebug, Ink - Momento and PTI.

Choose Your Own Whimsie Doodles Challenge

The April Whimsie Doodles Challenge starts today! This month's challenge is to CHOOSE YOUR OWN CHALLENGE - there are 3 choices...A: Create a card using the Spotlight Technique
B: CASE this card from Melyssa

C: Use an office supply AND lined paper on your project.

There will be 2 winners for the challenge! One (1) lucky winner will be drawn at random to win a FREE Whimsie Doodles image, of their choice, from the latest release.   And the second winner will join the Whimsie Doodle team as a Guest Artist in June 2012!!  Seriously, this is a great prize - you get to play with the new releases before everyone else :>)  Be sure to check out all the rules and play along HERE!!!

I was sooo completely and totally tempted to CASE Melyssa's card - love the LO, the colors, the ribbon...but instead I picked up one of my UFOs (unfinished object - aka 1/2 way started card) and FINISHED it!!!  Something for Teacher Appreciation week...

I went with C - using lined paper, cork and a binder clip combined with "Pencil Pixie" a freebie and  my dd helped me out with the Thank you! 

Have you ever checked out the Whimsie Doodles freebie page ?  There are tons of goodies.  Or how about liking Whimsie Doodles on Facebook to find out the latest news?  Pssst...Melyssa will let you know when she is sharing a new freebie.

Check out all the details on the Whimsie Doodles blog to play along with this month's challenge and link up your own project!

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Image - Whimsie Doodles Pencil Pixie, stickles, cork from Home Depot, binder clip from my sis :>), ribbon - PTI, CS - PTI and copics.

Later Alligator

I am back today with "Gator and Friends".
I was inspired by the CAS look Amy Tsuruta used with a simple white panel over PP.

Smiles,

Julie
Details: Image - (Gator and Friends) Whimsie Doodles, CS - PTI, PP - Basic Grey, Copics.

Happy Easter!

Here are a few last minute Easter ideas.  First up mini baskets that I made using Wilson Designs' "Lacey Lovielies" which I won on Tammy's blog, Creating Somewhere Under the Sun.  Thank you Tammy and Wilson Designs!!!

Next, a tag I put together for a quick giftie using Whimsie Doodles' "Egg Painting" and some Basic Grey PP.

May you all have a wonderful day!
Smiles,
Julie

CSAYL - Color Combo

It is time for another Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge and this week the challenge is to use your favorite color combo!!!

This week we are sponsored by Meljen's Designs and for playing along you may just win 4 digis of
 your choice!


I was fortunate enough to get to play with the image Caroling Snowmen...can anyone guess what color combo is my fave? 

The combination of red and aqua mist is my fave today - actually, anything combined with aqua mist is my fave.

Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's fab creations! Then play along - wouldn't it be great to get a head start on your Christmas crafting???!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Details: Image - Meljen's Designs (Caroling Snowmen), CS PTI, Embossing Folders - Cuttlebug, copics and PP - Simple Stories, stickles.

April Whimsie Doodle Release

It's April release time at Whimsie Doodles!

This month there are sweet images for Mother's Day and an image with a sentiment that should be the only sentiment I use...let me introduce you to "Gator and Friends".

I love to make cards, but honestly sometimes I forget to send them in a timely manner! 

The layout for my card was cased from a card I saw on Jen Del Muro's blog (here).

This card is for the Fab 'n' Funky embossing challenge.

Now be sure to check out the rest of the DT {see the sidebar} and the Whimsie Doodle's blog, then start shopping at the store!

Smiles,

Julie
Details: Image - (Gator and Friends) Whimsie Doodles, CS - PTI, PP - Basic Grey, Copics, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, and ribbon from Michael's.

Whimsie Doodles April Sneak Peek

The Whimsie Doodles April  release is tomorrow.  Here is a peek at the card I will be sharing.  Let's just say that the sentiment for this one is something I should put on almost every card I make...

Stop back tomorrow for the full reveal!

Smiles, Julie

Flashing Back on Diecuts

Flashback Friday 22.0's challenge is to repost your first card with a die cut on it.  Well, I had to go back and search thru my posts because I could not remember what I had made.  This is what I came across from July 2009...

Be sure to check out the Flashback Friday blog and find out all the details to play along.  It is fun to look back on your first posts.  I always find something that I completely forgot about (good and bad!).
Smiles,
Julie