January 2012 SFYTT

Eeekkks....I am squeaking this one in.  I realized when I woke up today, the last day of the month, that I did not make a card for the January Sketch For You to Try.  I played along all of last year so I was determined not to let my streak end!  I stamped out a few images to fussy cut out on the way to work - it was not my turn to drive ;>)  And tada, I made it!!!

Here is the sketch in case you are a super fast crafter.  There is just over an hour left!

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp - TCP, CS - PTI, Ink - Momento, PP - MME.

Snow Fall

I saw the sweetest inspiration challenge from Scrapbooker's Paradise Ponderings

 
and it reminded me of the Whimsie Doodle snowman image, so of course I had to play along!

A bit of sparkle to pull in the other colors from the inspiration photo.  I was originally going to stamp the snow in the other colors, but (make sure you are sitting down) I am OUT of WHITE paper!!!  Yikes!!!  I guess I need to go shopping.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Image - Snowman (Whimsie Doodles), CS - PTI, copics, Ink - PTI, and rhinestones from my stash.

Raise the Bar and Ring in the New Year

I was asked to be a guest designer for the Raise the Bar challenge blog this week!  Thanks ladies!!!  The challenge this week is to create something crafty based on the theme "Ring in the New Year".  Well, I am "ringing" in the new year with circles (rings) on a card to welcome a new baby.

(Based on sketch #251 from CPS)

Eeks, I just love this set from The Craft's Meow designed by Jenny Suchins - "Owl Be Thinking of You". 

Now it is your turn to create a project with "rings" and link it up to the Raise the Bar Challenge blog.  Hop on over to the blog to check out all the details and get more inspiration from the design team.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Julie

Details - Stamps - (Owl Be Thinking of You) TCM, PP - October Afternoon - CS - PTI, Copics, Button - PTI, Ink - Momento and Aciennt Page, and embroidery floss - DMC.

Bee Mine!

Pink
Glitter
Sweetness
Valentines
Today I am sharing another trio of cards, this time Valentines for my sons to hand out to the girls in their preschool classrooms.
After seeing a card on The Twinery blog with twine hearts I had to try making one of my own.

Plus, my twine hearts are perfect for the Outlawz CAS twine challenge.

I even had an assistant help make these.  He liked squeezing Stickles onto the wings.

I then tried a trail of hearts which is a less sticky option.

A huge shoutout to Alyssa!  I received an unexpected package in the mail last month filled with wonderful stamping goodies, including the Paper Smooches set I used above.  Talk about sweetness!!!  Thank you!!!

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamps - image (Giddy Bugs) Paper Smooches, sentiment - (Harold's Alphabet) Lawn Fawn, Ink - SU and Momento, CS - PTI, cards - SU (I have had these in my stash for years!), Twine - The Twinery and Copics.

A Trio of Challenges

Whimsie Doodles is sponsoring the latest Ribbon Carousel Challenge which is an inspiration photo.  Well, once I saw the cupcake I immediately thought of the new pup images from the Whimsie Doodle January release.  They are adorable and I have wanted to color one up.  What better time then the present, especially because the challenge ends Monday at midnight!  Check out the challenge blog for all the details.

Now it is time to meet Meet "I Tried"...

I also drew inspiration from the following:
Wee Memories Challenge #83 - the final challenge is a sketch - how could I resist playing along?!!!

Playing in Paradise Tic, Tac, Toe Challenge - I went with a button, ribbon and text.

Smiles, Julie
Details:  Image - (I Tried), PP - Basic Grey, CS - PTI, Copics, hole puncher, Twill - PTI, Button - Stash.

Mini Card Tags

Challenge 82 from Wee Memories is to create mini cards - how fun!  I pulled out some of my favorite Your Next Stamp sets and got to work paper piecing and coloring...

I decided to turn my mini card - just 3.5" x 3.5", into a tag by adding hole punches at the fold and some ribbon.  Now I have a tag with extra room to write!
Well, once I find something I like, I tend to create more than just one..

.

I already have a dozen mini card tags complete and a few more to finish up.  So fun!  I know quite a few people who only give gifts in gift bags, so a set of these tags may turn in to a great gift to have on hand - I will have to package them up in a gift bag!

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - YNS, PP - Cosmo Cricket, CS - PTI, Embroidery Floss - DMC, Corner rounder punch, hole punch and copics.

"New" Whimsie Doodles' Challenge

It is time for a NEW Whimsie Doodles monthly challenge.  For January the monthly challenge really is a  "new" challenge...create a project for a "new" celebration. 

What's up for grabs if you play along? One random winner will win an image of their choice and one random winner amongst the top 3 design team selected entries will be a guest designer for the month of March! How fun is that???!!! Check out the Whimsie Doodles blog for all the details and to link up your own creation.

A new baby, new home, or how about the Chinese New Year?

New Year Dragon

The lanterns are the same one the dragon is holding.  I printed out the lantern section only several times and then fussy cut each out.

Have fun creating something "new"!!!

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Image - (New Year Dragon) Whimsie Doodles, CS PTI, Floss - DMC, Copica and copic spica.

Flashback Friday

The challenge for Flashback Friday 19.0 is to repost your first clean and simple card.  Sometimes when I read the challenge I immediately remember my "first".  This was not one of those times.  I am a huge fan of CAS and frequently turn to it, but I have not always been that way. 

 Check out the original post here.

Be sure to play along.  It is soooo easy and I promise you, even fun (most of the time!) to look back on your first posts!

Smiles,
Julie

Whimsie Doodles' January Release

It's January release time at Whimsie Doodles!   The new images being released are great for Birthdays, the New Year, winter, and Valentine's Day.  If you read my post yesterday than you probably guessed that I created a Valentine's Day card to share with you today. 

Here is Cupid's Arrow...

Lots of paper piecing, which has to be one of my favorite techniques ever!  The hearts across the bottom are shell buttons that I bought years ago - so happy to finally use them.  I am hoping to buy less and use more this year.

My card is for the Pink Elephant Anything Goes Challenge #129 (TPE129) and Paper Sundaes' Something Old and Something New Challenge - the old are those buttons and the new is the lace (I specifically went shopping to buy lace to finish off this card!).

Now be sure to check out the rest of the DT {see the sidebar} and the Whimsie Doodle's blog, right before you go shopping!

Smiles,

Julie
Details:  Image - Cupid's Arrow Whimsie Doodles, CS - PTI, PP - MME, Lace - Offray, Copics and buttons from my stash.

Just a Peek

The January release from Whimsie Doodles is cute, cute, cute!!! I know, I write "cute" every month, but it's the truth!

Can you guess what type of image is part of the January Whimsie Doodles' release...

There is lots of pink on the way...it can only mean one thing (and no, I am not pregnant, although my dd tells us she would love a sister!).

Stop back tomorrow for a full look at the card I am sharing for the release.

Smiles, Julie

Happy New Year

I am starting off the new year by sharing the Christmas card that I sent out last year.

A quick and simple card that I cased from Dawn McVey.
I send out lots of cards, so the easier the better. 

I almost did not do a Christmas card, because I could not get a pic of the kids.  When my Mom heard her reaction was "no Christmas card???!!!".  So she and my sister said they would get a pic.  Well, with 3, there is always one who does not want to participate.  I am calling this the $5 card because my sister had to bribe someone to smile!

Happy New Year!!!

Smiles,

Julie