Bloobel Progressive (I Scream... You Scream...)

Nothing like waiting until the last day to get a Progressive challenge posted, eh? In my defense, I have been working on it for a couple of weeks but have been very ADD and indecisive about almost every aspect of this card.   I adore Bloobel Stamps and do especially love to use multiple images together to tell a story.  The prescribed Progressive image is Swimming Diver that I received for free by signing up on the Bloobel FB Group Page to participate and creating each month.  In some cases Lisa also has some coordinating images that you may purchase with a discount code (included in your Progressive challenge email) while the challenge is still going on, in this case Angry Shark and Scaredy Crab, but I couldn't resist also adding Ice Cream Octopus for a fun summer twist on the underwater theme.

They're all colored with Copics and fussy cut and I added ice cream cones to the Diver's hand and Crab's claw by printing an additional Octopus and cutting from there.  My original plan was to do a stop card but it wasn't working for me so I again used my new Waves Die from Avery Elle and added a circle embossed with a Waves folder by Darice to the top backed by a Double Stitched Circle die from Kat Scrappiness.  The additional fish was added to balance the colors a bit and the sand to ground it all.  Both are stickers from JoLee's.  Sentiment was computer generated.

I'm adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Dream Valley #60 AG, Cupcake Inspirations #416 Beachy, and C.R.A.FT. #426 Summer.

Outlawz Tuesday Color

I'm struggling a bit with crafting, posting and internet demands so I pretty much took the weekend off.  I'm experiencing some stress tension in my shoulder, forearm and hand thought a bit of a rest was needed.  I did want to join in the Outlawz Tuesday Color challenge though and fortunately  had this cutie from Bugaboo already colored.  It conveniently worked with the Top Row of the Tic Tac Toe board but I wanted to use the word prompts as well.  The circles and embossing is from a Cuttlebug Folder and the sentiment is die cut with a Kat Scrappiness die.  Yay!

I'm adding this to the Simon Says Wednesday AG,  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, Winter Wonderland Use a Digi Image, CHNC #344 Anything Christmas/Optional Gingerbread, Dream Valley #60 AG, Crafty Friends Christmas in July and Star Stampz Christmas in July.

Christmas in July/August

Today is Sandra Caldwell's Birthday and she's on on a trip enjoying time with hubby.  While she is gone, there are 27 (WOW!) Christmas stamps on sale for only $1.50.  WooHoo!  I nabbed a bunch (you can see them all HERE) and decided to color this cutie called #59 Biggest Little Elf first.  He's colored with Copics and I've used DP and stickers from Echo Park.  Santa's List was already cut and in my stash from ??  Sale ends August 10th, so hurry!

I'm adding this to the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, the DL.Art July Linky challenge, Simon Stays Wednesday AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, Craft Rocket #39 AG, If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #74 Happy Holidays in July, Winter Wonderland Use a Digi Image, CHNC Christmas Extra July AG, A Gem of a Challenge #199 Christmas in July and Star Stampz Christmas in July.

The Outlawz Freebie Progressive and Wednesday Sketch

I'm doing double duty here today for the Outlawz challenges combining this month's adorable Progressive Freebie from Anne Fenton and the Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  "Dog" was colored with Copics and cut and matted with Spellbinder's  Circles.  The cool paw print embossing folder is from Darice.  I've used a ribbon from my stash for the diagonal line on the sketch and a sentiment from the very old Pet Mat Stack from DCWV.  You know I'm primarily a kitty lover, but this guy is pretty darn cute.  Here's the sketch.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, Crafty Animals #4 AG and Craft Rocket #39 AG.

Summer Fun for The Outlawz Color Challenge

I blew off crafting this weekend, partly because it was deathly hot and also because my forearm and hand is sort of bothering me.  I'm not usually a hypochondriac, but ever since my friend described her symptoms of carpal tunnel, I've wondered whether my twinges could be leading in that direction.  I certainly hope not!  Anyway, now it's Monday and I realized I hadn't done a card for the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge yet (and I do love playing there) so I grabbed the new Avery Elle waves die I'd been waiting for and colored up a cutie from Bloobel Stamps called Floating with my Copics.  The sun die is from Verve and I've cut the sentiment from the back cover of a 6x6 paper pack by Carta Bella (of the same name).  Here's the inspiration pic.  I wish I were there.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, Glitter 'n' Sparkle #249 Summer Sunshine, Scrapping4Fun Bon Voyage/Vacation and Craft Rocket #39 AG.

Createful Heart Meets the Outlawz Monday Greetings

WOW!  Take a couple days off from crafting and just see how far behind you get.  The Mini Challenge at the Createful Heart FB Group ends TODAY!  This adorable digi is called Dragonfly "Hi" available in the Createful Heart Etsy Shop but I was lucky enough to receive him as a freebie when joining the Group.  The artist, Mary Smith, is a member and sponsor for the Outlawz Forum so I thought it would be appropriate to combine her challenge with something on the Forum and decided on the Monday Greetings challenge that calls for embossing wet or day and at least one designer paper.  Besides cutting and embossing the image and mat with Spellbinders Labels 25 and the image was lightly inked with Tumbled Glass Distress while still in the die.  I used a Cuttlebug folder to emboss and then fussy cut the leaves.  The sentiment is Cuttlebug, too.  The image is colored with Copics and the DP is from a K&Co Designer Mat Pad. Found some cute little sparkly dragonflies in my stash, too.  Phew!  Made it in time.

 You might consider joining the Createful Heart FB Group because I new mini challenge is coming up on July 24th and I hear there just might be a freebie for that one, too.  WooHoo!  Blog challenges start August 15th HERE, so stay tuned (and be sure to read the Blog Challenge rules).

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#198 AG, TTPH #129 AG with Wings, the Tic Tac Toe Challenge #007 middle row down( Critter, Distress Ink, light, but there Embellishments) or Diagonal Top Left Down (diecut, distress ink, embossing folder) and Craft Rocket #39 AG.

Bugaboo Christmas in July Day 7

I've had a couple days off from crafting but noticed some of my friends from The Outlawz Forum are playing in the Bugaboo Christmas in July week long challenge.  EEEK!  Today is Day 7 so I'm gonna try and play some "catch up" starting from here and working backwards.  You don't need to do all of the challenges to win a prize but I'll see what I can do.  OH BUMMER!  I reread the rules and don't think I can do that.  It says one entry PER PLAYER per day. BooHoo! Today is a recipe challenge using the Friday Freebie. Isn't he cute?  At least I'll have one in.

My pop of color is obviously red and the stripes in the DP are glittered.  I've also added some sparkly gold stars and a ribbon treatment to add to the Outlawz Twisted Thursday add ribbon "Twist".  The image was cut with Spellbinders Labels One and Scalloped Labels One.  Guess I'll have find other challenges to enter with the other Bugaboo cards I've already started.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, Simon Says Wednesday We're Seeing Stars, RRR AG w/Ribbon, Winter Wonderland Use a digi image, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #198 AG, CHNC Christmas Extra July AG Christmas, Star Stampz Christmas in July, the Bugaboo Crafty Challenge #7, Crafty Animals #4 AG and Craft Rocket #39 AG.

Rough Birthday?

There's still time to enter the 4 Eyes Challenge in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group and this guy, #1610 See How to Tee Me Off, is one of the fun images on sale for just $1.50 thorough July 22.  You can check them all out HERE.  He's colored with Copics and I made it a shaped card using my Spellbinders circles both regular and Grand to enter in the Outlawz Twisted Thursday challenge and Simon Says Monday Get in Shape challenge and made it a birthday card for the Outlawz Festive Fridays Male Birthday card theme. It's embossed with the Cuttlebug Polka Dots folder (to look like a golf ball) and although there's no sentiment on the front, inside it will say (for a certain male golfer friend who is facing a milestone birthday)  "Rough Birthday?  (see the long grass?  a little golf humor there)  Don't get tee'd off.  Let's par-tee at the 19th hole."  The pennant was hand cut with numbers die cut from an ancient Cuttlebug Alphabet set.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG and Craft Rocket #39 AG.

Fur and Feathers at Aurora Wings

Our new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with the theme of

Bet you couldn't guess which I chose.  LOL  Again I was browsing on AW.com (where the categories are conveniently broken down) to see what I could see and I came across a sweet kitty I'd totally missed.  Here's Hula Kitty with Hibiscus Flowers available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  I got rather caught up in the whole hula thing and decided to make a rocker card, cutting and folding a circle in half for the base and fussy cutting and backing the entire image with card stock as well.

The plan was for the whole image to sway the opposite direction when the card was rocked (which it does, but you'll have to take my word for it because I couldn't manage a video), but the engineering proved to be a bit more difficult than I remembered.  Here's a pic of the inside workings.  It's the same as a spinner card, except with a circle cut out instead of a slot for the image to rock. You also need some sort of stop inside so the circle base doesn't just flatten out from the weight.  Ah, YES!  It took me forever to remember that part.  LOL

Here's a closeup of Hula Kitty with Hibiscus.  She's colored with Copics with a bit of shading and fur detail from Prismacolor pencils.  The hardest part was deciding what shades I wanted to color the flowers.  I did my "go-to" Yahoo search HERE and Holy Cow, there are some stunning color combinations!

I just thought I'd mention that Hula Kitty is also available without the flowers
HERE on AW.com.  The hibiscus flowers are available on their own HERE, as well.  My original thought was to have the kitty hula on top of the hibiscus, which would really require the separate images, but I was lucky to get this one done as it is.  The heat here is has become a bit stifling and my brain couldn't handle that today.  Next time maybe!  Aloha!

Here's how to keep up with what's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this in DL.Art July Linky challenge,the DL.Art Thankful Thursday AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #62 AG, Classic Design Team Open July #16, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Shaped Card Challenge, SUYP (cats only) July Furrything Goes, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #4 AG (5/5), Crafty Animals #4 AG, Dare 2B Artzy July Bright Colors, A Gem of a Challenge Animals, the Corrosive Challenge July AG (3/3), Crafty Friends #62 Floral, Crafting-with-Friends #47 AG, Emerald City Crafts Challenge #1 AG, Creative Fingers #134 AG 3/3, Making Memories Crafting Blog July AG/Anything but Square, Crafting with an Attitude #29 AG, Simon Says Monday Get in Shape, Craftaholics R Us #27 Summer, Crafting by Designs Summertime!, Fab 'n' Funky Shaped Cards, Creatalicious AG Summer, World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #24 AG and Craft Rocket #39 AG.

Hey, Mew!

Rushed to finish this for the Outlawz Paper ala Mode CAS challenge using an adorable kitty stamp called High 4 from Ike's Art.  This cutie was a freebie from last month's SUYP (cat's only) challenge and if your really hurry, you may still find it HERE.  Ike is so generous with her fabulous images and provides a freebie for both her Ike's World challenges AND SUYP.  I already had this image printed on a very old freebie background from Tiddly Inks to enter in SUYP, but hadn't managed to color him up yet.  I quickly colored him with my Copics, hoping to get a reasonable amount of fur texture and then went hunting for a sentiment stamp since the card was already cut to size.  No luck so I resorted to hand lettering...shudder!  Not great, but not too bad and that made it one layer. Yay, me!  

Oh, and BTW. Just thought I'd mention that Ike's Art is having a 50% off sale for the whole month of July, so you might want to check out her newly revamped store, that now offers instant downloads.  WooHoo!  No waiting.

I'll be adding this to the SYUP (cats only) July Furrything Goes Challenge, the Ike's World AG challenge w/optional twist Relax, Your Scrapbook Place July AG using sponsor image, the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Crafty Animals July #4 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #4 AG, Craft Rocket #39 AG, Animal Friends #52 One Layer and Tuesday Throwdown #351 One Layer.

Hot Air Kitty From Sandra Caldwell

Well, you all know I love me some kitties and Sandra Caldwell's are some of my faves.  Today is new release day and here is #1684 Hot Air Kitty.  Since I knew I would be showcasing him today, I was thrilled to find some fun shaker balloons at Michaels to complete my card and even happier to be able to use the Outlawz Wednesday sketch.  WooHoo!

Here's the cool sketch for this week.

Here's a closeup of #1684 Hot Air Kitty.  He's colored with Copics with fur detail from Prismacolor pencils and shine marks done with a white gel pen.  He's fussy cut and popped in the circle cut with my Spellbinder's Nesties.  The paw print border is a punch from EK Success.  I swear I have a rick rack punch but do you think I can find it?  The paw prints filled in rather nicely though, I think.  The pretty plaid and striped DP is from Lawn Fawn.

I'll be adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, SUYP CATS ONLY Furrything Goes(with a CAT, DUH!), 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #4 AG w/ a Critter, Colour Crazy Week 28 AG, Crafty Animals #4 AG, Simply Papercraft #48 AG, CHNC July Patterned Paper challenge AG, Craft Rocket #39 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Use Plaid and Your Scrapbook Place July AG. 

Aurora Wings Double Showcase

I'm thrilled to be joining the Aurora Wings Showcase Team for a fabulous Double Showcase of the two brand new stamps Mitzi released today.  As you might know, I participate in the seasonal Coffee Lovers Blog Hops and am an avid coffee drinker, so I'm so excited to be showcasing Coffee Sprite, available in jpg HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  I've made sort of a criss cross pocket card using dies from Heartfelt Creations.  The sun and sentiment are clear stamps from Verve, cut with a matching die.  I chose the mix of papers, including one of my fave digi papers from the Java Love pack to give a sort of retro Coffee Shop feel. 

Here's a closeup of Coffee Sprite.  Isn't she perky?  (Hee Hee!  Couldn't resist.) She's also available in png form HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy if you'd like the option of printing her to color directly on a digital paper or background.  I've colored with Copics in bright fresh colors of the digi paper and fussy cut and popped her in the area of the saucer and left part of the cup, in case I might want to add another tag or gift card in the pocket behind her.

Here she is again with the little sentiment tag out of the top pocket.  The tag itself is cut with Spellbinders Labels Eleven, the Verve sentiment is cut with Scalloped Labels One.  The pretty mint crinkle ribbon is from the Spring Bundle 2 from DL.Art.  I have so many fun coffee sentiments it was hard to choose but Coffee Sprite is such a doll, I know I'll be using her again and again.

Now if you paid attention to the post title, you'll notice that I said a DOUBLE release.  Wanna see the other GORGEOUS new stamp?  Of COURSE you do, but nope, no "sneaky peeky", ya gotta click HERE.  But before you do, just in case you want to do a little shopping this weekend... 

and don't forget our challenges.

Here's how to keep up with what's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

  I'm entering this in the DL.Art July Linky challenge,the DL.Art Thankful Thursday AG,  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #61 AG, Papercraft Happy #2 AG with a Girl, Simply Papercraft 348 AG, Classic Design Team Open July #16, Crafty Calendar July AG 3/3, TTRCD Week of July 11 AG, CHNC Patterned Paper Challenge July AG, the Corrosive Challenge #7 July AG, Craft Rocket #39 AG and the Outlawz Monday Greeting Cut Paper Challenge.

4 Eyes Challenge for Sandra Caldwell

There's a fun new challenge going on in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fan FB Group called 4 Eyes with 6 fabulous stamps on sale for only $1.50 through July 22nd to use to participate.  You can see them all HERE.  As you might guess, "4 eyes" refers to eye glasses and I'm using the brand new #1549 Mermaid 4 Eyes  Sandra drew just for this challenge.  I've colored her with Copics, added some slightly sparkly epoxy circles to her glasses and Glitter Nuvo Drops to the bubbles.  The ocean floor and little sea turtle are JoLee's stickers and I matted it 3 times and called it done.  Quite a quickie and CAS, but I love how it turned out.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art July Linky challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #61 AG, Papercraft Happy #2 AG with a Girl, and the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG.

Freedom for Wednesday Sketch

Oh boy!  Two patriotic cards in a row.  Yeah, I guess you could say I'm running a bit behind, but I did want to use this lovely image drawn by a girl who just turned 9, the daughter of my friend Cristena Concialloni-Bagne of Copictopia, named Meadow. I'll tell you a bit more about this image in a minute.  I've used the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge, a digital background and sentiment from the Gecko Galz  Show us Your Stars and Stripes collage set.  I've cut and matted Meadow's Eagle with Spellbinders Nested Ovals and added faceted star embellies.

Here's the sketch.

Here's a closeup of the image drawn by that talented artist Meadow Bagne.  I still can't believe that Meadow was still just 8 years old when she drew it. (She's had a birthday since then, so a belated Happy Birthday, Meadow.) Isn't it amazing!?!  I bought this image as part of a Memorial Day fundraiser for the Gary Sinise Foundation for veterans, sponsored by Meadow's Mom in the Paper Crafting Support Group on FB and colored it with Copics to enter in a coloring challenge for the event.  About time I got it on a card.  The image was exclusive to the event, but personally I think Cristena should offer it for sale on Copictopia, don't you?

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Create and Inspire #64 July AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #61 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #4 July AG/w Animal, the Corrosive Challenge #7 July AG, Country View Crafts July Things with Wings, Crafty Animals #4 July AG w/Animals, Crafty Girls June 15th challenge AG w/optional masculine, TTRCD week of July 11 AG and Creatalicious AG w/optional Red, White, and Blue.

Oh Say Can You See

I didn't manage any patriotic makes in time for the 4th but there's no reason not to celebrate the  USA all year 'round.  Besides, there are plenty of challenges still to be entered like the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge.

With this pic as inspiration, how could I resist?  Ya think there's enough red white and blue?  The adorable image is #1488 Oh Say Can You See by Sandra Caldwell.  Digital paper behind is recolored in my printing program (original is black and white) from the Graphicals Paper pack from Gecko Galz and the sentiment if from the Show Us Your Stars and Stripes Collage set.  The gorgeous crinkle ribbon bow is from the Patriotic Bundle from DL.Art with the royal blue option and I've added glitter foam stars, a blingy starburst, a stretch of starry ribbon and of course, the flag from my stash.

Here's a closeup of the patriotic cutie #1488 Oh Say Can You See.  She's colored with Copics and I've added tiny gem stars to her earrings.  Sandra has lots of patriotic images, but this one is one of my faves.  I think the title is the cutest (named by my teamie Crafting Vicky) with the little bear peeking out from behind her tall hat and I've gotta say I can't help but get teary eyed with our national anthem is played.  God Bless America, land that I love.

I'm adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Summer Fun Challenge (celebrating the 4th of July), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #61 AG, Papercraft Happy #2 AG with a Girl, Jo's Scrap Shack FCC#196 AG, Glitter 'N' Sparkle # 247 Red, White and Blue, Creatalicious #118 AG w/optional Red, White and Blue  and Really Reasonable Ribbon #167 AG w/ribbon.

K is for Kids-Guest Designing for the Sisterhood

Hot off my win and shiny crown for D is for Drunk, I'm thrilled to be Guest designing for the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #88 K is for Kids. Gotta say I laughed out loud when I saw the theme, since pretty much all my thoughts about kids are basically snarky, which is why I don't have any.  Lucky me?  Lucky them?  I'd say we all came out ahead.

So how could I resist again composing a scene with Bloobel stamps?  They're so quirky and fun they're always my "go to" for humor and snark.

So here's a closeup of the happy family, all colored with Copics.  We have calm mama Zen, big brother Hugh Nose, little sister Bunny Ears (although to me she looks like she's saying "Na na, na na, na, na", the little brat) and finally Cry Baby.  I couldn't resist pulling out another "thought bubble" for Mom's real feelings using a cropped version of Zodiac Leo.  I'm not quite sure what Zen mama is on, but in case you can't read it, the sentiment says "I may look calm, but I've already killed them in my mind 1000 times today."  Pretty sure I couldn't exhibit the same amount of self control.  Be sure to visit the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers for more fabulous snark and come play along.  Childrens' lives just may hang in the balance.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #61 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Paper Craft Happy #2 AG with a Girl, Creative Fingers #134 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FCC#196 AG, Simply Papercraft #48 AG, and Craft Rocket AG.

Flamingo Rose Travel Journal

It's new release day for Sandra Caldwell and I'm showcasing the fabulous #1675 Flamingo Rose.  Isn't she gorgeous?  She just screamed TROPICAL VACATION to me so I decided to add her to the cover of a travel journal I picked up at Michaels.  I used Spellbinder's squares to cut vinyl in what I hoped to look like a Polaroid pic to frame her.  I thought the vinyl would stick to the textured vinyl cover a bit better that card stock, but I ended up having to add Scoretape to the edges to really get it to stick.  Then I framed the frame with washi tape, added additional washi tape sentiments and a beachy sticker to the bottom.

Here's a closeup of #1675 Flamingo Rose.  I've colored her with Copics and then fussy cut her.  I added a piece of acetate to the frame before sticking her to the corner which not only protects the image, but left no need to use adhesive behind her.  My first thought was to make a shaker, but the cover is quite stiff and bends at the spine so I was afraid the added dimension might be a problem, especially when using the attached elastic that keeps the book closed.  I still love the way it turned out.  Be sure to check out the rest of the fun new stamps being showcased by my teamies in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp fans FB Group.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art July Linky challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Summer Fun Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #61 AG, Crafty Calendar July AG, TTRCD Week of July 4th AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#196, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Vacation challenge, Creative Fingers #134 AG, Craft Rocket AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #4 July AG w/Animal and Simon Says Stamp Summer Sunshine.