Not a Card – Can You Believe It??

So my last post showed a card without using Copics and now ~ can you believe it? I made something that WASN’T a card! I admit that cards are my favorite way to create. There are so many things in my life that are a ‘tad’ chaotic, that I relish being able to express my creativity (and escape the chaos) for an hour or two. I know I can start with a piece of blank paper and after an hour of playing, have a lovely card to share with a friend. I enjoy other projects, but lack the confidence to know what to expect at the end of that hour when I dive in. LOL.

This project was pretty quick and easy, thanks to my SU friend and her monthly card kits, and of course, the wonderful challenge inspirations in blog land.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #67

Color Inspiration ~ Crafty Catz #50 ~ Chocolate and Green

Inspiration
Creative Belli Challenge ~ B Embellishments I used a 'B'ird punch on my creation.
AllSorts Challenge #70 ~ 3 Punches Circle, Bird and Scallop
Daring Cardmakers ~ Come Fly With Me
My birdie is resting, but she can fly off any time.
Cute Card Thursday #130 ~ Tweet and a Flutter I used the TWEET as inspiration.
Rainbow Lady’s Challenge #119 ~ Feathers
The Corrosive Challenge #82 ~ Clean Up the Dust
The challenge is to use old supplies. I've had my scalloped border punch for over a year and seldom use it.
PaperTake Weekly Challenge ~ Animal Magic
Simon Says Challenge ~ Movement
Hopefully my birdhouse will qualify. The bird isn't moving at the moment, but she signifies a creature that does move quite a bit. In addition, I hung my 'tweet' birdhouse on a plant at work. It's near a air vent and is moving all the time! LOL.

My Creation

I have no idea what I'll use this little treasure for, but for now it's a cute decoration on my palm plant.

 

Ins and Outs ~ Bitty Birdhouse
Stamps: SU Woodgrain Background
Paper: All SU
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip
Accessories: SU Punches and Dies (Bird, Circle, Scallop Edge, Milk Carton), SU Ribbon

Fall Sketch at One Stop Crafts

Wahoo! It's Saturday which means there's a new challenge over at One Stop Crafts. Val is our hostess this week and she came up with an awesome sketch. The added challenge is use fall/autumn colors in your card. Robyn's Fetish is our sponsor this week. Come join in the fun and you could win FREE digi's from Robyn.

Fall is my favorite season and the colors always calm me. As a fur baby momma, six in the herd and this weekend we are fostering 3 tiny babies with no momma, I always like making cards with kitties on them. This card was fun as I got to play with my nesties and new Max and Whiskers stack from Basic Grey. I stepped out of my Copic coloring standard and broke out my neglected set of Stampin Up markers.

Sketch Inspiration ~ One Stop Craft Challenge #98 ~ Sketch plus Autumn Colors


Color Inspiration ~ Fall Colors

Creative Card Crew Challenge ~ Autumn or Fall
Spoon Full of Sugar #121 ~ Fall Into Autumn Color Challenge

Inspiration
Wild Flower Patch #32 ~ Stripes

ABC Challenge ~ D is for Distressing
I used ink distressing on the edges and layers of paper.
365 Cards Day 115 ~ Imagine This: Bedtime
I don't get to tuck in human babies very often, but my bed is always filled with fur babies.
365 Cards Day 191 ~ All Creatures Great and Small
My large animal is the big kitty on the window image, and I have several small kitties on the DP mat.
365 Cards Day 201 ~ A Happy Heart
The challenge is to take 2 things that make your heart happy and include them in a card. Two things that always make me happy are a cuddly cat and a nap!
S2G Challenge #74 ~ Happy Birthday with a Critter
Totally PaperCrafts #34 ~ Happy Birthday

My Creation

Image Detail

I added Diamond Glaze for a realistic window effect.

Inside

Ins and Outs ~ Fall Kitty
Stamps: Cat in Window (Elzybells)
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV Naturals, Basic Grey Max & Whiskers
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa); SU Markers (YoYo Yellow, Basic Black, Old Olive, Garden Green, Really Rust, Cameo Coral, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue); Uniball White Gel Pen; Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen
Accessories: Nesties (Circles, Inverted Scallops); Stickles (Black Diamond, Yellow, Copper); Joann Metal Happy Birthday; Making Memories Autumn Spice Leaves; SU Hardware

Groovy Fashion for OSC

The best part about Saturday mornings, is a new challenge is posted over at One Stop Craft Challenge - WAHOO! This week Shelley is challenge us to use Fashion Through the Years as the theme. Please pop over to the challenge blog to see the amazing cards the team created. I opted for a groovy theme with my 70's Disco Inspired card. I couldn't stop smiling when I saw the image at Just Inklined and had been waiting for the perfect chage to play with him. Whenever possible, I like to use the Midnight Madness Sketches for my DT creations on other blogs. Priscilla always comes up with amazing sketches that are so fun to work with. This week, I managed to get the card made before the challenge closed. I have about 15 sketches I'm playing catch up on, so it's nice to stay up with the current challenges.

Mr. Gears and I are spending the weekend at a hotel with some friends. We're wiped after hours splashing in the pool. After a yummy pizza supper, the girls couldn't wait to get back in the pool. Auntie and Uncle barely dragged their tushes to the pool area to watch. The girls plan to be back in the pool at 7 am. I'd better rest up, as they want us to splash around with them again. It's AWESOME making memories with such special friends, who are really considered my family. LOVE YOU GUYS!

Okay, onto my card as my chlorine bleary eyes are ready for a rest. :o)

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #70

Color Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 190 ~ Color Scheme


Inspiration
One Stop Craft Challenge #97 ~ Fashion Through the Years
This week Shelley challenges us to create a card using Fashion as the theme. There are lots of great vintage images out there, and lots of digi freebies I’ve found, but I opted for a different decade. When I saw this image at Just Inklined, I thought it would be perfect for some fun cards. Join us in the challenge and you could win a prize from Lia Stampz.
Bee Crafty #38 ~ Fall Into Fashion
I used a digi image from Just Inklined and am showcasing some groovy 70’s fashion.
Die Cut Dreams #64 ~ Pearls and Pins
Color Me Copic Challenge #4 ~ Straight Hair
Stamp Something Challenge ~ Spots and Stripes
Just Inklined September Challenge
365 Cards Day #195 ~ This or That
(general card that could be used for multiple purposes) I had so much fun making this card, but I really don’t know what I’ll use it for. It could be a birthday card (pucker up for a birthday kiss); an anniversary from husband; a break up card (pucker up and kiss this relationship good-bye) or some other sassy use.

My Creation

Image Detail

I gave him Pat Boone inspired white shoes, but these white babies are SPARKLY!

Ins and Outs ~ Groovy Fashion
Stamps: Flashback Fred (Just Inklined Digi); Doodle Pantry Verse
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV Hippie Chic
Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (E21, 40, 50; YG11, 13, 23; B39; BG000, 10, 13, 49; YR14, 18, 61); Orange Spica; Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen
Accessories: Flower Stick Pin, Misc Pearls, Pop Up Dots

Mariposa Gertie

Thanks for coming along with me on my week of inspiration at One Stop Craft Challenge. As you've noticed, my mom was a very important person to me and continues to help direct my life from heaven. This is my last creation for the challenge and I appreciate those of you who took time to play along. Check the OSC blog tomorrow to see who won the prize from DewDropz Crafts.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #45

Photo Inspiration ~ One Stop Crafts Challenge #96

Color Inspiration

Paper Play Challenge 1036 ~ Autumn is Comin
InStyle Color Challenge

Inspiration

Sentimental Sundays #19 ~ Recipe
One solid paper; 2 Patterned Papers; 3 Embellishments
Belli Challenge #99 ~ Old Stamps
ABC Challenge ~ C is for Charms
Every Body Art Challenge #107 ~ Handmade Flowers
365 Cards Day 157 ~ Card Recipe #3
4.25x5.5 Card, 2 - 3x3 patterned paper, 3 rhinestones, 2 Buttons, Sentiment, 1 stamped image
Charisma Cardz #36 ~ Try Something New
I’ve done handmade flowers before, but this was the first time I used paper scraps. The larger flowers are strips of scrap paper scrunched and turned in a circle. The small flower is another scrap paper that I rolled into a noodle and coiled it on a glue dot.

My Creation

Yep, that's the true inspiration for the challenge peeking out next to the card, my mom. My dad is peeking from the other side. I miss them greatly, but am at peace knowing they are reunited in heaven.

Image Detail

I used the feather blending techinique with Copics to color Gertie.

Here's a close up of my hand made flowers from paper scraps.

Ins and Outs ~ Mariposa Gertie

Stamps: Gertie (Stamping Bella), SU Verse
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV Mariposa Stack
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics (E21, 41; W3; C3; Y15, 17; YR04); Spicas (Black, Orange, Lemon); Uniball White Gel Pen
Accessories: Misc Buttons, Rhinestones, Heart Charm, Pop Up Dots

Fluttering For You

We're nearing the end of the challenge at One Stop Crafts, and I have 2 final cards to share with you. This card was created from an element (the butterfly panel) that I'd created a few months ago and it was just waiting for a card. I thought it fit in perfect with the photo challenge I'm hosting to honor my mom's memory. She was certainly a butterfly lady.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch #31

Photo Inspiration ~ One Stop Crafts Challenge #96

I used the butterfly as inspiration and a bit of the orange.


Color Inspiration
InStyle Photo Inspiration Challenge #3
I pulled the accent colors from the bedding - teal blue, orange, white, and the circle pattern.

365 Cards Day 184 ~ Opposites Attract
The challenge is to use your favorite color (blue) and your least favorite color (orange) in similar dominance.

Inspiration
365 Cards Day 156 ~ Card Recipe #2
4.25x5.5 Card, 3x3 patterned paper (I used a 3 inch circle and cut it in half, Stitching (faux around the edges of the circle), 3 rhinestones, 2 Buttons, Sentiment, 1 stamped image (there's a label stamp on the orange circle behind the butterfly)

365 Cards Day 193 ~ Tools and Techniques
Favorite tool to add color (patterned papers) fav technique to add dimension (embellishments – buttons)

My Creation

Image Detail

Ins and Outs ~ Fluttering For You
Stamps: SU verse (unknown set)
Paper: SU, DCWV Mariposa Stack, Bazzill Marmalade Blast
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Gold Marker
Accessories: Circle Nesties, SU Butterfly Die, Misc buttons and rhinestones, pop up dots

PhotoSynthesis Challenge #3 ~ Take 3

I've been having so much fun with the One Stop Craft challenge this week, I nearly forgot to post another card I made for the Photo Synthesis Challenge. This is a relatively new challenge blog on the block and I'm honored to be a member of the inagural design team. The challenges run every two weeks and there's still time to play. Challenge ends Tuesday, so what you are you waiting for? Come and play!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #46

Photo Inspiration ~ Photo Synthesis Challenge #3
There are 2 photos to be inspired by. I picked up the colors from this one.

Inspiration
365 Cards Day 187 ~ Friday Favorite
The challenge is to use favorite food or beverage as inspiration. Yummy chocolate cake got my MoJo flowing.
Speedy the Cat Friends Challenge #19 ~ 5 of something
If you count up from the base, there are 5 layers.
Flourishes Birthday Bash Challenge
Stamp Simply #156 ~ Let’s Hear it for the Guys

My Creation

Image Detail

Inside

Ins and Outs ~ Birthday Dragon
Stamps: Birthday Cake Dragon (Dustin Pike Digi)
Paper: SU Whisper White, Poteeka Souffle Stack (The Paper Studio), DCWV
Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (YR00, 04, 15, 18; Y11, 15, 26; YG11, 13, 23; G40; E09, 29, 40, 41, 53, 55, 57); Spicas (Orange, Chocolate, Lemon, Melon)
Accessories: Diamond Glaze, Misc Ribbon, Pop Up Dots

Hang in There with OSC

Hi there! This card was actually meant to be posted yesterday, but I spent too long crafting and my blogging time was sacrifices - sorry! Now you'll get multiple posts as I'm excited to show you what I was crafting on. This card is for the One Stop Craft photo inspiration challenge hosted by me! There's still time to join us and win a prize from our great sponsor DewDropz.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Truly Scrumptious Challenge #40
Use the sketch with the option to add a knot.

Photo Inspiration ~ One Stop Crafts Challenge #96
This is one of the photos you can use as inspiration in the challenge. I used a caterpillar on my card.

Color Inspiration
Stamping 411 Color Challenge #139

365 Cards Day 122 ~ Shades of Blue (3 or more shades of blue)
Daring Cardmakers ~ Sapphires for September

Inspiration

365 Cards Day 159 ~ Card Recipe #5
5x5 Card (base); 2 3x3 patterned papers (matting image); 2 Buttons (corner); 4 Blossoms (flowers are pattern on DP); Sentiment; 1 image
365 Cards Day 29 ~ A Certain Sentiment: Hang in There
365 Cards Day 181 ~ Opposite Day
The challenge was to show an opposite from your life in your card. I used a feeling. I'm a very upbeat optimistic person, so I created a card featuring sadness.
Clearly Delightful Challenge #9 ~ Use a Doodle Pantry Image

My Creation

Image Detail

I added Diamond Glaze to the leaves and cut out the image to the brown stems became the background.

A snippet of ribbon destined for the trash bin becomes the perfect knotted accent; there's no need to wrap it around the paper. I used Stickles for dimension, sparkle and texture just by highlighting the design in the papers.

Ins and Outs ~ Hang in There
Stamps: Hang in There (Doodle Pantry Digi)
Paper: DCWV, SU Whisper White
Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (B93, 95, 97; G40, 82, 85; E51, 53, 55)
Accessories: SU Ribbon Scrap, Misc Buttons, Diamond Glaze, Stickles (Cinnamon, Lime Green)

Tiger Eyes

This card is the next in my weeklong celebration of my mom. I'm hosting the weekly challenge over at One Stop Craft Challenge and gave everyone a photo inspiration. My mom was a fanatic for Monarch butterflies; one of her other animal loves was the tiger. I had this image printed out for awhile and wasn't sure that I could do it justice. Then, I just dove in with my Copics and blended, blended, blended, until I had what I thought looked like a tiger. I know if mom could see it, she'd be thrilled. I hope you enjoy it as well, and will hop over to OSC and join us. There are 2 photos for you to find inspiration. Here's a snapshot of the cards I made from the pics. I still have 2 more cards to feature, so pop on back over the next few days.

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day #161: Super Sketchy Sunday

Photo Inspiration ~ One Stop Crafts Challenge #96
I can't believe mom and I never chatted about how the Monarch's wings have similar pattern and color to a tiger's stripes. The wings gave me the inspiration for my card.

Inspiration
Bee Crafty Challenge #37 ~ Anything Goes

Charisma Cardz #35 ~ Song Inspired
It shouldn't be too hard to guess what song inspired my card - Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.
365 Cards Day 180 ~ Keep it Simple 1 image 1 DP 1 ribbon
Crafty Catz Challenge #48 ~ 3-2-1
3 embellies (ribbon, diamond glaze, glitter pen); 2 papers (base and black CS); 1 image
A Spoon Full of Sugar #120 ~ Animal Crackers
Stamp-n-Doodle Challenge ~ Sports
I don't have any athletes in my card giving world, so I went with the theme of a sports team mascot. I was born in Detroit, so I always think of the Detroit Tigers when it comes to mascots. Hope it counts toward the challenge. :o)

My Creation

Image Detail

I used a glitter marker to color the eyes gold and added diamond glaze to give them a more realistic appearance.

Ins and Outs ~ Tiger Eyes
Stamps: Tiger Eyes (Stamp n Doodle Digi)
Paper: SU Whisper White and Basic Black; TPS Tiger Print Base
Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (YR14, 15, 18, 21, 23; Y26, 32; 100; E41); Martha Stewart Gold Glitter Pen
Accessories: Gold Ribbon (JoAnns), Diamond Glaze

Pastel Wings of Love

This card is my third created for the One Stop Craft Challenge this week. I'm hosting the challenge and found 2 beautiful photos that remind me of my mom. September 15 marks the one year anniversary of her journey to heaven. As an only daughter, I was blessed to have a very close and special relationship with my mom. She was a lover of all things nature, but Monarach butterflies had a special place in her life. It was an honor to host a challenge at this time in her memory. Today I'm featuring my pastel 'fancy' butterfly card.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #69 I rotated the sketch.

Photo Inspiration ~ One Stop Crafts Challenge #96
I used colors from both photos and used a butterfly as the main image.

Color Inspiration
Cuttlebug Challenge #99 ~ Pink
Creative Inspirations Challenge #76 ~ Pastel Green, Pink and Cream
 
Inspiration

 Simon Says Stamp and Show #4 ~ Show Us Your Layers
Stampin’ for the Weekend #46 ~ Shabby or Vintage
I used a pastel vintage color theme.
Simon Says Challenge ~ Pearls and Lace
I searched everywhere for a scrap of lace and came up empty, not even a DP with the pattern. Instead I used a punch to create a lacey border.
365 Cards Day 167 ~ Blog Inspired (use your own blog for theme for inspiration - I used the colors and butterfly)
Rainbow Lady’s Challenge #117 ~ Dreaming
Pals Paper Arts #58 ~ Pretty in Pearls
365 Cards Day 158 ~ Card Recipe #4
5x5 Card, 2 3x3 patterned papers, 2 Buttons, Sentiment, 1 image
Allsorts Week #68 ~ New Beginnings
Pile it On #35 ~ Pile On the Layers

My Creation

 My mom was not at all a girly-girl. She didn't get into frou-frou and simply emitted a natural beauty. I used that inner beauty as addtional inspiration.

Image Detail

Ins and Outs ~ Pastel Wings of Love

Stamps: Elements of Style (Stampin Up)
Paper: SU Very Vanilla, Kraft, DCWV Mariposa, Stamping Bella DP
Ink: SU Basic Grey, SU Watercolor Wonder Crayons (Regal Rose, Rose Red, Old Olive, Certainly Celery)
Accessories: SU Beautiful Butterflies Die, SU Embossing Folder, Circle and Scalloped Circle Nesties, Martha Stewart Daisy Fan Punch, Pearl, Misc Buttons, SU Rub on, Pop Up Dots, Pearl Wedding Floral Picks

House Mouse ATC

This is the second card I made for the One Stop Craft Challenge I'm hosting this week. I've chosen 2 photos for you to find inspiration in that are to honor my mom who passed away a year ago. She was a lover of butterflies and a few days before she journeyed to heaven she told me not to worry; whenever I saw a butterfly I would know it was her saying hello. I smiled and told her it would be a long winter, since butterflies aren't very plentiful in MN winters. She scoffed and said to keep my eyes open, butterflies are everywhere, on cards, in magazines, photographs, all over the place. She was right. I've seen more butterflies this past year than I can count and each time I feel as if I've been hugged by my sweet mom.

Thanks for stopping and I hope you join the OSC challenge this week. Here are the cards I made for the challenge. Today I'm featuring the House Mouse Artist Trading Card.

Sketch Inspiration ~Midnight Madness Sketch #34

Photo Inspiration ~ One Stop Crafts Challenge #96
For this card, I used the butterfly photo as inspiration. I picked up on the colors and of course the little butterfly in the image.

Color Inspiration ~ Little Paper Shop Color Challenge #83

Inspiration

Stamp Something Challenge ~ Something Cute
House Mouse and Friends #20 ~ Artist’s Trading Card
365 Cards Day 165 ~ ATC

My Creation

Ins and Outs ~ House Mouse ATC
Stamps: House Mouse Maxwell’s Pet (Stampabilities)
Paper: DCWV Safari Chic Stack, SU Whisper White and Wild Wasabi
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics (R81; G20, 40; YG11, 13; YR23; E00, 02, 31, 37, 50, 55); Spicas (Blossom, Melon, Mint); Uniball White Gel Pen; Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen
Accessories: Oval and Scalloped Oval Nesties, Pop Up Dots, Rhinestones