Butterfly Birthday Gift Bag

Today's creation is a cute little birthday bag. It could just as easily be adapted to become a card. Every now and then I have to pull myself back from 'over doing' the embellies and just let things be. I love the look of embossing folders and don't get mine pulled out that often. They work great to fill in as patterned paper or as a background.

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 153 ~ Super Sketchy Sunday

Photo Inspiration ~ Fab ‘n Funky Challenge #105
I LOVE this photo! So cool and I have a soft spot for butterflies. I was inspired by the 'pattern' on the woman's eyelid and the butterfly.

Inspiration
ABC Challenge ~ H is for Happy Birthday

Everybody Art Challenge #177 ~ Swirls or Flourishes
Creative Inspirations Challenge #147 ~ Anything Goes
Flutter By Wednesday #187 ~ Embossing
Crafty Catz Challenge #117 ~ Things with Wings
365 Cards Day 260 ~ Make a List and Check it Twice
Only use 4 items ~ Cardstock, Punches, Ribbon, Brads
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #87 ~ Dry Embossing

My Creation

Here's a shot showing the side of the bag.

The coloring is beter ont this photo.

 I even embossed the back panel of the bag.

A few pearls and a bit of sparkle to jazz up the butterfly.

Ins and Outs ~ Butterfly Birthday Gift Bag
Stamps: SU Verse
Paper: SU
Ink: SU
Accessories: SU
Techniques: SU

Embossed Christmas Stocking

Hello all! So, am I still playing catch up on my 2011 Christmas Cards or am I getting prepared for 2012? I'll let you decide. :o) I had to hurry to get linked in with the i{heart}sketches challenge. I enjoyed playing along last year but didn't get a creation done each month. This year I hope to make the cut!

Sketch Inspiration ~ i{heart}sketches ~ January 2012

Inspiration

PaperTake Wekely Challenge ~ Happy Highlights Highlight part of an image with glitter.
Simon Says Challenge ~ Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #201 ~ You’re A Gem
Stampin for the Weekend Challenge #2 ~ Embossing
Christmas Card Challenge #9 ~ Favorite Technique Embossing
I Did it Creations Challenge #92 ~ Make it Sparkle
365 Cards Day 149 ~ Wednesday Background Challenge
365 Cards Day 316 ~ Recipe 4.25x5.5 card; Stripes; Stickers (rhinestone stick on gem); Stamped sentiment; 1 additional embellishment (stickles)

My Creation
I wanted to share a way to take your cards up a notch (bling always makes things better - right?) The original card on the left is already nice. Lots of layers, embossing, and a spot of bling. I wanted to amp things up a bit so I dug into my Stickles supply and embellished the embossed snowflake design and glittered up portions of the stamped stocking.

Image Detail

Ins and Outs ~ Enbossed Christmas Stocking

Stamps: Stamping Up Stitched Stockings

Paper: Stamping Up (Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green,  Frostwood Lodge DP)

Ink: Stamping Up (Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, White Craft)

Accessories: Stamping Up (Snowburst Embossing Folder; Punches: Corner Rounder, Scallop Border, 2½” Circle, Stocking Builder; Rhinestone)

Under the Weather at OSCC

This week we're feeling 'under the weather' at One Stop Crafts. Well, not for long  if you check out all the awesome creations that are being posted! I'm late with mine because I am actually under the weather! I had surgery on Thursday and spent the weekend recouperating. I'm still staying close to bed and in my pjs, thank goodness for laptops! I hope you stop over and join in the fun; you can win some great prizes!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Mojo Monday Challenge #225

Inspiration

One Stop Crafts Challenge #166 ~ Under the Weather
The Corrosive Challenge #141 ~ Hearts
I have a rhinestone heart and drew one on the cast.
365 Cards Day 113 ~ Tuesday Trio: Beads, Floss, Stamped Image
I stretched this a bit by using a stamped image with ‘beady’ eyes.
365 Cards Day 280 ~ Inchies and Rinches
365 Cards Day 284 ~ Marvelous Mosaic
365 Cards Day 317 ~ Imagine This: Candy Land
I love playing this game with my nieces and nephews. My favorite part are the bright colors.
365 Cards Day 320 ~ On the Fringes
Use fringe in 2 places (I fringed the floss and my image contains fur fringe on the critters and the carpet)
My Time to Craft Challenge #171 ~ Favorite Embellishment
I am in LOVE with twine!!

My Creation

Image Detail

I love House Mouse stamps and this one is super cool because you can customize the designs on the cast. The stamp includes the Get W verse, but I free handed the flower and {heart} u.

Ins and Outs ~ Get Well Friends
Stamps: Cast of Characters (House Mouse Stampabilities)
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV Base
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Copics (YR04; V000, 01, 04, 06, 29, 69; YG13; B0000, 28; RV04, 21; Y08, 15, 21; G12,40; C00, 02, 03; W3, 5; R02, 11, 24; E0000, 000, 00, 30, 40, 41, 43, 44, 50, 51, 53); Spicas
Accessories: Doodlebug Baker’s Twine, Rhinestone Heart

BINGO fun at One Stop Crafts

We are having lots of BINGO fun over at One Stop Crafts this week with some AWESOME prizes. Doodle Pantry has some of my favorite images, especially the kitties! It's really easy to connect 3 for a Bingo and create a fabulous card. I hope to see you linked up at the OSCC. I used inspiration from several other challenge blogs this week as well.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge #136 (73)

 Photo Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 128 ~ Ad Inspired
I pulled out the bright fun colors and pattern.

Inspiration

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #34 ~ All That Glitter Sparkles Shines
I used an old DCWV stack and Doodle Pantry image to create my card. There is glitter cardstock and shiny embossed flowers on the paper. I also used Spica pens for subtle glitter accents in the image.
Simon Says Challenge ~ Spots and Stripes
The flower background gives out 'spots' and I wrapped baker's twine to add 'stripes'.
OWH Challenge ~ Floral Fantasy
Doodle Pantry Challenge #19 ~ Use a DP Image
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge #67 ~ Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenge #66 ~ Anything Goes
365 Cards Day 135 ~ Wednesday Collage Card: Chipboard, Patterned Paper, Fringe
365 Cards Day 227 ~ Fun with Floss
TIP: Mix and match your supplies to add texture and wow factor. Here I took a die cut chipboard piece and wrapped part of in baker's twine to create 'vase' and add texture and visual interest.
365 Cards Day 252 ~ The 3 F’s: Fringe, Fussy Cut and U Pick F(lower)

My Creation

Image Detail

Ins and Outs ~ Flower Kitty
Stamps: Doodle Pantry Kitty Bouquet
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV
Ink: Laser Printer, Copics (C1, 2, 5, 7; RV000, 32; B00, 04; YG11, 13; R05, 08), Spicas
Accessories: Doodlebug Baker’s Twine, DCWV Chipboard, Avon Scissors Shredder

Punched Angel

This card is full of punch fun. I always enjoy finding new elements to make using my punches. I can't take credit for designing this cute angel, but am happy to share the idea with you.

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 272 ~ Super Sunday Sketch

Inspiration

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge ~ Angels or Fairies
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge #66 ~ Anything Goes plus a tip down below
Charisma Cardz Challenge #50 ~ Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #44 ~ Anything Goes
365 Cards Day 159 ~ Opposite Day
Opposite colors for a Christmas Card (I did an orangey red instead of traditional)
Smooth and texture
365 Cards Day 291 ~ Diamonds and Pearls
Diamonds (on the angel's body) and Pearls (edging her wings and dress)

My Creation

Image Detail

TIP: It's easy to bump a card  up a notch with a little extra embellishment. My punched angel is already cute, but by adding some liquid pearl accents she now has some extra sheen and texture.

Ins and Outs ~ Punched Angel
Stamps: Stamping Up (Pennant Parade, Contempo Christmas)
Paper: Stamping Up (Whisper White, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Patterns DPS)
Ink: Stamping Up (So Saffron, Early Espresso)
Accessories: Stamping Up (Punches: Petite Pennants Builder, Cupcake Builder, Butterfly, ¾” Circle; Top Note Die; Snowburst Embossing Folder; Silver Mini Brad; Poppy Parade Ribbon)