WINNER from our 5 Year Birthday Bash at Challenges for Days!

Thank you ALL for playing in our Challenges for Days 5 Year Birthday Bash!

I LOVE being a part of Challenges for days, but there is absolutely NO

way I could do it without my wonderful teamies!

So, thank you ALL -

Zoe Sanderson {who started all of this!}

Donna Flowers

Jane Willis

Nana Connie

Kathy Kirby

Carol Fagg

Cheryl Schoeman

Marlene Atkinson

April Story

Swati 

Mary Trainer {on break}

and welcome to our new volunteer
Lucille :)

And my winner is:

Christine

from

With a Very Grateful Heart

Christine, please send your info to ChallengesForDays@yahoo.com 

with a note as to who's blog {Christi's} you won with.

Rose Panel Bookmark

Hello fellow crafters! I hope you are having a marvelous summer! For the July theme at Die Cut Diva's we have chosen Anything But a Card, sponsored by

Dies R Us - enter so you have a chance to win a $10 voucher to the store!  One of my past Design Teams was on a blog dedicated {and aptly named} to Anything But a Card.  Unfortunately, the challenge closed and I haven't been creating as many projects other than cards.  However, this challenge has gotten my muse going again!

What I Used to Make my Project
White Card Base
Tattered Lace Rose Panel, #D307 {any of these would work as well}
STAMPlorations Literary Caffeine-ations, #STMP1155
Black Card
White Brads {stash}
Handheld Circle Hole Punch {1/8" and standard size}
Asian Inspired Tassel {stash}

I began this bookmark by cutting the Rose Panel out of black card, mounted the cut out onto a piece of white card which I then trimmed.  I punched small holes, using the handheld 1/8" circle punch, and attached white brads just to add some embellishment.  The sentiment was stamped onto white card, then trimmed and attached to the upper portion of the bookmark.  Lastly, I used a very old, Asian inspired, tassel to finish off the project.  Since I was making this for The Man, I didn't want it to be too feminine but I really wanted to use the Rose Panel die since it is the perfect size for a bookmark. I also attached a strip of cardboard to the back of the bookmark to give it a bit more stability. 

Thank you SO much for stopping by! I hope you and yours are having a wonderful summer - today was the first day that we here in Colorado have had a break from the heat!  Maybe you have had to stay indoors because of the weather where you are; this is a perfect time to get out some of your dies and make Anything But a Card to enter it in the Die Cut Diva's July Challenge! I hope to see you there!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Bookmark in the Following ANYTHING GOES Challenges:
Cardz TV - #58
Crafting with Friends - #72
Creative Fingers - #150
Crafting with an Attitude - #41
Crafting by Designs - July
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
A Bit More Time to Craft - #72
The Creative Crafters - #6
Crafty Creations Challenge - #371
Through the Craft Room Door - Wk of July 24, 2018
Word Art Wednesday - #344/345

You Are Loved

Hello fellow crafters! I hope you are having a marvelous summer! For the July theme at Die Cut Diva's we have chosen Anything But a Card, sponsored by

Dies R Us - all you have to do is enter for a chance to win a $10 voucher to the Dies R Us store {and if you haven't been to the store lately, you need to go take a look! Dies R Us now carries paper, bows, inks, and basically everything you could need to craft}! It's been a while since I have made something other than a card.  One of my past Design Teams was on a blog dedicated to {and aptly named} Anything But a Card but, unfortunately, the challenge closed and I haven't been creating as many projects other than cards.  A friend was having a tough time and I made this banner for them; my intent is that no matter what is going on, they will remember that they are loved.

What I Used to Make my Banner:
White Card
Black Card
Grey Card
Lawn Fawn Louie's ABC's, #LF688 {any of these would work}
Sue Wilson Australian Collection, Melbourne #CED8105
Sue Wilson Atlantic Ocean Collection, Azores, #CED13005
Ribbon {I used a .99 cent roll called Nicole in Black Nylon}
Black Bows {stash}
Handheld Rectangle Punch, 1/4"

Since the alphabet I chose to use is fairly large, the first thing I did was cut out all the letters I needed to spell out my sentiment using white card.  Then I made

sure they fit onto the shape I used as my first layer.  It was then I realized that "loved" was a wee bit longer than I had thought, but I smooshed the letters together anyway - the charm of handmade, right? I then chose one of the dies in the Sue Wilson Melbourne set that I felt fit the letters and cut out 3 of them in black card.  For the back of the banner pieces, I used grey card and cut out three pieces using the Sue Wilson Azores set.  

Once all my pieces were cut, I began to assemble each word of the banner.   I glued all the letters onto the black die cut, then

attached the black card onto the grey card.  It was then I decided, while I was pleased with the way the banner looked, to add black bows onto the bottom of each section.  While I chose the black and grey colors to make the banner gender neutral, the bows gave it a bit of femininity. 

Lastly, I punched out two rectangles at the top of each piece and threaded the ribbon through.  The ribbon actually "attached" itself to the card, so I didn't need to knot each side, or put any sort of stopper.  Now the recipient can adjust the banner to suit their needs.

The banner was received wonderfully! They loved the banner and hung it right up in their bedroom so they could see it first thing every morning.  I had lots of fun making it and I'm so happy that my friend also liked it. Everyone should know that they are loved!  I hope you have gotten some time to make an Anything But a Card project to join in the July Die Cut Diva's Anything But a Card challenge!  A huge thanks to Dies R Us for the July sponsorship. Thanks for stopping by.  Christi 

PS: Challenges for Days is celebrating our 5 year anniversary - all kinds of goodies and prizes available for you to win! Check it out here!

I'm entering my You are Loved Banner in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Scrapy Land - #94, Anything Goes with Products they Sell
Not Just Cards - July Challenge Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies
Crafty Catz - #426, Anything Goes OPTION: Dies or Punches
The Corrosive Challenge - #7, Anything Goes
Unstampabelles Challenge - How Edgy Can You Be?
Use Your Stuff - #322, Anything Goes with a Title or Sentiment

Under the Water with Lawn Fawn {and a giveaway!}

Today is a VERY special day!  Challenges for Days {a challenge listing blog that I am very honored to run} is having a week long Birthday Bash celebration and YOU are invited! All you need to do to be in the running for the prize pack I have donated {picture below} is comment on on this blog post and the Challenges for Day's Monday post and you could be today's winner! We also have a Super Giveaway on Saturday so be sure to check Challenges for Days every day this week so you can enter!  Now, on to my nice, cool Happy Birthday card.

For the celebration I wanted to use my brand new Lawn Fawn goodies so I constructed this Shadow Box birthday card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Blue Card {for shadow box}
Assorted other Color Card {for the critters}
White Card
Lawn Fawn Sentiment - Was a Freebie from Lawn Fawn
Lawn Fawn Shadow Box Card dies, #LF1486
Lawn Fawn Ocean Shadow Box Add On dies, #LF1705
Lawn Fawn You are Sublime stamp set, #LF1686
Lawn Fawn You are Sublime dies set, #1687
VersaFine ink, Onyx Black
Tutti Design Cross Stitched Rectangles, #TUTTI-410
Double Sided Tape

When I make a card like this I like to cut out all the components of the main

portion, in this case the Shadow Box, first.  I also cut out a few more of the waves in different colors of blue.  I could tell you how to construct the Shadow Box, but Kelly Marie at Lawn Fawn makes the BEST videos {and I am not a video learned - I much prefer to have instructions written out for me}, they are SO easy to follow - and of course, you can stop and start as needed! So, for instructions, I suggest you pop over to YouTube and watch.

Once I constructed the box and put the waves in the card {I decided on 3 waves and made the middle wave

a lighter blue}, I began to cut out my critters.  I used a little bit of both sets, designing where I wanted everything to go.  I have to say, I adore that little lobster - he is so cute and happy! Once everything was attached, I put the Birthday banner on the top of the card.  There you go! Each time I make one of these cards it gets easier and I think this one only took me a few hours {I'm kidding, maybe a half an hour!} and I really love the pop out factor of them - and the fact they still fit in an A2 envelope! Fantastic!

Now, don't forget to go over to Challenges for Days and comment, after you comment here, for a chance to win this AWESOME prize pack! The celebration is

You Could Win This Prize Pack!

going on all week, with a Super Saturday Giveaway where some sweet sponsors have generously donated some prizes.  Thank you so much for all your support through the years and I hope that both Art Without Anxiety and Challenges for Days are around for at least another five years {I'll be SO old then. . . } Fondly, Christi

I am Entering my Shadow Card in the following challenges:
Lawn Fawnatics - #33, Fun Folds
The Library Challenge - The Little Mermaid
A Gem of a Challenge - Summertime/Holiday
The Fairy & The Unicorn - Under the Sea
Crafty Catz - #426, Anything Goes w/ Dies and or Punches
Cut it Up - Under the Sea
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Dies and/or Punches
Die Cuttin' Divas - #378, Lots of Layers
a2z Scrapbooking - Birthday Bash
Animal Friends - #64, Underwater

Just Fur You - My first Project for Not Just Cards!

I am thrilled to announce that I am now part of the Not Just Cards Design Team! Today is my very first post and I hope you enjoy it!

I love cats. All cats, but especially the Fabulous Feline Five.  I collect cat stamps {as well as other cat things} and I love to make cat cards.  If you are a reader of my blog {or a friend, family, casual acquaintance, basically anyone who has ever talked to me - you know I love cats!} you will have seen, and will see again, many cat cards.  I made this one as part of using the huge bunch of images I've already stamped, colored, and cut.  Enjoy!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Altenew Modern Cats, stamps
Altenew Modern Cats, dies
Sue Wilson Die, Indian Ocean Collection, Mauritius, #CED10014
Distress Ink, Mermaid Lagoon
Clean Color Markers
Core'dinations Sea Glass Paper Pack

Like I said above, I had already colored and cut out the cats and the yarn, but I know I used Zig Clean Color Markers to color in the cats because I recall how excited I was about the look of the orange cat.  I simply colored the stamp, took a baby wipe and took a bit of the color off, and my cat looks like he has white spots! These stamps are SO fun to play with due to all of the color combinations you can make; there is no outline, so when you color directly on the stamp you can give your kitty any colors you want. 

I stamped the sentiment and the yarn using Mermaid Lagoon ink, then cut the sentiment using the Sue Wilson Mauritius die.  Then I attached everything to a piece of matching card, put that on the card base, and I was done.  This was meant to go to the troops, but I think it is a bit too heavy for them to post, so it will sit in my card box until I decide to send it out.  

I know this is a short tutorial but the card was simple to make.  I'm very pleased with the cats and I like the entire card.  I hope you do, too! I'd love to hear what you think so leave me a comment or, better yet, follow me and I'll be sure to follow you back! Also, if you aren't familiar with the Not Just Cards challenge please click on the link and stop by! All our challenges are ANYTHING GOES and we'd LOVE to see your creations!  Hugs, Christi

I'd like to enter my Just Fur You card in the following challenges:
Crafty Animals - M, #16, Anything Goes, Must include an Animal 
Dream Factory - M, #57, Nine Lives
Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - M, July 2018 Theme: Animals (entry 2)
2 Crafty Crazy Critters - M, #16, Anything Goes w/ a Critter (entry 2)
Fashionable Stamping - #137, Use Your Inks
SUYP - M, #32, Anything Goes with a Cat (entry 2)

Red, White and Blue CAS Kitties!

I didn't have a chance to make a 4th of July card - it's been a crazy summer thus far! But, I got this cute die from Simon Says Stamps and I just had to use it; what better way to show some {a wee bit late} patriotism? Plus, seeing SO many Red, White & Blue challenges, I just HAD to whip something up and enter in all the fun!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Red, White & Blue paper
Simon Says Stamp Kitty Cat Die, #S470
Trinity Stamps, Lady Liberty
Versamark Pad
Simon Says Stamp Fine White Detail Embossing Powder
Dimensional Dots

Once I had cut all the cats, I glued them together.  I then inked up my

sentiment with VersaMark ink and embossed it with white embossing powder directly onto my Kraft card base.  I attached the kitties to the card with dimensional dots and that's it! A super easy CAS card in red, white and blue!

Thanks for stopping by for this easy tutorial! I hope you are staying cool and hydrated, this heat is crazy! We are breaking all kinds of records here in Colorado; unfortunately, one of them is for the biggest forest fire the state has ever seen.  Stay alert and be careful out there! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Red, White & Blue Kitties in the following challenges:
Cute 'n Crafty - #4, 4th of July
Crafting with Dragonflies - #108, Animal
DL ART Thankful Thursday - #231, Red, White & Blue
Addicted to Stamps - #299,  CAS
Craftaholics R Us - #27, Any Holiday Cards
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Red, White & Blue

Crafty Gals Corner - #169, Red, White & Blue
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #16, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Eclectic Ellapu - M, Red, White & Blue
Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - M, July Color Challenge - Red, White and Blue
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes with Dies
Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - M, Animals
Sunny Day Crafting - #26, Animals
SUYP - M, #32, Anything Goes with Cats

 

Best Wishes

When I found out that I was the winner of CropStop's Linky Party #39, I was thrilled.  It's always fun to win, even if it's just for fun.  But, not two days after my win, I received some beautiful embossing folders from them and an email asking me if I would like to be a guest designer on their blog! I'm very honored to be sharing my card with the gang at CropStop and all of you!
  

What I Used to Make my Card:
Square White Card, 5 1/4" x 5 1/4"
White Glitter Card
White Pearlescent Card
Sue Wilson Background Butterfly Frame, #CED-7105 {find all the Sue Wilson dies here}
My Sentiments Exactly! Best Wishes, from Wedding, #M106 {this stamp set will work just fine}
VersaMark Ink Pad {for the embossing}
Kaleidoscope Embossing Powder {Stampendous makes a nice one}
Colorbox Petal Point - Alchemy {any silver ink will work}
Dimensional Dots

You can see the sparkle a bit better here

I recently found out that an old friend was getting married, and while they are just doing a quickie ceremony at their local town hall, it inspired me to create a wedding card.  See, at my age, most folks are already married, or on their second and third marriages, so there isn't much call for wedding cards.  Which is why I purposely didn't put anything on the card about weddings or marriage, just a good old "Best Wishes" works for me.  I don't even know if I will send this card to him because he couldn't even give me a wedding date; I suppose I could always send it after.

Another Peek

I wanted the card to be elegant and sophisticated but still have the shine, glitter, and a taste of festivity.  I started the card by cutting the large background die and the top portion out of white shimmer card.  I glued the frame onto the square card.  Then I embossed the sentiment in the center of the top piece.  Next, I cut a square of white glitter card to go under the top of the card, attached the two pieces together, and used dimensional dots to attach that to the card.  That was really all there was to it.  I think it looks almost as good as a store bought card!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are entering the CropStop challenge as much as you can - the only product requirement is that you use a brand of die that they carry, and you can only enter five {5} times per challenge - that's it!  I hope to see YOU as the next Guest Designer!  Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Best Wishes Card in the following challenges:
Crafting with Friends - #71, Anything Goes
Southern Girls Challenge - M, Just a Bit Flash
Dies R Us - M, #100, Anything Goes
Card Mania - M, #106, Anything Goes

Transportation at Stinkin' Inkers!

Hi everyone! Welcome to my July post for Stinkin' Inkers! The theme for this month is Transportation and I wanted to do something a little different than the standard planes, trains, and automobiles! So, how about a little intergalactic transportation? The little rocket actually moves! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Card
Lawn Fawn Slide on Over Circles Dies, #LF1382
Watercolor Paper
Zig Clean Color Markers
Lawn Fawn Starry Skies Dies, #LF1377
Silver Glitter Card
Lawn Fawn Out of This World Stamp set, #LF1330
Lawn Fawn Out of This World Dies set, #LF1331
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Ranger Foam Tape, Black
Various Gel Pens
Penny {for the rocket}

As this is my second (check out the first one here) interactive card, at least I had an idea what to expect.  There are still things I need to work on, like my tape placement but it is getting easier and I didn't have the "first time" jitters; just the second time ones; ok, I'm kidding!

I started this card by stamping and coloring all the elements I needed and, once they were dry, I cut them all out.  It's easier for me to figure out the layout of the card when I have everything I'm going to use ready to go, especially with this type of card, since I've never made one before!  I also enhanced a few of the planets with various gel pens to add some sparkle.  The flame of the rocket is cut out of washi tape, but I would recommend using glitter card instead.  I didn't even think about the sticky washi tape and how that might make it harder for the little rocket to spin; but by the time I realized it, it was too late.  I also should have cut the flame out of plain old red glitter card; at the very least used the stamp that is supplied with the kit to make it.  Good thing the fussy cutting was rather free form so it wasn't too hard.  And I powdered the heck out of the sticky side of the tape so the flame didn't stick anywhere else.  

Instead of making a galaxy background, I decided to just use plain black card.  I cut out the track and then put the black outer piece {the one with the cut}, popped up with foam tape (doubled up foam tape - you need to give the slider element room to actually slide) and attached it to another piece of black card.  It's like making a card topper that is self contained.  Once the entire section is done, all the parts are attached and whatnot; then you attach it to your card base.

I prepped myself by re-watching the fabulous Lawn Fawn video on making slider cards and then got to work.  I happened to have some black foam tape that I bought ages ago and I like that the tape is almost invisible.  I'm not going to go into detail on how I made the card because the video really does it much better

Another Peek

than I could so, if you are interested in how to make a slider card, I highly recommend checking it out.  There are also a gazillion more videos on YouTube that explain the process.

A surprising element for me was the penny.  I never knew what people used when making a slider card to actually make the slider slide. I attached a piece of black card to the penny, then a doubled up piece of foam tape, and finished it off with the rocket.  

Once the piece was done, I decided the card needed some bling.  I used the Starry Skies die to cut out some silver glitter card and added some little twinkly stars to the card.  Now it was done!  I'm happy to say it worked, mostly.  I had to force the rocket around some of the circle, but once I made it go, it was fine.  It doesn't slide as easily as Kelly's does in the video.  I actually broke down and purchased an EK Success Powder Tool; it comes filled with a fragrant powder but once that powder is gone, I can refill it with regular baby powder.  It made a HUGE difference in regard to leaving powder residue on the black card.  I've always used a "pounce pad" for my embossing and have struggled with it dulling darker cardstock.  This didn't leave a SPECK of residue!  If you emboss a lot, I highly recommend it!  Just do a Google search for it and there are TONS of places to buy one and even a bunch of YouTube videos to explain the tool.  But I'm happy with it.  I've given the card to the Man and he likes it; all is well in the world!

I hope you enjoyed my write up and I'd love to know if you've made one of these cards yet - how did it work out for you? Thanks for visiting and I hope to see your transportation creations at Stinkin' Inkers - you have the entire month of July to join in, so I hope to see you there!  Christi

PS: Please keep your pets inside beginning at dusk if you live in the USA - fireworks can traumatize ANY animal to the point of death and this day of the year has the most animal runaways!! 

I am entering my "Space" card in the following challenges:
Alphabet Challenges - G is for the Great Outdoors
Patties Creations - #147, Anything that Flies {like my little rocket}
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything that goes/you see in the Sky
Tuesday Throwdown - The Great Outdoors
The House that Stamps Built - #DCC74, The Great Outdoors
Creative Friday - #208,  At Night, While Everyone is Sleeping

A Birthday Card for Lexie

I belong to a bunch of Facebook groups and in one of them there was a post looking for birthday cards for a girl named Lexie.  She was turning 21 and suffers from autism; the poster asked everyone who could to send her a card.  I had just gotten another bunch of unbranded dies in the mail {every day is a holiday when you order dies from China - you never know what you are going to get on any given day!} so I decided to use them to make Lexie's card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Shimmer Pink Card
Pink, Blue, Light Green, Green, Coral and Yellow Cardstock
Unbranded Dies {all of the Frames}
Sue Wilson Dies, Blushing Rose, #CED1448
Your Next Stamp Whatnot Sentiments Four, #CYNS-172
Hero Arts Ink in Bubble Gum

I had so much fun making this card! It is completely out of my comfort zone to mix and match dies from different sets and manufacturers and I was honestly surprised at how well this card came out.

My favorite parts are the roses and leaves.  I used light green for the top of the leaves and a darker green on the bottom; the roses have a light pink shimmer card on the top and a darker pink on the bottom.  I am just thrilled at how cool they look!

The card is fairly self explanatory - I cut the dies, layered them and attached them to the card.  I stamped the sentiment and nestled that in the center.  Easy peasy!  Lexie should be getting this card in a few days and I hope she likes it! 

If you'd like specific information on the products I used, drop me an email using the "Contact Me' form on the right side of this blog.  I hope you and yours are enjoying the weather - it's been so hot out here in Colorado we are breaking records!  AND PLEASE remember to bring your animals inside after dark for the next few days; fireworks can traumatize an animal so badly that they'll run until they get lost, run into traffic or even pass away from fright.  Let's all have a wonderful 4th of July {and a belated Happy Canada day!} - Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Birthday Card for Lexie in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts - M, #49, Anything Goes Option: Say it with Flowers
Incy Wincy - Flowers
Scrapbook Stamp Society - M, #144, Anything Goes, Option Use Dies and/or Punches
Dies-R-Us - #100 Anything Goes using Dies Carried by DRU
Lost Coast Portal - #56, Something Beginning with B {Birthday}
a2z Scrapbooking - M, Birthday Bash
Always Happy Birthday - M, Happy Birthday

And we have a WINNER!

Thank you to all the people who took the time to enter my giveaway.  I wish I could send each of you a prize, luckily, random.org has chosen a winner for me.

And it's YOU - KT Fit Kitty {AKA Karen} - CONGRATULATIONS!!

I already have your mailing address so I will be getting your goodie package out for you as soon as I can.

Thank you all & have a great day!!