Pile It On - Fun In The Sun

EDITED TO ADD - Was chosen as an Artists Pick at Hand Stamped Sentiments!
Got a Gold Medal at Thrilling Thursday!Thanks so much!!

It's Sunday so that means another chance to Pile It On!
This week we are asking for creations with the theme of "Fun In The Sun!".
We have a brand new sponsor and it's the designs from the super artists at Paper Pretties!

Challenges:
Digi's With Attitude - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Papercutz - Anything Goes
Clear It Out - Anything Goes
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
KB Cute - Use a Digi
Stamp With Fun - Sketch
Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute
Moving Along With the Times - Cute and Cuddly with A Punch
Do You Stack Up? - Wings (3 entries only)
Crafty Ann's - Embossing
The Crafty Pad - Embossing
Kaboodle Doodles - Embossing
Paper Pretties - Embossing
AI Factory - Layers (at least 2)
Aud's Sentiments - Sentiment to make you Smile
Charisma Cardz - Sunshine Colors
Prairie Fairy - On Holiday/Vacation
Daring Cardmakers - Wish You Were Here
Bunny Zoe's - Fun In The Sun
Polly Craft - Summer Fun
Hand Stamped Sentiments - Summer Fun
Hanna and Friends - Summer
Crafty Purple Frog - Take A Dip
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Cool It! (and ribbon)
Deep Ocean - Ribbon
Totally Gorjuss - Punch or Die

Card Recipe:
Image - Webster by Paper Pretties
Paper - My Minds Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue
Medium - Copic Markers
Sentiment - Printed
Embossing Folder - Sizzix
Fabric Brads - Heidi Grace
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Twine - The Twinery
Button - Stash
Ribbon - The Whimsy Cottage

This is such a super cute image, it just makes me smile!
I know that my family back in England would love to see some more sun for this Summer but here in Texas I'd be very happy to send it you and have some cooler, even rainy, days!
Anyway, the sunshine colors are so much fun to create with that you just have to join in with us at Pile It On this week
Katie

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #72 - Sketch and/or Anything But A Card

It's another Once Upon A Wednesday at The Pixie Cottage and this week you have the option of the great sketch or you can go with our theme which is "Anything But A Card".
I decided to go with the theme this week and make a birdhouse.

Challenges:
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes or Your Favorite...
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Crafts 4 Eternity - Alter Something
Fairytale Challenge - Anything But a Card
Allsorts - Things with Wings
My Mum's Craft Shop - Things With Wings
Take A Word - Wings
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Wings
Sentimental Sunday - Anything But a Card (and a sentiment)
Incy Wincy - Nature
Stamp With Fun - In The Garden
Totally Stampalicious - 3D project
Crafts and Me - Punch It Out

Project Recipe:
Image - Finch by ARTish
Paper - DCWV The Guy Stack
Birdhouse - Joann's (just $1!!!)
Medium - Copic Markers
Paint - Anita's in Mocha Java
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
Pearls - Recollections
Border Punch - Martha Stewart Lace Heart
Sentiment - Heidi Grace

This was the sketch but I chose the theme this week.

I simply painted the unfinished birdhouse with the brown paint. Then I punched strips of two different patterned papers with the heart border punch to make the "tiles".
I added just a few embellishments to the top and a flag with the sentiment.
I think it turned out cute and a great little project with the base birdhouse costing just $1.
We'd love to see you come along and play with us at The Pixie Cottage this week!
Katie

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #70 - Sketch and/or Pink and Girlie

It's time for another sketch and theme challenge over at The Pixie Cottage this week. Our optional theme is "Pink and Girlie" this week so please come along and play.

Challenges:
Emerald Fairies - Anything Goes (3 entries max)
Stamp Something - Anything Goes
Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes
Penny's Challenges - Anything Goes
Clear It Out - Any Coloring Medium
Frosted Designs - Ribbon or Twine
Peartree Designs - Stamped Image (no digi's, 2 entries only)
Craft Your Passion - Cutie Patootie
Crazy Challenge - Pink and Green
Stamp With Fun - Green and Pink
Sparkles Forum - 2 Papers, I ribbon/bow and 2 embellishments
Desert Island Crafts - Pick 3 )I chose square card, patterned paper, image, pearls, die cuts, ribbon)
Anything Goes - Bingo! (I chose Die cuts/Punches, Flowers and Ribbon)
Double Dutch - Vintage
Papertake Weekly - Bloom and Grow (something floral)
Tuesday Throwdown - Card for a Baby or Child

Card Recipe:
Image - Sweet Pea in Bloom
Paper - Daisy Dear by Heidi Grace for Colorbok
Medium - Copic Markers
Die Cut - Spellbinders Nestabilities Eyelet Squares Die Templates
Doily Die Cut - French Pastry by Cheery Lynn Designs
Border Die - Spellbinders Nestabilities Mega - Parisian Accents
Sentiment - Joann's
Pearls - Recollections
Ribbon - Offray

You will probably remember I used the same stamp on a Baby Boy card the other week and I hope you like this one too :)
Now it's your turn to play with us at The Pixie Cottage
Katie

Each Year is Better than the Last! - Birthday Celebration

We all need birthday cards and today's card is going in that big stack I like to have to fall back upon!
I used a super cute stamp that I got at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More that I've had for ages but it hadn't seen ink before!
My challenge to you this weekend is to find a stamp that you've had for ages and not yet used and give it some air!

Challenges:
Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes
Stamp Something - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes
Stamp With Fun - Sketch
Paper and Such - Happy Birthday
Crafty Ann's - Happy Birthday
Stamping Scrapping - Birthday
Come and Get It - Birthday
Bee Crafty - Birthday for the Little Ones
Birthday Sundaes - 2 Patterned Papers and 3 Different Embellishments (brads, rhinestones and a sticker)
Card Makin Mama's - 1 Image, 2 Papers and 3 Different Embellishments (brads, rhinestones and a sticker)
Papertake Weekly - Punches or Die Cuts
Crafts and Me - Punches
Jac-Inks - Heat Embossing
My Time To Craft - Scallops
Little Miss Muffet - Tags or Banners (my paper has banners all over it)

Card Recipe:
Image - Lily and Milo Congratulations
Paper - Basic Grey Life of The Party
Medium - Copic Markers
Die Cut - Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle
Border Punch - Martha Stewart Edger Scallop Dot
Brads - The Paper Studio
Sentiment - KI Memories
Ink - Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black
Embossing Powder - Ranger Super Fine in Clear

As this was a clear stamp I like to use Versafine ink as opposed to Memento as I think it gives a much clearer and cleaner stamped image. However Versafine and Copic's don't like each other much so to stop the ink bleeding I just gave it a quick coat of clear embossing powder and heat set it. I will admit that I really like the raised finish on an embossed image and so the extra couple of steps are worth it me.
I hope you've liked this and I hope that Blogger doesn't have any more big problems looming!
Have a wonderful Saturday and be sure to drop by tomorrow for a card for Pile It On!
Katie

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #66 - Happy Birthday

It's Wednesday so it means another challenge over at The Pixie Cottage!
As always we have 2 parts to the challenge and you can choose either or both to play along with.
We have a fabulous sketch and our theme this week is "Happy Birthday"

Challenges:
Aud's Sentiments - Anything Goes
Ladybug Crafts - Anything Goes
Whoopsi Daisy - Free and Easy
Drunken Stampers - Technology Sucks (no electric tools allowed)
Birthday Sundaes - Anything Goes Birthday
Stamp With Fun - Birthday
Stamp With Sarah Kay - Birthday
Delicious Doodles - All Stitched Up
Secret Crafter - Stitching
Let's Ink It Up - Stitching
Digi Design House - Paper Piecing
Etsy Inspired Inspired by Trim at Creating Is Fun
Sugar Creek Hollow - Monochromatic

Card Recipe:
Image - Hannah at a Fence by Sandra Hammer
Medium - Copic Markers
Paper - K and Co Julianne
Doily Die - French Pastry by Cheery Lynn Designs
Roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
Lace - Offray
Pearls - Recollections
Sentiment - Printed

Remember you can use the sketch or the optional technique or both!

This gorgeous image of Hannah had me envisioning her looking longingly and thinking about a special someone and so that's why I thought it was perfect for a birthday card for a very special someone. I paper pieced the dress with a very subtle patterned paper and added highlights with my Copic Markers.
The vintage style lace was a final touch along with the pearls on the die cut doily.
I hope you like her and everyone needs Birthday Cards so our challenge this week is perfect for increasing that stash.
Please come along and join in with us at The Pixie Cottage!
Katie

Card Ideas Challenge - Winter with Blue and Purple

We have started weekly challenges over at Card Ideas and this week I'm joining in with a sample for you!
Each 3rd Saturday of the month we will be having a Christmas/Winter themed challenge so that you will have a great start on your Christmas crafting by the time December rolls around again!

For many January means snow, cold and/or ice. For this week's challenge create a Christmas/Winter card/project using:

1.Any Designed2Delight image
2.Blues & purples (you can also use white and/or black for your neutral)
3.Any embellishment that seems "icy" to you...glitter, glossy effects, clear coating, etc.

Challenges:
Crazy Challenge - Animals
Fuzzy Wuzzy - Anything Goes (with an Animal image)
Stamping Vacation Watch This - March of the Penguins
Ooh La La - Bling It On
Stamp With Sarah Kay - Glitter/Sparkling
Papertake Weekly - Cold and Frosty Morning
Stamp With Fun - Snow
Hanna and Friends - Snow
Belli - Snow
Hand Stamped Sentiments - Punches
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Stamp Something - Anything Goes
Meljen's - Square or Round Card
Paperplay - Cutie Patootie

Card Recipe:
Image - Skating Penguin
Paper - Winter Mat Stack by DCWV and Lilac Avenue by Kaisercraft
Medium - Copic Markers
Punches - Martha Stewart
Sentiment - Printed in Yippy Skippy font
Rhinestones - Michaels

This is such a sweet image and will work for Christmas/Winter or simply as a fun little note to someone!
I thought the silver pattern on the paper reminded me of snow falling and the Stickles on his hat added a little snowy sparkle too!
Katie

Cooking It Up #43 - Button me a Ribbon Animal

Happy New Year Everyone!
I arrived back from England on Sunday evening and am still in "home sick mode" but it is getting better with each day. We all had a fabulous time with our family, savoring every precious moment and it is always so hard to leave and travel 4500 miles back to our home.
But life goes on and picking up my crafting tools and creating helps make it all a little easier.
2011 is going to be a very busy year, more crafting opportunities than ever and I'm excited to get it off to a good start.


It's a New Year and time for a new challenge over at my Cooking It Up With Katie blog!

The easy "ingredients" for your card this week are:

Use a Button or two
Add some Ribbon
Show us an Animal!

Challenges:
One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes
Auds Sentiments - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Fairy Knoll - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Frosted Designs - Use a Sentiment
CRAFT - Thank You
Allsorts - Thank You
Cute Card Thursday - Thank You
Phindy's Place - Thank You
Winter Wonderland - Thank You
Stamp With Fun - Sketch
Secret Crafter - Buttons and Bows
Alota Rubber Stamps - Stamp, Ribbon and Bow

Card Recipe:
Image - Pink Gem Designs
Paper - Origins by Basic Grey
Medium - Copic Markers
Sentiment - Printed in Typewriter font
Flowers - Prima

This is such a cute image and I'm sure it will bring a smile to recipient of this Thank You card.
Be sure to keep checking back here everyday as I have some exciting pieces of news coming up and lots of new cards to share!

Cooking It Up #42 - Show Me Your Favorite Ribbons and Brads

It's time for the final challenge of the year at my Cooking It Up With Katie challenge.

The recipe this time is:
Your favorite technique
Some ribbons
and
Some brads!

Challenges:
Paper Issues - Holiday Hookup
AI Factory - Happy Holidays
Stamp With Fun - Christmas
Digital Tuesday - Sparkling Christmas (using a digi)
Top Tip Tuesday - Christmas
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes Christmas
Twisted Thursday - Holidays with Glitter and Bling
Cupcake Craft - Non Traditional Christmas
Incy Wincy - Non Traditional Christmas
Pollycraft - White Christmas
Cupcake Inspirations - Blue and White cupcake with a Snowflake
Crafts and Me - Moody Blues
Pixie Dust - Let It Snow
Totally Gorjuss - Snow
Fairy Knoll - Frost
Paper Cutz - Snowman
Paper Playtime - Snowman
Daring Cardmakers - Snow Much Fun!
Wags N Whiskers - Snowflakes
Woodware - Winter
Catch The Bug - Winter Wonderland
The Pink Elephant - Winter Wonderland
Stamptacular Sunday - Winter Wishes
Craft Your Days Away - Punch It Out
I Did It - Creative Folds
Bunny Zoe - Sparkle and Shine
Character Cafe - Glitter
Frosted Designs - Ribbons
If The Shoe Fits - Texture
Paper Romance - Heavy Metal
Stamp Something - Something Digi
There She Goes - Use Your Stash (paper is years old!)
Mad For Markers - Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Card Recipe:
Image - There's No Place Like a Snow Home by Robyn's Fetish
Paper - Colorbok
Medium - Copic Markers
Ribbon - Michaels
Metal letters and brads - Making Memories
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Glitter - Stickles

I cut out the second snowman image and added foam underneath him before sticking him on top of the original.
I colored him first and then added Stickles in 3 colors to give him some Sparkle for Christmas!
We'd love to see you play along with my recipe!
Katie

Designed 2 Delight - Joy To The World

This new image of Kaela as An Angel is just so adorable and she was so wonderful to color.
I added Liquid Embossing to her wings for a glass finish as I thought glitter may not work as well with the distressed look I was going for.


Challenges:
My Partner in Crafting Crime - Marker Madness
The Paper Players - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and a Neutral (mine are muted versions but I think they still work)
Stamping Vacation Very Vintage - Rose, Moss and Cream
ABC Design - Sew Special
Stamp With Fun - Square
Digital Tuesday - Anything With Wings
Flutterby - Fairy, Butterfly or Angel
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Distressing
Frosted Designs - Distressing
Flourishes - Just Do It! Make A Christmas card :)
ABC Christmas - X is For Xmas
Alota Rubber Stamps - Let's Celebrate Christmas
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Christmas (with a digi)
2 Sisters - Christmas
Karber Christmas - Use a Digi
Midnight Madness - Sketch
Tuesday Taggers - Peace, Love and Joy (use one of those words)
Crafty Creations - Beautiful Insides
Top Tip Tuesday - Buttons
Tuesday Throwdown - Buttons and Bows
City Crafter - Little Children
CCEE Stampers - Buttons
Daring Cardmakers - We Three...(things in 3's, I did 2 lots of 3 buttons)
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Hodge Podge Shop - Anything Goes

Card Recipe:
Image - Kaela As An Angel
Paper - K and Co Classic K McKenna
Medium - Copic Markers
Gloss (on wings and stars)- All Night Media Liquid Embossing in Sepia Glass Finish (can't find it online but I bought it at Michaels)
Lace - Walmart
Buttons - Stash
Embossing Folder - Basic Grey for Sizzix

I really like how she turned out, I'm sure you'll be seeing her again here before Christmas ;)
Katie

Digital Delights - Little Gingers Gift Box and Card Set

It's time for another fabulous sample from Digital Delights and I hope you are going to love this little set perfect for Holiday gift giving!

Challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers - Card and Matching Gift
ABC Challenge - H is for Holidays
Stamp and Create - Tis The Season
Scrappy Frogs - Christmas
Alota Rubber Stamps - Let's Celebrate Christmas
Totally Gorjuss - Traditional Christmas Colors
Reasonable Ribbon - Ribbon and Christmas
Crazy 4 Challenges - Christmas
Flourishes - Just Do It! Make A Christmas card :)
Bee Crafty - Christmas (with a digi)
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Christmas (with a digi)
Stamp Something - Something Digi
Drunken Stampers - Stitching (I did faux)
My Partner in Crafting Crime - Marker Madness
Stamp With Fun - Square
ECP - Red
Sassy Studios - Anything Goes
Going Grey - Inspired by a Song (Deck the Halls with boughs of Holly, Tis the Season to be Jolly)

Card Recipe:
Image - Gingerbread Holiday Set
Paper - DCWV The Christmas Combo
Medium - Copic Markers
Ribbons - Stash
Sentiments - The Paper Studio
Border and Corner Punches - Martha Stewart
Flower Punch - EK Success
Bandaid Tin - Provo Craft

These images are so cute and I know I'll be using more of them soon.

Pixie Cottage #45 - Ribbons and Bows

It's time for another fabulous sketch and technique challenge over at The Pixie Cottage and this week we want to see you getting out those beautiful Ribbons and Bows on your projects!

Challenges:
CCEE Stampers - Store Bought Flowers
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Character Cafe - Embossing
Drunken Stampers - Stitching (I did faux)
ABC Design - Sew Special
Wee Memories - Patterned Paper
My Partner in Crafting Crime - Marker Madness
Reasonable Ribbon - Ribbon and Christmas
Stamp and Create - Tis The Season
Alota Rubber Stamps - Let's Celebrate Christmas
Scrappy Frogs - Christmas
Flourishes - Just Do It! Make A Christmas card :)
Paper Cupcakes - Christmas, Glitter and Ribbon
Stamp With Fun - Square
Sassy Studios - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Whatever Makes You Happy

Card Recipe:
Image - Hannah with Candle by Sandra Hammer
Paper - DCWV The Christmas Combo
Medium - Copic Markers
Flowers - Prima
Embossing Folder - Sizzix
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Sentiment - The Paper Studio
Ribbon - American Crafts
Paint - Puffy by Tulip
Glitter - Glamour Dust by Viva Decor

This is the great sketch we worked with this week.

I added Puffy Paint to the snow in the image for texture. Before I heated the paint to make it puff I added Glamour Dust glitter on top.
We'd love to see you come along and see what other wonderful creations the team made and play with us along at The Pixie Cottage.

Cooking It Up #36 - Give Me Some Swirly Black Texture please! And a Design Team Call!

We have another super recipe for you at Cooking It Up With Katie and we are sponsored by one of my favorites Meljens Designs!

The recipe is:

Give it some Texture
Add a few Swirls
Include a little Black


Challenges:
Curtain Call - More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie
Creative Inspirations Paint - Inspired by The Pumpkin Patch
Cupcake Craft - Thank You with Autumnal Colors
Tuesday Throwdown - Give Thanks
Crafty Cardmakers - Stitching
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Lexi's - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Something Shabby
Stamp With Fun - Things that can Fly

Card Recipe:
Image - Thomas Turkey by Meljens
Paper - Daisy D's
Medium - Copic Markers
Sentiment - 7 Gypsies
Embossing Folder - Basic Grey for Sizzix
Mesh - Unknown

This little guy is so cute and I plan on using this image for my place settings on Thanksgiving, don't you think that would be adorable!
I hope you've enjoyed him and be sure to check out my other card today and more for tomorrow and Friday.