A Special Flower

Edit:  won top 3 honors at Card Makin Mamas challenge #20

Hi folks!  Happy Tuesday!  Boy, I don't say that very often!! I've been down on my posting for a few weeks now and hope to work out of that rut.  To that end, last night I decided to work up an image I'd colored several weeks ago.This is a fabulous digital image from A Day for Daisies.  I just love this company and all their images.  If you're not familiar with them, I hope you'll treat yourself and go take a look.

Isn't she darling???  I wanted to keep her coloring nice and simple to mirror the image so decided to go with red and white with light blue sky.  After I'd colored her I just struggled so badly on how to finish her off.  I couldn't find the right patterned papers, design, nothin'!!  What a chore!  So I decided to put her aside for a while and focus on other things.  Then last night when I was finally feeling better, I got her going with the red, white and black combo.  Sometimes these colors are a bit much for me, but I must admit, I really like this.  So glad I used my white embossed DP on the top half of the card.  I think it helped keep the card light and still simple.  As a last step I decided to put those black rhinestones on the polka dots.  I thought it was very cool that putting them directly on the white dots as I did, carved out a little red box just for the rhinestones!!  I wasn't expecting that!

I'm going to give this card to my granddaughter.  We've had this 'sunshiney' thing going on since she was very, very little.  She's 12 now, but still asks me to sing 'You are My Sunshine' to her every now and then.  Of course, I'm always happy to do so as it's also a treat for me to walk down that memory lane.  It's always a great trip!  : )

Challenges:
Mojo Monday - the SKETCH
Craft Your Passion - check it out (bow)
The Crazy Challenge - anything goes
Cute Monday - anything goes using a digi
Simon Says Stamp and Show - anything goes
Take Time for You - circles
Cooking it up with Katie - use green (a little), add punching, make it a double (charms)
Your Next Stamp Challenge - so charming
Paper Play Challenge - show us your style
Southern Girls Challenge - let's hear it for the girls
Card Makin' Mamas - for a loved one
Fairy Fun Friday - for the girls
Mami Doodles - let's get girly
Catch the Bug - anything goes
My Time to Craft - scallops
By the Cute and Girly - anything goes
Really Reasonable Ribbon - 2 ribbons, lace or trim
The Crafty Pad - spots and dots
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes
Scrapology - be charming
Going Grey with Scrap-Creations  - circles
Tuesday Throwdown - use die cuts

So glad you came by today.  Have a good one and hope to see you soon.
Denise

Stamps:  A Day for Daisies A Special Flower, sentiment unknown
Paper:  Canvas Corp red & white mini dots reverse, Doodlebug Design Inc (white embossed on top), Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  none
Supplies:  Nesties, BG button, gingham bow, charms, ribbon, tiny pearls black rhinestones
Techniques:  Copic markers with prismacolor pencils and OMS

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #110

Welcome stamping friends.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all those who have taken on this tough but rewarding occupation!!  I hope you've had a fabulous day.  It sure feels like I've been away a very long time, but it's just been a week!!  It was a very long week for me.  I had training Tuesday through Friday in Kansas City which is 35 miles away.  I was totally wiped out by the end of Friday!!  My brain was stuffed full of new information and I think a bit of it leaked right back out again!!  haha!  Yesterday I went out to my mom's a day early as both my sisters and little brother were coming down to visit her.  That meant we were all there to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day (my other brother lives with Mom to help take care of her).  I think the day meant a lot to her.  I know I had a great day spending it with them.  Today I've felt like I had a touch of something.  All I wanted to do was sleep and I've done plenty of that this day.

Now... I am finally getting my Sunday post posted!!  So sorry to be late, but it just couldn't be helped this time.  Now... on to the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge.  This is another fun one so hope you'll be able to play along with us.  Here my card...

And the inspiration for this week...

So adorable AND springy, isn't it?  Fun bright and bold colors, flowers and those little bees!  Soooo cute!  What would you come up with from this cupcake inspiration??

Our fabulous sponsor this week is Glitterbabes.  They have a great selection of digital images that I think you'll love.  The imageI used on my card were generously shared by Glitterbabes.  I had great fun coloring them up.  They are called 'dahlias' and come with the sentiment included on my card.  It really make quite a striking card whether you go bright or pastel.  The random winner of this week's challenge will receive two images of their choice from Glitterbabes!!  Incentive enough, isn't it??  : )

Other challenges:
Card Patterns - the SKETCH
The Crafty Pad  - spots and dots
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - anything goesTry it on Tuesday - something old (nestie, MS punch, baubles), something new (images, DPs)
Tuesday Throwdown - add brads or eyelets
Creative Card Crew - for Mom
For Fun Challenge - Mother's Day card or lots of flowers
7 Kids College Fund - April showers bring May flowers (carried by 7KCF:  Prima Madeline Collection DP)
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - it's a celebration (celebrating my mom)
Divas by Design - anything goes
CCEE Stampers - Cinco de Mayo (bright colors)DYSU Challenge - purple
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - quote/sentiment
Friday Mashup - inspired by nature
Paper Cutz - Mother's Day
Stamp Something - May digi day
Fairy Fun Friday - for the girls
Bloggers Challenge - back to nature

Thanks for stopping by today friends.  It's always good to see you and hear from you.  Such a gracious group of folks!!
Denise

Stamps:  Glitterbabes Dahlias (with sentiment)
Papers:  MME Stella and Rose Gertie (yellow), Prima Marketing Inc Madline Collection (music), Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  none
Supplies:  Nesties, MS edge punch, Bella's baubles string of pearls, brads
Techniques:  Copic markers

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #109

Good Sunday morning friends.  As you're reading through this, I'll be lazing away at my son's house.  Hopefully getting waited on hand and foot.  OK... I know... that's a bit too much to ask for!!  haha!  So glad you popped in today as it's time for another Cupcake Inspirations Challenge.  This week's inspiration photo is fun and I hope you'll join in and play along.  Here's what I came up with...

Man... I just looked at my last post and this card looks exactly like that one!!!  Well, not exactly, but the same color scheme, which makes them seem the same!  YIKES!!  Oh well... it's a good color combo!!  haha!  I hope you like it.  Now let's see where my inspiration came from...

Aren't they adorable and fun??  And so many directions your inspiration might take you.  The caption with this photo is 'Mom and daughter cakes' so I thought it would be very appropriate to use this fun stamp which is from 'Designs by Leere'.  I purchased this a couple years ago from Stampavie.  Its name is 'Mother and Daughter'.

Our sponsor for this week is the very cool Anita Be Stampin.  Anita has some wonderful stamps and images in her store and she's just the sweetest person.  I hope you'll jump over and take a look.  And if you enter our challenge, you'll be eligible to win a prize from her.  Great, right?

Other challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenge - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - use some buttons
Bows 'n Berries - bright and bold
Ooh La La Creations - aqua, bling, sentiment
Going Grey - flowers
Little Red Wagon - for Mom
The Paper Variety - polka dots
Simon Says Stamp! - anything goes
Copic Oz - celebrate women
Moving Along with the Times - anything goes
Pals Paper Arts - buttons
Craft Us Crazy - Moms and flowers
Crafts 4 Eternity - anything goes
Just Add Ink - just add a flower (or three?)
Paper Cutz - anything goes
Creative Friday - open theme
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - mother's day
2 Sisters Challenge - for a mom
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - may flowers

I guess that's all I've got for today folks.  Now I need to be headin' on down the road to my son's.  I hope you all will join with us for this challenge.  I can't wait to see what you create!!
Denise

Stamps:  Designs by Leere Mother and Daughter, MFT Happy Mother's Day (sentiment)
Papers:  MME Stella and Rose Gertie, Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  Memento tuxedo black
Supplies:  Flowers, BG buttons, red rhinestones
Techniques:  Copic markers and prismacolor pencils w/ OMS

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #107

Good morning friends!  I'm having a lovely Sunday morning and I hope you are too.  Since it's Sunday, it's time for another Cupcake Inspirations Challenge.  Rachel has, as always, found some beautiful cupcakes to give us our inspiration.  Here's what I came up with...

Can you say 'bright'?  I just hope it's not too much!  I took a little trip to Archivers yesterday and had fun looking around and grabbing a few goodies.  I finally got my MME Stella and Rose Gertie pad (used here) and I finally bought this little stamp set.  I've looked at it for several visits, but have held off buying it.  Well... as you can observe, I stopped holding off.  I know... enuff talk.  Here's our cupcakes for this week...

Don't ya love 'em?  All symbols of Asian beauty.  So colorful and unique.  Just lovely.  Of course, not one single lantern in the bunch, but I'm OK with that.  haha!  That's where this inspiration led me.  Where will it lead you?  I can't wait to see your creations!!

You know what??  I just noticed I didn't put one darn embellishment on this card!!!  I guess there is that black elastic cord and the white glitter, but that's it!  I usually keep my cards fairly uncluttered (because I can't do the cluttered thing very well -- wish I could), but this is ridiculous!!  Oh well... I think it's OK with all the colors I used.  It just seems funny!

Other challenges:
Eat Sleep Stamp - the SKETCH
Totally Stampalicious  - anything goes
My Time to Craft - spot on
Papertake Weekly - truly dimensional
Fab 'n Funky Challenge - all spotty and dotty
For Fun Challenge - pink, blue, purple, green and yellow - must choose at least 3
Art Impressions - anything goes
Card Makin' Mamas - spring colors
Paper Sundaes  - texture

That's gonna do it for me today folks.  Thanks so much for popping in today.  I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come again soon.  Have a great day!!!
Denise

Stamps:  American Crafts Stamp Collection terrace, American Art Stamp
Paper:  MME Stella and Rose Gertie, Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  Memento tuxedo black
Supplies:  black elastic line, white glitter, lace, pop dots
Techniques:  Copic markers

Aud Sentiments Challenge #26 and BLOG HOP

Happy Thursday stamping friends.  Aud Sentiments is going to have a lot of fun today and we hope you'll join in with us.  It is our 1 year anniversary and we're going to celebrate all during this challenge!!  So... let's get to the challenge, shall we?  We are so pleased to have Sassy Cheryl's as our sponsor this week.  She has utterly adorable images and are such a pleasure to color up.

The theme for this challenge is... ANYTHING GOES.  Isn't that everyone's favorite???  I know it's mine!  Here's what I came up with...

This is Sassy Cheryl's wonderful image called 'Nature Boy'.  Doesn't he look so proud of his new little buddies?  That smile of his just makes me smile and that's one of the greatest things going.  I used a fun new item on this card that I'd picked up on my last visit to Archiver's.  They're called bubble caps.  I wasn't sure what they were when I bought them, but thought I'd try them out.  The back of the package shows that you'd need a tool to press the bubble caps to a cap.  Well, I just did it by hand using DP instead of a cap and it worked fine.

Stamps:  Sassy Chery's Nature Boy digi, TLC Creations sentiment digi
Paper:  MME fine and dandy, Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  none
Supplies:  Nesties, MS border punch, bubble caps
Techniques:  Copic markers and prismacolor pencils w/ OMS

NOW... onto more fun!!  It's a Birthday Celebration and a BLOG HOP!!

Each one of the DT members has picked one of our favorite sponsors to use for this hop.  Each sponsor is giving away prizes on each blog.  Just think of all those goodies waiting to be won!  Here's all you have to do...
1.  Visit each blog in the hop and leave a comment.
2.  Become a follower of Aud Sentiments.
3.  Leave a comment on this post about what you like about our challenges or any ideas you'd like to see.

That's it!  You'll have until the end of the challenge to complete the blog hop.  Now... you should have arrived here from Amy's blog.  If you stumbled across us accidentally, head back to Ruthie's blog, our starting point.  Here is the order of our hop...

Ruthie

Julie

Audrey

Ali

Scrappy

Maria

Lorraine

Dee

Kym

Tammy

Amy

ME

Yep, I'm bringing up the rear.  Well... someone's got to do it!!  haha!  For my sponsor, I selected Meljens Designs.  Here's a little something about them...

Meljens Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins.  She illustrates whimsical images inspired by her kids and family.  The Meljens Designs blog has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Monday and a Guest Designer each month.  Please visit their line of stamps at Whimsy Stamps. 

Each DT member got to select an image from their sponsor to use for this hop.  It was very hard to select just one, but I decided to go with 'Gruffy Little Gnome'.  I just love him and he's sooooo fun to color!!  Here he is...

Fun, right??  Now don't forget... you must leave a comment on my blog to have a chance to win some Meljen's prizes.  They are giving away 4 images of your choice.  AWESOME!!  And leave a comment on each of the other blogs so you'll have a chance to win their sponsor's prizes.

One last item to mention.  Aud Sentiments is now opening a DT call.  Please head over to the challenge blog to see how to enter.  The DT call also runs through the duration of our challenge... until April 26.

Stamps:  Meljens Gruffy Little Gnome digi, Stampabilities always make me smile
Papers:  MME Stella and Rose Hattie (polka dot), BG urban prairie, Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  Memento tuxedo black
Supplies:  Nesties, BG buttons, Bella's baubles string of pearls, ribbon
Techniques:  Copic markers and prismacolor pencils w/ OMS

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you've had fun!!  I know I have!
Denise

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #106

Good Sunday morning stampers!  I hope you're having your coffee, are reading the paper and getting to relax a bit this morning.  I can do a little relaxing this morning, then I have visitin' to do.  Seeing that it's Sunday, it's time for another Cupcake Inspirations Challenge.  What a fun challenge this is going to be.  Here's my take on today's cupcake  photo...

This little cutie is from Whimsie Doodles and is part of their recent April release.  More on that shortly.  Let's go ahead and see our cupcakes...

ACK!!  Aren't those ca-yute???  They just make me smile when I look at them.  They really remind me of the little felt shapes we used to use to make pictures.  Of course these are just a teeny-weeny bit more professional.  haha!  There are so many directions one could go with these cupcakes... lots of options.

Now... back to Whimsie Doodles.  They are our sponsors this week!!  YAY!!  They kindly gave us a few images from their April release to choose from and use.  I chose 'Go Big Gnome' because she looks so sweet standing there with her big flower.  The fun news is one random winner will receive two of Whimsie Doodles' images of their choice.  There are several more little gnomes that are all sold separately (with their own little sentiment) or you can buy them as a set.

Other challenges:
Eat, Sleep, Stamp - the SKETCH
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Do You Stack Up? - follow the yellow brick road -- use yellow
Scrapbook Sisters - use the color yellow

That's all I've got for today ladies and gents!!  Hope you enjoyed your visit and will come back soon!!
Denise

Stamps:  Whimsie Doodles go big gnome and sentiment digis
Papers:  MME fine and dandy (blue, yellow), October Afternoon fly a kite (red), Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  none
Supplies:  Nesties, BG buttons, flower gems, red glitter
Techniques:  Copic marker w/ prismacolor pencils and OMS

Anita Be Stampin Release Day and Blog Hop

Hello stamping lovers.  Today is Anita Be Stampin and Blog Hop day!  WooHOO!!  All of the new digi images are available NOW at the Anita Be Stampin Shoppe.  We are celebrating this event by having a blog hop filled with inspiration.  Be sure to visit all the stops on the blog hop today, because one lucky winner who comments on EVERY blog along the way will win this entire digi release.  Gotta love that!  You should have arrived here from Brenda's blog.  If not, jump over to the ABS blog to start at the beginning.  Today is the reveal for Ariana and Luna.  Introducing... Ariana.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  The next stop on the hop is Jen.  Remember to leave a comment on every blog on the hop by Sunday, April 10th at 12:01 am CST for your chance to win the entire ABS digi image release today.  Here is the list of all of the stops on the hop today, just in case you get lost along the way:

ABS blog 

Angela 

Anita 

Brenda 

ME

Jen 

Joni 

Kellie 

Lelia 

Rachel 

Tracy 

ABS blog 

Happy hopping my friends.  
Denise

Stamps:  Anita Be Stampin Ariana and sentiment digis
Paper:  Graphic 45 le romantique
Ink:  none
Supplies:  Nesties, green rhinestones, WOC white roses, MS butterflies punch, baby pearls, white glitter
Techniques:  Copic markers and prismacolor pencils w/ OMS

Anita Be Stampin New Release

Good morning all!  Wow... it's a fun day for me as I'm getting to participate as Guest Designer in a new release by Anita Be Stampin!  How lucky am I?!?!  And I just know you're going to love these new images.  They are all fairies... some sweet and sassy, some shy and demure... all beautiful!  The Anita Be Stampin Design Team (and I!) will be sharing our projects today and tomorrow using the new ABS Release.  Amberlee and Meadow will be featured today and Ariana and Luna tomorrow. 

Making her debut today is sweet Amberlee.  Isn't she aDORable??  I felt the need to color her up all in pinks and I think it suits her perfectly.  And she was a blast to color up.  I have this illness that makes me always add glitter to a fairy's wings and it's no different for Amberlee.  haha!

Now remember... tomorrow is the actually release day and we will be celebrating with a BLOG HOP!  We all know those are always fun!!  All four fairy images plus a fairy sentiment set will be available then.  It'll be great!!  We certainly hope you'll come by and join us. 

Stamps:  Anita Be Stampin Amberlee and sentiment
Papers:  BG porcelain, Gina K. pure luxury
Inks:  none
Supplies:  Nesties, pink rhinestones, WOC roses, ribbon, white glitter, baby pearls
Techniques:  Copic markers with prismacolor pencils and OMS

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #105

Happy Sunday my friends.  I hope yours  is going wonderfully.  I've been doing a little catching up on my sleep this morning.  Ahhhhh... it's a great thing!!  But, on to today's Cupcake Inspirations Challenge.  As always, Rachel has found some wonderful inspiration cupcakes for us this week.  First, let me share my card...

What a fun Happy Easter image, right??  So cute!  But, boy... did I have a ton of trouble with him!  Not the image's fault... it was all me.  I fought it and fought it and colored some more here and there and everywhere to where I just said stop!!  So I did stop... finally, and ya know what?  I pretty well like the end result.   Grrrrrr... driving myself nuts for reason.  I'm a total dolt!!!  : )  OK... OK... you don't have to agree so readily!!  hahaha!!  Let's leave the trials and tribulations of creating behind and move on to enjoy our inspiration this week...

Now aren't they wonderful??  Great options for some Easter cards with a bunny, chick, eggs, flowers, a basket, etc.  My image came from Glitterbabe's Digis and is called Painting Eggs.  Glitterbabe's just happens to be our sponsor this week.  There are also some sentiments that come with this image, but guess what.  I could NOT find the ones I'd printed off.  Gads!!!  So I substituted this sentiment from the MFT set 'Eggstra Special'.

Other challenges:
Critter Sketch Challenge - the SKETCH and buttons
A Spoonful of Sugar - easter
Digital Tuesday - for the kids
Crafty Creations - bunnies
Creative Card Crew - for a child
The Paper Variety - 1-2-3 recipe of our choice -- 1 image, 2 flowers, 3 buttons
ABC Challenge - r is for roses -- add flowers, especially roses
Creative Craft World - easter
Charisma Cardz - bling and sparkles
Paper Romance - bling
Craft Us Crazy - easter
Frosted Designs - bling
Paper Cutz Challenge - easter with any colors
Stamp Something - april digi day
Digi Days - easter
Allsorts Challenge - blooming blossoms
Bee Crafty - easter
Copic Oz - easter
Aly's Sunday Challenge  - hippity hoppity bunnies

Thank you all for stopping by today.  You are all great and don't ever forget that I appreciate you sooooo much!!  Enjoy your day!!
Denise

Stamps:  Glitterbabes Painting Easter digi, MFT Eggstra Special sentiment
Paper:  Heide Swapp summer dress (blue), BG archaic (brown), Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  Memento tuxedo black
Supplies:  BG button, WOC red roses, white glitter
Techniques:  Copic markers w/ prismacolor pencils and OMS

Aud Sentiments Challenge #25 and BLOG HOP news

Hello friends.  It's Saturday, one of the best days of the week!!  So glad you stopped in today.  I'm afraid I'm two days late with my DT challenge card, but I finally completed it for this challenge which is a sentiment/card for a child.  That leaves things wide open for you, right?  There's lots of great children themed stamps... it's just choosing which one!

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby?  And this image called 'Sleeping Infant' depicts that so well with her little feet tucked under and her little bum up in the air.  I know... awwwwwwwwwwwww!  : )  This image is from our sponsor this week, Digi Doodles.  They very generously gave the DT some of their images to play with and I just had to color up a little baby girl.  What fun!!!  Please go take a peek and their store and see their great images.

I kept the embellisments pretty simple as I think this new paper from MME is gorgeous!!  I just love their new Stella and Rose line... all four new collections!!  I still need to get Gertie and Hattie, but I'm having a great time using Hazel and Mabel.  You'll be seeing quite a bit of these in my future posts.  I just hope it doesn't get boring!!

Now for the BLOG HOP news!!  We're going to be having a BLOG HOP for our 1st birthday!!!  This celebration BLOG HOP is going to run from April 14 - 26.  AND there will be lots of prizes so plezzzz make sure to mark it on your calendar.  AND, if you'd like to help spread the word, please feel free to grab the badge on my sidebar and even post about it.  We certainly hope to see you in a couple of weeks to join in the fun!!!

Other challenges:
Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge - the SKETCH
CES Challenge - children
Catch the Bug - anything goes
By the Cute and Girly - cute and girly
One Stitch at a Time - mother's day/babies
Sentimental Sundays - cute and cuddly
Paper Playtime - digi monday and anything goes
Stamp Something - april digi day
Wags 'n Whiskers - ribbons and pearls

Once again, thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you enjoyed looking around.  Have a fun day and I'll see you soon.
Denise

Stamps:  Digi Doodles Sleeping Infant digi, sentiment - Stampendous Baby Invite
Paper:  MME hazel, Gina K. pure luxury
Ink: Memento tuxedo black
Supplies:  Nesties, ribbon, charm, pink pearls
Techniques:  Copic markers w/ prismacolors pencils and OMS