April Showers Bring May Flowers

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from the ladies at Ruby's Rainbow; for this fortnight Pat has chosen our challenge and  it is..."April Showers Bring May Flowers"...what a fun theme!

I chose one of the adorable Calendar Chicks from my collection...I love them!  (I use a lot of digis so it was fun to actually stamp for a change of pace!)  As I was looking through my papers for a delicate floral, I came across this fun paper and knew it would be perfect.  The chick is colored with pencils; her eyes are accented with a black gel pen, the umbrella is coated with glitter, and the flower has a pearl center.  I've done some simple layering and embellished with a flower/pearl.  Clean and simple...it's fun for a change!  Here's a close-up:

Image: Stampendous "Shower Chick"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Signo Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Berry Sorbet, Echo Park Patterned Paper
Embellies: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, American Crafts Plastic Flower, Queen & Co. Pearls
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  We do hope you will play along!

***Winner***

Janis from Her Peaceful Garden is the winner of the birthday give-away!  (I am so sorry that I didn't get a picture posted of my give-away...life has gotten in the way of my crafting since I've been preparing for my oldest's graduation.)  Please email me, with "Birthday Winner" as the subject, from my profile page with your address so I can get your package in the mail!  (I loved reading about everyone's birthdays...thank you so much for sharing your memories!)

Challenges entered:

C(ASE) this Sketch: Sketch

Crafty Friends: All Things Cute 
Digi Choosday: Things With Wings
Dream Valley Challenges: All Creatures Great and Small
Make My Monday: April Showers Bring May Flowers
Tuesday Throwdown: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Birdbrain Graduate

Good morning!  We have a new sketch to share with you at From the Heart Stamps and it's a great one! Along with the new sketch is the optional twist which is to "Use a Die Cut"; here it is:

Graduation is just a month away, so I thought I should be busy since I have a daughter graduating!  I pulled out some fun school themed papers from my stash and colored the Birdbrain to coordinate.  I've embellished with plenty of die cut stars and some Swarovski flatback crystals.  I also cut out some of the books from the patterned paper...my paper is a holey mess now since the books were scattered all over the 12 x 12 sheet.  My daughter's plan is to major in Microbiology and minor in Spanish, then go to med school with the ultimate goal of practicing Psychiatry, so I picked books that are relevant to her studies.  After I finished I realized the card wasn't too "girly", but the Birdbrain does have glittery "eye shadow" so that does have to count for something!  Haha!  Here's a close-up:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Birdbrain Graduate" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Summer Sun CS, PTI True Black and Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper, The Paper Studio Vellum
Embellies: Doodlebug Glitter, Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Jet"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, MFT "Stacking Stars" Die-namics, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  We do hope you will give the sketch a try!

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps: Paper Embellishments
Crafty Cardmakers: 1 Image, 2 Papers, 3 Different Embellishments (die cut stars, Swarovski flatback crystals, fussy cut "books")
Crafting With Friends: Anything Goes
Fab 'n' Funky: Winged Things
Time Out Challenges: Celebrations with Optional Twist of Die Cutting/Fussy Cutting

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Birdbrain Hula Chick

Good morning!  I have a fun card to share using one of Faith's adorable Birdbrains...this gal has me wishing for a tropical vacation!  I found a fun sketch through Paper Playful that was just perfect for the image...I love it when that happens!

She's colored with pencils and accented with glitter; subtle glitter for the flower centers and some sparkly stuff for her "eye shadow"!  I pulled out some really old papers from my stash; they came from a 12x12 pack that is packed away with the other 12x12s...I rarely buy them anymore because the scale is usually too large for cards, but I thought the designs were perfect.  I've done some layering and embellished with a die cut hibiscus and ribbon.  I'm loving how this one turned out...lots of texture!  Here's a close-up:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Birdbrain Hula Chick" Digital Set

Ink: Printer

Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Poppy Parade CS, PTI Ripe Avocado CS, Coor'dinations Color Core CS (Vintage Collection), Making Memories Patterned Paper

Embellies: SU! Poppy Parade Ribbon, Martha Stewart Crystal Fine and Lemon Drop Glitters

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, MFT Hibiscus Die-namics, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here.  Also, there is still time to play along with this week's sketch; DT's creations and details here.

Challenges entered:

Brown Sugar: Anything Goes
Come and Get It: Things With Wings
Craft Your Passion: Always Anything Goes
Hiding In My Craft Room: LOL (lots of layers)
One Stitch At A Time: Anything Goes With Wings
Really Reasonable Ribbon: Things with Wings and Ribbon or Trim
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2: Sketch #87

The Ribbon Girl: Anything Goes as Long as You Use an Image
Through the Purple Haze: Layers

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo BINGO

Good morning!  We have a fun BINGO challenge for you at Catch the Bug today; here's the BINGO card:

I went with the first vertical row...Yellow, Flower, Bugaboo Image.  The adorable Edward image is colored with pencils to coordinate with this super Spring-y Doodlebug patterned paper.  I've added some gems and a felt flower for embellishing.  (I know that the sketch has 3 gems in the corner, but I only had 2 small ones and felt they were perfect, so 2 it is!)  I love the subtle houndstooth print in the yellow; here's a detail close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Edward Springtime" Digital Image
Ink: Printer, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Daffodil Delight CS, PTI Raspberry Fizz CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Embellies: Acrylic Gems (stash), PTI Raspberry Fizz Felt, Green Felt (stash)
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, MFT Die-namics Die (flower)

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  Play along for the chance to win some Bugaboo images!

Challenges entered:

Brown Sugar: Anything Goes
Clear it Out: Theme: Springtime  Stash: Add a Flower
Creative Corner Challenges: Spring Flowers
Deep Ocean Challenge: Spring is in the Air
Paper Play Sketches: Sketch #005
The Crazy Challenge: Spring is Here

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Ruby's Rainbow 5th Birthday

Good morning!  It's Ruby's Rainbow's 5th birthday and Shaz has chosen our challenge for this fortnight...it's "Your Favorite Color" plus she is giving away some "Birthday Candy"!

This one is tough...I like so many colors!  I would say my favorite, though, is pink...all shades!  I have used one of Faith's adorable Birdbrains and colored her with pencils, then accented the image with glitter.  Here's a close-up:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Party Hat Birdbrain" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P., PTI Raspberry Fizz, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Embellies: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Bunny Bytes Sequins
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  Also, some of the DT will be giving away a little "Birthday Candy" in honor of the occasion, so you will want to visit their blogs.  I will also have something up for grabs!  To be in the running please leave a comment about your favorite birthday, I would love to read it!  Following my blog is optional, but I would love it if you did! (wink!)  I will post a picture of my offering later today.

Please check out the From the Heart Stamps mid-week inspiration post here, you are sure to be inspired!

Challenge entered:

Come and Get It Challenges: Bright Colors 
Crafty Boots: Use a Sentiment
Stamps & Fun = Creativity: Birthday
Sunday Stamps: Sketch

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Sketch Saturday #407

Good morning sketch fans!  We have a new sketch for you at Sketch Saturday, along with Simon Says Stamp! for a sponsor.  Here's the sketch:

I went clean and simple this week...and there's no stamping!  I had leftover papers on my table and after rounding the outside corners, paired them with a flower that has been in my stash for years (I had never even opened the package!) and accented it with sequins.  Easy peasy!

Paper: PTI Fine Linen, Bo Bunny Patterned Paper
Embellies: Petaloo Flower, Bunny Bytes Sequins
Extra: Corner Chomper  

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  Play along for the chance to win a $25 voucher to Simon Says Stamp!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

FTHS "Sweet Treat" April Blog Hop

Good morning!  It's time for From the Heart Stamps April Blog Hop; our theme this month is "Sweet  Treat"...hop along for some fabulous inspiration from the DT!

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each entry.  One random commentor will be selected on each blog to win an image of choice from Faith's store.  

We are having a little twist this month!  Some of our designers will be adding sparkly sequins to their projects; as you hop along, count how many sequins were used on all the cards.  Email your answer to Faith (faith@fromtheheartstamps.com) for a chance to win a $15 voucher to the FTHS store!

If you have arrived from the From the Heart Stamps blog you are in the right place, if not why don't you start at the From the Heart Stamps blog so that you don't miss anything?

I chose the image Monster Sundae and colored it with pencils.  I've used one of my favorite clean and simple "go to" layouts to keep the focus on the adorable image.  For embellishing I've added a bit of organdy ribbon and...some sequins!

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Monster Sundae" Digital Image
Ink: Printer, Signo Black Gel Pen
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Fine Linen and Tropical Teal CS, Bo Bunny Patterned Paper
Embellies: Bunny Bytes Designs Sequins, Organdy Ribbon (stash)
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone

Now head on over to Brenda's blog to check out her fabulous creation!

Thanks for hopping along with us today; the hop will end on Sunday, April 10th at 6:00 a.m. EST.  Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps blog on Wednesday, April 13th.

Thank you for hopping along with us!

Angela

Baby made me eat it!

Good morning!  It's our "Anything Goes" challenge at Catch the Bug!  Since we are in the midst of a baby boom at work, I thought I would make a baby card.  So far the boys are outnumbering the girls!  Another one of my friends just announced her pregnancy and she is hoping for girl...this card is for her!

I found a fun sketch to work with and worked some other challenges in as well.  The image is colored with pencils and I've embellished with ribbon and buttons (I like using buttons for baby cards!)...I hope Kelly likes it!  I plan to bring cupcakes to work and give it to her then...it's fun to celebrate the mamas and their babies!

Image: Bugaboo "JJ Pregnancy-Baby Made Me" Digital Image
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Ink: Printer
Embellies: Buttons (stash)/DMC Floss, Organdy Ribbon (stash)
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Corner Chomper, Spellbinders Die

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here...then I hope you will play along...the possibilities are endless!

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps and More: Make Your Mark
As You Like It Challenge: BINGO (Ribbon-Dies/Punch/Pink) I chose this line because I wanted to make a baby card and this line was "do-able"!

Brown Sugar: Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion: Always Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges: Girlie
In the Pink: Dies and/or Punches (Spellbinders label die)
Paper Play Sketches: Sketch #004

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela