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

Sketch Saturday #390

Good morning sketch fans!  We have a fun new sketch for you this week, along with a new sponsor...A Day for Daisies.  Here's the sketch:

I used one of my favorite Christmas images, along with some "favorite" paper scraps.  The image is colored with pencils and matted with die cuts.  I struggled with what to use for an embellishment...so I went without!  Do any of you have any ideas?  I would love to hear them!

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chick
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black,. Signo Black Gel Pen
Paper: Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury CS, Bazzill CS (red), SU! Garden Green CS, KI Memories Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the Saturday Girls' creations here, along with the challenge details.  Also, my friend Imke is playing along with us as this months Guest Designer...please stop by and leave her a little love!

Challenges entered:

Creative Knockouts: Tis' the Season
Crafting For All Seasons: Brrr, It's Cold Outside

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

happy holly days

Good morning!  It's time for a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow; for this fortnight Shaz has chosen our challenge and she would like to see "Red, White, and Blue".  Sounds fun!

Of course, I immediately thought patriotic, but then I saw the scraps of patterned paper on my table from a card I had recently made...I decided to go Christmas because aqua is blue, right?!  You bet!  I thought of my Santa Chick image (yes, I have a "thing" for chicks/birds!) and went in search of a sketch to use that would work with a smaller image.  I found the perfect sketch at Jo's Scrap Shack:

The chick is colored with pencils and her hat, the holly berry, and the ornament are accented with 3 different kinds of glitter.  I have done some simple layering with the image panel and switched placement to the opposite side so the chick wasn't looking off the edge.  The holly leaves with the sentiment were stamped on white, cut out, colored, and adhered in place.  Funny how it seemed like such a great idea until I was trying to cut those tiny leaves out..lol!  I've also added a touch of glitter to the holly berries in the sentiment.  Sadly, the photo does not capture the sparkly goodness of this card.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Signo Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! Baja Breeze, PTI Pure Poppy, Lawn Fawn Patterned Paper
Embellies: Martha Stewart Glitter (Crystal Fine, Sugar Cube, Candy Apple)
Extras: 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 and show us your take on red, white, and blue!

Challenges entered:

A Gem of a Challenge: Christmas Critters
Corrosive Challenge: Add a Sentiment 
Creative Card Crew: Sprinkle (I used glitter on the hat, berries, an ornament)
Cutie Pie: Simply Cute and Christmassy
Fan-Tastic Tuesday: Anything Goes with a Twist...Something Beginning with B (berries, blue)
Glitter 'N' Sparkle: Use Some Red
Jo's Scrap Shack: Sketch
Left of Center Challenges: Things with Wings
Papertake Weekly: Christmas Critters

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Superchick

Good morning!  We have a great new sketch for you at Sketch Saturday; here it is:

I pulled out one of my favorite Calendar Chicks and colored her with pencils, then accented her cape with glitter.  The patterned paper has been in my stash for years, but I love the colors.  I've added some felt and glitter accents along with alphabet beads for the sentiment.  I think I will give this one to my daughter.

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chick
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Harvest Gold, and Raspberry Fizz, Doodlebug Patterned Paper and Sugar Coated CS
Embellies: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Alphabet Beads (Hobby Lobby)/DMC Floss
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, MFT Flat Bottom Clouds Die-namics Dies, MFT Felt, Foam Tape

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

Challenges entered:

Crafting for All Seasons: Cute and Summery 
Fan-Tastic Tuesday: Anything Goes w/ a Twist: Touch of Summer
Little Red Wagon: Cute as a Button
Simply Papercraft Challenges: Anything Goes
Sister Act: Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

It's Your Day!

Good morning!  We have a new sketch for you to try at Sketch Saturday; here it is:

Fun sketch, right?!  I was in need of some graduation cards, so I went with this adorable chick and colored her with pencils.  I've done some simple layering, using vellum adhered with mini brads, and also rounded some of the corners for interest.  

Image: Stampendous

Sentiment: Hero Arts

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy, Doodlebug Patterned Paper, The Paper Studio Vellum

Embellies: Spare Parts Brads

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Corner Chomper, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

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

Challenges entered:

4 Crafty Chicks: Graduation

Brown Sugar: Anything Goes

Crafter's Cafe: Schools Out/Graduation

Crafting for the Craic: the Big Occasion

Thanks for stopping by!  

Angela

happy birthday

Good morning!  The ladies from Ruby's Rainbow have a new challenge for you and it is "Anything Goes"...great challenge!

I've gone with a springy birthday card.  The Calendar Chick is colored with pencils and the flowers are accented with glitter.  I've paper pierced for interest.  Clean and simple and great to have in the stash!

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Garden Green
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Bliss Blue and Garden Green
Embellies: Art Glitter
Extras: Crayolas/Goo Gone, Tim Holtz Paper Piercing Ruler, Foam Tape

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

Challenges Entered"

Crafty Boots: Things with Wings
Retro Rubber Challenge: Anything Goes (Stamp has been in my stash 5+ years.)
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers: Q is for Quick

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Chick St. Nick

Hello there!  How was your Thanksgiving?  Hope you were able to have quality time with family and friends.  I worked so I get to celebrate later today with my family...looking forward to that!

It's time to get into the holiday spirit...I can't believe December 1st is tomorrow...where has the year gone?  On the fifth Saturday at Sketch Saturday, you may choose your sketch and Sketch #283 was perfect to showcase the adorable Chick St. Nick.  Here's the sketch I chose:

The image is colored with pencils and I've added some subtle glitter to the Christmas ball and some sparklier glitter to Santa's hat.  I used an ornament die cut and framed the image by die cutting a hole in the middle.  Papers are Doodlebug and I've embellished simply with brads.

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chick
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy, Doodlebug Patterned Papers
Embellies: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Art Glitter in "Polar Bear", Spare Parts Brads
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, QuicKutz Ornament Dies, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

Challenges entered:

4 Crafty Chicks: Die Cuts
Crafting for All Seasons: "Tis the Season"
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge: Santa is on His Way
Fantasy Stamper's: Cute Christmas (Stampendous Chick St. Nick)
Sketch Saturday: Sketch (I chose #283)
Try it on Tuesday: Christmas is Coming

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Sketch Saturday DT Application

Hello there!  I've been considering trying out for the Sketch Saturday DT and today I thought "Why not?" and decided to give it a go.  Here are my details:

Name: Angela P.

Location: Iowa, USA

Present Design Teams: Bugaboo, From the Heart Stamps, Ruby's Rainbow

Past Design Teams: Clearly Digi Stamps, Creative Card Crew, Doodle Pantry, Flat Friends, Forever Friends, Tuesday Morning Sketches, plus assorted Guest DT spots (including Sketch Saturday!)

Why would I like to be a Sketch Saturday Girl? I am a big fan of sketches!  They are great to use as a springboard for the creative process, and let's face it...Sketch Saturday has awesome sketches and designers!

email: forwarded to Nicki

I have never really been able to define my style (my hubby loves to tease me about that "Have you figured out your style yet?")...I like a little of this and a little of that....  Some of my favorite work:

It was a bit hard, but I picked a favorite from each month from January to June 2014.  

Thank you for the opportunity to apply!

Angela

Flower Pot Chick

Good morning!  It's time for a new sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches...it's a fun one!  Here it is:

I kept it simple by not matting my patterned paper.  Whenever I try this, I feel like the card is unfinished...it's hard to step out of the comfort zone.  It's good to switch things up though!  I used one of the Stampendous Calendar Chick images and it's colored with pencils.  I embellished with mesh (love how you can see the patterned paper through it!) and pearls.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream and Harvest Gold, Echo Park Patterned Paper
Embellies: Spare Parts Pearls
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Cream Mesh (Paper Mart)

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  We'd love to have you play along for a chance to win the weekly prize!

Challenges entered:

Crafty Calendar: Petals and Pearls
Fashionable Stamping Challenge: Birds and Bees
Fussy and Fancy: Things with Wings

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

A B C

Good morning!  I'm back with a new sketch and a card for Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Here is our sketch for this week:

I went with a clean and simple baby card.  The image is colored with pencils and accented with glitter.  In addition to the banners, I've added some die cut letters and mini brads.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Dark Chocolate, SU! Ballet Blue, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Embellies: Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Spare Parts Brads
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Foam Tape

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

Challenges entered:

Allsorts: Birds and Feathers
Come and Get It Challenges: Where the Boys Are
Crafty Calendar: Things with Wings
Crafty Catz: B is for.... (birds, baby, blue)
Creative Knockouts: Furry or Feathery Friends
Divas by Design: Bundle of Joy

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Easter Egg Chick

Good morning!  I have a new sketch for you from Tuesday Morning Sketches; this one is simple...it let's the image take center stage.  Here it is:

As you can see, I flipped the sketch and went with one of the Stampendous Calendar Chicks...doesn't she look like she is having a blast balancing those eggs on her head?  I sure do hope they are hard boiled!  LOL  The chick is colored with pencils and I've accented the eggs with glitter.  For the banner, I have added some mesh...I like the light, airy look.  For embellishing I have added a die cut flower and some brads.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Lavender Moon, SU! Pear Pizzazz, Patterned Paper (my stash)
Embellies: Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", Spare Parts Brads, Paper Mart Ivory Mesh
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Foam Tape, MFT Die-namics (flower)  

Please check out the challenge details here, along with the DT's inspiration cards.  We would love to have you play along!

Challenges entered:

Brown Sugar: Easter
Crafting From the Heart: Anything Goes/Cute and Cuddly
Crafty Boots: Easter
Creative Moments: Anything Goes/Things With Wings
Frosted Designs: Clearly Transparent (something sheer or transparent-I used mesh)

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

And Baby Makes Three....

Good morning!  It's Tuesday so that means we have a new sketch for you at Tuesday Morning Sketches; check it out:

I like the sketch...I chose to keep my card simple.  I pulled out one of my Stampendous Calendar Chick stamps...they are some of my favorites, I love to color them!  The image is colored with pencils, the eyes are dotted with a black gel pen, and I've added some glitter to the mama's bow.  I embellished simply with a button/floss.  I'm liking how this one turned out...I like the soft colors and glitter.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, SU! Marina Mist, DCWV DP
Embellies: Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", PTI Blueberry Sky Button/DMC Floss
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.  I can't wait to see what you do with the sketch!

Challenges entered:

Allsorts Challenge: All About the Boy
Glitter n Sparkle: Use Some Blue
Perfectly Rustics: Baby

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Celebrate

Good morning!  We have a new challenge for you at Ruby's Rainbow; for this fortnight Jennifer has chosen our challenge and she would like to see something "Birthday" related.  Great challenge, it is always good to have some extra birthday cards for the stash!

I went with one of my old favorites...a Stampendous Calendar Chick!  She is colored with pencils and I've paired her with some springy looking papers and buttons for embellishing.  (I'm looking at my card on the computer screen and it looks like the pink paper and button don't match the pink coloring....  The card is sitting right here and it matches great...weird!  Has anyone else ever had this happen?)

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chick
Sentiment: MFT
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Embellies: Buttons (my stash)/DMC Floss
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Foam Tape

I hope you will check out the rest of the DT's creations here; we would love to have you play along!

Challenges entered:

Charisma Cardz: Birthday Girls
Melonheadz Friends: Girly
Papertake Weekly: For a Mum (or a girlie)
Party Time Tuesdays: Party Animal
Sentimental Sundays: Cute and Cuddly

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Shopper Chick

Good morning!  I'm back with a new sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches...it's a fun one this week!

As I was tidying up my craft room the other day, I was looking through my stash of Calendar Chicks and realized it had been awhile since I used one of them, so I found a fun Christmas image and went with it!  She is colored with pencils and her eyes are dotted with a black gel pen.  Her packages are accented with glitter so they are nice and festive.  I've embellished simply with buttons and Swarovski flatbacks.

Image: Stampendous Calendar Chick
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Dark Chocolate, SU! Soft Sky, My Mind's Eye DP
Embellies: PTI Buttons, Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "AB"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Art Glitter in "Polar Bear", The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I do hope you will check out the rest of the DT's cards and the challenge details too...this is our judged challenge and there is an optional "twist" as well...make a thank you card.  We would love for you to play along!

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

2 Sisters: Christmas Sparkle
A Gem of a Challenge: Gems, Gems, Gems
Creative Creations Challenges: Sparkle and Shine
Paper Playtime: Sparkle
Sweet Stampin': Christmas is Coming
Totally Papercrafts: Razzle Dazzle, Use Glitter

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

No Designer Paper!

Good morning!  We have a new challenge for you from Creative Card Crew...for this fortnight we would like to see a card without designer paper.

I don't know about you, but what comes to my mind is a clean and simple card.  I thought I'd go with red/white/blue since the 4th is just around the corner...then I decided to try coloring on Kraft...just for something different!  I've added some glitter to the chick's hatband and sparkler, along with some nice and sparkly glitter CS.  I played around with some sparkly star die cuts, but decided to just leave it super simple.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Kraft, Doodlebug Glitter CS
Embellie: Doodlebug Glitter
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will check out the rest of the DT's creations...I would also love to see your DP-free creations!

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Artistic Inspirations: Fur or Feathers
Card Mania Challenges: Kraft Paper
Cupcake Craft: Not for Flowers (CAS, no flowers)
Paper Playtime: Red, White, & Blue

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

CAS Baby Girl

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from Ruby's Rainbow; for this fortnight, Susie has chosen our challenge and it is "Baby".  Great challenge...I love making baby cards!

For this card, I went girly, but not too much...just small touches of pink.  The chick family is colored with pencils and accented with glitter.  I've embellished with a button/crystal combo and a banner.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Dark Chocolate, and Kraft, Doodlebug DP
Embellies: PTI Button, Swarovski Flatback Crystal in "Rose"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Cat's Pajamas CutUps Die (banner), The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will check out the DT's baby cards here.  What will you whip up for a little bundle of joy?

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Ladybug Crafts Ink: Oh Baby!
Stamps & Fun = Creativity: CAS
The Squirrel and the Fox: Here Come the Girls

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

CAS Graduation

Good morning!  I've got a Clean and Simple card to share today; I was inspired by this card...I loved the layout.

My daughter had been invited to a lot of graduations and I needed something that I could mass produce.  I went with the school colors and used glitter CS...I thought the girls would like some sparkle!  The chick is colored with pencils and markers; the image panel is mounted with foam tape.  I just realized there are no embellies on this card!  Hmmm...that doesn't happen often....

The graduates also received a gourmet cupcake packaged in a cute window box...just a little something for them on their special day.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Black and YoYo Yellow Markers
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and True Black, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, QuicKutz Die (open circle), The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

DRS Designs: ConGRADulations
Get Inky: Show Us Some Die Cuts
Lexi's Creations: Black and White and One Other Color
Pink By Design: Graduation
The Pink Elephant: Graduation

Thanks for stopping by...have a super day!

Angela

This one's for Kate....

Good morning and Happy Tuesday!  It's time again for another sketch from the ladies at Tuesday Morning Sketches; this week our sketch was created by Debbie and our sponsor is Floppy Latte.

I made a card for the nursing student, Kate, who has worked with me for the past month; she just graduated and had her pinning, she will still need to take her State Boards.  Let me tell you, she is a "Superchick" for sure!  Kate rocks!

The chick is colored with pencils and I added some glitter to her cape, because after all, what "Superchick" doesn't like a touch of glitter?!  I embellished simply with clouds and a beaded sentiment.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Hibiscus Burst, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, KI Memories DP
Embellies: Doodlebug Glitter, Beads (Hobby Lobby)
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestablities, Lil' Inker Designs Cloud Dies, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will stop on over to check out the rest of the ladies creations.  It's a fun sketch, I hope you will give it a try!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

All Sorts Challenge Blog: Add Some Sparkle
Love to Create: For Mom or a Special Lady
Make it Monday: Anything Goes
Make My Monday: Anything that Flies
No Matter Which Challenges: Things With Wings
Whoopsi Daisy: For Mother's Day or a Special Lady

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge from the ladies at Ruby's Rainbow; for this fortnight, Debbie has chosen our challenge...Round and Round...she would like to see spots and dots!

I went with a round card and put my Nestabilities to work!  The chick is colored with pencils and the card is accented with pearls.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Melon Berry, My Mind's Eye DP
Embellies: The Paper Studio Pearls
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will head on over to Ruby's Rainbow to check out our circular creations; better yet, I would love to see your interpretation of the challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Shabby Chic Easter Chick

Good morning!  It's time for a new sketch from the ladies at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Jessi has drawn our sketch this week and also provided the DT with some awesome crochet mats to use...how cool is that?! I was so excited when I opened the package...the mats are really awesome!  A great big "thank you" to my teamie, Jessi!

I knew I needed to pick an image that was "just right" to use with my mat.  I decided to go with a Stampendous Easter chick...I think she is just adorable in her Easter finery!  I distressed my papers and embellished with a felt flower and a bit of bling.

Image: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Dark Chocolate, SU! Blushing Bride, Simple Stories DP
Embellies: MAMBI Bling, Handmade Flower
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, MFT Die-namics Royal Rose Die/PTI Dark Chocolate Felt

I hope you will take a peek at the rest of the line up at the TMS blog; play along for the chance to win some of Jessi's crochet mats!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela