Hoot! Hoot!

Good morning! Today I have a card to share that I made for one of our COVID-19 physicians. We have 2 on the unit, 1 day shift and 1 night shift. Both are great! One of the nurses made a special bulletin board for them and some adorable owl pot holders since they both like to cook. She asked me to make them cards "with an owl". I made a quick trip into Hobby Lobby, which recently re-opened, and bought the one and only owl stamp. Would I have chosen this image? No! Sometimes you have to work with what you've got!

Just some thoughts.... I know that in Iowa many counties are "opening up"; meaning businesses are re-opening with restrictions. This is really scary to me! We have not peaked and are not scheduled to peak until mid-June. I encourage you to continue practicing social distancing. If you need to be in public, please wear a face mask, use hand sanitizer, and remember not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth! Make your trip brief by having a list and a plan before entering the store. We all need to do our part for the safety of everyone! As someone with an inside, front and center view...this is crucial!

I've colored the owl with pencils and added a dash of glitter. I loved the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches this week and realized at the last moment that I had to flip it because of the sentiment I had already printed for the inside...so glad that I had'nt glued it down! The patterned papers are from Lawn Fawn, I love the combo of pink and green! Here's a close-up:

 

I computer generated a sentiment:

I found the cutest Hero Arts set of sentiments to stamp on the back of the card too! Here's one:

Image: The Paper Studio
Sentiment: Hero Arts (back of card)
Ink: Palette Noir, Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Hibiscus Burst and New Leaf CS, Lawn Fawn Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", Lawn Fawn Dies (open stitched circles), Spellbinders Nestablities, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Challenges entered:

Crafting Happines: #47 Anything Goes-Optional Birds
Creations in Pink: #21 Anything Goes in Mainly Pink
Fab 'n' Funky: #480 Cute Critters
Get Creative Challenges: #91 Make it Sparkly
Southern Girls:  Team Trace: Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin': Bright and Beautiful
Tuesday Morning Sketches: #553

Watercooler Wednesday: #270 Tristan's Challenge: Anything Goes with a Feminine Twist

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Got Flowers?

Good morning! It's the first Saturday of the month so that means it's Anything Goes at Catch the Bug. I've went with a Spring-y card; after the long winter, I am so ready for flowers!

This adorable image is colored with pencils and the sketch is from Try Stampin' on Tuesday. I've used some old papers from my stash and embellished with a die cut flower. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Daffodil Delight CS, PTI Dark Chocolate CS, My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), MFT Die-Namics Blueprints 6 Dies (flower, border), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here...they are sure to inspire you! If you play along, leave a comment on this post so I can check out your card.

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps and More: #387 Make Your Mark (coloring)
2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #38
Creative Moments: #189 April Showers Bring May Flowers
Just Add Ink: #503 Choose Two...Stencils, Pencils, Patterned Paper
Make My Monday: #121 Use a Digital Stamp
Southern Girls: Anything Goes
The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog: Bunnies, Bears, and Other B's
Through the Craft Room Door: Anything Goes
Try Stampin' on Tuesday: Sketch #454

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Making life sweeter one pie at a time!

Good morning! It's Humor Me Wednesday at Catch the Bug. Humor Me holidays for this week are:

April 19th: Hanging Out Day

April 21st: Kindergarten Day, Library Day

April 22nd: Earth Day

April 23rd: Pie Day

April 24th: Sauvignon Blanc Day

April 25th: Hairstylists Appreciation Day, World Penguin Day, Red Hat Society Day

I have chosen "Pie Day" and went with the adorable Dottie Baking image! She is colored with pencils and I have used the sketch from  Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Dottie Baking" Digital Stamp
Sentiment: Stampalicious
Ink: Printer, Palette Noir Black
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Flirty Flamingo CS, PTI Dark Chocolate CS, Moxie Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Die, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here; they are sure to inspire you!

Challenges entered:

Alphabet Challenge: "A" is for Anything Goes
Creations in Pink: #21 Anything Goes in MAINLY Pink
Southern Girls: Anything Goes
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2: Sketch #181

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Happy Easter

Good Morning! Happy Easter to my Christian followers! Easter sure crept up on me this year. As a nurse I am considered an essential employee, so with social distancing I go to work and venture out to the grocery store about once every 1-2 weeks. I make big Easter baskets for my kids every year, even though they are 19 and 21; they are light on the candy and I would fill them with fun items the kids like...books, video games, clothing, coffee pods, gift certificates, etc. Designing them is always such fun for me, but his year they are getting a deposit in their bank accounts!

Speaking of social distancing, I urge you to comply! It benefits you, your family, your friends, and health care workers. I know some do not understand the importance of this and think "It won't happen to me." but it can and you can spread it to your loved ones. The U.S. now has the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in the world! Even more scary, it has not peaked here in the U.S.! As a RN working front and center during this pandemic, please stay home!

Those cute teeth made me pick this image as I was looking through all of Jodie's cute Easter images. Seriously though...those teeth! Love them! This bunny is colored with pencils and I've accented the eggs with glitter. The paper has been in my stash a long time; if you look closely you will see that it has a gold shimmer...it is so pretty in real life! Also, the paper I've used for matting is purple, not black...it did not photograph well...darn it! This is so pretty in real life! Here is a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Rabbit Eggs" Digital Image
Sentiment: MFT PI One of My Favorite Peeps
Ink: Printer, Palette Noir Black
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! CS, Reminisce Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Martha Stewart Glitter, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Here is the fun sketch I am working with today; you have 2 weeks to play along, so give it a try!

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here...they are sure to inspire you!

Challenges entered:

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: #248 Anything Goes + A Sentiment
Crafty Cardmakers: #254 Easter
Crafty Gals Corner: #206 Easter/Spring
Craft Rocket: #69 Furry Friends
Cut It Up: #197 Hopping Down the Bunny Trail
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie: #139

My Time To Craft: #429 Easter Cuties
Use Your Stuff: #395 Easter

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Hello Spring!

Good morning! This adorable little chick is taking us into Spring. Who's ready for it? I know I am!

I pulled out some Spring-y Doodlebug papers and colored the image, with pencils, to coordinate. I've used the current sketch from Catch the Bug. There is still 1 week to play along and it's a fun one, so give it a try. Here's a close-up of the colored image:

Image: Bugaboo "Easter Chick" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI CS, Doodlebug Patterned Papers, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, Bazzill Bling CS
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, MFT Die-Namics (flower), Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #36 (must have a critter)
Artsystamper Digitals Challenge: #12 Lots of Layers
Colour Crazy Challenge: Week 11 (anything coloring goes)
Double "D" Challenges: Welcome Spring (see mood board for inspiration)

Use Your Stuff: #394 Spring

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Happy St. Patrick's Day to Ewe

Good morning, it's Oldie But Goodie Thursday at Catch the Bug! Since St. Patrick's Day is quickly approaching, I decided to break out a bit of green (and pink, of course!). I colored up this cute little ewe with pencils and used the sketch from Try Stampin' On Tuesday. I've embellished with some die cuts and black enamel dots. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Happy St. Patrick's Day to Ewe Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI New Leaf, Raspberry Fizz, and True Black CS, Reminisce Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, QuicKutz Die (shamrock), Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), The Eyelet Outlet Jewels, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creation here, they are sure to inspire you!

Challenges entered:

Crafty Friends Challenge: #130 Animals/Birds
Cut It Up: Challenge #195 Green With Envy
My Time To Craft: #427 Barnyard Animals
Try Stampin' On Tuesday: #447 Sketch

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug February Color Challenge

Good morning! We have a new challenge for you at Catch the Bug, check out the color palette:

This fun image has been printed in my stash and just waiting to be colored...I thought it was perfect for this color combo. I've colored with pencils and kept the papers simple to keep the focus on the image. The sketch is from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Coffee Time-Stop and Smell the Coffee Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI CS
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Die, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations and the challenge details here. If you play along, please leave me a comment so I can check out YOUR creation!

Challenges entered:

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge: #356 Sketch

Crafting Happiness: #36 Anything Goes (Food or Drink)
Cupcake Inspiration Challenge: #487

Dream Valley Challenge: #219 Hand Coloured Image
Krafty Chicks Challenge: #495 CAS
Simply Create Too: #157 Use Red + 1 Other Color

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Stella Says Sketch

Good morning! We've got a new sketch for you at Catch the Bug; it's a versatile one and you've got 2 weeks to play so I hope you'll give it a try. Here it is:

I colored up the adorable "Bee Bear Sitting" and added some sparkle to the antennae, wings, and heart. I turned this into a Valentine card and I'm liking the non-traditional colors. After I had photographed the card I realized I had forgotten the embellishment in the upper left corner...shoot! I seem to make most of my cards embellishment free these days. How about you...embellishments, yes or no? Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Bee Bear Sitting" Digital Image
Sentiment: MFT Pure Innocence "Honey Bee" Set
Ink: Printer, Palette Noir Black, Signo Uni-ball Gel Pen (eyes)
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Daffodil Delight CS, PTI Pure Poppy CS, Pinecone Press Patterned Papers
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Die, 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!

Challenges entered:

Always Fun Challenges: #147 Sparkle
2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #35 Anything Goes With a Critter
Crafty Friends: #128 Love/Romance
Creatalicious Challenges: #180 Anything Goes (with optional hearts)
Cute Card Thursday: #619 Valentines
The Cutie Pie Challenge: #143 Cute, Clean and Simple

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Day 2: Down on the Farm Birthday Bash

Good morning! Welcome to Day 2 of our week long Down on the Farm Birthday Bash! Today we have a Sketch Challenge for you, here it is:

I flipped the image panel and decided to go with white cardstock and textured vellum...it really puts the focus on the kitty. The image is colored with pencils and I've embellished simply with white brads. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Digital Image
Sentiment: MFT Pure Innocence "Happy Birthday to You"
Ink: Printer, Palette Noir Black
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select CS, PTI Textured Vellum, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spare Parts Brads, Spellbinders Dies, Lil' Inker Designs Die, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details. Check out the entire week's challenges here. We do hope you will play along...there are prizes to be won! Remember, this is a birthday bash so projects must be birthday themed. Bugaboo images are not required, but we would love to see them featured. Here's a link to the store, Jodie has a huge selection of images perfect for the occasion.

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies: January Challenge (must have a critter)
Crafty Catz: #488 Anything Goes (optional twist-animals)
Fab 'n' Funky: #463 No Designer Paper
Simply Create Too: #156 Monochromatic
Try it on Tuesday: What a Cutie/Make Someone Smile Today

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug's 10th Annual Birthday Bash

Welcome to Day 1 of our week-long Down on the Farm Birthday Bash! Farm life is great, I grew up on one! We raised cattle, hogs, and sheep; there were also horses, cats, and dogs. My playhouse was an old chicken coop and my younger siblings were on their pony at the age of 2. It was a peaceful, wholesome life. I digress...back to the challenge! For today we would like you to create a farm themed project.

I love Jodie's selection of chicks in the store and had a blast coloring this one up! I used pencils and added a bit of glitter to the balloons and to her "eyeshadow". After all, a chick has got to be fancy! Right? Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Chickz-Happy Birdday Chickie" Digital Image
Sentiment: MFT PI "Happy Birthday to You"
Ink: Printer, Palette Noir Black
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Daffodil Delight and Melon Mambo CS, PTI New Leaf CS, Echo Park Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", The Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details. Check out the entire week's challenges here. We do hope you will play along...there are prizes to be had! Remember, this is a birthday bash so projects must be birthday themed. Bugaboo images are not required, but we would love to see them used. Here's a link to the store, Jodie has a huge selection of images perfect for the occasion.

Challenges entered:

Color Crazy: Week 1 Anything Goes
ModSquad: Birthday Balloons
Paper Craft Crew: #365 Sketch

Seize the Birthday: #180 Layer It

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug...Oldie But Goodie

Good morning! It's Oldie But Goodie day at Catch the Bug and I chose this cute little Troll to color. She reminds me of the Trolls I played with as a child; I guess I didn't really like to play with them, I liked to sew them clothes! Anybody else out there play with Trolls...or sew their clothes?!

I've colored her to coordinate with this yummy Doodlebug patterned paper. The sketch is from Sketch Saturday and I've embellished simply with a sentiment banner and a die cut heart. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Christmas Troll" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, PTI CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Die, Foam Tape

Challenge entered:

Sketch Saturday: #593

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo Freebie Friday...AKV Fall Leaves

Good morning! It's Freebie Friday at Catch the Bug and I'm playing with the adorable AKV Fall Leaves today. I find it hard to resist that cheerful, smiling face! I've colored the image to coordinate with this fabulous patterned paper from Doodlebug; what I like so much are the not-traditional fall colors. I have to say that I love a fall card in lavender and teal! I've used a past sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #410. Here's a close-up: 

Image: Bugaboo AKV Leaves Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI CS (Lavender Moon), SU! CS (teal), Doodlebug Patterned Papers
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Lawn Fawn Die (hello), The Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots, Foam Tape

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps: #179 Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog: #295 Anything Goes
Colour Crazy Challenge Blog: #45 Anything Goes Coloring
Corrosive Challenge Blog: #11 Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar Challenge: November "Cute and Girly"
Crafty Gals Corner: #201 Anything Fall Goes
Cut It Up: #187 Celebrate Fall

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, they are sure to inspire you! You can snag your FREE AKV Leaves image here. If you make a card with the image, please leave a comment on this post so I can check out YOUR creation!

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo Oldie But Goodie

Good morning! It's Thursday...Oldie But Goodie day at Catch the Bug. We are still having really nice weather here, so I wanted to sneak in one last summer image before I officially say "good-bye to the season. I went with Kidz Beach. Isn't she adorable? I've colored her with pencils to coordinate with the patterned papers. The sketch is from a past Sketch Saturday challenge and I've used some die cuts and enamel dots for embellishing. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Kidz Beach Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI and SU! CS, Echo Park and Doodlebug Patterned Papers, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Doodlebug Enamel Dots, Lil' Inker Designs Dies, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here..they are sure to inspire you!

Challenges entered:

2 Sisters on the Blog: #33 Something With the Letter "S" (sand, sun, sunglasses, swimsuit)
Crafty Calendar: Add Lots of Layers
International Art and Soul: #66 Layer it Up
Let's Craft and Create: #151 Put Some Extra Layers On
Try It On Tuesday: Boys/Girls/All Things Children

I had to share this picture of my "little helper" Wendel...he loves to be wherever the action is!

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug's Christmas in July: Make Us Laugh

Welcome back to Day 5 of Catch the Bug's annual Christmas in July! It's Wednesday,or Humor Me Wednesday as we like to call it at Catch the Bug, so our theme is "Make Us Laugh". Again, our theme is "The Best Christmas Movies Ever", so here are your inspiration movies for today's challenge:

Can anyone guess the movie I used for inspiration? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! This movie is a favorite of my family and my inspiration was Aunt Edna's cat! I'm pretty sure her name is Edna...can anyone confirm or deny that? The scene where her cat is in the Christmas tree is a hoot! I also believe there's cat food in her jello...ugh! LOL I've colored this little cutie with pencils and used an old sketch from the archives of Sketch Saturday. I was loving the plaid so much that I didn't want to cover it up, so I used a piece of vellum, adhered with mini brads, for one of the layers. Problem solved...a little extra oomph without covering the plaid. I'm curious, does anyone out there enjoy using brads anymore? I've always liked them. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Christmas Cat Digital Image
Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio
Ink: Printer,Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI Ripe Avocado and Pure Poppy, Simple Stories Patterned Paper, The Paper Studio Vellum
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spare Parts Brads, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart)

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

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #28 (must use a critter)
52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Non-Traditional Image
Crafty Animals: #28 Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash: #400 Christmas in July (stash items: patterned paper, vellum, brads)
Show Us Your Pussycats: #44 Furrything Goes
The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up: #55 Optional Twist...Plaids
The Crafters Cafe Challenge Blog: #223 Animal And/Or ATC

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug's Christmas in July: Sketch Challenge

 

Welcome to Day 2 of Catch the Bug's annual Christmas in July! It's Sunday so that means we have a sketch for you:

Again, the theme is "The Best Christmas Movies Ever" so here is your inspiration movie for today's challenge:

I chose DeDe Christmas Bells...because she has jingle bells and because I like her quirkiness! She's colored with pencils and accented with glitter. Gray isn't a typical color I'd use for a Christmas card, but I think it works with the pop of red. I did a bit of distressing and used ribbon and enamel dots for embellishing. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo DeDe Christmas Bells Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI Smokey Shadow, Pure Poppy, and New Leaf CS, Simple Stories Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, SU! Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots, Martha Stewart Crystal Fine Glitter, Art Glitter in "Angel Dust", Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details here. Play along for the chance to win Bugaboo images from Jodie's online store! Check it out, there might just be a sale going on...wink!

Challenges entered:

C.R.A.F.T.: #522 Christmas
Crafty Catz: #471 Anything Goes (w/ option Christmas in July)
Crafty Friends Challenge Blog: #114 Use 2 or More Patterned Papers
Crafty Gals Corner: Christmas in July
Creative With Stamps: #40 Stripes

Cut It Up Challenge Blog: #178 Christmas in July
Happy Little Stampers: July Christmas Challenge: Anything Goes (w/ optional sparkle)
Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog: #12 Anything Christmas Goes

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela