Holiday Critter Chaos 2019

Good morning! Welcome to Catch the Bug's annual Holiday Critter Chaos! Get ready for a week of fun, inspiration, and prizes...we do hope you will play along! To kick off the week we would like you to create a project using a Holiday Critter AND Snow

Here's what I have created for you:

Does that wee birdie count as a critter? Why yes, indeed she does! I love today's theme; here in the Midwest we have plenty of snow. (The last 2 snowfalls have been the light, fluffy stuff so it's easy to scoop; I'm very thankful for that!) I've pulled some snow themed papers from my stash and colored the image to coordinate. I've used sparkly die cut snowflakes for embellishing. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Snowman 004" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select CS, SU! Ruby Red CS, Imaginisce Patterned Paper, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone

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

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps: #180 Cold and Frosty
Alphabet Challenge: "S is for Snow"
Always Fun Challenges: #140 Snowflakes
Crafting Happiness: #26 Winter
Cute Card Thursday: #612 Anything Goes
Through the Purple Haze: #162 Let it Snow

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug: Oldie But Goodie

Good morning! It's Oldie But Goodie Thursday at Catch the Bug and in honor of the snow (and ice!) we've been having, I decided to make a snowman card. This image was released last month, so I am hoping that qualifies as an "oldie"...it was so cute I couldn't resist!

The image is colored with pencils and and accented with glitter. I've used a past Freshly Made Sketches sketch, which I flipped. I embellished with some die cuts and a bit more glitter on the snowflakes. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Goofy Snowman Set" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! CS, Echo Park Patterned Paper
Embellishment: Martha Stewart Glitter in "Sugar Cube"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lawn Fawn Dies (sentiment, snowflakes, circle) Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart)

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here. What is your favorite OBG?

Challenges entered:

Aurora Wings: #64 BINGO (vertical middle row: glitter, die cuts, layers)



Craftaholics R Us: #8 Anything Goes
Paperminutes: #576 Framed

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

FTHS February Blog Hop

Good morning!  It's time for From the Heart Stamps February Blog Hop...that's right, we are back!  Our theme this month is "Love and Friendship".

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each entry.  One random commentor will be selected on each blog (and the FTHS Blog!) to win their image of choice from the FTHS Store!

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

I have used "Hello Snowman" today; we received 15 inches of snow last week, so this adorable image was the perfect choice for me!  He is colored with pencils and embellished with a touch of glitter.  The sketch is from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Hello Snowman" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select CS, G.P 110 CS, SU! Ballet Blue CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper,
Embellie: Martha Stewart "Snow Glitter"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

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

Thanks for hopping along with us today; the hop will end on Sunday, February 5th at 6 a.m.  Winners will be posted at From the Heart Stamps on Wednesday, February 8th.

Challenges entered:

A Snowflake's Promise: Anything Goes
Creates and Makes: Anything Goes w/ Twist of "Winter Blues"
Try Stampin' on Tuesday: Sketch

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Sketch Saturday #423

Good morning sketch fans!  Today is the 5th Saturday of the month so that means you can pick any sketch from the Sketch Saturday Archive.  Don't you just love having so many choices?  I know I do!

I went with Sketch #216, and changed the format from square to rectangle.  (I've had this image colored and on standby; this sketch was the perfect opportunity to use it!)  Here's the sketch:

The image is colored with pencils and I've added lots of glitter...my favorite embellishment!  The red panel is embossed; the dots remind me of a blizzard.  The patterned paper is pearlized and so beautiful in real life.  I've added a smattering of sparkly snowflakes embellished with brads/mini brads, along with some tiny foil snowflakes.  (The snowflakes dies are from Lawn Fawn; I love the mini size!)  Here's a close-up:

Image: CC Designs
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, SU! Ruby Red, KI Memories Patterned Paper, Doodlebug "Lily White" Sugar Coated CS, Gold Foil CS
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, Martha Stewart Sugar Coated CS, Doodlebug "Lily White" Glitter
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, SU! Embossing Folder, Lawn Fawn Dies (snowflakes), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the Saturday Girls' creations here, along with the challenge details.  Play along to win 3 digital images from Star Stampz!

Challenges entered:

Aud Sentiments: Anything Goes + A Sentiment
Brown Sugar: Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner: Anything Goes
Fab 'n' Funky: Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Show Us Some Sparkle
Little Red Wagon: Christmas in July
Mod Squad: Christmas in July
Simply Create Too: Lots of Sparkle
Southern Girls: Anything Goes    
Winter Wonderland: Show Us Your Gold/Silver and/or An Embossed Background

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Bugaboo: Christmas in July

Welcome to Catch the Bug's Christmas in July!  We have a fun week planned for you; lots of amazing challenges to play along with and amazing creations from the team to inspire you.  It's going to be a great week!

Today's theme is "Some of My Best Friends are Flakes!".  (That's right, we want to see snowmen and snowflakes!)  I was so excited for today because this type of card is one of my very most favorite to make!  I went with a fun image that I hadn't colored up before and paired it with a color challenge and a sketch challenge.  I've added some glitter to the "snow" in the image and used lots of glittery snowflakes and Swarovski flatbacks for embellishing.

Image: Bugaboo "Bobblehead Christmas-Snowman" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, The Paper Studio Patterned Paper
Embellies: Doodlebug Glitter, Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Light Siam"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities and Snowflake Dies, Lawn Fawn Snowflake Dies

Please check out the rest of the Design Team's creations here, along with the challenge details.  We do hope you will play along!  Also, don't forget that Bugaboo is having a sale throughout the month of July! (wink, wink)

Challenges entered:

colorQ challenge: Challenge #339

Inky Chicks: Christmas in Summer
The Sketch File: Sketch

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Sketch Saturday #419

Good morning!  Saturday means we have a new sketch for you at Sketch Saturday, along with a new sponsor...Sami Stamps!  Here's our sketch:

I was trying to figure out how to make the sketch work and I remembered some dies I had from Memory Box...it all came together from there!  The papers have been in my stash for years, but I thought they were perfect for the image; I have done some light distressing to the edges.  The image is colored with pencils and accented with glitter.  This was a fun way to briefly escape the summer heat and I like the non-traditional colors!

Image: Sami Stamps "My Snowey Friend" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select and New Leaf CS, Fancy Pants Designs Patterned Paper
Embellies: Art Glitter in "Angel Dust"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Memory Box Dies (Frostyville Wreath, Snowflake Corner), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the Saturday Girls' creations here, along with the challenge details.  Play along for the chance to win $12 worth of images from Sami Stamps!

Challenges entered:

Sami Stamps: Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland: Snow Much Fun

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Winter blessings, my friend!

Good morning!  I have a card to share using this week's From the Heart Stamps sketch.  The twist this week is to "Make a Shaped Card"...you can use the sketch, the twist, or both!  Here's the sketch:

Since we still have a lot of snow around here I went with a snowman, but I used Spring-ish colors because hopefully Spring will soon be here!  The image is colored with pencils and I've added a touch of glitter to the "snow".  I've embellished with a sentiment banner and snowflake.  Here's a detail shot:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Winter Friends" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Blueberry Sky CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper, Doodlebug Lily White Sugar Coated CS
Embellies: Art Glitter in Polar Bear, Doodlebug Sprinkles in Lily White Glitter
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Corner Chomper, The Cat's Pajamas CutUps Die (snowflakes)

Please check out the rest of the teams inspiration cards here.  Remember, there is still time to splay along with the sketch; challenge details here.

Challenges entered:

A Snowflake's Promise: Anything Goes with a Winter or Christmas Theme
Aud Sentiments: Cute + A Sentiment
Brown Sugar: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Flurry of Wishes

Good morning!  It's Monday so that means we have a new sketch (and twist) for you at From the Heart Stamps...here it is:

I had to use one of Faith's newest images...Flurry!  (It is so appropriate for the weather we are getting here.  For the last 4 weeks we have had snow or blizzards at the beginning of the week...thankfully it was just snow on Sunday, I think it will be okay getting to work Monday.)  I think this is one of the cutest snowmen ever!  I've colored it with pencils and added just a touch of glitter to his heart.  I kept it clean and simple with minimal layering, and added some paper piercing and brads for interest, along with a die cut snowflake.  Here's a close-up:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Flurry" Digital Set
Ink: Printer, Signo Black Gel Pen
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select CS, SU! Baja Breeze CS, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, Echo Park Patterned Paper
Embellies: Art Glitter in "Polar Bear", Recollections Mini Brads, Spare Parts Brad
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Corner Chomper, The Cat's Pajamas Die (snowflakes), Lasting Impressions Piercing Template/Piercing Tool

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

Challenges entered:

A Snowflake's Promise: Anything Goes with a Winter or Christmas Theme
Sweet Stampin': Clean and Simple

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Project 100 Snowmen Blog Hop

Good morning!  It's time for From the Heart Stamps February Blog Hop; our theme this month is "Project 100 Snowmen"...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.  

 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? 

We were challenged to create a card using one of Faith's "Project 100 Snowmen" images...this was such a fun theme since I happen to love snowmen!  For my card today I have used the adorable  "Snowman Valentine".   The image is colored with pencils and I've layered it with die cuts and foam tape to create a shaker card.  (Note to self: It's a good idea to look up a tutorial instead of "winging it" when trying a new technique!  LOL  I had paper and dies all over the place...next time I try one of these it will go much quicker!)  The beads are from SU!...I have had them in my stash for years and never used them...I'm really glad I  found them; surprisingly they were right where I thought they were!  LOL  I had planned to embellish with hearts, but I went with snowflakes and Swarovski flatback crystals.  The "snowy" paper and snowflakes are reminiscent of the blizzard we had earlier this week!  The sketch I used is from Die Cuttin' Divas.  Here are some detail close-ups:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Snowman Valentine" Digital Image

Ink: Printer

Paper: G.P. 110 CS, SU! Baja Breeze CS, PTI Pure Poppy CS, Lawn Fawn Patterned Papers, The Paper Studio Glitter CS, PTI Acetate

Embellies: Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Light Siam", SU! Beads

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities and Snowflake Die, Lawn Fawn Snowflake Dies, Foam Tape

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 Monday, February 8th at 6:00 a.m. EST.  Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps blog on Wednesday, February 10th.

Challenge entered: 

A Snowflakes Promise: Christmas/Winter

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite, One or Multi Layer (I tend to go with multi layer as I havn't really mastered CAS.  I like the definition that comes with matting your layers too.)

Crafting From the Heart: Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers: Punches and/or Dies

Crafty Girls Creations: Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion: Anything Goes

Deep Ocean Challenge: Winter Wonderland

Die Cuttin' Divas: Sketch

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie: Photo Inspiration

Thank you for hopping along with us!

Angela

Blowing Kisses

Good morning!  The From the Heart Stamps DT are back from the holiday break; we have a new sketch along with an optional twist..."Black, White, and One More Color".  Check it out:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Blowing Kisses" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Smokey Shadow CS, Doodlebug "Lily White" Sugar Coated CS, Echo Park Patterned Paper
Embellies: Doodlebug "Lily White Sparkle" Sprinkles, Martha Stewart Glitters in "Candy Apple" and "Mica Flake"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities and Snowflake Die, Foam Tape

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

Challenges entered:

Allsorts: What's New? (patterned paper and Doodlebug Sprinkles)
As You Like It Challenges: Anything Goes
Crafty Friends: Use Something New (patterned paper and Doodlebug Sprinkles)

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Joy in Jesus

Good morning!  We have a new sketch for you at From the Heart Stamps, along with a twist...Use Heat Embossing.  Here's the sketch:

I used one of Faith's cute snowmen and made a Christmas card for my stash.  I've colored the snowman with pencils and accented his hat and pocket with white glitter, along with adding glitter to his body, the stars, and the word "Joy".  Instead of a sentiment panel, I've printed the sentiment on the patterned paper; it's pretty easy to do, just measure carefully!  I put the banner behind the image and embellished with die cut snowflakes and buttons.  (In real life the buttons are a perfect match with the purple paper.  Does anyone know why the color of the buttons is "off" in the photograph?  Ugh...so frustrating!  This happens to me sometimes...not sure why.)

Image/Sentiment: From the Heart Stamps "Joy Snowman" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, Gina K. Pure Luxury CS, SU! Purple CS (retired), Bo Bunny Patterned Paper
Embellies: Martha Stewart "Carrara Marble" and "Sugar Cube" Glitters, PTI Buttons/DMC Floss
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, The Cats Pajamas CutUps Die (snowflakes), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  I hope you will play along...it really is a fun sketch!

Challenges entered:

Aud Sentiments Challenge: Anything Goes + a Sentiment
The Paper Players: Tic Tac Toe (upper left diaganolly to bottom right...snowflake, sparkle or shine, punch or die cut)

Thanks for stopping by!

Angelaa

Hello Snowman

Good morning!  We have a new challenge for you from the ladies at Ruby's Rainbow; for this fortnight Neva has chosen "Christmas with a Metallic Twist"...sounds pretty!

I've combined this challenge with this week's From the Heart Stamps sketch, which also has a twist..."Use Your Favorite Color".  That would be pink...of course!  Here's the sketch:

So...use the sketch, the color pink, Christmas themed, and metallic....  "Hello Snowman" (isn't this one of the cutest snowmen ever?!) is colored with pencils and mounted on die cuts.  I've rounded some of the corners of the metallic background patterned paper, to add a bit of interest, and embellished with a sparkly snowflake and hearts (they came in the stamp set).  I love the quirky pink and green for a Christmas card!  Check out the adorable "sweater" hearts, here's a close-up:

Please check out the Ruby's Rainbow DT creations here, along with the challenge details.  We would love to see your take on the challenge!

Please check out the FTHS midweek inspiration post here, and the sketch challenge details here.  We hope you will give the sketch a try...it's a fun one!

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Hello Snowman" Digital Image

Ink: Printer

Paper: G.P. 110, CS, Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury CS, SU! Melon Mambo and Garden Green CS, KI Memories Patterned Paper

Embellie: Martha Stewart "Sugar Cube" Glitter

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

Challenges entered:

A Snowflakes Promise: Winter or Christmas Theme

Allsorts: At Least 3 Die Cuts

Cardz 4 Galz: Your Favorite Christmas Color Combo

Clear it Out: Theme: Holiday/Christmas Stash: Glitter

Come and Get it Challenges: Snowman Love

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

From the Heart Stamps November Blog Hop: CAS and Over the Top

Good morning!  It's time for From the Heart Stamps November Blog Hop; our theme this month is "CAS and Over the Top"...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.  

 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.  We were challenged to make 2 cards this month...one "clean and simple" and the other "over the top".  Here's my CAS card:

I choose one of Faith's adorable snowmen, Blowing Kisses, and used the sketch from the Cheerful Sketches Challenge Blog. For my CAS version, I kept it really simple with clean lines, minimal layering, a touch of glitter on the red heart, and just a single snowflake for embellishing.  Next up is my Over the Top card:

Here are the changes I have made for my Over the Top version:

1. Downsized the image and added a sentiment.
2. Printed an extra image so I could pop up the hat, gloves, nose and foot for added dimension.
3. Colored the hat and gloves a bit darker than the CAS version, to help balance the addition of the red.
3. In addition to glitter on the heart, I have added glitter to the hat and gloves.  (I've used 3 kinds of glitter!)
4. I've added red to the aqua/white color scheme.
5. I've added another background layer, and matted all layers for definition.
6. I've added 2 extra snowflakes.

Here is a detail shot of the image panel:

Image: FTHS "Blowing Kisses" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury. PTI Pure Poppy, Lawn Fawn Patterned Paper
Embellies: Martha Stewart Glitters-Crystal Fine, "Sugar Cube", and "Candy Apple"
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Snowflake Dies, Foam Tape

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 Monday, November 9th at 6:00 a.m.  Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps blog on Wednesday, November 11th.

Challenges entered:

A Snowflake's Promise: Christmas or Winter Theme 
Cheerful Sketches Challenge Blog: Sketch

Dream Valley Challenges: Use the Color Blue
Try it on Tuesday: Lots of Layers

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Oldie but Goodie + Photo Challenge

Good morning!  Welcome to Day 6 of Catch the Bug's Christmas in July!  Thursdays are "Oldie but Goodie" day plus we have a Photo Challenge; check it out:

Instead of a "Sand Snowman", I went for a snowman "Sand Skiing"!  The image is colored with pencils.  I kept the layout simple to focus on the fun image and have embellished simply with brads and a die cut snowflake.

Image: Bugaboo "AKV Snowman-Ski 2" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, PTI Kraft and Pure Poppy, American Crafts Patterned Paper
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, PTI Pure Poppy Twill
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, MFT "Let it Snowflake" Die-namics, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  Play along for the chance to win some awesome Bugaboo images!  And remember, all images are 50% off through the month of July!

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

#letitsnow

Good morning!  I have a card to share using this week's From the Heart Stamps sketch; here it is, along with the inspiration board: 

I love the sketch, but had a hard time with my card...hence, the late post.  I had to scrap my first attempt...this was #2...not sure if I am liking this background either, but it is much improved over my first attempt.  The background is actually a total of 10 strips of paper!  It was a lot of fun trying to keep those in order....  LOL  I tried to do this adorable snowman image justice!  The image (January 2015 Stamp of the Month) is colored with pencils and I've added some glitter to the "snow".  I've embellished simply with glittery snowflakes and brads.

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Little Snowman" January 2015 SOTM
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Baja Breeze and Tangerine Tango, My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, Martha Stewart "Sugar Cube" Glitter
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, MFT "Let it Snowflake" Die-namics Die, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's sketch cards here: there is still time to play along!  Remember to use a FTHS image and you will receive $1 to spend in Faith's store!

Challenge entered:

Die Cuttin' Divas: Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Have a Merry Little Christmas

Good morning!  It's Monday so that means we have a new Sketch Challenge for you at From the Heart Stamps...it's a really fun one!  Here it is:

I decided to go with the twist too...it was fun since I don't usually decorate the inside of my cards.  I kept it clean and simple and mimicked the front of the card.

The image is colored with pencils and I've added a bit of glitter to the snow/snowflakes.  I thought the sentiment would be perfect in the empty space at the bottom right so I printed it on the card front.  I've embellished simply with die cut snowflakes.

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Winter Friends" July 2014 Stamp of the Month
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110. PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper, Doodlebug Lily White Sugar Coated CS
Embellie: Art Glitter in "Polar Bear"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, The Cat's Pajamas CutUps Die (snowflakes, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's cards here.  We would love to have you play along...use the sketch with or without the twist,and the inspiration photo/colors if you would like.  So many options!  Remember to use your From the Heart Stamps images; you will also earn $1 to spend in Faith's store!

Challenges entered:

C.R.A.F.T.: Christmas
Crafty Catz: Christmas is Coming
Cute Card Thursday: Red and Green
Polkadoodles: Clean and Simple
Robyn's Fetish: Things with Wings

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela