Catch the Bug's Christmas in July...Day 1

Welcome to our 10th annual Christmas in July! Our theme this year is Santa's Workshop; we have a full week of fun challenges so buckle up for some fun! Did I mention there will be prizes?

Before I proceed with the challenge details, I would like to honor our late Design Team member Julie. Julie was a fixture on the team since 2011 and we will miss both her and her creations. Here is a link to her blog.

Here is our inspiration photo for today's challenge:

I went with Reindeer Christmas Goodies today; you can color the reindeer like a "regular reindeer" or you can color him like Rudolph! (We have always loved Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer at our house!) I wonder what is in the present and stocking full of goodies created in Santa's workshop? He is colored with pencils an I added some glitter to the string of lights on his antlers and some glittery snowflakes for embellishing.

Image: Bugaboo "Reindeer Christmas Goodies" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select CS, PTI Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper, Doodlebug Sugar-Coated CS
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter in Angel Dust, Lawn Fawn Dies (rectangle frames), Art Impressions Dies (snowflakes), Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations for today at Catch the Bug! We would love to have you play along; remember Bugaboo images are not required for any of our challenges, however we would love to see what you do with Bugaboo! Our only request is that you follow the daily theme when you create. Check out the challenge details here. Please leave me a comment on today's post if you enter today's challenge, I want to check out your creation!

Here's a link to Jodie's Bugaboo Shop; now is the time to stock up on her adorable images. There really is something for everyone!

Challenges entered:

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge: Sketch #377

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge: Week 28 Anything Coloring Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: #564 Christmas or Humourous
Creatalicious Challenge: #191 Anything Goes w/ 3 of a Kind (snowflakes)
Christmas Craft Creations: Christmas Characters
Cutie Pie Challenge: #149 Cute
Festive Friday: Inspiration Challenge #FF00063 (heart, pink, green, sparkle, die cuts)

My Time to Craft: #436 Christmas in July
Shopping Our Stash: #424 Christmas in July

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Happy Birthday to Ewe!

Good morning! It's ABC Monday at Catch the Bug...that's right, Anything But a Card! I have a gift box to share with you. I love the pre-scored gable boxes from Hobby Lobby; I stock up when they are 1/2 price because they are so simple to just fold on the scored lines to assemble, then add an image, band, and die cuts, fill with shred and insert gift...easy peasy! Cute too!

The darling sheep are colored with pencils to coordinate with the scrap of patterned paper from Doodlebug. I went with orange and blue because my son loves orange. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Topper-Happy Birthday to Ewe Trio Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI and SU! CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, The Paper Studio Gable Box, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Dies (stars, heart)

Please head on over to Catch the Bug to check out what my teamies have created for your inspiration!

Challenges entered:

Aud Sentiments Challenge: #253 Anything Goes + A Sentiment
Color Crazy Challenge: Week 24 Anything Coloring Goes
Crafty Friends Challenge: #138 Men and/or Boys
Just Add Ink: #510 Fancy Fold
Little Red Wagon: #554 Animal Antics

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

Humor Me Wednesday

Good morning...it's Humor Me Wednesday at Catch the Bug! 

Holidays for the week are:

February 9th: Pizza Day, Toothache Day

February 10th: Umbrella Day

February 11th: Make a Friend Day, White T-Shirt Day

February 12th: Plum Pudding Day

February 14th: Valentine's Day

I went with Valentine's Day and colored up this adorable little bee! How can you not love that smiling little face? I went a bit untraditional with the colors, used a simple layout, and embellished simply with glitter, mini brads, and some die cut hearts. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Bees-Be Mine: Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI Stamper's Select and Pure Poppy, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, The Paper Studio Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Dies, Spare Parts Mini Brads, Martha Stewart Glitter

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

Challenges entered:

Allsorts Challenge: #558 Add a Heart
Always Fun Challenges: #149 Love/Valentine's Day
CAS on Friday: #173 Love
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: #543 Love/Valentine's
Crafty Cardmakers: #250 Love is All You Need
Crafty Friends: #128 Love/Romance
Cut It Up: #193 Love is in the Air (must include die cuts)
Dream Valley Challenges: #218 Love 10
Get Creative Challenges: #88 Use Hearts
Sweet Stampin': All You Need is Love

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

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 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 Annual Christmas in July: The Best Christmas Movies Ever

 

Welcome to Day 1 of Catch the Bug's annual Christmas in July! This year our theme is "The Best Christmas Movies Ever" and to kick off the festivities we have a Theme Challenge for you! The choices are The Santa Claus, Miracle on 34th Street, or A Charlie Brown Christmas:

I went with A Charlie Brown Christmas. I've watched this countless times over the years; first as a child, then with my children. I chose the image AKV Christmas Tree, which gives a nod to both the animation and Charlie Brown's simple Christmas tree.

I've colored the image with pencils and added a healthy dose of glitter. I like the vintage vibe of the paper paired with the crisp white card base and modern embellishments...a juxtaposition of old and new. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo AKV Christmas Tree Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI Stamper's Select, New Leaf, and Pure Poppy CS, Simple Stories Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter in Angel Dust, Doodlebug Sprinkles in Limeade Glitter, Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Spellbinders Nestabilities (circle), 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!

Challenges entered:

ABC Christmas Challenge: N=No Peeking or O= Ornament
Colour Crazy Challenge: #28 Anything Goes With Coloring
Crafty Calendar: Christmas in July
Crafty Gals Corner: #196 Christmas in July
Modsquad Challenge Blog: Christmas in July
Shopping Our Stash: #400 Christmas in July
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge: #52 Anything Christmas Goes
Try Stampin' on Tuesday: #416 Sketch, plus Optional Theme: Christmas in July

Note: The color palette for Friday's challenge inspired my paper choice for this week's cards. I thought immediately of a Simple Stories 6x6 paper pad in my stash and decided to use it all week. I thought it would be fun to use the same color palette but vary the style of both the images and the cards. A bit of a challenge within a challenge!

This paper is perfect for Friday's color palette!

My color palette for the week of challenges.

Wendel approves! LOL He just had to get in on the action!

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Stella Says Sketch #711

Good morning! It's Sunday so we have a fun sketch to share with you. As a reminder, beginning in May through August, we will have only 1 Stella Sketch each month due to the summer season. Are you ready? Here it is:

It's a great one, right? I do love a good sketch! I used one of Jodie's adorable chicks today; she's colored with pencils and accented with a touch of glitter. I was unsure at first how the patterned paper would look because of the larger scale, but I think the colors are subtle enough that it works. I do love the pretty pastels! I have embellished simply with 3 enamel dots. I realized as I was uploading that I forgot my signature heart! I even layed the die out on my work space. I must be getting old! Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI CS, Echo Park Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Doodlebug Enamel Dots, Martha Stewart Glitter, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations and challenge details here, at Catch the Bug, they are sure to inspire you. I would like to see your interpretation of the sketch, so if you create a card please leave a comment on this post so I can come and check it out.

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #27 Feature a Critter
2 Sisters on the Blog: #28 Things With Wings
Moo-Mania and More: #192 Things With Wings

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Humor Me Wednesday

Good morning...it's Humor Me Wednesday at Catch the Bug! Humor Me Holidays for the week of May 19-25 are:

May 19: Scooter Day
May 21: I Need a Patch for That Day
May 22: World Goth Day
May 23: Eat More Fruit and Vegetables Day/World Turtle Day
May 24: Brothers Day
May 25: Wine Day

I'm going with Eat More Fruit and Vegetables Day...these cherries look good enough to eat! I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to fresh produce. Any gardeners reading this post? I would like to hear about your garden!

I've colored the image with pencils and added a touch of glitter to the red cherry. The sketch is from Try Stampin' on Tuesday. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Retired Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI New Leaf, Dark Chocolate, and Pure Poppy CS, Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Art Glitter, Lil' Inker Designs Die, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here.

Challenges entered:

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge: Week 19 Anything Goes Colouring Challenge
Pearly Sparkles Challenge: #40 Tracy's Recipe Challenge Pink, Pearls, Sparkle (pink and sparkle)
Southern Girls: Sparkle, Shimmer, and Shine 
Try Stampin' on Tuesday: #408 Sketch

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Oldie But Goodie

Good morning! It's Oldie But Goodie Day at Catch the Bug. This adorable little chick just says "Spring" to me, which I am really looking forward to after our snow this past weekend. Yes, I said snow...LOL! 

I've colored her with pencils and accented the flower and heart with a touch of glitter. I've used this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches sketch, although I did leave off the accent on the left side, I just couldn't make it work. I've embellished simply with pink enamel dots. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Easter Chick Flower Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: Neenah CS, PTI CS (yellow and green), SU! CS (pink), Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Martha Stewart Glitter (yellow and pink), Doodlebug Enamel Dots, Lil' Inker Designs die (heart), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here; I can't wait to check them out myself!

Challenges entered:

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Chicks 'n Bunnies
Try it on Tuesday: Things with Wings
Tuesday Morning Sketches:Sketch #501
Watercooler Wednesday: WWC219 Heidi's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

ABC

Good morning friends; it's ABC Monday at Catch the Bug! Graduation is just around the corner, so I have some gift packaging for my "Anything But a Card" project today. I purchase these handy gable boxes at Hobby Lobby when they are 50% off; they're nice to have on hand and easy to decorate. They give your gift a little extra oomph!

I've colored the image with pencils, layered it with a die cut and popped it up with foam tape over a simple band. I've added a touch of glitter to the stars and diploma and a die cut glittery star and heart for embellishing. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo Digital Image (not yet in store)
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI CS, The Paper Studio Patterned Paper, The Paper Studio Glitter Paper (black), Doodlebug Sugar Coated CS (pink)
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Lil' Inker Designs Dies (heart, star), Foam Tape

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

Challenges entered:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies: #25 Anything Goes with a Critter
Animal Friends: #73 Sheep/Lamb
Crafty Catz: #458 Anything Goes (Optional Twist: All Things Great and Small)
Dragonfly Dreams: Include an Animal
Mix It Up Challenge Blog: #24 /Anything Goes Plus Black and White Plus 1 Other Color

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Freebie Friday

Good morning friends, it's Freebie Friday at Catch the Bug and Dottie Save the Earth is up for grabs! I had a blast coloring this little cutie; I've paired her with some Doodlebug papers and the Tuesday Morning Sketches sketch. Here's a close-up:

Image: Bugaboo "Dottie Save the Earth" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, PTI CS, SU! CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lawn Fawn Die (circle), Lil' Inker Designs Die (heart), Foam Tape

Please check out the Design Teams creations here, they have provided some fabulous inspiration. You can pick up your image here.

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps: #173 Lots of Layers
Cardz 4 Galz: #94 Pretty Papers
Creations in Pink: #8 Anything Goes (mainly pink)
Daisy Chain Challenges: #29 Make it Feminine
Papercraft Challenges: #34 Polka Dots
Pile It On: #153 Lots of Layers
Tuesday Morning Sketches: #498

Unicorn Challenge Blog: #42 Spots and/or Stripes

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Catch the Bug...New Release Tuesday

Good morning...it's New Release Day at Catch the Bug! I'm loving the image today; she is not my usual "go to" but I sure did have a good time coloring her! I found the cutest paper pad at Hobby Lobby; I love the non-traditional valentine colors and thought they were perfect for this image.

She's colored with pencils and accented with glitter. (The kitty is colored to resemble my Wendel!) I've used the sketch from Paper Craft Crew and embellished with some enamel dots. Here's a close-up:

Please head over to Catch the Bug and check out the DT's creations with this fun image...they are sure to inspire you! You can check out the New Release images at the Bugaboo store.

Challenges entered: 

Always Fun Challenges: "Love/Valentines"

Brown Sugar: #287 Love and/or St. Valentine's Day

Card Mania Challenges: #113 Love is in the Air

Crafty Cardmakers: #227 Love, Love, Love

Dragonfly Dreams: Include a Heart

Paper Craft Crew: Sketch #325

Sweet Stampin': Valentine's

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

New Release Tuesday...Monster Style

Good morning...welcome back to Day 4 of the Monster Birthday Bash at Catch the Bug! Today is New Release Day, plus we have a BINGO card for you to play! Here it is:

I went top left to bottom right: Die Cut (heart), Player's Choice (clean and simple), and Stripes (pink and blue monster). This was really a fun image to color! I used my Prisma pencils and coordinated it with one of my all time favorite patterned papers from Doodlebug (I am getting down to scraps!). I kept the layout super simple and added my signature heart die cut. This one will fit in an envelope and only require 1 stamp...woot woot!

Image: Bugaboo Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: Neenah CS, SU! Passion Pink CS, Doodlebug Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Die

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

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela