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

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

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

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

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

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

Catch the Bug...Anything But a Card

Good morning! Monday means Anything But a Card at Catch the Bug. I've used one of my favorite Christmas images and decorated a tin filled with Hershey's Nuggets. This is such an easy item to create and have on hand...just in case you need a "little something" unexpectedly!

The image is colored with pencils and I've added some die cuts for embellishing. The candy is wrapped with a strip of patterned paper and the image is attached to a band so it will easily slide on and off the tin.

Image: Bugaboo "Reindeer Trio" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, PTI and SU! CS, The Paper Studio Glitter CS, My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Lil' Inker Designs Dies

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

Challenges entered:

Allsorts Challenge Blog: #548 Christmas Gifts
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers: #149 Y is for Yummy

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