Digital cardmaking

Digital cardmaking... Since hubs and I are living the full-time RV lifestyle (totally awesome!), I've had to pare down my supplies and go digital as much as possible. So with many yard sales and giving up my beloved diecutting machines, I not only needed to find cute images to color with my Copic markers, but the need to find printable paper and elements has become a necessity if I want to continue one of my favorite hobbies - cardmaking. When searching Google and Pinterest for my necessities, I was overwhelmed with the selection. I did keep my little HP 385 photo printer, enabling me to print 4x6 sizes - PERFECT for my needs.

Without further ado, let's chat about the greeting card I created today, shall we?!?

The ding-dang-darling image is img831 from Sherri Baldy just one of many in her My Besties series.

I knew I wanted to find some papers and embellishment elements with the sewing theme and I so love all things vintage and shabby chic; this awesome set fit the bill 100%!  Vintage Sewing printable papers from issue 147  free from PaperCraft Inspirations Magazine! 

Matching my Copic Marker colors to my paper - the image was so much fun to color!

Copic Recipe:

Skin - RV0000, 000, 00, E0000, 000

Hair - E41, 42, 43, 44

Shirt/buttons/thread (pink) - RV00, 13, 21

Pants/button/thread (green) - BG10, 13, 15, 23

Buttons/thread (peachy) - R000, 13, 20, 32

Buttons/thread (blue) - B0000, 00, 02, 04

Needle - C00, 02

I laid out my design, picked out my silk ribbon, using a circle punch, my Martha Stewart corner punch with the "sewing" holes to use on my inside insert corners, and used a pushpin and my tiny mouse pad to "sew" the edge of my image and then distressed it a bit with some small tears and edge rolling. I do have a pair of very sharp small scissors to cut out the elements - you could also use an X-Acto knife.

And here is my completed card - "Sew Glad We're Friends!"

Thanks for stopping by - while you're here don't forget to follow my blog and even securely sign up for emails of my posts :) 

Have a spectacular "Sew Glad We're Friends" kinda Day!

Challenges: Besties Challenge-AG March; My Besties en francais-AG March; My Besties Spanish Challenge Blog-AG March; My Besties UK Challenge-AG/sketch March; My Besties Germany Challenge-#24 AG/valentine; My Besties Color it, Create it, Show it off-challenge 1 AG; My Besties 3d and more Challenge Blog-AG; My Besties Brazil Blog-AG/loops&lace; Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-A bit of Green; In The Pink Challenge Blog-for a special lady

Sweet Shavana

Only one week left to enter my "maggie" candy here!

For my project today, I followed the sketch over at Mojo Monday

Last weekend was a get together weekend for us girls at our favorite bed & breakfast in Folsom, California - The Bradley House. I've had a reservation for nine years now and get to choose weekend getaways for scrappin' buddies and myself - we always have the best time. This past weekend, Shavana's father had lost his battle with cancer, so she was working on the memorial boards and memories for the service. I knew I wanted to create a card for Shavana, and wanted to make it special for the loss of a father. I used my MS butterfly punch, Spellbinders ovals and lacey ovals, along with butterfly impressabilities. Added some roses, heart stickpins, a clear acrylic flower, Sizzix sizlette swirl flourish, ribbons/lace and a heart key charm from my LSS. I love the sentiment, and know Shavana will also.

Her parents divorced when she was very young and she was raised by her mother. Her father and her found each other when she was 18, and made up for all the time they had lost. They became best friends. Michael was a tall strapping man, and loved his daughter to no end.

Shavana was blessed to get to know her father and have him as an integral part of her life for the last 20 years, making him not only a father, but a father-in-law and grandfather!

Today is Michael's day to be placed to rest. Blessings and my deepest heartfelt condolences to my sweet friend Shavana and her wonderful family. Rest in peace, Michael.

Love,

Wendy

Challenges I'd like to enter: Mojo Monday-sketch; Inky Impressions-lace/trim; Simon Says Stamp-CAS;  365 cards-wordy; Truly Scrumptious-AG; Whimsy Stamps Challenge-AG; A and T digital designs-embossing;

Mother's Day Sunflower!

The Countdown Continues to Retirement. Celebrate with me Here!

I'm on a roll with Mother's Day Cards, as I have quite a few to make. For this card I chose one of my gifted Tilda's and since she's tenderly holding a sunflower, used my Prima DP collection "Sun Kiss" which was found at Oozak

 and followed the sketch over at Sketch Saturday.

There's all kinda stuff going on with this card... Spellbinders, Sizzix and C.C. Designs dies, cut and embossed with my beloved Cuttlebug.

A Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page deep edge punch. I love chalk, and really ran with it chalking nearly all edges of this card. Lots and lots and lots of layers with a bunch of 3m double-sided foam tape. The heart pins are from WOC, two colored to match. The little chocolate pearls are from Queen & Co. Oh, my what a find to rummage through my hoarded/stash (blast from the past) to find the pewter butterfly charm, and the swirl clip from making memories-at least 10 years old! 

The awesome swirl sentiment was a freebie via Free Digital Stamps, printed on the DP and cut and embossed with Spellbinder's nestie classic circles. I sure wish ALL artists would put their name in the save line - would make it soooo much easier to give credit to the designer - KWIM?!? I would love to thank them personally, as it was perfect for this card! The lace and ribbon are from my LSS. All colored up with Copics :) 

And... last but not least, it's an Easel - YAY!!! 

Wishing you a day FULL of "Sunflowers"!

Love,

Wendy

Challenges: Sketch Saturday-sketch; Whimsy Stamps Challenge-dies/punches; Just keep on Creating-AG; Craft your Passion Challenge-dies/punches; Magnolia Stamp Lovers Challenge-butterflies; Creatalicious Challenges-butterfly/flower; Oozak-AG; The Paper Shelter-wings/things; Stamp n Doodle's Blog-showers/flowers; The Stamping Boutique-AG; Incy Wincy Designs-digis ONLY; Karens Doodles Challenge Blog-something spring; Whoopsi Daisy Challenge-AG; 2 Sisters Challenge Blog-flower in image; Craft Your Days Away Challenge-metal

Beeeutiful Mommy!

We're Still Partying over at My Retirement Party -

You Are Invited!!!

"I'm all ears" was picked by the DT over at Delightful Challenges Easter challenge as their winner and earned a Guest Design Team spot on the Digital Delights Blog, along with this cute image I picked "Springtime Lara" and badges - woohooie!!!

I was all set to color her up, and then thought she would be super cute paper-pieced. I did color her little face, legs, and leaves - the rest was paper-pieced using Prima's Annabelle DP collection. Printed her up on three coordinating papers, cut, cove'd and silicone'd her for dimension.

Of course, since she is soooo "flowery", it was a must to cut a bunch of flowers (C.C. Designs-five point flowers) and Poppy Stamps "Meadow Leaf" die (memory box), along with my Spellbinder's classic circles and Lacey circle dies. I also "framed" the front of my card with the insert being embossed roses by Lifestyle Crafts - all done in my dear Cuttlebug.

The sweet circle sentiment is from Netty's Cards and my LSS had the rayon vintage seam binding - bought 10 yards - love, love, love this ribbon. The Butterflies are Martha Stewart, and the "bling" is Doodlebug mini jewels "cupcake".

Wishing you a Beeeeutiful Day!

Love,

Wendy

Challenges: Bearly-Mine Challenges-embossing; Crafty Sentiments Designs-use a digi; Paperminutes-newest stamp; Craft Your Passion Challenges-dies&punches; Top Tip Tuesday-spotty/dotty; Lexi's Creations-punches/dies; Simon says stamp & show-AG; The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog-circles; Totally Stampalicious-paper piecing; The Squirrel and the Fox-things with wings; 2 Sisters Challenge Blog-flower IN your image; CES Challenge Blog-paper piecing; ATC & Cards with Attitude-AG; Card Makin' Mamas-girly; Fat pages and cards with attitude-AG/faces; Totally Paper Crafts-wings; Crafty Ribbons-wings; Craft Us Crazy-mother/flowers; Paper crafting journey-3 patterned papers; PaperPlay Challenge-wings; Simon Says Stamp challenge-april showers/spring flowers

Happily Ever After 60 years!

Firstly, you're invited to Come Celebrate with me at my Retirement Party here!

Today we attended a "Diamond" wedding anniversary celebration for Bill & Nadine - SIXTY YEARS - WOW! What a wonderful time was had by one and all! For their card I chose a digi from Ladybug Crafts Ink called Just Married, which I was lucky enough to win in a challenge a few months ago - Thank You, Kerry! This is a UK stamp, so I did have to flip it so the groom/driver was on the US side - LOL. I also personalized the license plate :)

I followed the sketch over at Sketch Saturday

I used some hoarded Doodlebug DP and ribbon leftover from our Son's wedding from March of last year.

The paper roses are from Papermart and blinged up a bit with Martha Stewart glitter.

The "diamond" flat rhinestones, white ribbon, tulle, and charm are from my LSS.

I did a bit of cuttlebugging (which is my handsdown favorite tool!) to cut the swirl dies from Sizzix, emboss with swiss dots, and to cut and emboss the lacey circle from Spellbinders. The edge punch is from EK success.

Wishing you a "Happily Ever After" week!

Love,

Wendy

Challenges: Sketch Saturday-Paula's sketch; Simon Says Stamp Challenge-favorite tool; Catch The Bug Challenge-AG; ATC & Cards with Attitude-AG; Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge-dies/punches; Fairy Fun Fridays-AG; Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps-flowers; Totally Paper Crafts-bingo-flowers/die/blue; 4 Crafty Chicks-flowers; Pixie Dust Studie Pixie Challenge-up in the sky; Oozak-AG

I'm All Ears!

It's Happy Easter Week, My Friends - Happiest Easter Wishes To You!

My project started with being the lucky winner of Sassy Cheryl's Blog random pick of the week - YAY... I won a digi of my choice and I chose "Bunny Chit Chat". Over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog this week's them is "Easter Parade - Bunnies & Bonnets", so used my new image to make this fun card.

I followed the sketch for the second time this week at Papertake Weekly by Dawny P.

Used my new We R Memory Keepers "Cotton Tails" collection which I found over at Oozak.

I used my Cuttlebug to die cut my flowers from C.C. Designs found at Simon Says Stamp store, along with the Sizzix flourish and embossed with swiss dots.

My sweet friend, KathyCan, cut a bunch of Martha Stewart fences for me, and I've happily used one on this card. The sweet ribbon was a RAK from another friend and fit perfectly with the colors and theme of the card.

Aha, there's the Happy Easter sentiment (CK Becky font), hiding under the image in a mini-easel :)

Have an "I'm All Ears!" week, My Friends!

Love,

Wendy

Challenges: Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog-Easter Parade/Bunnies&Bonnets; Papertake Weekly-sketch; Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog-AG; Addicted to Stamps Challenge-Spring; Come and Get it Challenges-spring; Pile it On-scene; That Craft Place Challenge Blog-all about spring; The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge-Easter; Catch the bug Challenge Blog-Easter/spring; Craft Your Days Away Challenge-Easter; Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog-emboss; One Stop Craft Challenge-Easter; Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays-spring; Card Makin' Mamas-Easter; Simply Create Too-eggs/bunnies; Totally Paper Crafts-Easter; Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps-flowers; Our Craft Lounge-photo inspiration; 4 Crafty Chicks-Easter; Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog-"Happy Easter"; Delightful Challenges-Easter; Moving Along With The Times-cute/cuddly; Paper Play Challenges-Easter; Shelly's images challenge blog-stripes; The Paper Shelter-Easter; Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge-Easter; The Pixie Cottage-cuddly critters; Scrapbook Sisters-Easter; The Sisterhood of Crafters-Easter; Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge-Easter; Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge Blog-spots/stripes; Paper and Such Design Blog-Easter/spring; Party Time Tuesdays-#61/AG; Craft your Passion Challenges-dots/stripes; Oozak Challenge Blog-AG

Just Ducky!

Okay, Friends... I must say I have pulled an all-nighter - haven't done that in a looooong time, but I was having sooooo much fun, i just couldn't stop! Sweet hubby came downstairs and said "Didn't I leave you in that same spot 7 hours ago?" - YUP, yes siree-bubby, you sure did! :) :) :) He promptly made a "full" pot of double-strength coffee - yes, he's a keeper, that's for sure!

Okay on to the deets of this card - but I must preface it by saying, I made three of these - hence the all-nighter, and still have two more to go (for the five children/families) for Spring/Easter. The darling image is from Sassy Cheryl "Duck Dance" and can be found in her $2 bargain bin - I purchased it a few months ago in anticipation of Spring/Easter cards :)

 I also used Gerda's images from Stamp Fairy for the carrots and eggs. The sentiment is a freebie from Create with TLC/tlcCreations via Free Digital Stamps and thought it was absolutely perfect for this card - "Hope your day is just Ducky"!

My sweet friend punched a bunch of MS fences for me, and this card just screamed "use the fence" - LOL - Thank you my sweet friend, KathyCan! While Skype-scrapping with Kathy, we started going through our stash and I found the metal ribbon/bow charm - I know I've had it for over 10 years!

I did have to travel outside to the "scrap-shed" - yes... I have a 10x20 tough shed full of scrap supplies :/ We will be having a HUGE garage sale next month, as everything we have must go - so we can hit the RV retirement road - we are so excited! Anyway, back on track - the card is a center step card - love this fold and followed the tutorial on You Tube by Frances Byrne - great tutorial! Cut the image with my Spellbinder nestie classic circles and then matted it with the Lacey circle - of course, with my Cuttlebug.

"Hope your day is just Ducky"

Love,

Wendy

Challenges: Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamps Challenge-think spring; 2 sisters challenge blog-spring is in the air; Little Claire's Designs-spring; My Sheri CRAFTS-easter; Totally Gorjuss-#123/124; Dream Valley Challenges-easter; PanPastel UK Challenge Blog-bright colors; Scrapper's Delights Paper Crafts-easter; Scrappy Frogs Challenge Blog-seeing spots; Sentimental Sundays-easter/spring; The Squirrel and The Fox-easter; Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge-fancy folds; Crafty Ann's Challenge-#61/spring into spring; Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge-spring is in the air; Prairie Fairy Fridays-spring fling; Hotshot Craft Blog-ribbon; Our Craft Lounge-spring; Pattie's Creations Design Challenge-AG; Phindy's Place Challenge Blog-Animal Planet; Simply Create Too-spring; Stampin' for the Weekend-AG; Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge-celebrate spring; Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps-green; Crafty Purple Frog Challenge-AG; Craft us Crazy-easter; Inked Paws-spring; Moving Along With The times Challenge-easter wishes; PaperPlay Challenges-spring colors; Crafts and Me Challenges-spring colors; Little Darlings Challenges-spring colors; My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge-Let's get Digital; Sassy Cheryl-Show me; Simon Says Stamp Challenge-bingo-charm/die/ribbon; Whimsy Stamps Challenge Blog-AG

Treasure the Moment!

Today is a new challenge for March/April at Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog with the theme of Shabby Chic/Distressing. For my card I chose to use Elisabeth's new digi Li'l Lilian along with Little Best Friends as the tiny image being painted by Li'l Lilian.

This was way fun to create! I used my Martha Stewart corner and border punches, along with Prima DP. I did a lot of ink distressing with Tim Holtz distress ink-burlap to all the layers on this easel card. Also did up some fun chiffon fabric flowers and used some Prima paper flowers to add more texture, oh and a string of pearls and a feather.

The buttons are from a package I picked up at the LCS, along with the pearls for the stick pin. Added some tulle for more texture and some hemming ribbon. I followed the sketch over at

 Friday Sketch Challenge

Found a stashed stamp "Treasure the Moment" and took a leap of faith (literally) and stamped right onto my card - whew - thank goodness I got it in the right position, didn't rock it, etc.

Also used Spellbinders die in my Cuttlebug and this time made SURE the image would fit before I printed and colored it - so unlike me - LOL.

Be sure to go over to Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog and check out the wonderful work my teamies did, and don't forget to use an image/stamp of Elisabeth's and enter the challenge!

Have a "Treasure the Moment" week!

Love,

Wendy

Challenges: Friday Sketch Challenge #13; Chocolate, Coffee & Cards-fancy folds; Lily Pad Cards-flowers; Pattie's Creations Design Challenge-AG; Card Crafter's Circle-bingo-flowers/digi/diecuts; C.R.A.F.T. challenge-handmade flowers; Crafty Purple Frog Challenge-AG; Hanna and Friends Challenge-flowers; Pixie Dust Studios Pixie Challenge-favorite things-chiffon handmade flowers/stick pin/copic Ws; Divas by Design-distressing; My Mum's Craft Shop-Let's get Digital; Scrapbook Sisters-AG; Whimsy Stamps Challenge-AG; Creative Card Crew-vintage; Everybody's Art Challenge-friendship; Scrap-Creations-flowers; Papertake Weekly Challenge-bingo/buttons/free/flowers; Creative Inspirations Paint-monochromatic; One Stitch At a Time challenge-AG

Together Anything is Possible

So it all started with this ding-dang-darling image from Sassy Cheryl "Tricycle" in her new $2 bin. She has a super cool deal going on, so be sure to check out the store. I chose My Minds Eye Love Me collection of DPs, picked out my copic colors and began my mostest funnest task of coloring the image -  you know I LOVE TO COLOR!

Then pulled out a bunch of embellies and found the sketch over at Totally Gorjuss and that's where it all started.

Then I got to work!

I found this awesome Martha Stewart punch around the page - I LOVE IT!

Decided to stack my buttons for my main embellishments - gosh I've had these Bazzil buttons for eons! Used my Spellbinder nesability heart circle and classic circles for the sentiment, Sizzix for the image matting, along with cuttlebug folder swiss dots, of course all cut and embossed with my beloved Cuttlebug. This one goes out to a friend whom I love and adore and with her friendship I feel "together anything is possible"!

Thanks for stopping by and have a "Together anything is Possible" week!

love,

Wendy

Challenges: Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamp Challenge; Totally Gorjuss Challenge 121; 2 Sisters Challenge Blog-recipe; Just Some Lines-girly girl; One Stop Craft Challenge-button it; Simon Says Stamp Challenge; Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays-stash; ATCs & Cards with Attitude-AG; Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge-punches/dies; The Emerald Faerie Garden-embossing; I Brake For Challenges-love; CropStop-ovals; Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge-Buttons; Shelly's Images-seeing spots; Divas by Design-spots and/or stripes; My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge-shaped cards; The Pixie Cottage-AG; Perfect Semtiments Challenge-die cut; The Catered Crop-Recipies for Paper Crafting-ribbon; Pile it on-spots/stripes; Sassy Cheryl-show me #65; Sentimental Sundays-encouraging sentiment

In the Meadow

The weekend was fabulous, but as always, too short! Skyped with KathyCan, figured out Skype issues with the help of Beth, and then "group" skyped with Kathy and Beth - WHAT FUN!! Just like getting together to papercraft at the B&B, with the exception of "borrowing sugar" and sharing meals :) I used layers in photoshop and had a lot of fun puting this card together. I love this Karen Middleton image I got at Cuddly Buddly and the free background image I picked up through Free Digital Stamps, used my Tim Holtz movers and shapers mini pine tree, awesome papers from Memory Box "yuletide" and the perfect smooth bazzill and ribbon leftover from a class I taught a few years ago. I'm sure I will overuse the new MS icicle punch, cuz I love it!

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving to all my US family/friends, and a perfect "spirit of Christmas week" to all!
xoxo
wendy

RECIPE: Karen Middleton-image; Free Digital Stamps-background image; Memory Box-patterned paper; Tim Holtz-mini pine trees; Martha Stewart-icicle and snowflake punches, glitter; Cuttlebug-swiss dots embossing folder; LSS-ribbon; copics.

CHALLENGES:
Daisy Doodles
Get hippity with ippity
Hooked on Crafts
Paper Creations Ink
Polycraft Monday Challenge
Whoopsi Daisy
I did it Creations
Pile it on pine trees
Crafty Emma's Store (CES) challenge
Stamp, scrap & doodle Saturday

A Merry Little Christmas

So through the wonderful site (I get a daily email) Free Digital Stamps I picked up the free image from Addicted to Stamps by Sherri Baldy. I watched all of Suzanne Dean's You Tube tutorials(5) on distress ink coloring with copics, and tried my hand at this technique (obviously, there is quite a learning curve). Need more practice, but I sure enjoyed myself. Picked up a few new goodies at the LSS and LCS, along with a fabulous collection of paper from Tim Holtz. I followed the sketch over at Sketch Saturday and just had the best time doing a Christmas card in monochrome peachy-pinks.

Much love to you!
wendy

RECIPE: Image-Sherri Baldy; Sketch-Sketch Saturday; Tim Holtz-DP; Memory Box-snowflake corner; Sizzix-label die; Martha Stewart-icicle punch, glitter; embellie elements-handcrafted with supplies from LSS/LCS; copics

CHALLENGES:
Sketch Saturday
Addicted to Stamps
Gingerloft Challenge
The Ribbon Girl Blog
Crafty Emma's Store (CES)
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday
Totally Gorjuss
Craft your days awaypearls, flowers, ribbon
Just some Linesembossing,digi,flower
Crafts for Eternitysnowflake,feather,flower
Frosted Designs
Phindy's Place
Sweet 'n Sassy Digi
Wags 'n Whiskers
Crimbo Crackers
Moving along with the times
PaperCrafting Journey
Shelly's Images
Delightful Challenges pattern paper, punches, flower
Southern Girls glitter,ribbon,embossing

Holly Christmas

Holly by Mo Manning makes me happy and feeling festive! I followed the sketch over at Inspirational Card Sketches, pulled out my American craft and Pebbles papers, nesties, snowflake embossing folder, sizzix dies, new Martha snowflake punch and went to work! Of course, I HAD to make a stickpin :) Did I mention that one of our local radio stations is ALL Christmas music?!? Makes the 45 minute commute to and fro (amidst the maniacs) perfectly lovely...

Wishes to you for a happy and festive Day!
(((hugs)))
wendy

RECIPE: Mo Manning-Christmas Fairy Holly; Inspirtional Card Sketches-sketch; American craft and Pebbles-DP; Spellbinders-Lacey circle die; Sizzix-circle die; Martha Stewart-snowflake "artic" punch; CRtrimmings-red bells and snowflake charm; Stickpin-handcrafted with supplies from Michael's; ribbons, rhinestones-LSS; copic markers

CHALLENGES:
Inspirational Card Sketches
digital tuesday
ladybug crafts ink
tuesday throwdown
bunny zoe's
craft your passion
crafty boots
heart song inspirations
Ooh-la-la creations challenge blogbingo, 6 of 9 diagonal and middle:)
simon says stamp and show
stamps r us
the pink elephant
whoopsi daisy
incy wincy designs3 DP, PIU, ribbons
christmas card challenges
pile it on
stamptacular sunday
2 sisters
drunken stampers
totally gorjuss
cardmadfairy's
frosted designs
art impressions
crimbo crackers
delightful challenges
papercrafting journey