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Saturday, March 7, 2015

Spring Beans


Happy Saturday!  There's nothing like getting in just under the wire!  Been wanting to play in the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop all week and just haven't nailed it down until tonight.  Better late than never!

And of course, couldn't get my craft on without a "Tar Heel" cup of joe and a little somethin' sweet...

It's been a hectic week with some of the design teams I'm on. At Cupcake Inspirations we are having our 300th Challenge - a two week event with 3 different challenges within that time. 

Then, the Hubs began having worsening pain in his arm and shoulder (was diagnosed about two weeks ago with degenerative disc disease).  So I had to curtail my week right in the middle to tend to him for a couple days.   Had a trip to the doc, got a shot that should have helped a great deal, but as of this evening, he's back to bad pain.  So, looks like an MRI is in his near future.  Doc isn't convinced it's the discs causing the problem.  May be rotator cuff impinging a nerve, which would be a much better problem if you have to have one or the other.  So, we are praying its the rotator cuff, but since the shot is not working, that's not a given now.

Anyway, he had to go to work tonight so I can have some down time and catch up on some card making!

Since the Coffee Lovers blog hop is a spring theme, I thought I'd try and incorporate a bunny, so I made a bunny cup, sort of, and also colored the coffee beans pastel colors.  Kind of a different kind of "bean" for coffee lovers at springtime!  

I used the coffee cup/lid/cozy from the "Thanks a Latte" stamp and die sets by Your Next Stamp.  The coffee bean border stamp is from "Latte Love" by Fiskars.  The bunny ears are actually a tulip leaf die.  I cute two and trimmed them off their stem, then swiped some pale pink Spectrum Noir down the middle to emulate bunny ears. The fish tails were cut from a chevron arrow die. 

My cardbase is pale pink linen cardstock.  I used a stitched rectangle mat from Lil' Inker Designs on the center frame.  I framed it with gold vellum, which is also used for the cup cozy.  The patterened papers are from "Just Splendid" by My Mind's Eye and "Basics" by Core'dinations.  

The coffee mug and lid were stamped in gold.  I stamped the bean border with Toffee Crunch, colored them in with Spectrum Noirs and a Blick alcohol markers.   The sentiment was stamped in Staz On Jet Black.  Last, but certainly not least, is the cute little white pom pom for the bunny tail.

I used the color inspiration at Cure for the Monday Blues, using the pastel shades of the colors and the sketch from CAS(E)thisSketch.  

I have to say I'm slightly inlove with this card right now!

For Following Challenges:





Coffee Loving Blessings!
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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Critter Birthday Party - CIC#300-Confetti

It's Thursday! 

And time for more 
Cupcake Inspirations 300th Challenge!

We would love to have you play along during our Celebration!

You may enter any or all of our 300th Celebration Challenges!

 You may enter each challenge up to three times
Each challenge entry must be a new creation.

All challenges for the 300th Challenge Celebration close on March 14th at Noon CST.

We have 30 Sponsors this week!

Go to the main Cupcake Inspirations blog 
to check out all the fabulous prizes offered by our sponsors!

Then, link up your own project inspired by today's inspirational photo below for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

Today is our 3rd Challenge Inspiration--
Confetti



SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Scene It-Celebration Critters (Bugaboo Stamps). Scenery - Party Hangover (Winnie & Walter).
PAPER: White cardbase.  Red and yellow cardstock from stash.
INK: Copics on digital image; Ocean (Amuse Studio); Ginger and Pink Lemonade (Fresh Ink); Dandelion (Memento).
EXTRAS: Happy word die (Spellbinders); Birthday word die; Rectangle stitched mats (Lil Inker Designs); Crystal Stickles.

I chose the digital image, Celebration Critters, from Bugaboo Stamps and streamers from Party Hangover by Winnie & Walter for my card.  Both are some of our sponsors this week.  I had a lot of fun creating this card but not totally satisfied with final product.  I was a little off today in the mojo department.  Hopefully it gets better tomorrow.  However,  I do love those little critters, partying hearty!

So be sure and play in the Confetti challenge!

Here is a linked list of all of our Sponsors:

Thank you to all of them!

We hope you join us this week in celebrating our 300th Challenge!

SWEET #300 CUPCAKE BLESSINGS!
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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Happy Dance - Cupcake #300 More Color

Happy Wednesday!


It's Day #4 for
Cupcake Inspirations 300th Challenge!

We would love to have you play along during our Celebration!

You may enter any or all of our 300th Celebration Challenges!

 You may enter each challenge up to three times
Each challenge entry must be a new creation.

All challenges for the 300th Challenge Celebration close on March 14th at noon CST.

Look at our 30 Sponsors!
Go to Cupcake Inspirations and check it out!

 Today is the 2nd day of our 2nd Challenge:
Color Theme:  
Chartreuse ~ White ~ Pool

I love this butterfly!  She's so happy and perky! She just fit for our bright color themed challenge this week coupled with the circle background!  Just super fun!

SUPPLIES:
IMAGE & SENTIMENT STAMPS: Happy Dance Butterfly -by Your Next Stamp
BACKGROUND STAMP: Interlocking Circles by DRS Designs
INK: Moss (SEI); Island (Fresh Ink). Copics on image.
Paper: Lime green cardstock.  Patterned paper from stash.
Extras: Enamel dots.

FOR FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:




Here is a linked list of all of our Sponsors:

Thank you to all of them!

We hope you join us this week in celebrating our 300th Challenge!

SWEET #300 CUPCAKE BLESSINGS!
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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Celebrate Posies -Cupcake #300 More Color

Happy Tuesday!
More Celebrating for 
Cupcake Inspirations 300th Challenge!


We would love to have you play along during our Celebration!

You may enter any or all of our 300th Celebration Challenges!

 You may enter each challenge up to three times
Each challenge entry must be a new creation.

All challenges for the 300th Challenge Celebration close on March 14th at noon CST.

We have 30 Sponsors!

Go to the main Cupcake Inspirations blog 
to check out all the fabulous prizes offered by our sponsors!

Then, link up your own project inspired by today's inspirational photo below for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

Today is our 2nd Challenge Inspiration:

I decided to make a tag to switch it up.  I was inspired by the challenge at Tag Your It Challenge.  I used Paper Sweeties and Taylored Expressions stamps on a tag die cut from Paper Smooches.

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Pretty Posies Stamp Set - Paper Sweeties; Sign from Garden Time by Paper Sweeties; Leaf stamp (Taylored Expressions).
PAPER:White cardstock
INK: Moss (SEI); Copics.
EXTRAS: Tag die (Paper Smooches); Sign die (Paper Sweeties); Flower dies (Paper Sweeties); leaf die (Taylored Expressions). Tag hole die (Reverse Confetti). Lace ribbon.

FOR FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:





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Edward's Irish Holiday

Good morning again!  More posts!  Boy, my little fingers have been busy on the keyboard the past few days!  Lots of cards! Lots of challenges!  

Check out the new one at

A really cute inspirational photo -- 

Our sponsors this week:

Prize: 7 Digis

Prize: $10 Gift Voucher

Thank you for sponsoring us!

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner.  So the {PIN} DT team have made cards to represent the holiday.  Check out my teammates out and blog luv and then link up your own project.  

STAMPS: Edward Elephant(Bugaboo Stamps).
PAPER: White cardbase. DP - Lt. Green Crosshatch & Lt. Green Plaid (Core'dinations).
INK: Copics.
EXTRAS: Horseshoe die (Your Next Stamp); Lacey scallop circle die (Spellbinders); gold gems.

For Following Challenges:

Great Impressions - March Challenge - Go Green!

{PIN}SPIRATIONAL BLESSINGS!
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Monday, March 2, 2015

Girl, You Sparkle!

Hello there!  
Are you now ready for some craftiness from
Ella and her team at 


THEME:  GIRLIE!

Go check out the team's projects:
Nance (ME)

Here's my card:
One of my goals this year was to try and use each of my stamps at least once. I think this may be the first time I've used this dress form stamp from Impression Obsession.  Of course, when the theme "girlie" comes up, you can't help but think pink, sparkle, bling and glam!  I stamped it up in pink ink then embossed the words in gold on top, added the gold enamel heart.  Framed it with the fancy frame from Spellbinders, wrapped it in a gold bow and mounted it on some floral paper from Basic Grey's "Fresh Cut".

Now let's see what you do!  
Link up your GIRLIE project and play along with Ella!

PINK Elephant Blessings!
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Flutter By Spring

Good morning again and Happy March!

Let's hope spring "springs" in the coming weeks if not days!

Until it does, how about a little springtime inspiration to put a "spring" in your step and maybe get a start on those Easter/spring cards?

 2 Cute Ink's Challenge may just help you do that!
2 Cute Ink Challenge #124 - 
SPRING THEME


This time we are using the March Newsletter 
Freebie Digi - Butterfly Doodle
Isn't she the cutest?  Heidi is so talented.  I love the paisley design she added.  Just makes you want to go run around in a field of flowers (or that may just be me)!

If you haven't signed up for the Newsletter yet, visit the Challenge blog and click the link.  It's free and each month you get a free digi AND there's a challenge in the Newsletter and the 2 Cute Ink Facebook Group that runs from the 1st-8th of each month.  

I decided with the spring theme to color up my butterfly super colorful and kind of girlie.  I chose a paisley emboss folder to compliment her design.  I can't help but think of the 60's when I look at it.  LOL

So checkout the Newsletter, get the butterfly freebie and create a springtime project.  Be sure to link it up on the challenge blog and also if you join the FB group you can share it there.

Let's see those butterflies and maybe spring will just MARCH right in and take hold!

For Following Challenges:



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Always Amazing

Hi again!  So much happening this 1st Monday in March!  Lots of fabulous challenges beginning!

The Challenge happens to be one of them!

You can choose the Colors, choose the Sketch, or BOTH!
This month we are honored to have 
as our Guest Designer 

We also welcome another new Design Team member -- 
Lee Barrett!  

I was remiss before with our other newbies -- 
so also welcome to Anita and Kim!  
Both are fairly new too!  

Check out all the Design Team's blogs, their links are below.  
Very talented ladies!

Lesley Croghan - Always Playing with Paper (Creator)
Lee Barrett - Greyt Paper Crafts
Lynn Put - The Queen's Scene
Kimberly Wiener -Wienerhoneymooners
Nance Salkeld - That's Me!
Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
Maura - BeesMom

Before you leave, here's my card:
I got one of my orders from Papertrey Ink last week, so I used the sun die on this card.  The word arrow dies are from Technique Tuesday's February Subscriber's kit.  The plate die I cannot remember where it is from so have to recheck that.

So go get crafty and share the end result with us!

Crafty Challenge Blessings!
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BANG! - Cupcake #300 More Sparkle


Good Monday Morning!

Today is Day #2 for 


We would love to have you play along during our Celebration!

You may enter any or all of our 300th Celebration Challenges!

 You may enter each challenge up to three times
Each challenge entry must be a new creation.

All challenges for the 300th Challenge Celebration close on March 14th at noon CST.

We have 30 Sponsors!
A Big HUGE THANK YOU 
to all of them!
Go to the main Cupcake Inspirations blog 
to check out all the fabulous prizes offered by our sponsors!

Then, link up your own project inspired by today's inspirational photo below for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

Today is Day #2 of  our 
SPARKLE Theme

For my 2nd "Sparkle" card, I used a digital image from Sweet and Sassy Stamps, Cocoa's Firecracker.  I thought it would be a cute image for this Sparkle challenge.

I colored him with Copics and Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.  I added A LOT of diamond and crystal Stickles to the flames.  I wanted them to really stand out.  The sentiment is from a really old stamp set, maybe Inkadinkadoo.  I triple stamped it to give it a fire look with Dew Drop inks from Memento and SEI ink. The rainbow background paper is probably 15 years old from my stash.  LOL  Yeah, I guess I hoard paper or at least keep it way too long!  Now that I think about, that firecracker wouldn't actually "BANG", it would whistle very loudly.  Oh well, I didn't have a "whistling sound stamp either.  hahaha  Pardon the bad humor.  It's late, I have several posts to make and I'm punchy.

I decided to make the card really simple and clean.  I kept the image small for the challenge at CASology - Mini.

For Following Challenges: