Diane's Country Cards & Crafts: July 2012

2 Sisters Challenge #102 - Christmas in July

Is this not the cutest little polar bear? He is a digi from this week's sponsor, The Digi Garden. This week was Chriatmas in July with a twist. the twist was to use the provided layout.

Copics: B21, B23, C00, C0, C1, E30. E31, E34, E35, R01

The digital papers are from Bearly mine Designs. I think I will use this paper pack alot this Christmas.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Crafty Catz Challenge #143 - All That Glitters

These adorable images are from The Stamping Boutique, this week's sponsor.

I decided to go with a clean and simple look.

Copics: B21, B23M E15, E17, R24, R29, Y11, Y15, Y17

I added Stickles to the waves, sails and sun.

That's pretty much about it!

Totally Papercrafts - Orange & Yellow Challenge

Hi, it's time for a new challenge at Totally Papercrafts The challenge is to use orange and yellow as your main colors. I must admit, these are not colors I usually use or particularly like, but that's what makes it a challenge. This week we are sponsored by Whimsy Stamps.

I have had Daisy Butterfly, by Crissy Armstrong, for quite a long time and hadn't used it yet. I figured it would go well with this color scheme. It's available at Whimsy Stamps. The paper is from Stampin' Up. The pearl swirls are by Zva.. I used Copics to color this image.

Copics: C00, C0, C1, G21, G24, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y19, Y35, YR12, YR14, YR15, YR16

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

2 Sisters-Christmas in July

The sponsor this week for our Christmas in July Challenge is Menjen's

One more Christmas in July card after this one.

I must admit I think I've seen enough Christmas to last me until December.

The papers are from Echo Park and Heidi Grace.

Copics BG0000, BG000, BG10. C00, C0, C1, C2, E21, E23, E25, G21, G234, G85, R11, R24, R29

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Crimbo Crackers Christmas - Penguins or Animals
Delightful Challenges Christmas in July
Paper Play Christmas in July
Shelley's Images Christmas in July
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Christmas in July

My Little Assistant and a Totally Papercrafts Challenge

This is my Design Team entry for Totally Papercrafts Challenge #126, Inspirational Picture.

We have two sponsors this week. The first is Menjen's.

The second is a new sponsor, MayzyArt.

I decide to work with a MayzyArt Stamps image, Lion Tamer, available here. I do think I will be visiting her Etsy shop again soon. I really like what I saw there. I didn't stick too well to the color of the inspiration image. I meant to but I gave my lion quite a bit darker coloring.

As you can see, my assistant Ella, is a great help. Every time she sees the camera come out, she just can't resist getting in the way. I usually have to watch her pretty closely. She has been known to steal the embellishments off my completed cards. And need I say, she's loves to fight me for my ribbon while I'm trying to place it on a card.

The papers I used were from: October Afternoon

Copics: B21, B23, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, C5, C7. E00, E11, E21, E23, E30, E33, E34, E35,

E41, E42, E43, E53, G05, G09, R11, R22, R24, R29, Y15, Y17, Y38

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Divas by Design Anything Goes
Paper Shelter Anything Goes
Perfect Sentiments Challenge Anything Goes
LEJ Designs Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz Favorite Animal
Digi Doodle Shop Anything Goes

Crafty Catz-Challenge #142

This is my Design Team entry for Crafty Catz Challenge # 142-Monochromatic.

This week's sponsor is Digital Delights.

I used several images from their Ahoy Matey digi set. The paper is from my stash. I thought it went very well with this monochromatic pirate theme.

Copics: E00, E04, E09, E11, E13, E15, E17, E18, E30, E31, E33, E35, E37, E41, E42, E43, E44, E51, E53, E55, R14, R20, Y28, 110

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Card Cupids Wings
Dude Time Doodles Anything goes
Nutcrafter's One for the Boys
7 Kids College Fund Winged Things
Sisterhood of Crafters Let's Hear it for the Boys

2 Sisters - Christmas in July - Wednesday Inspiration

I used this Digi Doodle Shop image on a card last year. I ran a card sale at work and a friend saw it and wanted to purchase it. When she went back to get it someone had already bought it. She asked me if I could make her a framed piece for this Christmas using the image. I must admit this is my favorite Christmas image to color, although, it does take several hours. I feel it's well worth it.

I thought I had saved my color list, but apparently I didn't. The corner punch is by Memory Box. I just love it. Although, the picture doesn't show it, I added lots and lots of Stickles to this image. The corner dies have added pearls.

I am entering this project in the following challenges:

Creatalicious Challenge Christmas in July
Cupcake Craftroom Layers
Liz Stampz Anything Goes
Hippity with Ippity Christmas in July
Hooked on Crafts Christmas in July
Lollipop Crafts Christmas in July
Crazy Challenge Christmas in July
There She Goes Christmas in July
ABC Christmas Challenge Not a Card
Creative Belli Christmas in July

Digital Delights Guest Designer Spot

I am quite excited that I was chosen to be a guest designer for Digital Delights this week!

I chose this very adorable Santa image, available here. I used a Cricut to cut out the letters. The ribbon is from my stash and the paper is by Echo Park. I added glitter to his hat and jacket. I couldn't get it to show up in the picture.

Copics: C0, C1, C3, C5, C7, C0, E00, E02, E35, E37, G05, G09, R21, R24, R27, R29

I would like to rnter this card in the following challenges:

Crafter's Companion HoHoHo Christmas
Clear It Out Red or Green or Both
Die Cuttin' Divas Christmas in July

Christmas in Arizona

This card is for the Totally Stampalicious Challenge - Christmas in July. As soon as I saw this image I knew I wanted to use it. When it snows here, if we happen to get enough snow to make a snowman, he usually doesn't last more than an afternoon. It's nothing like the snowmen we used to be able to build in New Jersey. I can't say I miss the snow, though. No more shoveling or having to drive through blizzards.

This image is available here as a digi or here as a stamp.

The plaid paper is Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey. The red paper is from Heidi Grace. The cardstock is from Stampin' Up.

Copics:B000, B00, C00, C0, C1, C3, G05, G07, R11, R24, R27, YR09

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Robyn's Fetish Christmas in July
Creative Inspiration Paint Christmas in July

Bugaboo - Blog Hop

Welcome to the Bugaboo Blog Hop - Christmas in July! The design team from Totally Stampalicious was graciously asked to participate. I really like working with Bugaboo images so I jumped at the chance. My image is Teddy Present available at Bugaboo. One commentor on my blog will win this digi so make sure to comment!

I decided this was a great image for paper piecing. The paper is Holiday Style from October Afternoon.

I don't recall where I got the sentiment.

Copics: 100, BG11, C00, E30. E31, E33, E34, E35, R20, R24, R27, R29

I have been having quite the bad luck this week. I had a quart glass of iced tea on the table while I was working on this. You can probably guess what happened. I would love to say the cats knocked it over, but no, it was me. The card topper got soaked. I'm really surprised there are no visible any tea stains. I lucked out.

I had even worse luck on Tuesday. I frequently make green smoothies to drink. I had one in the fridge that was a couple of days old. I took it out while I was emptying out old yucky food. I put the pop-top drink bottle on the counter with the intention of emptying it down the drain. Well, I started working on a card and forgot that I had taken the bottle out. All of a sudden I heard a very loud pop. It scared the heck out of my cats. I went in the kitchen to find green covering the ceiling, cabinets and floor. I have to admit, it was quite funny. I spent the next few hours cleaning it up.

Hopefully, the next few days won't be so eventful.

You should have reached my blog by visiting Jackie Rakoski,
Isn't her card totally adorable.

Next stop is Jennifer . Check out her magical holiday card.

If you get lost along the way you can always head on back to Catch the Bug Blog where they will have a map of the entire blog.

There are festivities all week long so make sure you visit their website for a chance to win some prizes.

2 Sisters - Christmas in July

The 2 Sisters Challenge this week is being sponsored by the Digi Doodle Shop.

The image I used is A Christmas Carol and is available here. Our challenge this week is Christmas in July with a twist. The twist is to make the card White on White. Although, the image may be colored. This was a very difficult challenge for me.

I typically don't do well with white on white.

For a Wednesday Inspiration at 2 Sisters I will post another white on white project that was a commissioned piece, please stop by and see it.

Copics: B21, B23, B24, B26, B28, C00, C1, C2, C3, E00,

E11, E13, E37, E97, G21, G24, R20, R22, R24, R27, Yr24

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Card Crafter's Circle Christmas in July
Totally Gorjuss It's Christmas

Jellypark - Guest Designer

I was very pleased to be asked to be a guest designer for Jellypark Friend's Friday Challenges.

The challenge this week is Christmas in July. I chose this beautiful image,

Christmas Nativity, available here.

Copics:B00, B01, BG000, BG01, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, E00, E11, E21, E31, E33, E34, E37, E39, E55, G06, G24, R24, V04, V06, Y19, Y28, YR04, YR21, YR24, YR30, YR31

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
DL Art Christmas in July
Divas by Design Christmas in July
Little Red Wagon Christmas in July
Crafty Sentiments Christmas in July
Ladybug Crafts Christmas in July
4 Crafty Chicks Stripes

Crafty Catz #141 Olympics

This card was made for Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #141 - Olympics

The challenge this week is sponsored by Crimson Cloud.

The image is from Saturated Canary. I didn't use any DP with this one. I tried several, but nothing seemed right so I went without. The card stock and letter stamps are from Stampin' Up. The ribbon looks like one ribbon on the card, but it's actually two different ribbons. I liked the way it gives a flag effect. I added lots of tiny brads.

Copics: B24, B26, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, E00, E11, E13, E35, E51, E53, E97, E99, R20, R20

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Craft Room Challenge Sports
Paper and Such Red, White & Blue
Tip Top Tuesday One for the Men
Creative Mondays For Men
Tammy's Scrappin' Corner Anything Goes
Opus Gluei Patriotic
Scrappy Frogs Red, White & Blue
Allsorts Red, White & Blue
Crazy 4 Challenges Show Your Country's Pride
Scrapalicious Red, White & Blue
Sisterhood of Crafters Let's Hear it for the Boys
Tanda Stamps Olympic Sports
Polkadoodle Olympics

Raise the Bar Red, White & Blue

Totally Papercraft Challenge #125 - Layer Upon Layer

Totally Papercraft's Challenge today is being sponsored by Kenny K.

The challenge is to use three or more layers. I actually have nine. The flowers and lace are from Wild Orchid Crafts. The gorgeous die is from Cheery Lynn. The paper is actually quite old (at least 12 years). It was paper that my daughter had for scrapbooking in high school. She's now twenty-eight. Nothing like keeping things a while. If I don't watch out my family may call Hoarders on me. Just kidding, I'm not that bad! I have lots, but it's organized.

I had to oversize this card so I would be able to color the detail. It's actually 7X7. I don't know how I would mail it if I had to. Maybe I can make a decorated box and put it in a padded envelope. I can't image who I would send it to, though. It might shock my friends a tad!

I was just about done with it and decided to remove the corner decoration that I had made and add flowers. They are actually two different shades of red and purple. It still needed something. I looked though my stash and came up with the purple feathers. Just the right touch, I think.

Copics: C00, CO, C1, C3, C5, C7, BG000, E00, E01, E11, E13, E19, E49, E08,

G14, R20, R24, R27, R29, V01, V04, V06, Y28

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Bearly Mine Pearls & Lace

Crafty Amigo Hats

Creative Card Crew Swirls and Pearls

Bunny Zoe's Swirls and Lace

Tammy's Scrappin' Corner Anything Goes

That Craft Place Anything Goes

Southern Girls Pearls

Crafty Creations Free for All

Paper Shelter Swirls and Pearls

Penny's Paper-Crafty Anything Goes

Alphabet Challenge Lace

Daring Cardmakers Lace and Pearls

Poodles Parlour Use a Digi

Totally Stampalicious - Your Fave Embellishment

This card is made with a stamp from Totally Stampalicious. I love this image, well actually the sentiment. Is this not true? So funny! The challenge this week is to use your favorite embellishment. I would say mine is probably ribbon. Although, flowers are right up there with it.

Copics: B24, BV04, C00, C0, C1, C2, E01, E30, E34, E37, G14, R20, R29, Y17

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Stamp With Fun Favorite Stamp

Birthday Card for Tim

This is a birthday card for my son, Tim. He turns twenty-six tomorrow. Tim is a film major at Arizona State University. He used to dress exactly like this when he was in high school. I just couldn't resist this image. He had at least five or six three piece suits and a huge collection of fedoras and other hats. Very frequently he would go to school dressed in a suit and tie with a matching fedora. He just had to be different. Still does! Only now, as a starving college student, he can't quite afford the elaborate outfits. He hopes to write and direct movies someday.

The image is by Kenny K. I found the filmstrip and movie clapboard on my computer. I had forgotten about it. It's from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. It includes several movie themed svg files. I was going to cut the filmstrip with my Cricut and the svg, but I was too lazy to set up the Cricut so the I decided to go with the digital image instead. The paper is from my stash. The words are computer generated.

Of course, he's colored with Copics.

Copics: C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, C4, C7, C9, E00, E11, G21, G24, R11, R24, R29, R39, YR24

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Inspire Me Fridays Always Anything Goes
My Heart Pieces For Someone Special
Shelley's Images What the Text
Digi Stamps 4 Joy White, Black & One Other Color
Card A Day Blog Just for Men
Creatalicious Challenge Anything Goes
Anything Goes Polka Dots with a Birthday Theme

Christmas in July - With a Twist!

I really enjoyed this challenge! This is my first Design Team card for 2 Sisters Challenge Blog. The challenge this week is Christmas in July with an optional twist. The twist is to use no red or green on your card. Success! It really is quite difficult to think of Christmas with no red or green.

The image is from this week's sponsor, Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps; it's called Winter Robin.

The paper is from Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey. The die is from Memory Box.

Copics: B91, BG0000, BG000, BG10, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, C5, 100, E25, YR15, YR16, YR18

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Card and Scrap Wings
Card Cupids Ribbon, Twine or Washi Tape
Crafter's Companion Ho, Ho, Ho Christmas
Through the Craftroom Door Christmas in July
Can You Digi It - Non-Holiday Image
Creative Card Crew Swirls & Pearls
Hooked On Crafts Christmas in July
Lollipop Crafts Christmas in July
The Squirrel & the Fox Christmas in July

Here Comes Summer

Totally Papercraft's Challenge this week is "Here Comes Summer." By the heat here in Arizona we're way in the middle of it. Hardly a day under 100 degrees lately. Our sponsor for this challenge is Simon Says Seamp. They're giving away a twenty-five dollar gift certificate.

I chose this image by Saturated Canary.

The sailboat digital paper is by AZredhead available on Etsy. The dotted paper is by MGACreations, also on Etsy. I colored her with Copics. The ribbon is from my stash and the Happy Birthday stamp is from Stampin' Up.

Copics: B01, B94, B21, B23, BG0000, BG000, BG10, C00, C0, C1, C2, E000, E00, E08, E11, E19, E21, E23, E29, R20, R22, R24, R29