Hello

It's time for the first Challenge of 2017 over at The AAA Cards Challenge Blog where the theme is HELLO.

The challenge is sponsored by Happy Little Stampers. Kylie Purtell, owner of Happy Little Stampers makes an appearance on the AAA Blog as Guest Designer for Game #81!

Valentyna of flourishtina.com is Guest Designer for this challenge. Treat yourself to a stroll through her blog for some wonderful inspiration.

Here is my take:

While my new purchases continue to roll in, I have promised myself to continue to dig into my stash and break out things I have never used. This wonderful little image from PTI is one of them. I love this little telephone stamp and die set (HEART-2-HEART #4) that has been sitting, waiting patiently to come out of its packaging for years. I used 3 shades of orange-hued ink on the phone and gave it a little ombre look. I embossed the wonky circle in the card base and popped up the phone and sentiment banner with foam tape.

Please head on over to the AAA Cards Challenge Blog and see what my awesome teammates have created for your inspiration. What's your take on HELLO as we begin a new year? I can't wait to see what you come up with.

I am also playing along at:

Less Is More #310 - Colour challenge. Use an OMBRE technique with your chosen colour

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Start Afresh. Use something fresh out of the packaging, i.e. something never used before.

CAS on Sunday Challenge #99 - Black and White, with one color of your choice.

Congratulations, Tim!

I made this card for a very special young man - the son of a dear friend who graduated from the  University of Scranton in 2014. This is a (very) belated graduation/congrats on your new job card. LOL. At the time, my boys also had a graduation and I never got around to making a card for Tim. He is the rare young adult male who appreciates my cards, so I love to make them for his special occasions.  He has been searching for a job in his field for 2 years, and he finally just landed a great job in his field, at a great company. I finally set to work on a congratulations card for him.  Better late than never! I LOVE the way it turned out.

I sprinkled Brushos on some heavy watercolor paper, then I sprayed it with Tattered Angels Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist. I then embossed fireworks from The Ton's Pyrotechnics set in silver with gold detail. The Paper Smooches sentiment is die cut and inlaid. The entire top panel is popped up on white fun foam. 

I am linking this card to the following challenges:

Challenge # 109 Create Your Own Background

TAKE A LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN

Touchy Feely 

Add some texture to your creations!

Thanks for coming by. Have a great day!

Friends Forever

This week's inspiration for Tag You're It #39 is so adorable.  I love that little camper and many of the DT pieces had vehicles or homes on them, but I chose the sky as the inspiration for my creation.  Here is my take:

I love these Paper Smooches dies and they came to mind when I saw Erin's clouds. I wanted a sentiment that meant something like "no matter what the weather...". After a lot of digging, I found this sentiment from a Tailored Expressions set called "Branching Out" that was deep in my stash. Perfect.

I am also going to link this project to the current Simon Says Monday challenge, which is

BEST FRIENDS.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. As I type, there is a blizzard going on here in the northeastern part of the US. LOTS of snow, and lots of crafting time for me! Woot!  As always, I appreciate your taking the time to comment. Your feedback is wonderful.

Merry Christmas Wreath

This card is totally inspired by the current Time Out Challenge inspiration photo. As you can see, I took it quite literally.

 I am really struggling with photos lately because the light at this time of year is so difficult for indoor photography (with an iPhone LOL), and it's very hard to get the colors right.  My "door" is really brown, and it is made from a Pretty Pink Posh die that has 4 stitched squares in the middle that really reminded me of the door in the picture. Anyway, I used all sorts of different things from different companies: PTI, Paper Smooches, Pretty Pink Posh, Martha Stewart... It was really fun putting it together.

I am also sending this over to the Simon Says Monday Challenge where the theme this week is : Holly Jolly Stamping. Create a Christmas project.

I am trying to take it easy with the season, and enjoy it and keep the best and most important parts of it front and center. Thanks so much for coming by. As always, I appreciate your comments so much. Have a wonderful day.