It's Challenge Monday....

...and that means I have two brand new challenges to invite you to join today.  The first is over at StampFairy and this one is going to be a lot of fun.  We are trying something different this week and the challenge is to create 'Anything but a Card'.   We want to see what you can create featuring any of the adorable StampFairy images, and the twist is that cards are the on thing NOT allowed for this challenge.

    Do you need some ideas?  Well if you do, head right on over the the Challenge Blog and you'll find some fabulous inspiration the Design Team has put together for you.

   I have to admit, when I first saw the challenge I felt a bit stumped myself.   As much as I love paper crafts, my favorite things to create are always cards.  I've never been very good with scrap-booking or other paper-crafts, and I greatly admire those who have all the wonderful talent.

   I did come up with an idea and it's something I've also used for gifts and holidays and it's is to alter and decorate 'Nugget Boxes' and fill them with the always yummy Hershey Nuggets.  This is a picture of my finished tin.

   I started my project by picking out this sweet little 'Clementine' image and paper-pieced and colored her in lovely shades of pink.  I then picked out some matching patterned paper and cut 12 them into 1 "   x  3 "   strips.   Next, I wrapped each Nugget and secured them with a strong adhesive.  Each of these 12 oz. tins will hold 12 Nuggets.   There are a variety of candies and tins you can buy, but I really like this size and I bought mine from PaperMart.   I buy a case at a time (24 - 12 oz.  tins) and keep them on hand for future projects.

   This is another view of the tin with Nuggets inside.  I like to use a few different papers and place the tins in a nice design in the tins.  This turned out to be a fun project and I'll be making some more in a variety of colors and designs for Easter gifts.

 
My fun new project is also being submitted to some other fun challenges outlined below ~

• Secret Crafter - Challenge # 123 - Sweet Treats
• Frosted Designs - Fabulous Friday - Use Metal on your Project
• The Cheerful Stamp Pad -Challenge # 12 - Anything but a card
• Gingerloft Challenges - # 12 - Our Furry Friends

   I also wanted to share a brand new release with you today and this set can be found in the store today.  It's a new set, perfect for spring and reminds me of the saying - 'April Showers bring Spring Flowers'.   This new release also features Gerda's newest character 'Patsy', a sweet little girl.

   I hope you'll come up with some really fun projects for the challenge.  Feel free to use ANY of the StampFairy images.  I'll be looking forward to seeing what you create!   You can find all the details on over at site, by clicking on the blinkie below.  Have FUN!!

******************

I also want to invite you over to the weekly 'Birthday Card' Challenge over at 'The Outlawz'. 

  Our challenge this week is another fun one and for this week. we want to see you create a Birthday Card that features using 'Ribbon or String and at least ONE circle' on your card.  As always, you must also include a birthday sentiment on the front of your card!   I created this card as some inspiration and to help you more, you'll find some wonderful cards the Design Team has created for you.

   This was a very easy and fun card to create and also a nice way to use scraps.  I cut a variety of circles using my new 'Grand Calibur' and then embossed two of the layers for more dimension.  I put them all together with a pretty match brand and then added my ribbon, a bow and some bling and my card was done.

   My Birthday card was also created with these challenges in mind and you all also invited to join me at each one:

• Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog - Challenge # 35 - Birthday Cards
• Stampin with the Dragon - Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays
• AiFactory Challenge - Challenge # 68 - Monochromatic
• Lily of the Valley - Challenge # 85 - Circles

   I also wanted to thank everyone for playing and being such great supporters of this fun new challenge group.  It's been a pleasure to be part of  'The Outlawz' Design Team for these past two months.  I will be looking forward to remaining a very active member of the group.   I enjoy the challenges very much and will now have more time to play too! 

Another snowy Sunday!

...What a surprise I woke to when I looked out the window and saw that we had about 5 new inches of snow.  I guess I had not been paying much attention to the weather reports, as I had no idea we had a storm even coming.  Snow Snow go away and don't come back any day!!

    On a happy note, Sunday is always chore day here and the one day that Hubby is home, so it's our day to catch up on major cleaning, laundry and all those fun chores.  Luckily, I've been keeping up lately and I had also totally cleaned my craft room this week, so thing went really easy.  I'm also lucky because Hubby did all the laundry while I slept in!  Yippee!  

    My first card was actually one I finished last night, but had not had a change to post and this cutie was a card I created for the Color Combo challenge over a The Outlawz.  The colors for our Challenge this week are - Charcoal, White and Lime and I colored this sweet little StampFairy - Lenny Flowers to match that theme.

This cutie is being submitted to these new challenges - all are welcome to play along -

• The Outlawz - Color Combo Challenge - Charcoal, White & Lime
• Stamp Something - Something with Flowers
• PaperPlay Challenge Blog - Week 8 - Let's Get Sentimental

   My second card was created for another challenge over at The Outlawz and it's today's brand new 'Clean and Simple' Challenge, which you can find HERE!   This week the Girlz put together a fabulous sketch and I have copied it over to my blog to share it with you and hopefully inspire you to join in on the fun.

  And this is the card I created, based on the sketch!  

  This card was created with some new die cuts I created with my Cricut Expression.  I had been playing around with a new cartrdige last night and had cut several new elements to try it out.  The cartridge is one of the newer releases and it's the Paper Lace cartridge, which has some really pretty designs.  I took three of the design I had cut and put them together on this card for the "circle" area.  I embossed the first layer and inked the edges with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.  The second layer is a simple circle and the top layer is one of the lace layers. 

   My next card was created today for the new Sketch Challenge over at the Stars & Stamps Blog which you can find here.  I also copied over this week's Sketch and hope you'll join me in this fun Challenge for Operation Write Home.

Sketch # 58

My Card

  This bright and cheery card is also being submitted to these new challenges:

• Less is More - Week 4 Challenge - 3 Squares
• Stars & Stamp Blog - OWH - Sketch # 58 - No Glitter
• Crafty Creations -  # 107 - At the bottom of your garden lives???

  I always enjoy the Sunday Sketch and I print them all out and save them for the future.  At first I thought this one looked hard, but once I started it went along very well.  I used up some turquoise scraps from the card I had made above and that worked out perfectly to go with my brand new Bo Bunny 'Ad Lib' pack, that came in yesterday from Susana's with my new Copics.  Oh, and I am in LOVE with the new colors and did some coloring with them last night.  The two new V colors, (V20 and V25) and the three new RV colors, (RV55, RV63 and RV66) are already new favorites.  I hope to have a card to share later that shows those colors!!

    
  I am off now to work on that card and hope to have it done later!  In the meantime, if you have been thinking of adding the new Copics to your collection, I highly recommend them and think if you like violets and pinks -- you'll be very happy with this set!!  

It's going to be such a FUN DAY!!!

....An afternoon full of crafting and the best news is that my new COPIC Set is here!!   Thank you Susana.  I just unpacked my wonderful box of new craft goodies and wanted to tell you all how happy I am!  For those of you who have been waiting for these new colors, I think you'll be very happy.  Purple, of course if my favorite, with pink a close second, making this set perfect for me.  I think the colors are even prettier in person and I can't wait to color with them this afternoon.

   On and speaking of coloring, if you need the new Copic Color chart, I found it yesterday and have it all printed out, ready to color fill in with these new colors.    You can find a copy to print here directly from Copic's Site.   They also have new handouts and brochures on the site Here!!

2011 Copic Color Chart

   I bought my new set from Susana's Custom Art and Card Design -  (SCACD) and not only are they already here, but they made it here in two days--now that is some FAST Shipping! 

  I also wanted to tell you how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Prima Sugar Bloom Line!  WOW these are stunning and so much prettier in person.  They are bigger than I had expected and the colors are wonderful.  Each of the flowers also have gold tips and they go perfectly with this Moulin Rouge paper set, also from Prima.     I'm telling you, you'll love these and I'll be buying more of these, no doubt about it.

   What a fun package this was to open and I LOVE everything I ordered.  The new Bo Bunny Packs are also awesome...the hardest thing for me to was pick out which I wanted, since I really wanted them all....Oh wouldn't it be nice to be rich!   I picked out this Ad Lib set and the colors are wonderful--bright and cheery!!   I also bought the new Memory Box sets on my last order and all of my Sew Easy tools too! 

     My special THANKS for Susana for her fabulous service and for all the thank you gift bags she send out with every order.  I'm like a little kid and just love finding some extra treat in package!    Thank you so much - I'm so happy with my order and totally thrilled to have it so quickly! 

It's Friday!! Yippee!!!

....And although it's a nasty day here, I'm planning on making it a day full of crafting and fun and I'm excited to have a brand new challenge to introduce, along with a new digi release and even a special little surprise!

    Let me start by inviting you to join our brand new Challenge-#5, over at Baby Bud Designs.  We have a fun theme challenge this month it's all about -- 'Ribbons and Bows'.  We want to see lots of pretty ribbons and bows on your project and want to also remind you to be sure to use a 'Baby Bud image' too.  You can find all the details over on the blog and every one is welcome to play.


    This is the card that I created and I started with Baby Bud 'Kira', who is one of my favorites.   I printed her out and paper-pieced her into an adorable little pink outfit and colored the rest of the image with Copics to match.  I used some 'Pink Glam' Stickles on her little 'bloomers' for sparkle and more dimension and also added some pink pearls for her to wear, along with a little pink Satin bow in her hair!!    I am in love with digi papers and have been using them for my paper piecing.  For this card I also used some digi paper to create matching scalloped backgrounds!    This scallop-shaped card was created with my new 'Grand Calibur' and the Grand Oval Scalloped die set.   I love this new machine and how I can use the 'Grand Dies' to create my own cards in a variety of unique shapes and sizes. 

   I really had fun with this one and sine I love Ribbon and Bows, this was an easy challenge for me!  I also happen to own a Bow Easy and it's one of the best gadgets I've ever bought.  It makes it so easy to make bows in a variety of sizes in minutes! 

   I hope you'll join in on the fun and create your own Ribbons and Bows card for our challenge.  If you need some more inspiration, please hop on over to the Baby Bud Designs Blog and check out the wonderful cards the 'Lady Buds' have created to inspire you.  We also have a little treat for you today, and it's our 'Friday Freebie' and this month we have a cute little flower, named Lil' Bud, which will be available free for today ONLY!! 

  Congratulations to Jacquie C the Winner of last month's challenge.  I think her card is adorable--a wonderful friendship card and perfect for the challenge.  I hope you'll be back again this month to play again!    Please be sure to hop on over and take a peek at this sweet card!  You can find it on the Baby Bud blog HERE!!
 

 ********

  I would also like to invite you over to  StampFairy today to see a brand new release that features the always adorable 'Herb Bear' and in this release he's ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!!

  I did not get a chance to make a card this week with Herb, but the Design Team has put together some fabulous creations for you and you'll find them over at StampFairy Blog.

   I do have a new StampFairy card to share with you today and this one was inspired by the thoughts of Spring!   And as we are almost done with February, each day that passes brings us closer and closer to Spring and puts another day of winter behind us.  I've been longing for Spring, Sunshine, Flowers and warm days and that is exactly what I was thinking about while making the card below, which features 'Lenny Flowers' who was released on Tuesday, over at the StampFairy store.    I hope he will help you think of Spring and bright happy days.

    

    Hope you all have a wonderful day!  I'm looking forward to spending today and most of my weekend crafting and it's good to be feeling back to myself again.   Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Crafting!!

Lookie what I bought today!!

   The newest release of Copic Sketch Markers.   Yippee!  All these yummy new colors are on their way to me directly from one of my favorite craft stores - Susana's Custom Art & Card Design.  If you haven been drooling over these new colors, you can hop on over to the store and pick up you set too! 

  I would not WAIT long, as these are in demand and most stores do not even have them in yet!!  Way to go Susana!!  Susana always has the latest and greatest new goodies.    I was all excited when I read on the SCACD Facebook page that they were in.  I knew I had to have them right away and knowing how fast Susana ships, I'll think they'll be here this weekend!

   While you there, be sure to check out the wonderful new Paper Packs...more wonderful goodies and some of my new favorites are from Bo Bunny and Memory Box.  You can find them ALL HERE!!
 
    Of course, for me, no order wound be complete without a some new flowers or bling and I had a hard time picking out which I wanted.  I ended up choosing two sets from the 2011 Prima release which you'll find here!    One thing that always seems to help brighten my spirits is a few new craft goodies and these will be sure to be fun to use.

    I'm also totally LOVING my new Grand Calibur and one of the best features for me is that I can create all kinds of fun card shapes with the super large (Grand) dies.   If you've been on the fence on this machine -- I say go for it!  I think you'll be very pleased.

 

    So far my favorite new set for the Grand Calibur are the  Grand Labels One.    I used that set to cut the card base for this card that was created for a Copic Challenge over at Color Me Creative Classroom!   These are NOT even the largest dies either, they are 3 more that are even bigger, and there are all kinds of fun things you can make with them!   Stay tuned for me ideas and new creations.  I'm so happy that I bought, something I use every day and it's now made it home right on my craft desk for easy every day access!!

    I hope I have now inspired you to SHOP!!   I had a nice little spree and now it's over, but it sure was fun and now it have lots of new goodies to create with.  I'm looking forward to lots of fun new creations.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow, as I have two new cards to share and a surprise too!!

Copic Color Challenge!

   Yaay!  I feel like my Mojo is starting to return and it feels good to be back to crafting and also to be feeling better.  Today is a bright sun filled day and that always helps too.  It's still pretty cold, but with February quickly winding down, we get closer and closer and warm weather very son.

   I have a few cards thiat I'm working on today and I have one now finished to share.  This card was inspired and started for the current 'Copic Color Challenge' over at Suzanne Dean's - Color Me Creative Classroom.  This is bi-weekly challenge that is open to all.  If you would like to join in, please hope on over to the main Classroom site, HERE, sign up and go to the Copic Coloring Group Here!

   The idea of all of the challenges are to practice coloring with your Copics and it is required that you do use Copic to color at least part of each project.  This week we are working with the Color Blue and as a bit of a twist we also need to color some 'water'.   You can find all the details in the CMC Challenge Group HERE, along with some inspiraiton from the gals who have already submitted their projects.

   When I first saw the new challenge, I immediately realized that I did NOT have a lot of stamps or digis that are scenic, and I knew that I would have to find something new to use.  After a few hints and tips from the girls, I found a digi last night over at Di's Digi Downloads, that worked out perfect for me.  It's called 'What a Catch' and worked out to be just what I had hoped to fin.   A sweet little bear, fishing near a little waterfall, the type of image I love...a touch of whimsy and fun. 

    This is my card which I colored with Copics earlier this morning.  Once I had the coloring done, I added a layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer to the water behind the bear and then added some star dust stickles the the water where the bear is standing.  I used a variety of several blue and blue green colors in the water and it ended up being a fun image to color.  

     My cute little 'Adventure' card is also being submitted to these challenges, where you are ALL welcome to play along:

• Party Time Tuesday - Challenge # 4 - Anything Goes
• Color Me Creative - Copic Coloring - Color Blue and Water
• Craft your Passion - Challenge # 36 - Male Cards 
• Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - One for the Boys
• Incy WIncy Designs - Challenge # 81- Use Punches of Die Cuts

     I think it's a cute card and this would make a great guy's card or a fun Father's Day card too.  I really like the added shine the crystal lacquer adds and the Stickles also added some extra sparkle to the water!!


    My next card today is going to be for this week's Color Challenge over at 'The Outlawz' and I have my image all picked out.   The colors for this week are also really fun and they are Lime Green, Charcoal and White.  Here is a copy of the inspirational image for this week's colors.  If you need some more inspiration, be sure to hop on over the the site and check the wonderful projects the 'Girlz' put together for you.

    If I manage to finish my card, I'll be back to post it later, otherwise I'll plan to have it posted some time tomorrow.  I'm also hoping to make a card for the 'Midweek Throwdown' at the Stars & Stamps blog and this week is perfect for all types of cards and I invite you all to join in. You can find all the details for the challenge HERE!!

  

One for the guys!!!

  Making cards for guys is always hard and one of the biggest challenges for me.  When I first saw the current challenge at the Copic Musketeers, my first thought was, Oh no...this will be a hard one...but I knew I wanted to try and I printed out the challenge and downloaded the WordArt that TLC, kindly donated for the challenge!

   Then, I got so busy, I put it all aside and totally forgot.  Luckily, Melanie reminded me yesterday, which was a good thing, because I had totally forgot.  Thanks Mel!  I am very happy you reminded me and also need the practice of Male cards and not giving up when a challenge seems hard...it IS after all - a Challenge!!

   I still admit, this was NOT an easy challenge, as I still want not sure what I was going to use for an image.  Then all of a sudden I thought of Gus from Bugaboo and thought he would be awesome.  I then started browsing through my digi stamp collection to find out which one I wanted.  I had this one already, so I chose him.  Of course, he came with his own Sentiment, but for this challenge I edited out the original sentiment and replaced it with the TLC WordArt!.   Gus may have a grumpy face and like to complain, but I think deep down, he's a sweet and mushy guy and that's why this sentiment, also seemed to fit quite nicely.

 
   For my card, I started by merging both digi images together in Word and them printed them out onto my Copic Cardstock.  I then colored up Gus with my copies and to make his glasses look more realistic I added a layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer.  I then added a bit of Distress ink to the outside of the image and created the angle corners with my Corner Chomper.   I layered my image onto a a piece of patterned paper, from my stash.  I also created some vertical layers from scraps and finished off the card with two d finished off my card two Glimmer brads from Stampin Up.

   I admit, it not one of my favorite cards and I'm still struggling a bit with my 'Guy' cards, but I'm happy that I did not give up and that I finished it time for the challenge.   I do feel like my Mojo is still lacking a bit, but it's slowly coming back.

   Afternoon Update - I am back with one more card today and this one is for the the weekly Sketch Challenge over at the Stars & Stamps Blog.  This is the sketch we had from this past Sunday --

   And this is my card, which was created all with papers from my scrap bin.  Even the flower in the enter was created from scraps and floral die cuts I had left over from other projects.  Whenever I cut using my Cricut, I tend to cut several extra shapes and then keep them all in a large bin of extra die cuts.  This flower was created with a variety, some of the flowers were cut on my Cricut and others were cut with the wonderful Floral Die from Tim Holtz
 

   I hope to start on one more card this evening and that will be for a challenge over at 'The Outlawz'.   If you want to join me in any of these challenges, simply follow the links to play along.  To join the Copic coloring challenge, you'll want to visit the Copic Musketeers, to join the fun in making cards for  OWH, please go HERE and lastly, you can visit the  'The Outlawz' -- where you'll find a new challenge every day!!    

Challenges to share!

    Today I would like to invite to join me in two new challenges.  The first is our weekly challenge over at StampFairy and this week, we have a fun one for you!

  Our 11th Challenge is a 'Color Throwdown' and we have some really fun and bright colors for you to work this.  We want to see what you create using these three colors -- Red, White and Turquoise!!!    We also want to remind you that you MUST use a StampFairy images on your project to be eligible to win.   You can find a wonderful selection in the store and we also have some Freebies for those of you who have not started your collection. 

   Once you have your StampFairy image, you can create any type of project you want, as long as you use the colors for this week's challenge.  This is the card that I created and I had a blast with these wonderful vivid colors.

   My image is Lenny LadyBug, which I thought would be a lot of fun to create with.  I simply left him white and added a teeny bit of gray shading to make him stand out. I used my turquoise instead of black and make my ladybugs looks very cute!   You can also hop on over to the Challenge blog to see the wonderful inspiraiton the Design Team has created to share with you.

  I am also submitting my new card to these challenges - and invite you all to do the same!

• Simply Create - Challenge # 37 - It's Bright in Here!! 
• Totally Papercrafts - Challenge # 54 - Do it with Digis 
• Sir Stampalot - February Challenge - All Creatures Great & Small

 ~~~~~~~~~~

  I also have a second card to share and this card is a new 'Birthday Card' that I created for this week's Birthday Challenge over at 'The Outlawz'.   Sadly, this will be one of the last two cards that I'll be creating as a full-time member of the 'Outlawz Girlz DT'.    After struggling with a rough winter and more Fibro flares, I had to make the hard decision of stepping down from my role and will finish out at the end of February.  I will have one more card next Monday and then will be cutting back to my two original Design Team roles.   I think deep down, I knew in the beginning, that it might be too much for me, but I really wanted very much to be on the team, so I gave it my best.   I love the Girlz in that group and many are dear friends, so you can be sure that I'll continue to be a very active member of the group.  Lately, I have not been myself and feel lousy, more than I feel good.  I also feel like I've lost my Mojo and I always feel wiped out, which is a bummer.

  Our challenge this week is to create a Birthday Card with a Winter Theme!   Anything that relates to winter!   I, for one, will be SO glad when winter is over, so as much as I really enjoyed making this card, it will not break my heart to move into Spring Cards from this point on.  I could be very happy if this turns out to be the last WINTER card for this year!  

    

  Here is another view and this view shows the envelope that I made to made, which was created with an envelope liner die from PaperTrey Ink. 

  If you would like some more ideas, please hop on over to 'The Outlawz' and check out the wonderful inspiration the Design Team Girlz have posted for you!   You may make any type of Birthday project, just be sure to use a Winter Theme and  include your Birthday Sentiment on the front of your project.   The challenge runs for a full week and I wish you all lots of luck!   I also want to thank everyone who played along last week and those who are still working on project for the BIG PARTY.    Many of the 'Party' challenges are still ongoing and you can find the schedule on the main page HERE!   Winners will be announced on Wednesday,  March 2, 2001 at  6 PM EST.   Good Luck to ALL!! 

   In the meantime, don't forget that you still have a few days to submit a project for our current 'Friends' challenge over at  Baby Bud Designs!   This challenge runs until February 23, 2011 at noon E.S.T.   A random winner will be selected and the prize will be --  3 Free Digis from our Etsy Shop! We will be back on Friday with a brand new challenge and another fun treat, so please be sure to come back here for more details!!  Sssshhh!!.....it's a surprise!!

Love.....

   Today is a bittersweet day...and it's with a heavy heart that I am posting today!  I have a special card to post and for me it has extra special meaning today.  It's an 'I Love You' card and I am posting it to remind myself....and all my friends and family to always cherish every moment in life, especially with those you LOVE! 

   This card was started with a challenge in mind and based the colors and image were also based on this challenge.   When I first started it, I did not have a theme in mind -- I just knew I wanted to create a sweet little card with a cute little image from By Lori Designs.  I saw the new challenge over on her Challenge Blog, which you can find HERE!   It's a color challenge and this is a copy of the colors from the challenge blog --

  I had been browsing Lori's store, looking at some of the cute new images and that was when I found this new challenge and knew I wanted to play along.   I also did a bit of shopping, (of course), and added a few more of her wonderful digis to my collection.   The image I chose for this card is actually one of Hannah's Bug &Roo images, which you can find in the store HERE!!

 This is sweet little Addeline and this is the card that I created and am submitting to the challenge.  It's a card I named --'I Love You'.

    I decided to make this card an I Love You card, after finding out that a dear friend, has been though a horrible tragedy this week!   I wanted to find some way to tell her how much I care and how sorry I am for all that she is going through.  She's such a wonderful person -- one of the most kind and caring people I've ever met.   I am so sad that she is experiencing such heartache now and only wish I had some magical way to make her feel better or to take away her pain.   I can only pray and keep her in my thoughts and let her know how much that I love her.

   I think it's so important to always try and remember just how short our lives can be and I want to also remind everyone to be sure you always tell the people you LOVE, how much you LOVE them and to share that every day!   We all get caught up in life at times and forget how important these words are.  A Hug, A Kiss and the three little words -- 'I Love You' - will always make my day!  

   Hugs and Love to all!!  

Fun Filled Friday!!!

  Yippee!   I just LOVE Fridays -- always have and hopefully, always will.   I especially enjoy when it's a new release day and when I have three wonderful new cards to share with you today and all three were created with brand new digi images that launched today!!

   I am starting with a wonderful new release from Baby Bud Designs!   We are very happy to have another wonderful 'double' release this month an I'm so excited to share two new 'Buds' today.  The first is a wonderfully sweet little Bud and she is Baby Bouquet and is perfect for spring and summer.  She is all dressed up for a prom, a wedding or a very special event.  I have colored her up for you today and dressed her as a little Bride or Flower Girl, carrying her sweet little bouquet of pink spring flowers!! 

     Sweet little Baby Bouquet is being submitted to these new challenges!  Please join me!

• Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Challenge # 10 - Sparkle Glitter Bling
• Shelly's Images - Show us what you Got!!
• Digital Tuesday - Challenge # 98 - Use a Die Cut

     I am equally excited and very happy to introduce you to our second new Baby Bud and he is Oliver, who also has been added to the Etsy Store today!   I love them and if I had to pick a favorite, I'm not sure I could, as they both so sweet and adorable.    This is my first card featuring Oliver and I hope you'll enjoy him as much as I do.

  My wonderful new Oliver card is being submitted to these fun challenges:

• Craft Us Crazy - Challenge # 2 - Brrr Its' Cold Outside - Winter
• PaperPlay Challenge Blog - Week 7 - Add Sparkle and Shine
• The Rubber Cafe - No Patterned Paper

   I hope you'll have some fun with both of the cuties and that reminds me, that you still have time for use one of both of them and join in on our current 'Friend Challenge' which runs through Wednesday, February 23rd.  You can find all the details on our blog HERE!   Please be sure to come back next Friday, February 25th , for a special surprise and a brand new challenge too!

**************

    And after you have had fun meeting the newest Baby Buds, I would like to invite you over to StampFairy for another new release and this is 'Clementine Carrots'.  A wonderful new release of this sweet bunny that I also think is perfect for Spring or Easter.  The design team has created some adorable new cards to share on the blog, and you can also find the entire release in the StampFairy store today!

   This is my very first creation with on of the new images from the adorable Clementine Carrots collection.   I started by printing her out on several different digital backgrounds and then paper-pieced together part of her outfit and colored the rest with Copics.  I then used my new 'Grand Calibur' with one of the Eyelet Square Nestabilities to cut out my completed image.  I finished it off with a layer of 3d Crystal Accents and put everything together to create this fun happy card!  I hope you'll enjoy it!!

   My sweet little Clementine card is also being submitted to these fun new challenges !

• Charisma Cardz Challenge - Week 7 - Spring Has Sprung
• Cute Card Thursday - Challenge # 152 - Shiny Happy Cards
• Delightful Challenges - Animals -  Use an Animal on your card
• Scrap-Creations - Spring Fever (and Boy did I have it)!!  
• Copic Creations - Challenge # 44 - Warm Colors

   I hope you are now all focused on fun new spring ideas and colors.  I'm so ready for winter to be over and very much looking forward to warmth, sunshine and being able to open to the windows!!  I  can't wait for Spring to be here!!  Wishing you a very happy Friday and for those in the U.S. a nice long Holiday Weekend, as we celebrate 'President's Day' on Monday!!