Ladybug Sweetheart Birthday Card

Hello, my crafty friends! I hope you're having a wonderful week. :o)

A new month means new recipients for the marvelous I Feel the Love Project. For August, we are creating birthday cards for residents of SAFEHOME... a place where victims of domestic violence go to gain inner strength, build self-esteem, explore options, and establish a life free of violence. It is a privilege to help celebrate the birthdays of survivors of unspeakable violence.

At any given time, at least 50% of shelter residents are under the age of 17. Therefore, we are not only creating birthday cards for mothers, but also for their children as they rebuild their lives together.

All of my cuts are from the Silhouette Online Store. The ladybug girl tugs at my heartstrings, so I call her Ladybug Sweetheart. :o) I've been saving her for the perfect occasion and the moment I read about this month's IFTL collection, I knew it was time. I gave her a sweet Peachy Keen face for character, which is from the In the Garden Face Assortment. (A DT member used the same combo... it's truly a match made in heaven.) She's ready for the festivities with her rhinestone accents and Peppermint Stick trendy twine bows. :o)

Not only is our Ladybug Sweetheart sharing a precious friend with the little birthday girl, but also a bouquet of balloons! Three of them are filled with hearts, while the other two match her sparkling ladybug dress. :o)

For her landscape, I opted to put her in a rolling field of flowers with a dotty sky above. The papers are from Doodlebug's Lovebirds collection. Sporadic flowers are centered with sparkles, while a bunny off in the distance awaits the birthday girl. :o) The bunny is a Martha Stewart stamp. The sparkly tree leaves are embossed with the D'vine Swirls folder and its cute trunk are embossed with the Swiss Dots folder. I always adore texture, but especially when it's for a kiddo... their fingers love to explore.

The sentiment is from the Whimsical Designs' Everyday Sentiments stamp set. The fun ribbon along the bottom was purchased at Michael's, specifically for our Ladybug Sweetheart. She wanted to bring tons of her fluttery friends to the birthday celebration at the shelter. :o)

The interior is lined with ladybug paper for a fun surprise upon opening. :o)

I hope when it is received, the sweet child's heart is filled with an abundance of ladybug love. :o) I am so thankful for shelters like SAFEHOME, where mothers and children (like this beautiful daughter below) are shielded from the violence that was once a part of their lives.

Thank you for fluttering on by! I hope your day sparkles with love and sunshine. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *Card Crafter's Circle~ Dotty for Spots
 *Cute Card Thursday~ Anything Goes
 *Delightful Challenges~ Add Stars or Sparkle
 *DL.Art Thankful Thursday~ August Linky Party (Anything Goes)
 *Dream Valley~ Summer Days
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Peachy Keen Stamps~ Anything Goes
 *Simon Says Stamp~ Anything Goes

Snow Globe Shaker Christmas Card

Hello, my crafty friends! I hope you're having a blessed day. :o)

I'm super excited that I had a chance to make my second Christmas card! I was disheartened to hardly get any made last year for my loved ones, so I'm trying to sneak them in early when possible.

As I was planning the snow globe design, it was impossible not to add snow... so I turned it into a shaker card. :o) (A jingly shaker, too!)

A wee bit closer look at the penguins. (I thought I was closer in at the time. Oops!)

These cutie pie penguins are from the Peachy Keen Stamps July release. I paper pieced their winter apparel because they wanted to be stylish. ;) The trim on the hat is covered in Star Dust for twinkly winter magic.

The gorgeous papers for the snow globe, including its base, are from K and Company. The snowy paper is lightly inked in Faded Jeans. The tiny snowflakes inside the globe are the negative cut-outs from an EK Success flower scroll punch... our penguin sweethearts caught the same one because they're just so sappy like that. The fluffy snow is Polar White Flower Soft.

The snow globe and the two outer snowflake designs are cut files from Birds Cards. Graduating rhinestones add Christmas sparkle to the snowflakes, as well as the My Favorite Things Fancy Flourish along the right side. The bow is made with Harvest Wine crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot, to which I added two jingly bells. I decided the only way to make a shaker card even more fun was to make it musical. :o)

The sentiment is from Whimsical Designs' Snow Much Fun stamp set. I curved it so it would fit the globe shape and used Memento Cottage Ivy ink for festive flair. My goal with this card was to combine whimsy and elegance, along with a whole heap of Christmas joy. :o)

Thank you for frolicking on by! I hope your day is filled with love and happiness. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *Card Crafter's Circle~ Christmas in July
 *Christmas Card Challenges~ Anything Goes Christmas (Optional: Make Your Own Background)
 *Christmas Stampin' All Year Long~ Photo Inspiration
 *Crafty Catz~ Christmas in July
 *Die Cuttin' Divas~ Anything Goes (I used MFT Flourish metal die and cuts from my Cameo)
 *DL.Art Thankful Thursday~ Christmas in July
 *Frosted Designs~ The Great Outdoors (Celebrating snow!)
 *Jingle Belles~ Sleigh Belles Ring
 *Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday~ Christmas in July
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Merry Monday~ Anything Goes Christmas
 *Peachy Keen Stamps~ Photo Inspiration (I was inspired by the blues and greens)
 *Winter Wonderland~ Ding Dong Merrily on High

Thank You Card Set

Hello, my friends! I hope you're having a beautiful start to the week. :o)

This will be my quickest post ever, which is fitting since these are certainly the simplest cards I've ever made. (Although crafted with the same amount of sappier-than-a-maple-tree love.) These are my final contributions for July's I Feel the Love Project recipients. Part of the collection was to send blank thank you cards for a beautiful mother (Yvette) to send to those who have made donations to help with her daughter's medical expenses.

My previous set for Yvette was also floral in theme, but vastly different. This time I played with my Copics, coloring up a lovely tulip digital stamp from Fred, She Said.

The differences between the two are color and embellishments. The blue and yellow card has rhinestone-centered flowers along the entire border, while the pink version has pearls.

The card base is a square frame cut file from Bird's Cards, one of her gorgeous designs that she offers for free. The floral patterned paper backgrounds are both "handmade" papers from Jo-Anns, although I forget the company. They are very pretty in person and inked with Victorian Velvet and Faded Jeans distress inks. The computer-generated sentiments are cut out with My Craft Spot's Tiny Tag metal dies.

The interiors are lined with the same papers as their fronts and topped with a Spellbinders Fleur de Lis square for Yvette to write in. I truly hope she enjoys everything that will soon be heading her way. It has been a joy to create for her and Mariyah this month!

Thank you for visiting! I wish you a sparkly day. :o)

Challenges entered:

 *Cameo Creations~ Two Shades of Blue

 *Crafty Ribbons~ Anything Goes with Ribbon

 *Creative Creations~ Anything Goes

 *DL.Art~ Thankful Thursday July Linky Party (Anything Goes)

 *Fab 'n' Funky~ Make a Set

 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes

 *Stampin' for the Weekend~ Sparkle and Bling

May Your Day Be Filled With Happiness!

Hello, my dear friends! I hope your week has been sparkly. :o)

It's crunch time for me, but I'm so thankful to nearly be done with my contributions for this month's I Feel the Love Project recipients! We are creating for Mariyah, a sweet 4-year-old girl (who beautifully endures all that goes with being disabled), and her mom.

I made this for Yvette, Mariyah's mom, to deliver an abundance of summery love and happiness... to remind her of the blessings surrounding her and the glorious plans God has for them. :o)

A closer look at the parasol (which is sewn) and the heat-embossed flower stamp within the sentiment:

This was an absolute joy to create for Yvette. The pretty parasol is a cut file from Little Scraps of Heaven, which I cut with my Cameo. It is embossed with the Cuttlebug Baby's Breath folder and popped up for dimension. The flowers are centered with tiny sparkles and for the trims I used a My Mind's Eye paper that is reminiscent of pink and white lace. Super sparkly glitter paper was used for the handle. I wanted the parasol to deliver a bouquet of happiness, so I filled it with Wild Orchid Crafts sweetheart blossoms. :o)

The background papers are from one of my all-time favorite MME stacks, The Sweetest Thing: Lavender. KaiserCraft lace provides a soft border on top. The Memory Box Spring Border serves as my landscape, to which I colored the flowers with my R85 Copic marker and covered in Star Dust. Beneath that is a Victorian Velvet border of Martha Stewart's Lace Heart edge punch. I opted for this double-border because I wanted it rooted in love. :o) As Yvette continues to live a life rooted in heavenly love, she and Mariyah will thrive under God's constant care.

One of my favorite parts of this card is the sentiment! The sentiment and center flower stamps are from My Craft Spot's Stampin' Around Spring set. They are cut out with the coordinating Tiny Doilies metal dies. I *love* these! They're so fun to mix and match and provides multiple ways of layering. The wording is stamped on the same pink lacy paper as the umbrella. The cute flowers are heat-embossed for extra shine and dimension. The card base shape is a Lori Whitlock cut file, purchased at the Silhouette Online Store.

A peek inside:

I hope this brings a smile to her heart. :o) Thank you for fluttering on by and I wish you a blessed weekend. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *'ABC' Challenge~ Doubly Embossed (Dry-embossed parasol; heat-embossed flowers within sentiment)
 *Cut It Up~ Celebrate Summer
 *Cutie Pie Challenge~ Pretty in Pink
 *Divas by Design~ Anything Goes
 *Krafty Girls~ Anything Goes
 *Love to Create~ Hugs and Wishes
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *My Craft Spot~ Sew Fun (sewing on parasol)
 *Papertake Weekly~ Dies and/or Punches (sentiment and both borders)
 *Twist of Faith~ Borders and Fancy Edges (Plus an encouraging/uplifting sentiment)

Heartfelt Thanks

Hello, my crafty friends! I hope everyone is having a lovely start to the week. :o)

After some time away, I'm having to somewhat rush the rest of my planned contribution for this month's I Feel the Love Project recipients. One part of July's collection is for sweet Mariyah's mother, Yvette. She requested blank thank you cards, as she wants to send a handmade thank you to every person who has donated to assist with Mariyah's medical bills. Isn't that so beautiful?

Flowers are a wonderful way to express gratitude, so I made two little flower pot cards for starters. :)

The only differences between the two are the flower centers and the interiors. One is centered with purple Wild Orchid Crafts pearls, while the other is a bit more whimsical with fun buttons.

I combined two cut files from the Silhouette Online Store to create my cards. The flower pot and leaves are from a Lori Whitlock flower pot card kit. She made it as an envelope pocket, but I nixed those aspects and welded together a card base with the Design Studio software. Instead of using the flowers she included, I opted for these pretty layered flowers, also by Lori.

The patterned papers are from the DCWV Glam Rhinestone stack. I wanted the flowers to have a design, so I chose purple and lavender filigree patterns from the pad. Each petal is inked with Concord Grape distress ink and slightly curled for a bit of dimension. The plaid flower pot is inked with Walnut Stain. The leaves are embossed with the Swiss Dots folder for texture.

The computer-generated sentiment is cut out with Tiny Tag metal dies from My Craft Spot, resting upon Grape Fizz Trendy Twine. I had to resist adding tons of embellishments since Yvette will be mailing these out, so for a final detail I simply cut a Cheery Lynn Designs Mini Fanciful Flourish and let it sprawl across the flower pot.

This lighting is way off, but here's a peek inside. The lavender interior is actually the same paper as the top layers of petals. (I forgot to adhere the white writing layer before taking these. I'm really off my game!)

I've wanted to make this shape of card for quite some time and I hope Yvette likes them as much as I do! It's like sending flowers that never fade, just as the love that was shown to this precious family will always remain strong.

Thank you for fluttering on by! I wish you a sparkly day of love and sunshine. :o)

Challenges entered:

 *A Gem of a Challenge~ Anything but Square

 *Card Mania~ Pearls and/or Gems

 *Charisma Cardz~ Girly

 *Creative Creations~ Anything Goes

 *DL.Art Thankful Thursday~ Linky Party (Anything Goes)

 *Fussy and Fancy~ Lemon and Lavender

 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes

 *Paper Playtime~ Patterned Paper

A Splash of Love!

Hello, my crafty friends! I hope everyone is doing well. :o)

Today I'm sharing something sweeter than my planned Sweet Saturday post.... my first contribution for this month's I Feel the Love Project recipient. For July, we are sending extra love, sunshine, and support to precious Mariyah, who is 4 years old.  She is disabled and has been receiving extensive PT, OT, and early intervention since she was 1. Not only so, but she also has endured a lengthy hospital stay for an unrelated sickness. Her strength and beauty is an inspiration.

A Splash of Love!

I settled upon different animals about a million times, but in the end opted to make her a sweet fishie. :o) I thought it would be fun to make it a shaped card, so when she has it sitting it out it will almost be like she has her very own bright and sparkly fish bowl. :o)

A wee bit closer:

To make the shape, I welded together this fish bowl from Miss Kate Cuttables with several 1-inch bubbles. Not only did I want it sturdier than the original circular bottom, but it also gave me the perfect opportunity for personalization. I used this heart alphabet for her name to surround her in tiny hearts. :o) Some are pop-dotted for varying dimensions. The blues and green throughout are all glittery Core'dinations Core Couture cardstock.

Instead of using the fish from the cut file, I used this adorable heart-shaped fish. The papers are from a Martha Stewart Valentine's pad, which I lightly inked with Victorian Velvet distress ink. I added googly eyes for extra delight and placed her atop an Action Wobble.

A peek at the dimension... I love how high the Action Wobble lifts the fishie! I hope she enjoys wobbling it around. :o) The interior is washed out in this picture, but is actually a light blue with a wave pattern.

For the three shades of rocks at the bottom of the bowl, I used shimmery DCWV patterned cardstock. The water and bubbles are embossed with the D'vine Swirls folder, while the plant is embossed with Swiss Dots. I wanted a lot of fun texture for Mariyah to explore. I created the splash with my My Favorite Things Fancy Flourish metal die, which is accented with a few rhinestones. Fairly unseen in these photos are the bubbles I made with Glossy Accents. They are bubbling up from the fishie's smile (of course she's smiling at Mariyah all day long!) and within the splash.

My computer-generated sentiment was cut out with Tiny Tag metal dies from My Craft Spot, which I popped up and decorated with a Blueberry Trendy Twine bow and a tiny heart rhinestone. My goal with this card was just to make her smile... to make her a fun little scene that will add a sparkle to her heart and a smile to her day. And of course for her to always know how dearly she is loved by so many. :o)

Thank you for swimming on by! I wish you a blessed and sparkly weekend. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *Crafty Catz~ It's Child's Play
 *Creative Creations~ Shaped Cards
 *Cupcake Craft~ Anything but Square
 *Divas by Design~ Cute
 *DL.Art Thankful Thursday~ July Linky Party (Anything Goes)
 *Fab 'n' Funky~ Anything but Square
 *Love to Create~ Condolence or Support
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Papertake Weekly~ Anything Goes

Be Merry

Hello, my sweet crafty friends! Somehow it's already July and I hope yours is off to a lovely start. :o)

I had some crafty time available and used it to create something that I've been aching to do... a Christmas card! You know how much I cherish all things Christmas. :o) This card is for someone who treasures the holiday as much as I. In fact, it will be given during a Christmas in July celebration! To feed our excitement for the most wonderful time of the year, we're spending a Saturday this month immersed in seasonal delight. Festive treats, favorite holiday movies, Christmas crafting, and seasonal planning. :o)

Be Merry!

I didn't have enough time to do all I wanted with this card, but I'll do those fun details on my next Copic Christmas card. :o) This cutie pie and her sweet kitty friend is a favorite Wee Stamp named Berry. (I used the digital format.) Colored in festive Copic reds and greens, she's ready for our Christmas celebration. :o) For textural fun, I used Polar White Flower Soft for Berry's earmuffs and boot cuffs. The snow she's walking in is glittery Snow-Tex. Although not as obvious via photograph, those elements make a nice impression in person. 

She is cut out with a Spellbinders Classic Circle, which is lightly inked in Tumbled Glass for a wintry border. Surrounding her are a few cut files from the Silhouette Online Store, including Holly Flourish, which is my scrolling corner decor. The holly leaves are embossed with the D'vine Swirls folder and all nine berries are popped up for dimension. The two large snowflakes are from a set of four, which I layered with foam tape for dimension and slightly rotated one to make it fuller. The tiny snowflake in the center is from an EK Success border punch. Glittering Core Couture paper was used for all of the solid paper.

The patterned papers are from Best Creations' Merry Christmas, which I especially love for its sparkling designs. I chose the polka dots for the small center panel because it reminded me of snowballs and holly berries. The card base shape is also from the Silhouette Store, taken from a Thank You card. 

The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Joy to the World stamp set, which I cut out with her Tiny Tag metal dies. The Peppermint Stick twine used for the bow was also purchased at MCS. This card was a joy to create and I hope it in turn brings joy to the recipient. :o)

Thank you for fluttering on by! I hope you have a sparkly day. :o)

Challenges entered:

 *Card Mania~ Christmas in July

 *Christmas Card Challenges~ Anything Goes, with the option of Paper Piecing

 *Christmas Stampin' All Year Long~ Sweet (Photo) Inspiration

 *Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge~ All Wrapped Up

 *Cupcake Craft Challenge~ Anything But Square

 *Jingle Belles~ Digital Christmas (My image is a digi stamp)

 *Love To Scrap!~ Anything Goes

 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes

 *Merry Monday~ Anything Goes Christmas

 *Sentimental Sundays~ All Things Digital (My image is a digi stamp)

 *Simon Says Stamp~ Anything Goes

 *Stamp and Create~ Christmas in July

 *The Squirrel and the Fox~ Christmas in July

 *Winter Wonderland~ Recipe (My 3 snowflakes are layered)