"Giving It A Test"

Good Afternoon Everyone! I have a new creation to share with you today and some exciting NEWS! First off we will start with the NEWS... Paper Creations Ink is partnering up with SAS4KIDS and doing a "Holiday Card Drive"! We are both holding the same challenge; but with different sponsors, so that means extra chances to win prizes and help out a good cause at the same time! Paper Creations Ink challenge "Holiday Wishes For Kids Challenge #12" will run until Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 7pm CST and SAS4KIDS "Starting Early - Holiday Wishes 4 our Kids Challenge" will run until Friday, November 18, 2011 at 12pm CST. Now I would like to share some information about SAS4KIDS...

Send A Smile 4 Kids is a charitable blog created for the purpose of collecting donated handmade cards to be distributed to children while they are inpatient at Children’s Hospitals. Currently SAS4Kids is donating them to the Children’s Hospitals in Neenah and Milwaukee, WI, University of Iowa Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA,  Blank Children's Hospital, Des Moines, IA,  Sandford Children's Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD  and to the B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia and the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton , Alberta in Canada.   On any given day, there are many children inpatient in these hospitals, so SAS4Kids would love to receive as many cards as you can send to cheer them and their families. The kids may also use your cards as Thank You Notes to the nurses and doctors and to give to parents or relatives on special days like birthdays or Mothers or Fathers Day.

At this time SAS4Kids is hoping to receive enough Holiday cards so that every child in these hospitals on or around Christmas will receive a card to cheer them and their families. Please do not make your cards religion specific as the nurses do not always know what religion the child’s family is.  Any cheery winter or holiday card would be great!  

Send a Smile 4 Kids is going to be the featured charity in CardMaker Magazine’s January issue (on stands in December) in their Readers Reach Out section. We are thrilled to be helped by card drives such as this one at Paper Creations Ink and in the Cardmaker Magazine and look forward to receiving your cards to help cheer our kids. 

The addresses to send your cards to are:

SAS4Kids c/o Sarah Taylor, 3419 7th Ave, Sioux City, Iowa 51106     OR

SAS4Kids (Canada) c/o Shelley Dureau, 2525 Cable Court, Coquitlam, BC V3H 3G1 Canada    OR

SAS4Kids (Canada) c/o Lynnette Pinno, Box 1256, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1X2  OR

SAS4 Kids c/o Karen Hasheck, 5507 Hickory St, Schofield, WI 54476

Please refer to the blog at http://sendasmile4kids.blogspot.com/ for card guidelines and any other details you may need as well as information on the Send a Smile 4 Kids twice monthly challenges. 

I would be very honored if you could help out this wonderful cause by sending your holiday cards or other child friendly cards to the shipper in your area! They would like to have ALL holiday cards by December 1, 2011... so that they will have time to get them distributed to as many of the hospitals as possible!

Material List

Stamp ~ Digi Doodle Shop - Elf & Train

Designer Paper ~ Out Of My Stash

Card Stock ~ Wausau Papers & Stampin' Up (Elegant Eggplant, Glorious Green, & Real Red)

Stampin' Up Crystal Effects

Ribbon ~ Celebrate It Holiday by Michael's Stores Inc.

3M Foam Tape (To Pop Image Up)

Stickles by Ranger ~ Star Dust

Prisma Colored Pencil Numbers

923, 924, 940, 927, 928, 1093, 941, 946, 908, 909, 910, 1072, 1074, & 1076

I will be entering this card into five different challenges...

• SAS4KIDS Challenge ~ Starting Early - Holiday Wishes 4 our Kids
• Bows N Berries Challenge #13 ~ CAS (Clean And Simple)
• Crafty Boots Challenge ~ Young At Heart
• Heart Song Inspirations Challenge #23 ~ Anything Goes
• My Partner In Crafting Crime Challenge ~ Use A Freebie

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Creating!

Sara

"Lady Of The Past"

Good Morning To Everyone and Happy Labor Day!! Paper Creations Ink has their NEW challenge up, Challenge #8 "Vintage or Distressed Look"! The Digi Doodle Shop is sponsoring their challenge with a $10.00 gift certificate to one lucky person, how cool is that? Also, they will be on the lookout for some new talent to add to the Guest Design Team and some awesome creations to Spotlight!!! The challenge will run until Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 7pm CST... so be sure to get your creations linked up by then! Okay, I won't keep you much longer... I know everyone is very busy these days!!

Material List

Stamp ~ Digi Doodle Shop - 1800 Vintage Dress6

Designer Paper ~ DCWV (Die Cut With A View)

Card Stock ~ Wausau Papers 60# (?) & Stampin' Up (Basic Black)

Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating

Stickles by Ranger ~ Star Dust (My Favorite)

Stampin' Up Crystal Effects

3M Foam Tape

Lace ~ Out Of My Stash

Scor Tape 1/8" (To Adhere Lace)

Rhinestone Strauss ~ Recollections by Michael's Stores Inc.

Prisma Colored Pencil Numbers

1100, 1101, 1102, 923, 924, 925, 941, 946, 947, 935, 938, 927, 1085, 1092, 909, 1059, 1060, 1061, & 1063

I will be entering this creation into ten different challenges...

• Crafting When You Can Challenge #1 ~ Anything Goes ~ Deadline Date & Time: Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 8pm CST
• Creative Inspirations Challenge Final  ~ Must Follow A Set Of 3 (Vintage, Lace, Rhinestones) ~ Deadline Date & Time: Friday, September 9, 2011 at 10pm CST
• I Did It Creations Challenge #71 ~ Girly Girls ~ Deadline Date & Time: Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 5pm CST
• One Stitch At A Time Challenge #78 ~ Use A Digi ~ Deadline Date & Time: Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 6pm CST
• The Order Of The Opus Gluei Challenge #112 ~ Everything Is Coming Up Roses ~ Deadline Date & Time: Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 10:59pm CST
• Catch The Bug Challenge ~ Anything Goes ~ Deadline Date & Time: Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 6am CST
• Just Some Lines Challenge ~ Anything But A Card ~ Deadline Date & Time: Friday, September 9, 2011 at 10:59pm CST
• Mark's Finest Paper Challenge - Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #71 ~ Bring On The Bling ~ Deadline Date & Time: Friday, September 9, 2011 at 2pm CST
• Cuddly Buddly Challenge #10 ~ Vintage, Distressed, & Flowers ~ Deadline Date & Time: Thursday, September 2011 at 2pm CST
• Scrappy Frogs Challenge ~ Time For Some Bling ~ Deadline Date & Time: Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 11:59pm CST

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Creating!

Sara

"Sweet Innocence"

Good Afternoon Everyone! Today is the start of the long Memorial Day weekend, YAY! I am sure most of you have plans, either to travel or stay at home and get things caught up or even maybe have a BBQ! No matter what your plans are please be SAFE! I also want to remind everyone to take a few minutes of silence, to pray and thank all of those soldiers out there that either are not with their families for this holiday or who have served in the past, so we all can be free to do what we like! I know that I personally am very thankful for all that our soldiers have done and will continue to do!!!

This creation is for a friend of mine, Carol... she makes handmade quilts! Her husband's boss and wife just had a little baby girl... Hannah! The colors of the quilt are brown and dark pink, so this is the card that I made for her to give to them! (Did I confuse you? LOL!) This cutie is by the Digi Doodle Shop called "Sleeping Infant"!

Material List

Stamp ~ Digi Doodle Shop - "Sleeping Infant"

Designer Paper ~ Karen Foster Designs

Card Stock ~ Cryogen 89# (Image) & Stampin' Up (Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip, & Pretty In Pink)

Creative Memories Corner Rounder

Ribbon ~ Celebrate It Holiday by Michael's Store's Inc. & Offray / Bow Easy by Posi Bendr Co.

Stickles by Ranger ~ Star Dust

Copic Sketch Markers

E00, E11, E33, E35, E37, RV11, RV13, RV21, RV23, R85, YG09, & W0

I will be entering this creation into five different challenges...

• Simply Scrapping Crafts ~ Copic Challenge Week 2 ~ "Creation With A Purpose" ~ Deadline Date: Friday, June 3, 2011
• Crafty Purple Frog Challenge ~ Things Of Beauty ~ Deadline Date & Time: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 11am CST
• Sentiments Crafty Designs Challenge ~ Special Occasions ~ Deadline Date & Time: Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 4am CST
• Digi Doodle Shops Best ~ Anything Goes ~ Deadline Date & Time:  Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 3pm CST
• Paper Crafting Journey ~ Anything Goes ~ Deadline Date & Time: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 11am CST

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Happy Creating!

Sara

"Bride In Practice"

Hello Everyone! I am late getting this post up, as Blogger seems to being having issues! So I hope this goes well! LOL! Are you ready for the big weekend? I am, we are planning to do some yard work, getting our flowers and vegetables planted, and I want to get some creating done! Sounds like alot; but with two of us, it shouldn't take to long (I hope)! I am thinking that we may even watch a movie! (I hope we don't fall asleep on the couch! LOL!) Okay, enough about our plans! Let's get to the creation, the thing that you stopped in to see! (Hee-Hee)

This beautiful image is by The Stamping Boutique called "Audrey the Flower Girl"! I created this card as an inspiration for the challenge that The Stamping Boutique is holding over at Simply Scrapping Crafts! Yep... That's right, we are having two challenges each month! This is for the second challenge that started on Wednesday, May 18, 2011! The theme is "Wedding-ish"! You are probably wondering why the theme is so goofy... well when you think of Wedding, you normally think of the bride and groom! We wanted to make it all about the whole wedding! Not just spotlighting the Bride & Groom! Different, huh? Good, that is what we were going for! LOL! I hope you decide to join us! You can become a member of Simply Scrapping Crafts here and The Stamping Boutique Group here! Both challenges will end Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at midnight!

Material List

Stamp ~ The Stamping Boutique - Audrey the Flower Girl

Designer Paper ~ Martha Stewart & Best Creations Inc.

Card Stock ~ Cryogen 89# (Image) & Stampin' Up (Baja Breeze & Perfect Plum)

Nestibilities by Spellbinders ~ Classic Oval Large & Beaded Ovals

Punch ~ Martha Stewart (Not Sure The Exact Name)

Sponge Technique ~ Memento Lulu Lavender Ink

Ribbons ~ White by Offray & Pink - Out Of My Stash

Half Pearls ~ Recollections by Michael's Stores Inc.

Stickles by Ranger ~ Star Dust

Heart Metal Embellishment ~ Out Of My Stash

Copic Sketch Markers

R20, E00, E11, E25, E30, E31, E33, E50, RV000, RV00, RV02, BV0000, BV000, BV00, Y00, Y02, BG000, BG01, & B0000

I will be entering this creation into six different challenges...

• Simply Scrapping Crafts ~ Copic Challenge Week 4 ~ "Summer Activity That You Enjoy" ~ Deadline Date: Friday, June 3, 2011
• Mo's Digital Pencil 2 Challenge ~ Pearls & Lace ~ Deadline Date & Time: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 5pm CST
• Sentiments Crafty Designs Challenge ~ Special Occasions ~ Deadline Date & Time: Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 4am CST
• Digi Doodle Shops Best ~ Anything Goes ~ Deadline Date & Time:  Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 3pm CST
• Paper Crafting Journey ~ Anything Goes ~ Deadline Date & Time: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 11am CST
• The Stamping Boutique Monthly Challenge ~ Use Any TSB Image ~ Deadline Date & Time: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 11pm CST

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Happy Creating!

Sara

"A Sign Of Spring"

Good Evening Everyone! It has been one crazy week here in the frozen northwoods! LOL! I have been longing for Spring, so I needed to color one of my favorite flowers! How has your week been, are you ready for Spring too?

This beautiful image is by The Digi Doodle Shop. This creation will be entered into three different challenges! The first challenge being The Digi Doodle Shop's Best. The theme this week is "Nature". (I think everyone is ready for Spring! LOL!) The deadline date and time is Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 3pm CST. So you will have plenty of time make a creation and come join in the fun!

The second challenge that this will be entered into is Priscilla Styles Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #90. Once again, Priscilla has come up with two awesome sketches! One is Fancier and the other is CAS (Clean And Simple). I used the Fancier one as my inspiration. (see below)

The deadline date and time is Monday, February 14, 2011 at 7pm CST. So you will have plenty of time to create a card with one of her sketches. Come on and join in the fun!

The third challenge that this creation will be entered into is Color Me Creative Copic Challenge Group. You MUST be a member in order to take part in challenge #11. Becoming a member is easy, click on the link that I have provided up above, answer the prompts, and join The CMC Copic Challenge Group! The theme of this challenge is "Flowers". (They are really looking for Spring to come!) The deadline date and time is Friday, February 18, 2011 at 11pm CST. There is plenty of time to come and join in the fun here also!

Material List

Stamps ~ Digi Doodle Shop ~ Daffodils (Image)

Designer Paper ~ Lasting Impressions

Card Stock ~ Cryogen 89# (Image) & Stampin' Up (Bashful Blue, Bliss Blue, & Orchid Opulence)

Stampin' Up Ink ~ Bliss Blue / Inkssentials Blending Tool with Foam Pad

Flower Eyelets ~ Stampin' Up (From Years Ago)

DMC Embroidery Floss ~  Out Of My Stash

Flower Charm ~ Out Of My Stash

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder ~ Not Sure The Exact Name

Martha Stewart Punch ~ Not Sure The Exact Name

Ribbon ~ Celebrate It Holiday Line by Michael's Stores Inc.

Flower Rhinestone Embellishment ~ Recollections by Michael's Stores Inc.

Half Pearls ~ Recollections by Michael's Stores Inc.

Stickles by Ranger ~ Yellow & Star Dust

Copic Sketch Markers

Y11, Y13, & Y15 / YR61, YR65, & YR68 / G03, G05, & G07

Atyou Spica Glitter Pen ~ 00 Clear (Details On Petals)

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Creating!

Sara

"First Love"

Whoa! I didn't think I was going to finish this creation in time to submit it into Priscilla Styles Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #85! LOL! It sure has been a day, but I really love my creation! What do you think of it?

Here is the sketch that I used! They always have two sketches, A Glammed Up one and a Clean And Simple (CAS) one!

Material List

Stamps ~ Digi Doodle Shop (Image)

Designer Paper ~ DCVW (Die Cut With a View called Sweethearts)

Card Stock ~ X Press It (Image) & Stampin' Up (Bravo Burgundy, Pretty In Pink, Positively Pink, & Shimmery White)

Punches ~ Martha Stewart Looped Hearts & Lace Hearts

Ribbon ~ Stampin' Up (Mauve Mist) / Bow Easy by Posi Bendr Co.

Heart Rhinestones ~ Recollections by Michael's Stores Inc.

Other Embellishment ~ Out Of My Stash

Stickles by Ranger ~ Star Dust

Copic Sketch Markers

Little Girl ~ Hair ~ E25, E31, & E50

Skin ~ E000, E00, E11, & R20

Dress & Ribbon ~ RV00, RV13, & RV21

Valentine Heart ~ R29

Little Boy ~ Hair ~ Y00, Y11, & Y26

Skin ~ E000, E00, E21, & R20

Shirt ~ B21, B32, & B41

Pants ~ C1, C3, & C5

Flowers ~ G03, Y00, Y02, & YR65

Inside Of Heart ~ RV02

Lace Around Heart ~ RV02 & RV69

Atyou Spica Glitter Pen ~ 00 Clear (Hair, Dress, Valentine Heart, Shirt, Pants, Flowers)

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Happy Creating!

Sara 

"After The Rain, Peaceful & Serene"

Good Morning Everyone! I am a bit behind on getting this creation posted! LOL! This was created for my chiropractor, Becky. She needed a sympathy card and wanted something with a little bit more meaning than just a store bought card. This is what I came up with! What do you think?

Material List

Stamps ~ Digi Doodle Shop (Image) & Stampin' Up ~ Loving Memories Retired Set (Inside Sentiment)

Designer Paper ~ Colorbok (Pine Forest)

Card Stock ~ X Press It (Image) & Stampin' Up (Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, & Garden Green)

Creative Memories Corner Rounder (My favorite)

Sponging Technique ~ Stampin' Up Ink (Garden Green On Lawn)

Gold Half Pearls ~ Recollections by Michael's Stores Inc.

Stickles by Ranger ~ Star Dust

Copic Sketch Markers

Bridge ~ E15, E35, & E55

Water ~ B000, B12, & B41

Rocks ~ E15, E35, & E55

Grasses ~ G05, G07, YG13, & YG17

Flowers ~ R29, YR68, & Y08

Atyou Spica Glitter Pen ~ 00 Clear (Everything Except Lawn Area)

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Happy Creating!

Sara 

"Make A Wish, There Are Fairies"

Good Afternoon To All! I hope your New Year's Celebrations were wonderful! I don't know about all of you; but I will be happy to get back to my normal routine! LOL! I do so much better with structure! Today, I have a new type of project to share with you! Okay, so it really isn't something new; but new to me! LOL! Instead of creating a card... I have created a picture! My very first one, I am so excited! I think it turned out really well, what do you think?

 Let me start out by saying, Holy Cow! I had no real clue what I was doing! LOL! The idea sprang from a wonderful sketch from Priscilla Style's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #82. It was such a wonderful sketch to work with! (Okay... I have to be honest... I am learning how to print out digi stamps and well... I made the image way to big for a card with all the goodies I wanted to add! There you got me! LOL!)

But no matter what, I love it! I will be submitting this picture into the challenge, which ends today! Yikes! The deadline time is 7pm CST! 

This beautiful fairy is one from the Digi Doodle Shop. That reminds me, the other day I told you about their 50% off all digi's for the month of December; well if you missed out... I have awesome news! Judy and her Mother have decided to extend the 50% off sale for another 2 WEEKS! Isn't that wonderful? With that said... the sale will last until January 15, 2011!!! I will also be submitting this creation into the store's challenge blog... The Digi Doodle Shop's Best. The theme of challenge #39 is "Anything Goes". You still have time to submit a creation, the deadline date is January 5, 2011!  

There are two other challenges that I will be submitting this creation to...

Top Tip Tuesday ~ Challenge #15 "Get Embellishing" Deadline is today at 9:30pm CST

and

Copic Creations ~ Challenge #41 "Sparkle" Deadline is January 14, 2011 at 12pm CST

I hope that you will come join in on the fun of these wonderful challenges!!

Material List

Stamps ~ Digi Doodle Shop (Image)

Designer Paper ~ Karen Foster Designs

Card Stock ~ X Press It (Image) & Stampin' Up (Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, & Bashful Blue)

Lace ~ All Out Of My Stash

White Half Pearls ~ Recollections (Michael's Stores Inc.)

Stickles by Ranger ~ Star Dust (On Wings, Edges Of Lace & Flowers, & Around The Different Layers)

Ranger Distress Ink (Spun Sugar) / Ranger Inkssentials Blending Tool With Foam Pad

Ribbon ~ Stampin' Up (Mauve Mist)

Creative Memories Corner Rounder Punch

Flowers ~ Offray Stylish Accents

Copic Sketch Markers

Dress & Shoes ~ B21, B32, & 41

Wings ~ BV00, BV11, & V17 / V01, V12, & V15

Hair ~ E25, E31, & E50

Skin ~ E000, E00, & E21

Make-Up ~ V01, V15, B21, R20, & R83

Shadow ~ RV91 & B000

Atyou Spica Glitter Pen ~ 00 Clear (Dress, Wings, Shoes, Hair, & Make-Up)

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Happy Creating!

Sara

"The Cowboy Way Of Life"

Good Afternoon Everyone! Today I have a new creation to share with you, one that is in a completely different direction for me. Recently my brother, Randy has opened Rocky Run Saddle Tack & Trailer in Gleason, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Donna have a large selections of saddles, tack, and other related items! If you are a horse enthusiast and are in need of anything, feel free to contact Randy or Donna Ryan via Email or Phone: 715-873-4582. (They are willing to ship items via UPS, just contact them for details!) Now you understand the reason for me trying something new! LOL! 

I created this wonderful cowboy card using the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I really enjoy creating with their wonderful sketches, they help me to bring my thoughts together and I always end up with an awesome card! I will be submitting this card into their challenge #82. Don't despair as you have plenty of time to submit your own creation using this sketch. The close date and time is Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8pm CST.

You're most likely wondering where I found such a wonderful cowboy image... Well I will tell you... at the Digi Doodle Shop. Judy and her Mother are the artists behind all of these wonderful digi stamps! I am sure you will find something that you love and there customer service is top notch! Also, currently they are having a 50% sale for the month of December! You still have another day to take advantage of this sale! I will be submitting this card to their store challenge blog, Digi Doodle Shop's Best. The theme of challenge #39 is "Anything Goes". The deadline for this challenge is Wednesday, January 5, 2011. So you will have plenty of time to shop their sale and submit your creation! I hope you decide to come and join in on the fun!

Material List

Stamps ~ Digi Doodle Shop (Image)

Designer Paper ~ Out Of Stash & Imitation Leather Fabric

Card Stock ~ X Press It & Stampin' Up (Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, & Handsome Hunter)

Nestabilities by Spellbinders ~ Petite Oval Large & Petite Scalloped Oval Large

Ranger Distress Ink (Weathered Wood & Faded Jeans) / Ranger Inkssentials Blending Tool with Foam Pad

Punch ~ Stampin' Up

Suede Cord ~ Darice Jewelry Essentials Naturals

Silver Half Pearls ~ Recollections (Micheal's Stores Inc.)

Copic Sketch Markers

Cowboy ~ Hat, Vest, Belt, & Boots ~ E71, E74, E77, & E79

Shirt ~ B60, B63, & B66

Jeans ~ B91, B95, & B97

Hair ~ E25, E31, & E50

Skin ~ E000, E00, E21, & R02

Mug ~ C0, C3, & C5 

Log ~ E13, E15, E17, & E18

Grass ~ G09, G19, & G29

Fire Pit ~ Rocks ~ E71, E74, E77, & E79 / E11, E13, E15, E17, & E18

Flames ~ Y000, Y11, Y38, & R08

Coffee Pot ~ C0, C3, & C5

Ground ~ E71, E74, E77, & E79 / E11, E13, E15, E17, & E18

Shadow ~ B60 & C0

Atyou Spica Glitter Pen ~ 00 Clear (Fire Pit, Flames, Coffee Pot, Mug, & Accents On The Clothes)

As always thanks for stopping by, if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message with a way to contact you (email or blog address)!

Happy New Year and Happy Creating!

Sara