Three Challenges in One!

Alright, it sure isn't often that you just hit that SWEET spot when crafting, but everything lined up JUST right to make this special birthday card and it all started with this simple-tastic sketch from Jen for Freshly Made Sketches...

It also started with a great little bit of theme and color inspiration with this picture from the MCT Challenge!

The card was going to be for my daughter's birthday next month, so I selected just the perfect paper from Close to My Heart called Seaside.

The paper strip at the top is from the Blossom Paper Packet also from CTMH.

I knew right away when I saw the sketch that I wanted to use my neglected Paper Smooches Happy Birthday die for the sentiment...

If you read my blog regularly, you might know my big kid went off to college this past year for the first time EVER. Her campus has a very unique system of transportation via yellow bikes that you just grab and go.  I could not WAIT to use the MCT Way to Go dies to make one for the card!  She is going to LOVE it!

I used Canary CS from CTMH and a black from my stash that has a little bit of a texture.

I always like to add a bit of sparkle to my cards, and the almond glitter glitz gel I used for the sand is actually on clearance on my website right now!  :)

I cannot believe I made it work for all three challenges this week!  Thanks to all the DTs for all the amazing inspiration each month, and thanks to YOU for peeking in on me today!  :)

A Lawn Fawn Shaker Card

Hello my fellow paper addicts lovers! 

I had a special card to make for a special Grandmother this weekend.  Her 91 year old body is suddenly acting its age, and she could use a smile or two.  I decided it was time to leap into the world of shaker cards for this one!

I love finally digging into my acetate packaging stash from all those cricut cartridges I have collected!  ;)  I used the Lawn Fawn Into the Woods Pattern Papers and Sequin Mix from last fall, Get Well Soon stamps and dies, You're a Hoot stamps and dies, and my freebie "sending hugs" sentient.  The jar dies are from PS, and the inks, CS, and Glitter Paper are all Close to My Heart.  

I  think the little leaves in the shaker jar are the perfect addition for this season.  The little band-aids were the perfect size to add!  Yay! 

Paper-piecing is just what the doctor ordered to dress up this little birdie...

I used my thin foam tape for this one, but will try the thicker version next time to get a little more "shake" to my shaker!  ;)   Either way, I am pretty sure Grandma will be smiling soon! 

Anything Goes!

This has been a long week so far, my friends.  First, my anniversary plans were put on indefinite hold by the relentless snow.  Since then, my youngest has been home sick, and I am fighting with all my might to not get what she's got.  Right now, I am listening to the wind howl outside like it was spring or something, so forget about sleep.

I finally did work in a bit of crafty time today, so I played along with the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge to make a little card to cheer my sweetie up.  This week, thank goodness, Anything Goes!

One of my must have Paper Smooches stamp sets is called Slang Gang.  I seriously had to have this one to make cards that the younger generation understands, lol.  Oooops, there I go!  ;)

I wanted to break as far away from the snow and winter themes as I could, so out came the Crystal Clear stamps and matching dies...

My cup O "Sup?" needed ice cubes, but I don't have an app for that...I mean stamp!  All this lingo these days has my brain jumbled!  Well, what is a crafty girl to do?  Well, duh!  Get out the Close to My Heart Shimmer Trim!  I love how it looks as cold, hard ice! 

Well, I suppose I digressed back to the cold of winter, so now I needed to summer it up...with this amazing cloud washi!  No clue what brand this is...but I got it at Archiver's before they closed.   This Slate and White twine from the Close to My Heart Baker's Twine Neutral Metallic Assortment has a silver thread in it that is the perfect partner for the glitter cubes.

You know how kids will ask you the same thing over and over again?  Yep--totally took that and ran with it on the inside...she will understand even if I don't, hahaha!

I hope it at least distracts her from feeling crummy right now.  Her favorite color is yellow, so I have that going for me!  Thanks for popping in to see me today, and please come back anytime!  I might be able to make something again soon, lol!  ;)

Mojo Monday 331 with Ivy Lane

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog posts with a quick challenge entry!  This one does double-duty today.  I recently received some new Paper Smooches stamps and dies, and when I saw the sketch for Mojo Monday 331, I knew EXACTLY what to do with them!  :)

I have had my eye on several different brands of jar stamps/dies, but the Paper Smooches version, Crystal Clear, finally won me over.  I thought this sketch was certainly begging for it--don't you?

I used the patterns in the Ivy Lane Paper Packet for bit of feminine flair on this card with the recipient in mind.  I created a jar full of hugs by adding a label shape from my leftover Cricut cuts--this one is found on the Cricut Artiste Cartridge exclusively from your friendly CTMH consultant, like ME!  ;)  The hand-drawn boarder I added matches the adorable stamped tag that I tied onto the jar with the brand new CTMH Baker's Twine Neutral Metallic Assortment.  I love the added bit of silver in there to go with the Silver Geometric Washi Tape I used to covered the jar lid.

The hugs sentiment on the jar label is from the Paper Smooches We Connect acrylic set.  I found that tiny heart on another new PS stamp set of mine, Scripty Sayings.  It was just the perfect addition to the tag since it complemented my lopsided hearts so well!  :)

Now, lets talk about these hearts.  The "lop" heart image is found on the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge that is also exclusively available from Close to My Heart.  ;)  I used three different sizes cut on REAL dial size--2, 1.5, and 1 inch, then inked all the patterned papers with Hollyhock ink on the edges to give it some separation. 

Now, I know this is not going to sound like me, but I wanted to keep the sparkle on this one to a minimum due to the circumstances behind the card.  The Flamingo Dots and retired Licorice Opaques were the perfect embellishments to add in this case.

Finally, I needed an element for that diagonal on the sketch.  I really wanted to draw in the grey color a bit more, so I grabbed my trusty Slate Striped Twist Ties!  I thought a little twisty embellishment would look nice in the heart cluster as well.

I am linking up with Mojo Monday as well as the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Blog for Anything Goes!  

Thanks for letting me sneak in another post today!  :)