Quick and Easy Boy Card

This is the second card I whipped up in a flash... I had already picked the challenges I was going to use, so it was easy to jump in, but with limited time, I had to change my vision to something simpler and faster.
After cutting and embossing the base, I laid the white layer down and arranged the Tape It stamps face down on it, and then stuck my F clear block onto them to lock them into place. Then I colored the stamps with markers (since they were too close together for ink pads), and stamped the whole shebang at once. Then a quick sentiment punched out and some Candy Dot brad stickers... easy peasy, lemon squeezy!!

Challenges I used:

Just Add Ink - (see sketch below)
Color Throwdown - (see palette below)
Little Red Wagon - Seeing Spots
Seize The Birthday - Birthday
Cardz 4 Guyz - Bingo (Blue, Image, Brads)

The Perfect Elmo Card

You know those days when you realize you haven't made a card yet, for a very special kid's birthday and you're almost out of time, but you don't want to give them a stash card that isn't right for them? That happened to me TWICE this party filled weekend! The first was for my sweet nephew's 2nd birthday... this boy LOVES Elmo, and I've seen Elmo cards like this before, and could see how simple they look to make, so I figured it wouldn't take long at all. And really, the part that took the longest was trying on different size circle punches/diecuts until I felt like the proportions were just right.

I used the Circles Collection Framelits large scallop for the head, and also for the base (Basic Black cardstock, scored and folded, and then cut with the die top above the fold, so there was it could open without falling apart). I sponged the edge for "furry" texture and then cut and pasted the other circles (and half circle) until it looked just right. And although I'm very familiar with Elmo, I did get my kids' opinions to make sure I chose the best sizes, lol ;)

Strong as a Tree

This card mutated a few times as I created it, but it ended up looking better than what I imagined originally, so it was worth the "restarts" ;) I just LOVE this stamp!!! Great for Father's day, dad's birthdays and scrapbooking dad/kid moments. Have I mentioned how sad I am that the Co'redinations are saying goodbye? I REALLY love them!!!

Challenges I used:

Create with Connie and Mary - (see sketch below)
Sweet Stamps - Embossing
Ruby's Rainbow - Recipe (button, twine, embossing)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes

Vintage, Fresh and Elegant

Since my June club will be focused on new In Colors and new goodies, I decided to do a Mother's Day card AND a Father's Day card this month... here's the Mother's Day card.

I wanted to show off some of my favourite retiring (but hopefully not sold out yet!) stuff while I still have the chance. I used the En Francais background stamp on the Naturals Ivory, and the Modern Medley DSP for a vintage look, along with ivory pearls. I also really wanted to play along with the DIY flower challenge, instead of just stamping and punching, so I decided to pull out my clay and molds (which thankfully are NOT retiring)! I'm SO glad I did, because these flowers really MAKE the card... I'm in love with how it all looks together!! With a small batch of clay embellishments, I usually either mix a bit of clay with a few drops of ink, or leave it white and sponge and/or marker the color on after they're dried, but since I had to premake the flowers for club, I made each flower with white, carefully popped them out right aways and then spritzed them with inked water. Then I pushed the center pearl in right away so they would dry into the flowers.

Challenges I used:

Handstamped Sentiments - (see sketch below, but link-up expired so I couldn't enter)

Color Throwdown - (see palette below)

Pause Dream Enjoy - Flowers

Little Red Wagon - DIY Flowers

Just Add Ink - (see image below)

Inspired By - (see image below)