High Hopes challenge #96

Yes, that's right --I am participating in the High Hopes challenge this week!! Shamefully, I don't think I've done a challenge card since I left the design team . Time to get back to them!

This week's challenge is to use BUTTONS!! Or....in my case...BUTTON.




I used Christmas Kitty Fun --which you can purchase at 7 Kids College Fund RIGHT HERE. (She just got a whole boatload of new High Hopes stamps --check out her whole selection HERE). The kitties are colored with Prismas ---& I added lots of Stickles to the hat. I also stamped the edges with a stamp I got at Michael's last year for just a dollar. Love their dollar stamps! The papers are Basic Grey Wassail (one of my favorite collections --I have 3 pads! And I actually USE them!!). I had picked up some doilies at Walmart a while back & I keep forgetting to use them --so I sponged the edge of one & tucked it under the image. Added some stitching....some flowers.....some pearls....& of course THE BUTTON!!





I tried to color them like 2 orange tabbies ---in honor of my beloved Jake & Elwood. You can see their picture in my sidebar, they are 15 years old & have been with us since they were 8 weeks old!! Hard to believe there was a time that THEY would play with wrapping paper & boxes. Acutally, Elwood *still* gets giddy when there's tissue paper lying on the floor ----he'll play for about 5 minutes, then sleep for 8 hours, lol!!

Thanks so much for visiting --go check out the fun challenge & the design team's amazing cards on the High Hopes blog HERE!

High Hopes challenge 69 - little gems

Hello & Happy Sunday!! Only a week until Easter....& more importantly....SPRING BREAK!! We are not even going anywhere but I am looking forward to a week of not rushing around! The school year can get so crazy!!



This week's High Hopes challenge is little gems......we are to add rhinestones or pearls to our project. I didn't post my card on the High Hopes blog because as it happens, my card is very similar to Alex's card. I was about to upload my card into the file last night, when I saw hers...same image, same color, same little pearls for the necklace. So.... since I didn't want to be a copycat (although I swear I hadn't even seen her card before I did mine, lol) I decided not to add mine. But I am showing it here!! I love Dress Up Danni....& you can get her HERE at 7 Kids College Fund! I used Copic markers & Prisma pencils to color the image. The papers are Basic Grey Kioshi....I don't usually use any kind of purple but these papers are so pretty! I added glitter to her shoes...pearls to her necklace....& the GORGEOUS Sugar Sparkly Fluff to her boa.




A couple of close ups of Danni.....don't you wish YOU had a pair of sparkly purple shoes?





Hopefully you can see the Sparkly Fluff in this picture....you can see all the colors available at 7 Kids HERE. I love this stuff & will need them *all*!!

I hope you all have a splendid Sunday, & a great week. It's supposed to be reallllly nice here this week.....it may even hit 70 on Thursday....so we definitely have spring fever here!!!!

High Hopes challenge 67 ~ things with wings

Hello & Happy Sunday to all!! It's been a busy weekend & I'm looking forward to relaxing today! If you call helping with homework, cleaning & doing laundry relaxing :)

Today's High Hopes challenge is Things with Wings....use anything with wings on your card....butterfly, bird, ANGEL....





I used one of the many fun High Hopes angels....Bethany Angel. She's colored with Copics (notice I've been using those more often??)....& I used my new Sparkly Fluff from Our Craft Lounge. The color I used is Sugar, & you can get it at 7 Kids College Fund. (See all the fun colors HERE. I also got the Appletini Green. The name alone was enough for me!!) The papers are SU's Sage Shadow & Basic Grey Nook & Pantry. I inked the edges with Sage Shadow ink, then Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. The "thank you" is from Hanna Stamps....the butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch...& all the flowers are Primas.






Tried to get a close up to show all the details....but I don't think this photo shows *any* of the details, lol.





I sprayed all the flowers & the butterfly with my Pearl Glimmer Mist.....that & those adorable little flowers are my new favorite toys...I'm using them on everything!!






Also tried to get a good pic of the Sparkly Fluff.....don't know if you can see it but it is AWESOMELY pretty!! How can you not love this stuff....it's like Fun Flock & glitter in one!! Hey....at least you can see the shimmer from the Glimmer Mist in this picture!!

Be sure to check out the High Hopes blog....lots of fun creations!! Hope you can join in on this fun challenge!!

This card is a thank you card for my son's den leader. She's been his leader for 3 years & this week he crosses over into Boy Scouts. I'm very grateful to her for all she's done. And I'm so proud of my son for sticking with Scouts. He's learned so much, & he is joining a phenomenal Boy Scout troop. I'm excited for him & for all the experiences that lie ahead!

Hope you all have a great week!!

High Hopes challenge 66 ~ stars

Hello friends!! Welcome to another High Hopes challenge!! Today's hostess is Danielle....& the challenge is to use stars on your card or project!



I used Summer's Sweetness...isn't she a cutie? I sure wish I was sitting in my nice pretty green grass eating watermelon! I colored her with Copic markers.....the papers are from My Mind's Eye & Cosmo Cricket...I paper pieced her dress & hair bows. I used my Martha doily lace border punch on the bottom & my icicle punch for the grass.....hand cut the star....oh how I was wishing I had a star punch or die, lol. I also added a silver star clip to the ribbon. Oh....& I used Star Dust Stickles on the edge of her dress...that counts too, right? :)




***Don't forget that you can order High Hopes stamps from 7 Kids College Fund!! If it's not listed in the store, email them to special order it!!! Click HERE for special order instructions!

Remember to link your creation to the High Hopes blog comments for a chance to win some High Hopes yumminess!! Have a great Sunday!!

HH challenge #64....texture!

Happy Sunday everyone! I am just as surprised as you are that I got a card done for today's High Hopes challenge...I was pretty sure I wasn't going to have time & in retrospect I should have skipped it! Oh my gosh, this card gave me fits like you wouldn't believe!! But I won....I finished it...& in time, too!!!

Today's High Hopes challenge hostess is guest Diva Melanie, & she is asking us to add texture to our card or project.




I used another fabulous Crissy Armstrong bunny on my card, Posing Bunny. I tried watercoloring twice....& both attempts ended up in the garbage. No matter how much I practice or how hard I try, I will never be good at it. So....Prismas it was!! I did stamp the image on Cryogen white shimmery paper, so the whole thing is sparkly pretty. I wasn't planning on cutting the image out, but after making yet another error, I had to!! The 2 embossed layers are cut with my Nesties Labels 4 dies. The papers are SU's Basic Gray, Sage Shadow & Cosmo Cricket Everafter. The flower in the corner is made with the same organdy ribbon the heart charm is hanging from....I've seen this on many blogs...you just thread some ribbon, gather it in a circle & secure it. I don't know how secure mine is....I was in a bit of a rush....so if anyone breathes on this card it may just come undone!!






And the final bit of texture....the Liquid Applique on the tail.






Close up of the ribbon flower. I'm sure if you look closely enough you can even see the thread strands behind it, lol!!

Be sure to check out the High Hopes blog for all the other great creations! Thanks for visiting, & enjoy your Sunday!!

High Hopes challenge ~ a recipe

Hello & welcome to another High Hopes challenge! Today's challenge is brought to us by the incredible Sirpa....& she gave us a recipe! 3 dp.....3 flowers.....& 3 buttons!




I used Sting, one of the new release stamps from Dustin Pike. The papers I chose to use are SU's Soft Suede & Prima Marketing's Breathe Collection. I used my oval Nesties to cut & matte the image, & lots of Stickles on his wings & his flower. I really had to scrounge through my tiny stash of buttons to find 3 that would match, lol! But I think I got it covered.....3 dp....check!!! 3 flowers....check!! And 3 buttons...check check!!!





Be sure to visit the High Hopes blog to see all the other fabulous creations! I hope you can join in this fun challenge!! If you do, be sure to leave a link over there to be entered to win some HH goodness!!

Don't forget,You can buy High Hopes stamps at 7 Kids College Fund....click HERE to see all that is available in the store. Also check out all the fun new stuff she has in the store, including some new Shimmerz products.....some Greeting Farm stamps....Distress Ink reinkers.... Click HERE to see all the new goodies Tab has added to her store!!

Hope you all have a great Sunday & a Happy Valentines Day!!

High Hopes challenge 61 ~ Valentines!

Good morning!! It's Sunday again & time for another High Hopes challenge!! This week's challenge is to make a Valentine!! Easy, right?? You all were going to make at least one anyway!!



For my card I used Love Birds. The image is colored with Copics.....lots of Stickles on the heart because the coloring didn't turn out so well, lol. I decided to use my heart shaped Nesties to make the card base & all the layers. The papers are DCWV & Basic Grey Sugar Rush. Very basic....but a pleasant Valentine all in all.




Here's a close up of the lovey dovey birds, & the botched....I mean.... glittery heart!





I stamped the Owl Always Love You sentiment on the inside.






This week's prize is Troubled Travis....so if you make a Valentine with a High Hopes image, be sure to link it up to the comments on this post for your chance to win!!

Thanks for visiting, & have a great Sunday!!

Challenge #60 ~ create a scene

Good Sunday morning to ya!! It's High Hopes challenge day, & today's hostess is one of our guest designers, Alex!! The challenge is to create a scene using 3 or more stamps. A tough one for me...I don't usually do scenes...but I guess that's what makes it a challenge!!




I chose Sitting Princess, Frog Prince, & the previously uninked Reflecting Pond. Remember that 7 Kids College Fund carries High Hopes stamps now! I don't see these particular images in the store right now, but Tab is happy to order whatever stamps you want!!

I used Prismas to color (I had done an image using distress inks......into the garbage that one went!! I should really just stick to pencils!)....Lots of Stickles on the crown & tiara....Crystal Effects & glitter on the water....the papers are SU's Old Olive, Rose Red & K&Company McKenna. I used my Martha doily lace border punch on the rose layer....my branch & flower punches for the corner cluster....& finished it with 3 half pearls.





The photos aren't the best, I had to use my lightbox since it was such a dreary day. The Stickles sure do shine in that closeup, lol!!

Be sure to check out the High Hopes blog to see the other creations...& if you play along you can be entered to win some High Hopes goodies for your very own!!!

Have a great Sunday!!

High Hopes challenge 59 ~~ a spacey sneakie peek!

Good Sunday morning to you all!! I hope you are having a great weekend!! Today's High Hopes challenge is brought to us by Jeanne ~~ & the challenge is to use spacey colors ~ blue, green & purple! Today is also the first day of the sneakie peekies!!! The new release is Wednesday......be sure to check out all the Divas blogs for a glimpse at some awesome new images!!




Here is my very first card done with the new release!! I don't know the name of this stamp yet.....when I find out I will edit this post....but isn't he the cutest little 3 eyed critter you've ever seen?? I colored him with Prismas.....used SU's Garden Green, Tempting Turquoise (this used to be my favorite color long ago, but haven't touched it in probably a year!) & Elegant Eggplant. The designer paper is from the Basic Grey Junebug line....although it's not in the little 6x6 pad ....this is a 12x12 sheet I picked up at my LSS. The colors were perfect! I used my Oval Nesties (leaving a bit of the rocket "dust" outside of the oval).....lots of Stickles.....sewed around the edge of the paper twice.....& used the most obnoxious ribbon I could find in my stash. It's one of the first spools I bought....it's an iridescent purplish green...what was I thinking...but it worked well as the finishing touch for this card.





I hope you can play along!! Be sure to check out the High Hopes blog for everyone else's creations for inspiration...& as always you can enter to win a couple of High Hopes goodies of your very own!!

**ALL of the new release stamps will be available at 7 Kids College Fund starting on Wednesday, the official release day!!!!

I will be back tomorrow with another sneakie peek....hope you can visit!!!

High Hopes Challenge 58 ~ bows

Good Sunday morning, my blogger friends!! Can you believe I completely FORGOT about the High Hopes challenge this week?? Good grief....I was reading my email last night & the other Divas were chatting about the challenge......gasp! I forgot!! With all the talk about new releases & sneakie peekies......it just slipped my mind. I didn't think I could get one done, but it turns out....if I ignore my computer & stay focused....I *can* finish a card in a reasonable amount of time!!

So this week's challenge is Put A Bow On It....brought to us by Karen, our Wacky Diva!!! I couldn't miss out on this challenge.....easy peasy!!




I used an adorable image from last year that hadn't seen ink yet (I say that a lot, don't I?). This is Matchmakin' Maynard. He's colored with Prismas....glitter added to his wings....papers are SU's Old Olive & K&Company's Que Sera Sera....I used my Oval Nesties to cut & matte the image....Martha Stewart heart border punch...& my NEW Martha lace scallop heart punch! Don't you love it? I was just chatting with some friends & we were talking about all the new Martha punches.....& I thought this one was cute, but I said I didn't need it because I have the Heart Nesties. Well, can you believe I was at Michael's yesterday, & the bugger just fell into my cart! It wanted to come home with me! What's a girl to do? Martha....you're killing me!!




Here's a close up of Mr Maynard.....can ya see the sparkly on his wings??

I hope you can play along this week!! Go to the High Hopes blog to check out what the rest of the Divas created, & to enter to win a couple of yummy HH goodies!! Namely, Chef Pierre & the Lovin' from my Oven sentiment pictured below!! Perfect for Valentines Day....coming up quickly!!!!!






Thanks so much for visiting.....enjoy your Sunday!!

High Hopes challenges are back!!!

I am so excited that we have resumed the Sunday High Hopes challenges!!! Today's challenge is brought to us by our fearless Diva leader Nikki & it's a sketch!! You know how much I *love* sketches!!

Unfortunately, ever since I downloaded the latest version of Firefox, I can't right-click anything. I usually like to post the sketch here, but today you'll have to go HERE to see it. (You'll want to go there anyway to see everyone else's fabulous work!!)

Here is my first card using the sketch......



I used Penguin Family Fun....colored it with Copics....cut & matted it with my Circle Nesties. The papers are SU's Old Olive, Bazzill Dots, & Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses. I used my Giga Marvy snowflake punch to punch the flake from the same Bazzill Dots paper & edged it with Diamond Stickles. I finished the card with some tulle, some glittery snowflake buttons (from Joann, I believe) & 3 half pearls in the corner.






Because that card didn't exactly turn out as I had pictured it, I did another one!! Yes, can you believe it?? TWO CARDS for ONE CHALLENGE!! That never happens!! What can I say, I was feeling energetic!

Here is my second card.....




For this card I stamped Frances Owl onto SU'S Naturals White paper, colored her with Prismas & cut her out with my Blossom Nesties. I wasn't planning on cutting the image out, but something went horribly wrong when I embossed....I had a bunch of little lines & shapes everywhere, like the die shifted as it went through my Cuttlebug. It looked horrible. So I cut it out, & mounted it onto a die cut from SU'S Naturals Ivory paper.....it went better with the other papers anyway, lol!! Speaking of which.....the papers I used are SU's Old Olive (sponged with an Olive chalk ink to make the edges a bit darker) & K&Company's MCKenna. I added the Guess Who sentiment to the layer in the back......added some FUN shaggy ribbon (reminds me of carpet, lol) with a flower, & some Dew Drops to the 2 corners.





Enjoy it folks.....2 cards for one challenge will probably NEVER happen again, lol!!

Don't forget that you can order High Hopes stamps from 7 Kids College Fund now!! Even if they are not listed in the store, you can email Tab & let her know what you'd like, & she will include it with her next order from them! I will let you know when she will be ordering again!!

Don't forget to check the High Hopes blog to see everyone else's work....as always there are a couple of goodies up for grabs so if you join in please link your card over there!!!!

And if anyone has any suggestions as to how to fix my right-click dilemma, I'd love to hear it!!

Have a great Sunday.......it's FREEZING here in Wisconsin......now that the holidays are over I'm ready for spring!!!!!


EDITED.........right click problem FIXED!!!! Turns out there is a problem with the Yahoo toolbar.....so I disabled it & restarted my computer & VOILA.....right click is working again!!! Just in case you know someone who's having the same problem!!!!!!

High Hopes challenge #55

Ok, I am wayyyyyyyy late with this card!! This is for LAST week's High Hopes challenge, which was a sketch. I am just so out of it....although I am feeling better since I started taking sinus medicine....but now I feel so behind in EVERYTHING & I can't seem to catch up!!



It's a great sketch!! Thanks to our hostess Jeanette for creating it!! I used Canadian Christmas Greetings (remember you can order High Hopes stamps from 7 Kids College Fund now!! If you don't see what you want, let Tab know & she'll add it to her next order!!). ....colored with Prismas & gamsol....papers are SU's Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke & Basic Grey Figgy. The Artichoke layer is embossed with the Cuttlebug Snowflake folder.....leaves are Martha Stewart punch....& the poinsettias are from Prima.





Short & sweet....I have so much to do! It is so cold here....& white. 3 days ago it was in the upper 50's! That's just rude! Our bodies need time to acclimate to this freezing cold weather!! I hope its warmer where you are!! Have a great weekend!!!

High Hopes challenge #54 ~ SANTA!!

Good morning!! Time for another High Hopes challenge!! This week our hostess is our guest Diva Michelle! She is asking us to use a Santa image on our card.



I chose Tropical Santa for my card.....remember you can now order High Hopes stamps from 7 Kids College Fund. And if you don't see what you are looking for, let Tab know & she will special order it! In fact, she is taking orders RIGHT NOW .....if you have an order please CHECK OUT THIS POST for instructions....you can order until Monday, November 23rd!

Ok, back to the card!! I colored Mr. Claus with Prismas & gamsol.....using oranges & blues since he's on the beach relaxing.....he's thinking "enough of that red & green crap"....lol....so of course his hat is orange & his candy cane is orange & that goes against everything Christmas....but hey I had to make it all match!! I did sponge the sand & sky, but I should have done it a bit darker....it didn't really show up in my picture. If it's not the reds giving me trouble, it's something else I tell ya!! The papers are Basic Grey Ambrosia....the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink....& the swirls are Quickutz.





I clear embossed his glasses, glass & candy cane....used Fun Flock on his hat.....& gave him a little sunburn...Santa forgot his SPF40!!

Please check out the High Hopes blog to see what everyone else came up with!! And as always, if you play along you can be entered to win a little HH goodie!!

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!! The weather has been fabulous here....perfect for delivering all those wreaths our neighbors ordered through Scouts!! And I may even get some Xmas lights up outside. That's usually hubby's job, but he always complains about it & I always learn a few new words when he does it.....sometimes it's better to just do it myself! I've heard the LED lights are FAB so I'm going to go get some of those! Our neighbors used them for the first time last year & he said not only can you string a whole bunch together without blowing a fuse....but they are brighter & use wayyyyyyy less electricity. I'm all for that!!!

HH challenge #53

Well, only 2 days late, lol!! I swear the challenge for me is getting it done on time!!

As you may recall, the High Hopes challenge from Sunday was a recipe.....we were to use 3 flowers, 2 brads & a sentiment.




I used the adorable Holly the Winter Fairy, along with the Fairy Merry Christmas sentiment (remember you can now order High Hopes from 7 Kids College Fund.....if it's not listed in the store, be sure to email Tab & she will special order it with her next order!). She's colored with Prismas & gamsol.... & I added LOTS of sparkly glitter to her wings. The papers are SU's Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, & K&Company's Peppermint Twist. The RHR oval was embossed with the Cuttlebug snowflake folder, & the green strip was punched with my Martha Stewart Icicle punch.





My pictures look funny. It was very overcast by the time I got around to taking the photos, so I used my (homemade....complete with a paper towel covering, lol) light box. Turned out better than the pics I took by the patio door.....but they still look off. I need to take a photography class JUST so I can learn how to photograph red!!

Thanks so much for being patient with me!! I hope you have a fabulous week....can you believe Thanksgiving is just over a week away???? Eeeeeek!!!! Time for my anxiety attack to begin!!!