Teachers, You RULE!

Hello!  Happy (day after) Teacher' Appreciation Day!  I whipped up a couple of cards for Kayne's Kindergarten teacher and aide and I wanted to share them!  Of course I went with Saturated Canary images!  Because CUTE!  For Kayne's teacher I used Back to School Boy.  He is colored with Copics and cut using Classic Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  I used the sketch from the latest Digi Sketch Challenge as my layout.  Papers are from the Grade School stack (DCWV).  I selected a sentiment from the Teacher's Pet stamp set (My Favorite Things) and cut it with Labels Twenty One Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  I finished up with a button and baker's twine bow and a notebook edge punch (EK Success).  We popped a Staples gift card inside before delivering it so that Mr. M could buy some things for the classroom on us! 

 

And we couldn't leave out the lovely aide!  She was treated to vibrant bouquet of primary colored daisies and this card! 

I used another Saturated Canary cutie!  This is Beautiful World colored with Copics and cut using Romantic Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  I created a sentiment using the same Teacher's Pet stamp set and stamped it directly on the image panel.  The Sketch Saturday (#359) sketch inspired me to use baker's twine in my design.  Papers are Something Wonderful (Teresa Collins) and I've added a crystal button for a bit of sparkle.

This whole week is Teacher's Appreciate Week (and Nurse's Appreciation Week too as it turns out!)  Take a moment to thank the ones in your life!

Copics used:
Back to School Boy (E00, E04, E11, E21, E23, E31, E79, R20, R35, R37, R39, R89, G94, G99, B00, B02, B04, B06, B2, B34)
Beautiful World (E00, E04, E11, E21, E23, E27, E31, E51, G94, R20, R81, R83, R85, N0, B00, B02, Y32, Y35)

Challenges:
- Digi Sketch Challenge: Buttons and Bows

{hugs}
Regan

Holy Smokes, Batman! Look Who's 5!

At 8:09am five years ago today, my life changed forever and I became a mom.  I have watched him grow and change and today, as we rush off to school at that same exact time, I can't help but think about how fast time goes by.  When did my small man get so big?!?!

I wanted to share the birthday card I made for him.  I always ask him what he would like on his card.  This year the answer was Batman.  I was a little sad it wasn't Star Wars as that is the theme of his presents and cake (also by his request), but it's his birthday so Batman it is!  I colored up Teen Scene Goes Hollywood Christian the Dark Hero from Simply B Stamps for the occasion.  He is colored with Copics, fussy cut, popped up on foam squares, and layered on top of a Classic Ovals Nestabilities from Spellbinders.  Papers are Recollections - Comic Hero.  The sketch is courtesy of Digi Sketch Challenge.   They have an optional theme as well but I didn't follow that this time.  I used a Martha Stewart bat border punch as well as the city skyline Die-namics from My Favorite Things.  I added a sentiment on their Fishtail Flags Stax Die-namics.  The "5" is a glitter chipboard number sticker from my stash.

We have a big evening planned with a birthday trip to Chuck E Cheese.  (I'm a firm believer that birthdays are super special and should be celebrated to their full potential!)  Happy 5th Birthday, Kayne!  Momma loves you to the forest moon of Endor and to Gotham City and back, buddy!

Markers used: Copics (E00, E04, E11, E21, YG93, N0, N2, N4, N6, N8, Y35, B32, B34, B37).

Challenges:
- Cuttlebug Mania: Anything Die Cut
- Top Tip Tuesday: Kids (My tip: when designing my cards I lay everything out on the card first, as a "mock up", before I use any adhesive.  This way I can change anything that doesn't look quite right.)
- Crafts Galore Encore: #9-Make A Card 

{hugs}
Regan           

Dad

Hi!  Sorry I've been quiet this week.  It was a busy one and a spur of the moment trip to the drive-in movie theater cut into my crafty/blogging time (but was SO worth it).  It was my small man's first time and at 4-1/2 I was a little concerned about how he'd do.  The first movie started after his normal bed time, after all.  But not only did he make it through BOTH movies but he was charming company the entire time!  I'll share some photos at the end of the post, but for now, back to the card.  It was made for my son's dad.  Since they went to the carnival this Spring I selected Carnival Dad from KennyK to color up.  He is colored using Copics.  Papers are Basic Grey - Hey Boy.  I used a sketch from Digi Sketch Challenge and they had an optional For the Men theme.  The letters that spell "dad" are cut using the By The Letters alphabet Die-namics from My Favorite Things.  The sentiment is from one of those $1 Studio G sets and is cut with Classic Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders).

 

And my little guy even wrote in the card himself this year!  So cute!  He also painted a rock for his dad that read "Daddy Rocks" (with a little help from Mommy).  Pinterest is a lifesaver for these kinds of things!

Thanks for stopping in.  I'll be back with another post today as well as a new Corrosive Challenge tomorrow!  I'll leave you with those drive in photos that will make you nostalgic for your own childhood!

 
Markers used: Copics (E00, E04, E11, E13, E17, E19, E21, E23, E25, E31, E33, E34, R20, R81, R85, YG11, YG91, YG93, Y23, Y28, Y32, N0, N2, N4, N6, BG10, BG72).

Challenges:
- Sister Act Card Challenge: #62-Anything Goes
- Inky Impressions: #164-For the Boys 
- The Male Room: Father's Day 
- Scrapper's Delights: #25-Anything Goes with a Twist - Get Sentimental
- Try it on Tuesday: One For The Boys
- Through The Craft Room Door: Anything Goes
- Fitztown Challenge: #40-Masculine

{hugs}
Regan

Feeling Lucky

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Everyone's a little Irish today so I thought I'd share the two cards I made.  The first one was for my co-worker.  She actually IS Irish and she loves this holiday so, like last year, I decided to make her a card.  I am so excited that I finally got to color up an image from Stamps by Aurora Wings!  If you haven't heard about Mitzi Sato-Wiuff then you may have been living under a rock!  lol  These gorgeous images are taking the craft world by storm and I am swept up in the tempest!  Her etsy shop is filled with flowers and magic!  She also has a website, a blog, a brand new challenge blog, and a Facebook group!  This is Clover Pixie and she is colored with Copics.  I must say I am really pleased with how she came out!  I cut the image out using the Small Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities from Spellbinders.  The circle behind her is also from Spellbinders, a set called Celtic Motifs (a $10 score from AC Moore).  The paper is Shamrocks from Karen Foster Design.  I added a bit of bling, some flowers, and a Martha Stewart punched four leaf clover.  The sentiment is from one of those little Studio G sets and I used a Stampin' Up punch for it.

  
Notice my fabulous new watermark?  My friend Michelle of Evermore Card Creations is a-freakin-mazing!  Not only did she give my blog a much needed makeover, but she created the perfect watermark for the photos of my creations!  She's a digital goddess but she also knows her way around Copics and paper!  Check out her etsy shop HERE!

Okay, now that the shameless plug for my friend is over, let me tell you about the second card I made.  This one was for Kayne.  St.Patrick's Day just happens to be his "half" birthday, which I think is pretty cool, so I always acknowledge it with a little something- a card, baked goods.  And I am so enthralled with Stamps by Aurora Wings that I colored a second image!

This is Leprechaun.  Isn't he cute?  I thought he was perfect for my small man!  So I colored him up with Copics and cut him out using the Classic Circles Nestabilities from Spellbinders.  Papers are Karen Foster Design - Shamrocks and Little Yellow Bicylce - Lucky Me Flourish.  Since this one is for a preschooler, I kept it simple.  I stamped another Studio G sentiment directly onto my image panel and added one plastic "gold" coin.

Oh my gosh, those were so much fun that I just want to sit back down at my craft desk again and color!  And I'm sure I will soon.  Just not tonight.

Thanks for stopping by!  May your luck be plenty and your troubles be few!  I'll leave you with a photo of my little leprechaun!

Markers used:
- Clover Pixie: Copics (E00, E11, E21, R32, R35, G29, YG00, YG03, YG11, YG17, YG67).
- Leprechaun: Copics (E00, E11, E15, E19, E21, E34, E37, E39, R32, N0, N2, N4, 6, N8, Y28, YR24, G29, YG03, YG11, YG17, YG67).

Challenges:
- Digi Sketch Challenge: Fantasy
- Stamps by Aurora Wings: #1-Anything Goes
- Bunny Zoe's Crafts: March-Monochrome
- Craft Your Passion: #205-Go Green 
- Incy Wincy Designs: Monochromatic
- Kaboodle Doodles: #215-Use Green
- Use Your Stuff: #127-Monochromatic Green
- Come and Get It Challenges: St. Patrick's Day
- One Stitch at a Time: #204-Use a Digi
- Through the Purple Haze: #33-Anything Goes (optional: bling) 

{hugs}
Regan

Lucky Thirteen x 2

Hi!  How is everyone out in blogland today?  Today I am sharing two very special birthday cards with you!  They are for my best friend's twin daughters who are turning 13!  Wow, where has the time gone!?  I can't even wrap my head around the fact that they are old enough to babysit for my child!  lol  I always make them special cards for their birthdays (as well as for their older sister who {almost} shares her birthday with Kayne).  Usually they have a theme or something they are really into but this year their mom came up blank when I asked.  They're teens, she said.  That was all I needed.  I picked out two images from JadeDragonne (I just love her art) that spoke to me of each girl's independent look and personality while sharing that special similarity that twin sisters have.

This is Sarah by JadeDragonne.  She is colored with Copics and cut and matted using the Classic Squares Nestabilities from Spellbinders.  I used another of my new La-La-Land Crafts banner dies - the Scalloped Banner.  Papers are Lily Bee Designs - Picket Fence.  Sketch is courtesy of Digi Sketch Challenge (who has an optional theme of "Cute").  Other dies used were Labels Eighteen Nestabilities (Spellbinders) and Cute Cameras Die-namics (My Favorite Things).  For embellishments I added some Tim Holtz hardware (long fasteners and label pulls) as well as flowers and American Crafts glitter chipboard number stickers from my stash.   

And for her (slightly) younger twin, The Necklace by JadeDragonne.  Again the image is colored with Copics and cut using the Classic Squares Nestabilities.  Papers are Basic Grey - Kissing Booth and the layout is from Sketch Saturday (#300).  Details here include a couple of Martha Stewart punches, more Tim Holtz hardware (metal corner and key), Stampin' Up seam binding, flowers, American Crafts glitter chipboard number stickers, and a laser cut wood veneer.  

They were delivered last night and their mom told me I "nailed it".  {Yes!}  I had a lot of fun making these, and I'm happy they were well received.  Happy 13th Birthday to my favorite twins!  It's an honor to be your "Auntie"!

Markers used: Copics
- Sarah (E00, E11, E21, E23, E31, Y23, Y32, Y35, BG000, BG01, R32, R35, BV000, BV02, BV08, BV11)
- The Necklace (E00, E11, E21, E23, E31, Y23, Y32, Y35, BG000, BG01, R20, R37, R39, R81, R85, R98)

Challenges:
- Party Time Tuesdays: Anything Goes  (Cross promotion with The Paper Nest Dolls: #5-Anything Goes)
 - Through The Craft Room Door: Anything Goes
- Crafting from the Heart: #9-Anything Goes/Favorite Colors
- Craft Your Passion: #204-Young At Heart 
- Love To Create Challenge Blog: #106-Anything Goes
- Totally Papercrafts: #209-Female Birthday (must have a birthday sentiment or number on it)
- Dream Valley Challenge: #77-Big Birthdays
- Through The Purple Haze: #32-Anything Digital

{hugs}
Regan

The Corrosive Challenge #191 - All Work and No Play

They say motherhood is the toughest job you'll ever love.  So it seemed fitting to use Unstoppable Mom from KennyK for the new Corrosive Challenge - All Work and No Play.  Show us your creations depicting a job or career to play along!  I happen to be a working mom, but stay at home moms work just as hard during their days, maybe more so!  Our challenge is, of course, sponsored by the wonderful Kenny and Elena at KennyKDownloads, and if you join us you have a chance to win 3 digis of your choice!

 
My image is colored with Copics.  I added just a bit of glaze pen to the lenses of her glasses.  The layout is from Digi Sketch Challenge.  They have a theme and a sketch in their challenges and you can chose to do one or the other or both.  Since their theme this time is Say It With Flowers, I decided to incorporate that as well.  Papers are Basic Grey - Out of Print: Storyteller.  The border punch is Martha Stewart.  I also added some flat back pearls and  a scrap of cheesecloth for some added texture.  The sentiment is from Janet Dunn for Studio G (Hampton Arts).  It was one of those dollar bin ones and I thought it was perfect for this card!

   
Thanks for stopping in, and I hope you'll head over to The Corrosive Challenge to see the team working for the weekend!  (Yup, couldn't resist the 80s reference!)  I think I may have found my mojo so after some errands and dinner with my parents maybe I can put in some more hours at the craft desk!  Enjoy your Sunday!

Markers used: Copics (E00, E11, 21, E31, E34, E70, E74, E79, R32, R81, R85, B32, B34, B37, Y32, Y35, YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97, YR15, N0, N2, N4, N6).

Challenges:
- My Sheri Crafts: #125-Delightful Digis 
- Polkadoodles: Anything Goes/Girly Girly Girly 
- SweetPea Stampers: Flower Power
- Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: #98-Any Sentiment 
- Sassy Studio Designs: #212-Shabby Chic or Vintage 
- Crafty Creations Challenge: #254-Something to Drink 
- Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge: #160-Embellishments
- Fan-Tastic Tuesday: #18-Pink and Patterned 

{hugs}
Regan  

The Corrosive Challenge #189 - Anything Goes

Did you miss me?  I know I've been quiet so far this month, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy!  There has been holiday shopping and decorating taking place!  And I've been spending some quality time with my small man, enjoying the twinkling lights and the cozy feeling in the air.  Also, our Elf on the Shelf, Boris, has returned from the North Pole and we have been delighting in his antics!

Sadly, this means there is one thing that hasn't been checked off the holiday To Do list yet: Christmas Cards!  I haven't been doing any crafting and being the procrastinator that I am handmade cards for all are out of the question.  So it looks like photo cards will be the way to go.  But I do give special cards to a select few and have printed a bunch of images with hopes of getting some coloring and creating in soon.  The Corrosive Challenge has a brand new challenge today- the last of the year for us.  Our theme is an easy and fun one to close out 2013: "Anything Goes"!  It's sponsored by the whimsical Lacy Sunshine!

Artist Heather Valentin tells us about the company in her own words:

Lacy Sunshine Stamps offers beautiful original and imaginative digital stamps for all your paper crafting needs.

All images from Lacy Sunshine are hand drawn and designed by myself, Heather Valentin, a professional artist, muralist and illustrator and my dad, professional artist, G.P.

From the art desk of Lacy Sunshine's creator....

"I am one who loves creating timeless pieces from my heart and soul, creating an extraordinary world filled with magic and whimsical friends.... one drawing at a time. Come journey with me now into my Lacy Sunshine World".

Heather is offering a prize of 3 digis from the shop and she generously supplied each team member with an image to use.  I selected Eleanor Holiday Shopping.  She is colored with Copics and cut using the Romantic Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  The sketch is from Digi Sketch Challenge.  Their current challenge is Christmas with an optional sketch.  Papers are My Mind's Eye - Merry.  I've added a few punched snowflakes, pleated ribbon, and some bling.  The sentiment is from a Teresa Collins set I picked up at AC Moore on Black Friday. 

 

If you want more magical inspiration head over to The Corrosive Challenge blog to see what the rest of the team has to made!  You will not be disappointed!

We are off to brunch and a visit with Santa today.  I'm hoping for some good pictures for those photo cards!  There may also be a little holiday baking thrown in and then who knows...

 Enjoy your holiday season!  May it be Merry & Bright!!!

Markers used: Copics (E00, E11, E21, E70, E74, E79, R39, R81, R85, Y28, YG93, YG95, BG72, ).

 {hugs}                                                                                                                             Regan