BUGABOO OLDIE BUT GOODIE THURSDAY -- PARTY PIG TRIO

Howdy blogging friends!  How have you been?  Things around my household have been a bit more hectic as of late, so I have not had much crafty time.  :(  This coming week, I will be flying out to Washington state for work.  This will be my first time on a plane in at least 30 years, so this should be interesting!  I have scoped out the area I will be in for craft stores already...and there is one nearby!  I am so excited to check it out!

For now though, I would like to share a birthday card I made for a friend/coworker of mine:

I thought that the Party Pig Trio paired perfectly with this patterned paper from the Confetti 12x12 paper pad from DCWV.  These guys are so stinkin' cute (no pun intended!)  I colored them to match the papers as best I could using alcohol markers.  The balloons were coated with Glossy Accents, and the confetti and streamers have Crystal Stickles on top.

*CHALLENGES*

CHN Patterned Paper:  ATG using patterned paper

Love to Craft #37:  ATG (3/5)

Mix it Up #28:  ATG (3/5)

Craft Rocket #62:  ATG

Color it, Create it, Show it Off:  ATG (3/3)
Classic Design Design Team #8:  ATG

Crafts Galore Encore #66:  ATG (3/3)

Gem of a Challenge Week #16:  ATG

Polkadoodles Week #33:  ATG

Digi Choosday Week #34:  ATG

Penny's Paper Crafty #444:  ATG

Pammie's #1933:  ATG

The Outlawz Festive Fridays:  Birthday

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  I hope you will pop on over to Catch the Bug to see what some of my teamies have made with some other OBG images!

Take care, and God Bless!  :)

~Marie~

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS ALL YEAR ROUND -- CHRISTMAS TREE, AUGUST 2019

Hello crafty friends!  Sorry this post is a day late, but I am here to share with you the card I made for the current CCAYR challenge, Christmas Trees:

I really like these Christmas sheet music pages; I have several of them saved.  They come in handy when you want a simple card with lots of impact!  I wanted to use a different tree than the one that was pictured, so I edited the image in my Silhouette program, and replaced that tree with this one from my library.  It is simply called Christmas Tree, and is from Stinkin Cute Paper Piecings.  I just think it's adorable!  I didn't want this to be a completely flat card, so I printed the tree out several times, fussy cut the individual layers, and layered them on top of the tree printed on the image panel.  I used liquid glue to adhere the top part of each layer, and clear foam adhesive to bump up the bottom part of the layers.  The panel was then glued to a dark red cardstock that matches the red ornaments on the tree, and the song title.

*CHALLENGES*

Cute N' Crafty Christmas #16:  ATG

12 Months of Christmas Link Up #56:  ATG

Merry Little Christmas #13:  ATG (2/5)

Love to Craft #37:  ATG (2/5)

Mix it Up #28:  ATG (2/5)

Craft Rocket #62:  ATG

Color it, Create it, Show it Off:  ATG (2/3)

Classic Design Design Team #8:  ATG

Crafts Galore #66:  ATG (2/3)

Crimbo Crackers#190:  ATG

Word Art Wednesday #398 - #399:  ATG (2/5)

My Time to Craft #402:  Christmas in July

Crafting by Designs:  ATG (2/3)

Simon Says Wednesday:  ATG (2/5)

Polkadoodles Week #31:  ATG (1/2)

Digi Choosday Week #31:  ATG (2/2)

Penny's Paper Crafty #441:  ATG (2/3)

Winter Wonderland:  Christmas Ornaments (1/3)

The Outlawz Festive Fridays:  Christmas

Alrighty, thanks for stopping by today, and don't forget to jump on over to the CCAYR blog to join in the challenge, and get those Christmas cards/projects DONE!

Take care, and God Bless!  :)

~Marie~

WELCOME TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT HOP! :)

Hello blogging friends!  How is your week going?  Thank goodness it's Thursday, one more day of work left for me!  It's also August 1st...and just how that happened so quickly, I have NO IDEA!  It seems like just yesterday it was July 31st.  HAHA!

I'm posting today as a participant in an Encouragement Blog Hop, hosted by the fabulous Courtney Kreeber, Jenn Bena (Scrapbena Creations), and Mary Polanco.  They did a live YouTube a couple of months ago where the idea for this hop was born.  And this isn't just a blog hop.  It's a hop where, if you wanted to join in, whether you have  your own YouTube channel, a blog, or just like making cards, you were more than welcome.  Absolutely anyone could join in this hop!  I think Courtney said there are over 100 people that have joined in, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

So the theme for this hop is to make an encouragement card.  I was going to go the same route I always go...find a cute image and color it with alcohol markers.  But then I thought this would be a great opportunity to try something I have been wanting to do for some time; embossed resist with Distress Oxides and blender brushes.  So here is the final result:

I think this is pretty fabulous, if I do say so myself!  Why did I wait so long to try it??  I checked out some YouTube videos first (Kristina Werner especially), where I rewatched her last Distress Oxide blend video.  I thought that the Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, and Seedless Preserves combo was sooooo pretty, I just had to try that one!  Instead of using the regular blending tools, I wanted to use the Taylored Expressions blender brushes that are sitting so prettily on my desk.   They really are so nice to work with!  The background stamp is Flora Background from Simon Says Stamp.  The "you are" comes from the Honey Bee Stamps "Happiness" set, and the "Awesome" is from Neat and Tangled.  This is the first time I have used that die set too!  I managed to find a colored cardstock in my stash that matched the Wild Honey ink pretty well, so I used that to frame my image panel, and to cut out "Awesome."

I can't wait to send this to a friend who may just need a little reminder of how AWESOME he/she really is!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and I hope you will carve out some time to check out the rest of the hop. I'm sure it will be absolutely fabulous!

Your next stop in the hop is Tracy Shultz, so just click right here!

Take care, and God Bless!

~Marie~

BUGABOO OLDIE BUT GOODIE THURSDAY! AUGUST 1, 2019

Hey all, just popping in here really quickly before bed (it's been a looooong evening!) to share this card I made for Bugaboo's Oldie But Goodie post:

 This guy is called Lil Snowman.  He looks like he is ready for a good 'ole snowball fight!  LOL  The image is colored with alcohol markers, and Star Dust Stickles is added to the snow in places.  The patterned paper is from an 8.5x11 paper pack from Recollections, and the sentiment is Lawn Fawn, and is stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink.

*CHALLENGES*

Cute N' Crafty Christmas:  ATG Christmas

12 Months of Christmas Link Up #56:  ATG/optional Sparkle, Glitter and Bling

Merry Little Christmas #13:  ATG Christmas (1/5)

CHN Patterned Paper:  ATG using patterned paper

Love to Craft #37:  ATG (1/5)

Mix it Up #28:  ATG (1/5)

Craft Rocket #62:  ATG

Color it, Create it, Show it Off:  ATG (1/3)

Classic Design Design Team #8:  ATG

Crafts Galore Encore #66:  ATG (1/3)

Crimbo Crackers #190:  ATG

Word Art Wednesday #398 - #399:  ATG (1/5)

Crafting by Designs:  ATG (1/3)

Simon Says Wednesday:  ATG (1/5)

Digi Choosday Week #31:  ATG (1/2)

Penny's Paper Crafty #441:  ATG

Sparkles Christmas #103:  It's Snowtime!

Simon Says Monday:  Bright and Cheerful

Crafty Sentiments:  ATG (1/3)

Cute Card Thursday #593:   ATG 

The Outlawz Festive Fridays:  Christmas

The Outlawz Twisted Thursday:  ATG

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  Be sure to stop over to Catch the Bug to see what else has been made to inspire you!  :)

Take care and God Bless!

~Marie~

BUGABOO CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION -- DAY 7

Hey all!  Glad to see you've made it back to visit me on the final day of the Christmas in July celebration at Catch the Bug!  Today is Friday (yay!), which means that it is Freebie Friday, and we also have a color challenge for you to follow:

And today's featured movie is:

Here is my card:

  Today's Freebie Friday image is Reindeer Trio.  I really like this color scheme for Christmas!  It's very traditional, and reminds me of Christmases past.  The patterned paper comes from Recollections 12x12 Fireside paper pad.  I used the smallest star from Spellbinders' set to cut 3 stars from a brass colored glitter cardstock scrap to accent the card.  Image is colored with alcohol markers, and Stickles was added to the center reindeer's nose (I would assume Rudolph would take center stage!), to the ornaments in his antlers, and the stars on the image.

*CHALLENGES*

12 Months of Christmas Link Up #55:  ATG (6/10)

CHN Patterned Paper:  ATG using patterned paper

ABC Christmas:  "N" is for No Peeking, and "O" is for Ornaments

Classic Design Design Team:  ATG

Crafty Creations #395:  ATG (2/2)

Crimbo Crackers #189:  ATG Christmas

Word Art Wednesday #396 - #397:  ATG (5/5)

Crafting by Designs:  Get Ready for Christmas (2/3)

The Paper Shelter:  ATG (2/2)

Digi Choosday Week #30:  ATG (2/2)

Pammie's #1929:  ATG (2/5)

Crafty Sentiments:  ATG (2/3)

My Time to Craft #402:  Christmas in July

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!  I hope you have been enjoying this year's Christmas in July celebration at Catch the Bug.  I know I have been having a blast creating more Christmas cards for my stash, and especially seeing what everyone else has been creating!  I know Jodie is appreciative of everyone's support!  Until next year!

Take care and God Bless!

~Marie~

BUGABOO CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION -- DAY 5

Hey all!  Welcome back to day 5 of Catch the Bug's Christmas in July bash!  With today being Wednesday, we are all about that humor, so we want you to create something based on one of these funny Christmas movies:

I chose Home Alone, as it's my favorite out of the 3 choices.  Here is my card:

I chose this fun image  (Merry Christmas Tree) because it reminded me of the scene where Kevin is decorating the tree, and he sees Marv's reflection in his ornament.  He then calls out to his dad to come help him (who we all know isn't there).  Later on, I also love when Marv comes into the house thru that window in his bare feet and steps on all those glass ornaments Kevin left on the floor as a booby trap.  LOL

The image is colored with alcohol markers, and I added Eucalyptus Stickles to the ornaments, and Yellow Stickles to the stars.  I inked the edge of my image panel using Evergreen Bough Distress Oxide ink.  I used Spellbinders Curved Rectangles to make the layers for my easel card, and the patterned paper comes from a Recollections 8.5x11 pack.  The "Believe" die is from Love Nicole.  I cut it 3 times from Recollections 110# card stock and stacked it for some decent dimension to hold my panel up.  To make it stand out more, I coated it in clear Wink of Stella, and covered it in Glossy Accents.

*CHALLENGES*

12 Months of Christmas Link Up #55:  ATG (5/10)

Merry Little Christmas #12:  ATG (5/5)

CHN Patterned Paper:  ATG using patterned paper

Classic Design Design Team:  ATG

Gem of a Challenge Week #14:  ATG (2/2)

ABC Christmas:  "N" for No Peeking, and "O" for Ornaments

Crafty Creations #395:  ATG

Crimbo Crackers #189:  ATG

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #110:  ATG (3/3)

Word Art Wednesday #396 - #397:  ATG (4/5)

Digi Design:  Christmas in July (3/3)

Crafting by Designs:  Get Ready for Christmas (1/3)

Crafty Gals Corner #196:  Christmas in July (3/3)

The Paper Shelter:  ATG

Digi Choosday Week #30:  ATG (1/2)

Pammie's #1929:  ATG (1/5)

CHNC #447:  ATG Christmas

Sparkles Christmas:  Include a Tree

Crafty Calendar:  Christmas in July (3/3)

Crafty Sentiments:  ATG (1/3)

The Outlawz Twisted Thursday:  ATG

Thanks again for stopping by my blog!  I hope you will have a chance to hop on over to Catch the Bug and join in today's festivities!  Don't forget to leave my teammies some love!

Take care and God Bless!

~Marie~

BUGABOO'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION -- DAY 4

Hello, and welcome back friends!  It's Tuesday, which at Catch the Bug means it's New Release Tuesday!  Also, we are still going strong with our Christmas In July bash following the theme:

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!!

Today's movie is:

We also have a BINGO board for you to follow:

Here is what I created:

This uses the New Release image, Elf Brat and Rudolph. I am IN LOVE with this card!  I colored the elf to resemble Buddy, and did my best to make it look like they were up on a rooftop at night.  I went over the sky SO MANY TIMES with my alcohol markers to get the look I wanted with this image panel, I will be surprised if there is any ink left in those markers!  LOL!  And actually, this pic is a bit darker than the card itself, so I apologize for that!  I am STILL trying to get the hang of editing photos!  

And this sentiment!!  I have had this for a good while, and couldn't WAIT to use it on just the right card.  It comes from a sentiment set by Momenta.  I stamped it using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink, and inked the edges using Salty Ocean distress Oxide ink.  The patterned paper comes from a Recollections pack of 8.5x11 holiday printed cardstock.  For some sparkle (not that you can tell!), I used Christmas Red Stickles on Rudolph's nose, Eucalyptus on the ornaments, and White Blizzard Nuvo drops on the snow.  The elf's belt buckle and bells were colored using a gold gel pen.

*CHALLENGES*

12 Months of Christmas Link Up #55:  ATG

Merry Little Christmas #12:  ATG (4/5)

CHN Patterned Paper:  ATG using patterned paper

Love to Craft #36:  ATG (5/5)

Mix it Up #27:  ATG (5/5)

Craft Rocket #61:  Animals

Color it, Create it, Show it Off:  ATG (5/5)

Classic Design Design Team #7:  ATG

613 Avenue Create #223:  ATG (5/5)

ABC Christmas:  "N" for No Peeking, "O" for Ornaments

Crimbo Crackers #189:  ATG

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #110:  ATG (2/3)

Word Art Wednesday #396 -#397:  ATG (3/5)

The Holly and Ivy #52:  ATG Christmas

CHNC #447:  ATG Christmas

OK, now don't forget to stop over at Catch the Bug if you haven't already to see what my fellow teammies have made to inspire you, and to join in the fun!  There are prizes to be won for participating!!  Thanks for stopping by my blog again today, and God Bless!  :)

PS.  I forgot to tell you that I followed the middle line across on the BINGO board!  LOL!

~Marie~

BUGABOO'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION -- DAY 2

Welcome back, friends!  Today is day 2 of the Christmas in July bash over at Catch the Bug.  What, you don't know what I am talking about?  Well just click on that link to have a look!

As a reminder, our focus for this year's celebration is :

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!!

and since today is Sunday, we have a sketch for you to follow.

And the movie of the day is:

Here is my card:

I decided to focus on the "jingle" aspect of the movie title, so I used this image called Snowman Jingle Bell.   I colored the image using alcohol markers, and for the silver bell, I used a metallic Sharpie.  The Recollections sentiment, snowflakes and sides of the snowman have Star Dust Stickles added to them.  The patterned paper is from the Say Freeze 12x12 paper pad by Recollections.  The Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossed panel behind the image panel was inked around the edges with Candied Apple distress Oxide ink.  I added 6 green gems from my stash, and the card was done.

*CHALLENGES*

Cute N' Crafty Christmas:  ATG Christmas

Christmas at Sweet Stampin:  ATG (2/2)

12 Months of Christmas Link Up #55:  ATG

Merry Little Christmas #12:  ATG (2/5)

CHNC #447:  ATG Christmas

CHN Patterned Paper:  ATG using patterned paper

Love to Craft #36:  ATG (3/5)

Mix it Up #27:  ATG (3/5)

Color it, Create it, Show it Off:  ATG (3/5)

Classic Design Design Team #7:  ATG

613 Avenue Create #223:  ATG (3/5)

Crafts Galore Encore #65:  ATG (3/3)

Fab 'n' Funky #449:  Add Pearls/Gems

Crafty Gals Corner #196:  Christmas in July (2/3)

Polkadoodles Week #29:  ATG (2/2)

Digi Choosday Week #29:  ATG (2/2)

Crafty Calendar:  Christmas in July (2/3)

Crafty Sentiments:  Christmas in July (2/3)

C.R.A.F.T #522:  Christmas

Be sure to stop on over to the Catch the Bug blog for more wonderful inspiration from my fabulous teammies!  Oh, and don't forget to join in the fun for a chance to win some great prizes!  Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and God Bless! 

 ~Marie~

WELCOME TO BUGABOO'S 9TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION -- DAY 1

Hello everybody!  Are you as excited as I am that today is the first day of Bugaboo's 9th Annual Christmas in July celebration??  If you don't know what in the world I am talking about, head on over to Catch the Bug and see what all the fuss is about...You won't be sorry, I promise!

For your creations this year, we want to see you celebrating the theme:

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER!!

That's right, we are all about those Christmas movies we love to watch year after year.  Today's challenge focuses on these 3 beloved movies:

Pick your favorite movie from these and create your project to match that movie!  So much fun, right?  Here is my card for today:

I chose The Santa Clause, because I just love that movie series altogether.  In the first one,  in the scene on the roof after Scott Calvin has put on the suit and he asks Charlie, "How do I look?  Nice?" -- CRACKS ME UP!  The face that Tim Allen makes when he says it is hilarious!

So for my card, I have used Make it Snappy - Ho Ho Ho Squares.  I had the grand idea (well, I thought it was grand!) to manipulate the image in the Silhouette Cameo software program so that I could cut out each individual Santa face and pop them up.  I managed the first 2 well enough, but that guy in the bottom row really tried my patience!!  In the end I got it done, though, and I am super happy with it...even though you can't tell from this picture that I even did it!  I colored the image in with alcohol markers, and added some Star Dust Stickles to the white parts of the Santa hats.

*CHALLENGES*

12 Months of Christmas Link Up #55:  ATG (3/10)

Merry Little Christmas #12:  ATG (3/5)

Love to Craft #36:  ATG (4/5)

Mix it Up #27:  ATG (4/5)

Color it, Create it, Show it Off:  ATG (4/5)

Classic Design Design Team #7:  ATG

613 Avenue Create #223:  ATG (4/5)

Gem of a Challenge #14:  ATG (1/2)

Crimbo Crackers #189:  ATG Christmas

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #110:  ATG (1/3)

Word Art Wednesday #396 - #397:  ATG (2/5)

Digi Design Challenge:  Christmas in July (2/3)

Crafty Gals Corner #196:  Christmas in July (3/3)

CHNC #447:  ATG Christmas

Crafty Calendar:  Christmas in July (3/3)

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  If you haven't yet, I implore you to go over and check out the festivities at Catch the Bug.  While you're there, check out what my design teammies have created, and leave them some comment love!

Thanks again, and God Bless!

~Marie~