Leaping Trout Father's Day

With Father's Day is quickly approaching, I started looking for a stamp to use to create a card for my dad who is avid fisherman.   I found the perfect digital image, Leaping Trout, from Power Poppy.  I used google to look at some images of rainbow trout so that I had a guide for coloring. I was really inspired by some of the painting by Anita Phillips.

After coloring the image, I decided to add a little something by using the eclipse technique for the letters "DAD".   After watching Jennifer McGuire's tutorial for the eclipse technique, I find myself using it frequently.  I think it just adds a little something special.

I finished the inside of the card with the image and a strip of designer paper.   

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Leaping Trout digital stamp set from Power Poppy
• Papers:  Georgia Pacific white card stock, Photo Play Camp Happy Bear 6x6 paper pad, Paper Trey kraft and black card stock
• Other:  Copic markers, alphabet dies from Papertrey, DMC floss, CTMH precut card board piece, Annabelle Stamps metallic gemstones

Challenges:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies (M, P1, E5, must have a critter) #51 - Anything Goes with a Critter
• Bastel-Traum (M, P15) #101 – Water
• Digi Doodle Studios Challenge Blog (M, P1, E3, use hand coloured image) #39 – Boys to Men
• Jan’s Digi Stamps Challenges (M,5E) - MAY - ANYTHING GOES
• A Gem of a Challenge  2W, 3E  - #11 - Anything Goes (W2 of 2)
• Cut It Up  2W, 1E,  - No. 226 - Must use at least one die cut  NATURE (W2 of 2)
• Polkadoodles - W, C10 - ANYTHING GOES - Challenges run weekly for 10 days - 2021 Wk 22 (Closes 06/09) and Wk. 21 (Closes 06/02)
• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - Anything Goes
• Simon Says StampM, 5E – Artist Inspired

Bernard Bear Wishing Holiday Cheer

I love the Bernard Bear image from Power Poppy.  He reminds me so much of my brother (although I have never seen my brother in overalls).   I had the images colored and quickly created cards over the weekend for the BYSH blog hop.

I wanted to try my hand at creating a winter background again.  I really like the winter morning sky, but need to work more on the trees.

Check out the BYSH blog hop by clicking the graphic below.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Forest Fellas: Bernard Bear digital stamp set from Power Poppy, Holiday Treats from Paper Trey Ink, Holiday Wishes from Paper Trey ink (inside)
• Papers: Georgia Pacific white CS, Bazzil Basics red CS, Papertrey kraft CS, Echo Park Season's Greetings 6x6 paper pad
• Copic markers, White acrylic paint, CTMH Glitz Stardust glitter gel, Ranger Picket Fence distress stickles, Sequins, Twinery twine, Spellbinders circle dies, Echo Park enamel dots

Challenges:

• Angie's Digital Stamps - M, 1st Sunday, 3E, Winner and Top Picks -  (April) Anything Goes
• A Gem of a Challenge  2W, 3E  - #9 - Anything Goes (W1 of 2)
• Di's Digis Designs 2W, 3E,SIO  Animals Acting Like Humans (W2 of 2)
• Colour Crazy Challenge - W, 2E  - Wk 15 (W2 of 2)  and Wk 16 (W1 of 2) -   ANYTHING COLORING GOES
• Crafty Catz - W, 3E - No. 548 - ANYTHING GOES, WITH TWIST ALL CREATURES BIG AND SMALL
• Polkadoodles - W, C10 - ANYTHING GOES           
• Creative Craft Cottage Digi Creations (M, P3, E3) #124 - Include an Animal

Easy Breezy Coneflowers

Spring is on the way.  I 've seen robins in the yard, red wing blackbirds at the feeders, and the sandhill cranes are back in the field next to our house.   At the back of our yard we have an area of wildflowers.  We planted milkweed seeds this fall and I hope some of the seeds grow into plants which will attract butterflies.  Even if the milkweed doesn't grow, we always have plenty of coneflowers to attract butterflies and bees.  

When I saw this image from Power Poppy, I wanted to color it and think about the coming summer days.

Before I go I thought I would share a photo of my girls.  This was taken on the way home from the park after a long walk.  They are also happy that the weather is getting nicer so that we can take longer walks and enjoy the outdoors.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Easy Breezy Coneflowers digital stamps from Power Poppy, Say It In Pieces digital stamp from Hero Arts
• Paper:  Neenah Solar white card stock, My Mind's Eye Six by Six A Beautiful Life 6x6 paper pad, Paper Trey white card stock, Stampin' Up Vellum, Starbuck coffee sleeve
• Copic Markers

Challenges:

• Crafty Creations  M, 1st W, 2E - Always Anything Goes
• Creative Moments M, Wed 3E, Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - 2 or More Patterned Papers
• The Paper Funday M, 4E, #25 - Anything Goes/Optional Twist Green
• Digi Choosday Challenge -W,E2, - #11 - Anything Goes
• Through The Craft Room Door W, 2E - Always Anything Goes
• Academy ScrapArt Challenge (M, P1, E2) March - Purple
• Jan’s Digi Stamps Challenges (M,5E) - MAR - ANYTHING GOES

Rose By Any Other Name...

 I had some time off of work over the holidays and took the Free Rose Colouring Class from Kit and Clowder.  The class is free and includes this beautiful rose digital image from Power Poppy.  The class was excellent.  You can learn techniques for coloring the rose using pencils or markers.  Alyce is a great teacher.  She explains the art theory behind what she is demonstrating so that you can apply the techniques learned to other images.  I was so pleased that I purchased some additional classes.

I colored several rose images during and after the class.  This is my favorite of all the roses that I practiced on.  Since it was so pretty, I decided to fussy cut it and use it for a card.  

Thank you for stopping by!  Have a great day!

Supplies:

• Stamp:   Rose Digital Stamp Set from Power Poppy
• Paper:  Crate Paper Portrait Collection 6x6 paper pad, Georgia Pacific white card stock, misc. black card stock
• Copic markers

Challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - Anything Goes
• House That Stamps Built W,3E - Anything Goes
• Crafty Sentiment Designs W, 1E, SIO - Anything Goes
• Digi Choosday Challenge -W,E2, - #4 - Anything Goes
• Jan’s Digi Stamps Challenges (M,5E) - JAN - ANYTHING GOES
• Make My Monday (2W, Top 3, 3E) #140 HELLO (WEEK 2)
• Allsorts  W,3E  - #608 -  Beautiful Blooms

Winter Chickadee

 Happy New Year!

I had fun coloring this chickadee image from Power Poppy.  I made a winter card instead of a Christmas card so I could send it to some one over the next couple of months.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day!  Happy 2021!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Chickadee in Barberry digital stamp set by Power Poppy, Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers by Papertrey
• Paper:  Simple Stories Winter Farmhouse 6x8 paper pad, Kraft cards stock from Papertrey, White card stock from Georgia Pacific
• Copic markers

Challenges:

• A Gem of a Challenge  2W, 3E  - #1 - Anything Goes (W1 of 2)
• Allsorts  W,3E  - #605 -  Anything Goes
• Pattie's Creations - M, 2E, SIO, include an image (MUST always use digital or stamped image) – JAN  - No. 178 - ANYTHING GOES 
• Polkadoodles - W, C10 - ANYTHING GOES - Challenges run weekly for 10 days - 2021 Wk 01 (Closes Jan 11th) and Wk.  (Closes   1st)
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies (M, P1, E5, must have a critter) #46 - Anything Goes with a Critter
• Crafty Animals (M P1, must have animals) Always Anything Goes
• Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper (M, P1) January - Anything Goes with Patterned Paper
• Digi Doodle Studios Challenge Blog (M, P1, E3, use hand coloured image) #34 - Anything Goes

Beary Happy Birthday

 Hello!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  Ours was very small and low key but I enjoyed the time with my family.  This year Christmas was a lot less hectic and more enjoyable although I missed seeing my extended family.

My baby brother is turning 50!  I can't believe it because I certainly don't feel over 50.  Anyway, for his birthday I had to use this new digital stamp from Power Poppy.  I don't know why, but as soon as I saw this stamp, I though of my brother.  

I used the image again on the inside of the card along with a sentiment from the digital stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by.   I hope you have a safe, happy, and healthy 2021!

Supplies:

• Digital Stamp: Forest Fellas: Bernard Bear digital stamp set from Power Poppy
• Paper:  Simple Stories Winter Farmhouse 6x8 paper pad, Papertrey kraft cardstock, black cardstock, Georgia Pacific white cardstock

Challenges:

• 613 Avenue Create - M (1st Sunday), 8E Anything Goes w/ Optional Twist: Vintage
• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Celebrate
• The Corrosive Challenges - M, 3E - Always Anything Goes
• Krafty Chicks W  #539 Any Occasion
• Colour Crazy Challenge - W, 2E  - Wk 50 (W2 of 2)  and Wk 51 (W1 of 2) -   ANYTHING COLORING GOES
• Polkadoodles - W, C10 - ANYTHING GOES
• Mod Squad  W, 3E – Bears
• Paper Shelter W, 3E - Anything Goes
• Digi Choosday Challenge -W,E2, - #51 - Anything Goes
• Jan’s Digi Stamps Challenges (M,5E) - DEC- ANYTHING GOES
• Digi Chooseday - Anything goes
• Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes

More Blue Jays

 I enjoyed coloring the blue jays for the cards I posted earlier this week,  so I printed 2 more images to color.  This time I printed them slightly smaller so I would have more flexibility with placement on the cards.  I kept the cards pretty flat for easy mailing.

I used the same designer papers as last time but added some small tags for interest.

These are the last two Christmas cards for 2020.  I have some birthday cards to work on and then should start on cards for next year.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Images:  Season of Serenity Digital Stamp Set from Power Poppy
• Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather 6x6 paper pad, Georgia Pacific white CS, Paper Trey kraft CS

Challenges:

• A Gem of a Challenge  2W, 3E  - #26 - Anything Goes (W1 of 2)
• Di's Digis Designs 2W, 3E,SIO  It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (W1 of 2)
• Crimbo Crackers 2W, Must Be Christmas Related #222 Anything Goes  (W2 of 2)
• Crafty Creations  M, 1st W, 2E - Always Anything Goes
• Crafty Gals Corner - M, 2nd W, 3E, #214 - Tis the Season
• Paper Shelter W, 3E - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - Christmas critters
• The Paper Funday M, 4E, #23 - Anything Goes/Optional Twist Christmas/Holiday

Serene Blue Jay

 I have probably mentioned how much I like watching the birds at our bird feeders.  This year we had a family of blue jays.  I loved watching them teach the youngsters how it all worked.   When I saw this image from Power Poppy, I immediately fell in love with it but I didn't buy it.  I told myself that have so many stamps, especially digital, that I shouldn't spend money.  I didn't "need" it.   Then one Saturday after sitting down to craft and running into serious crafters block, I decided I just wanted to have this blue jay to color.  It didn't matter if I put it on a card or not.  I just wanted to sit and enjoy coloring.  (How is that for some rationalization?)   So $6.00 and a few minutes later, I had an entire set of digital stamps and printed out this blue jay.  Of course I printed him twice because I always print twice in case I make a big mistake.   I used Google to find some images to help guide my coloring and here we are.  Crafters block busted.  Two more Christmas cards ready to go.  

I used a sentiment and the blue jay image again on the inside of the card.  I love decorating the inside too.

I tried to fussy cut this image out.   It was a little tough around some of the pin but I think it turned out okay.

And I decorated the inside of this card too.

Thank you for stopping by!  Stay safe!

Supplies:

• Images:  Season of Serenity Digital Stamp Set from Power Poppy
• Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather 6x6 paper pad, Georgia Pacific white CS, Paper Trey kraft CS

Challenges:

• Colour Crazy Challenge - W, 2E  - Wk 50 (W1 of 2)  and Wk 49 (W2 of 2) -   ANYTHING COLORING GOES
• Crafty Catz - W, 3E - No. 531 -  ANYTHING GOES with OPTIONAL SOMETHING NEW (new digital stamps)
• Polkadoodles - W, C10 - ANYTHING GOES
• Crafty Gals Corner - M, 2nd W, 3E, #214 - Tis the Season
• Paper Shelter W, 3E - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - Christmas critters
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies (M, P1, E5, must have a critter) #45 - Anything Goes with a Critter
• Make My Monday  (2W, Top 3, 3E) #137 CHRISTMAS THEME CARD (WEEK 1)