Big Wet Kisses with Fish image featured on TCCC blog DT project for no 218 challenge

Wishes and fishes...improper grammar, I know! But don't you just think of it!!!

The adorable digital image is provided by Sparkle N Sprinkle, the prize sponsor for #218's make your own background and/or die/punches themed challenge for The Crafter's Café Challenge blog. Link is further in the post, just below my DT badge:

I decided to use these newly purchased plastic textured rubbing plates to make the upper background half. I used the scalloped/fish scale pattern using gray and gray/blue crayons with some yellow and yellow-green ones for the base and then stronger teal blue crayons with a wave pattern=

LINK: https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/05/218.html

Shout-outs to the following groups or blogs:
a. CKC blog (bottom background cardstock was pulled to be part of my April 2019 mini kit)
b. The small section of blue/green/white cardstock was also part of April 2019 CKC blog mini kit; LINK= https://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/04/april-2019-mini-kit-reveal-and-projects.html
c. This blog posting will be shared on my Facebook accounts and with the group "Paper, Paper, Paper & DT calls"
d. Sketch design was tweaked from SNS/Sketches N Scrap #25 by Kelly H (gem dots instead of clouds; horizontal placement instead of vertical; sentiment area reduced to the small rectangle scrap section; circle grid area replaced with the rectangle 2 kissing fish image; and 2 flowers replaced with gem dots; my crayon wave textured paper replaces the yellow; the diagonal striped cardstock replaces the green; and the bling mesh replaces the gray ribbon seen on this provided sketch:

This sketch was the pre-crop challenge for SNS' Spring Fling Crop Event through Facebook in April. The deadline was April 30th...sorry...however Sketch N Scrap has a Facebook community and blog that have other card and scrapbook layout challenges going on throughout each month that you can get involved with.

e. current challenge until May 10th at Not Just Cards Challenge Blog: http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.com/2019/04/april-challenge-and-results-of-march.html

f. current challenge #30 at A Inky Mess with theme of Just for Fun Anything Mixed Media goes...I've made my own background with 2 different textures and at least 6 different crayon hues + digital sentiment and image + cardstock + iridescent gems + mesh gems type 'ribbon'

LINK= https://ainkymess.blogspot.com/2019/04/challenge-30.html

g. Facebook closed group: Mixed Media Creativity

thanks for reading my blog post and seeing what I created for design team inspiration for TCCC blog! This is my 2nd DT creation for them! Use the TCCC link up above to take you there so you can see what the rest of the crew created and get more details about this particular challenge and how to participate as a crafter.

Crafting in the USA heartland,

Becca S

Bunny Love Easter Card for PPCC blog 426 Design Team

DT inspiration card for #426 is with this adorable digital image from Cute As A Button company, one of two prize sponsors for this week at PPCC blog:

CHALLENGES:

#1: Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges blog #426 Anything Goes with 2 prize sponsors: Cute As A Button and Di's Digi Stamps; use the blog link to see the other images provided by CAAB for the DT to use and to learn how to participate

link:  https://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/2019/04/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-426.html

PPCC blog ID badge:

CAAB ID badge:

DDS ID badge:

#2: Sketch N Scrap Spring Fling Crop Challenge #4 with card sketch #87 to be posted in April 2019

[to find the Spring Fling Crop--go to Facebook events]

provided sketch design: with a required twist element to include ribbon or fabric...I've used ivory sheer ribbon

SNS ID badge:

More snapshots of the card in different lighting and angles:

Some more challenges:

#3: My Time To Craft Challenge blog #394 Easter or hedgehogs theme...this will be my first submission to this twice monthly/Friday nights posting blog

MTTCC blog link: https://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/04/challenge-394-easter-or-hedgehogs.html


#4: Counterfeit Kit Challenge: papers and decorative tape are from my March kit; ivory ribbon is an add-on that I needed for the SNS twist inclusion of ribbon or fabric

CKC blog link: https://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/04/april-2019-just-gist-of-it.html
(this will take you to the 2nd posting for the month of April that gives tips on how to consider to mimic the selected featured vendor kit by culling through your own stashes of supplies! I have really enjoyed doing this because I've always enjoyed mixing old and new from my stockpile anyway and with CKC's challenges it really helps me look at my old stuff with fresh/new eyes!)

Still crafting in the freak snowstorm Sunday 14 April 2019 to freeze out north central IL--

Becca S 

Snow in April 2019 layout

Yes! We had snow today in north central Illinois and the road surface was so horrible out in the country trying to drive to church that we turned around at mile 4 out of 20!!!

CHALLENGES:
#1: Sketch N Scrap Spring Fling Crop Event on Facebook started 4/10/19; this sketch design is their Challenge #3 using layout sketch #44 and it also required an unusual geometric shape...I've used raindrops; I've also tweaked the photo placements due to using 2 squares and a 3rd narrow vertical wallet size photo from today's snow!

#2: CKC April Mini Kit and Challenge 1 April Showers theme; base cardstock, blue floral cardstock, and the blue paper behind the flowers next to the garage pic are from my April mini kit that I've dubbed "Wild Violets Springtime".  Didn't know then that we would be having snow within such a short time as well as being mid-April!!!

Above: my papers only mini kit: after 3 layout pages and a card, I don't have too much of this remaining, which is a very remarkable accomplishment for me!

Below: my papers' colors don't reflect the vibe of the selected Hip Kit March 2019 that was picked to copy-cat but in their ephemera seen in the below pic, you will see clouds, umbrellas, and parasols which go along with weather themes...I've stamped clouds and raindrops onto the LO plus I have white glitter snowflake stickers, a blue glitter snowman sticker (for fun!), and the stenciled/cut raindrops in 3 different sizes for my weather elements.

CKC link for the April 2019 April Showers theme Challenge #1:
https://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/04/april-2019-challenge-1-april-showers.html

#3: 

Little Red Wagon #492 challenge theme is April showers...I've included clouds, raindrops, and snowflakes for our April snow shower we had today on 4.14.19--yes!!!!

link: https://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2019/04/challenge-492-april-showers.html 

#4: 

Inspired By blog prompt and image for Rainy Day Party: I have a  blue-gray tone floral paper similar to the background in this photo prompt that most of the title's alpha stickers are on. I also stamped a cloud 3 times and added colored pencil highlights to get it to show up better on the textured cardstock. =

link: https://theseinspiredchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/04/inspired-by-rainy-day-party.html

Shout-outs also to:

a. Paper Sweeties website for the stamp set that had the cloud, raindrops [the clouds were stamped in white glitter ink and then highlighted with navy blue colored pencil in order to show against the textured base cardstock and in the corner of one of the photos.]

b. Paper, Paper, Paper & DT Calls: I like to post either photos or blog links in order to increase my crafting's social media exposure--so with appreciation, thank you

more pics: I like mixing up alphas to add interest for titles or captions. I also like the white glitter decorative tape used in 2 different locations to help reinforce the white snow God surprised us with today!

Warmer temps are promised by the Peoria weather forecast team that I just heard on the 9 pm news coming up in about 2 days! But this is just crazy! Welcome to north central IL where you can experience 2-4 seasons all in the same day occasionally!

Becca S

A Rainbow Waiting For You card

"Keep looking UP...there may be a rainbow waiting for you"

Isn't this a beautiful reminder of God's promise that there will never be a world-wide flood again plus a nudge to believers to keep the faith because He is faithful!

flowers, leaves, butterfly, and elements of an April shower combine for this pretty encouragement card

CHALLENGES:

#1. Sketch is for Sketch N Scrap Spring Fling Crop Challenge #2 using Sketch 74 by Lisa Hidy and the twist to this challenge is to include stamping or inking...I've included both 4 stamps used and 2 papers have inked edges:

link on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2058889694404186/permalink/2063967280563094/?notif_t=event_comment_mention&notif_id=1555075526041589

#2. Little Red Wagon #492 challenge theme is April showers...I've included clouds, raindrops, and a rainbow

link: https://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2019/04/challenge-492-april-showers.html

#3. Use Your Stuff #354 challenge prompt is Flora and Fauna...I've included 3 floral patterned papers and a decorative tape plus a butterfly for the fauna (insect...sorry zoologists!)

link:  https://useyourstuff.blogspot.com/2019/04/challenge-354-flora-and-fauna.html

#4. Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog April 2019...mini kit & Challenge 1 April Showers (but this is my way and doesn't closely reflect the selected Hip Kit March 2019 that we were to mimic; however some of the ephemera is reflected with my March 2019 forgery butterfly and the rain theme stamp set add-ons)

Hip Kit March 2019 ephemera die-cuts close-up pic

Papers used on the card include a pink-lavender damask print from The Paper Studio, a My Mind's Eye Bohemia from 2006 called Bluebird Imagine Floral/Blue, and also from MME Jen Wilson's 29th Street Market from 2008 Carefree Precious Pretty Petals/Sweet Pea Paper along with the Marshmallow white cardstock from Colorbok.

"Wild Violets Springtime" mini kit:

The butterfly is a forgery that I made for my March 2019 CKC kit. I re-purposed a cardstock printed "printer alignment" page and put it back into the printer putting butterfly clipart images over it which I fussy-cut out. This is the 3rd one I've used so far.

link:  https://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/04/april-2019-challenge-1-april-showers.html

#5: Inspired By blog prompt and image for Rainy Day Party: I used a blue and blue-gray tone floral paper similar to the background in this photo prompt. I also stamped a cloud 2 times and added colored pencil highlights to get it to show up better on the textured cardstock. And the rainbow stamp is filled in with some green, yellow, and orange like some of the treats seen in pic 67=

link: https://theseinspiredchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/04/inspired-by-rainy-day-party.html

Shout-outs also to:

a. Paper Sweeties website for the stamp set that had the quote, cloud, raindrops, and rainbow

link:  https://papersweeties.com/

More views of this encouragement occasion greeting card:

Stay tuned for a 2-page scrapbook layout using this mini kit. I'm needing to add embellishments, title, and date with maybe a few lines of journaling before I can present the double page spread.

Crafting in windy USA heartland,

Becca S

Greeting Card suitable for multiple occasions is DT card for PPCC blog 424

All Occasion Greeting Card

Depending on the inside sentiment, this card could be a thinking of you or get well or birthday. It's been a long time since I've made a card that has that versatility. Generally I have an embellishment or front cover sentiment that determines the direction.

For Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge blog Design Team inspiration card for #424:

PPCC blog has 2 prize sponsors for this new challenge week so the DT crew is divided in half to represent each company. Julie placed me with the All Dressed Up company provided images and I selected this pretty floral trio called "Jam Jars". The 2nd prize sponsor is Sparkle N Sprinkle. Use the blog post link to get all the details about the blog, this specific challenge, the sponsors, and see the rest of the DT creations:

link for #424:  https://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/2019/04/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-424.html

ID badges for PPCC, ADU, and SNS=

More photos of the all occasion greeting card:

Those "Jam Jars" are colored lightly using a spring green colored pencil in order to copy cat Mason Jars/Ball canning jars. I printed the digital image onto "Marshmallow" white cardstock from Colorbok. And the base card kraft paper might be Colorbok too. It's been in my stash for awhile. Dimensions of the front are 4.25" wide x 5.5" tall.

#2 challenge shout-out is to Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog. The products I used are from the kit I assembled for March 2019. The floral background paper and 2 washi tapes are from My Mind's Eye Splendor kit. The green paper, gems, and "lovely" text sticker were part of old inventory in my March kit. Since March is now over, I won't link to them directly in this post. They've already released the April 2019 kit reveal and a 2nd post called "Just the Gist" to help followers figure out how to analyze the selected kit to mimic when they pull items from their own stockpiles. (Most crafters have something they cling to...hoard...some its sparkly bling, cute die-cuts, or pretty patterned papers.)

Layout-wise I kept it clean and simple...and lovely! What a sweet springtime card to give to a special someone! 

I planned to be crafting in between medical appointments for my husband, so keep checking back to see what new creative challenges I'm striving to do. And it would be a honor if you would keep my hubby and I in your thoughts and prayers. About 4-6 weeks ago he was referred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital/NWU/NWM for possible candidacy for heart transplant surgery. His first consult appointment with the program director was last week and he will have lots of blood work and other tests coming up to complete as preliminaries in the coming 2-3 weeks as some more get scheduled. After he does all of these to see what his overall physical condition currently is, he will have at least 2 days at NW for another round of doctors' consults and interviews (psychologist, social worker, etc.) and then everything gets presented to a committee for determination of how to proceed or not. There is a possibility that he could be denied or another alternative suggested like bypass grafts or stints. Our local cardiologists in Peoria think it's too risky for grafts or stints but we will wait and see what NWM heart failure clinic doctors and surgeons have to say.

Meanwhile,

Crafting in the USA heartland,

Becca S