Monday, December 21, 2015

"Let It Snow!"

Greetings! The new theme starting today at Cards In Envy is "Let It Snow", perfect for these days before Christmas! We always hope for a white Christmas in the DC area, but they are few and far between! Still we hope! Maybe these 3 little snowmen will bring us a little bit of the white stuff!

 
Enjoy these days before Christmas and don't stress out! Thanks for coming by!
Sherry

Thursday, December 17, 2015

"Twas the Night Before Christmas"

The challenge at Words 2 Scrap By is the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas." I found this little vintage image Digital Two for Tuesday and it reminded me of the lines from the poem: "When what to my wondering eyes did appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!"


Monday, December 7, 2015

Welcome to "A Very Vintage Christmas" challenge!

Hello and welcome! There's a new challenge today starting at Cards In Envy: "A Very Vintage Christmas." For my card, I used a beautiful old royalty-free image from a blog called Clearly Vintage, a companion blog to Digital Two for Tuesday.

I love this festive image and it was fun picking out complementary dp's and ribbon!

 
Now go and have fun making your own A2-sized, flat for mailing vintage card. I can't wait to see what you create for our challenge at Cards In Envy!
Enjoy the season!


Tuesday, November 24, 2015

One more for 'Friends & Family" theme

One more card I made for the Friends & Family challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown:

 
Image: Melonheadz Illustrating
DP: Echo Park "Christmas Cheer" 6x6
 
Thanks for stopping by! Happy Thanksgiving!


"Family & Friends" Theme at 52CCT

I made this card for the "Family and Friends" theme challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown:

 
Penguin digi: #veralanestudio
DP: Echo Park "Christmas Cheer" 6x6
Sentiment: Michael's clear stamp set
Glossy Accents, Stickles, and cotton balls from my linen closet
 
Thanks for stopping by!!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

O' Christmas Tree challenge

The challenge at the Shabby Tea Room is "O' Christmas Tree". I made this holiday tag using #veralanestudio digital stamps:

Monday, November 16, 2015

"Put An Extra Layer On It" challenge with prizes!

A new challenge begins today at Cards In Envy: "Put An Extra Layer On It"! AND there is a prize for this challenge! I am very proud to offer one of each of my two children's books* to two random winners! So be sure to post your card to qualify for the random drawing!

This little Pure Innocence by My Favorite Things guy is bundled up and ready for an early snowfall:

 
*I wrote and illustrated "Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop" in 2010 and "Chloe the Shoe Cat" in 2014. They are listed at Amazon.com and other online booksellers under my real name,
Sharon Hickey
 
Thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to see what you create for this fun challenge!

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Sweet snowman card

Hi! The challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is use a previous theme. I chose their July 2015 "Snowman" theme because I wanted to use this adorable digi by "From the Heart Stamps"! This digi is such fun to embellish with Glossy Accents and Stickles for that sugarplum look!


Thanks for stopping by!




Monday, November 2, 2015

Gratitude: new theme at Cards In Envy

The new challenge theme at Cards In Envy is "Gratitude". I thought it was a good time to make a Thanksgiving card with these cute little pilgrim bears, which I colored with Copics. I can't find a record of where I found the bears; if anyone recognizes them let me know!

As you know, Cards In Envy requires A2 sized cards that are flat for mailing. The bit of mesh ribbon I used is very thin and squashes down flat enough to meet the requirement. I love the rustic look it adds to a fall card.


Can't wait to see what you create for this fun challenge at Cards In Envy!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Owl Punch Mummy!

I was looking up "punch art" monsters on Google and came across so many cute ideas for using the Stampin' Up owl punch. Gosh, is that a useful punch to have! I couldn't resist c.a.s.e.ing the idea for a mummy owl!

 
Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, October 19, 2015

It's Trick or Treat time at Cards In Envy!

Hello and welcome! The new challenge at Cards In Envy is to make a card that makes you think of trick-or-treating at Halloween! Click here for a link to Cards In Envy and the challenge guidelines. Here is my Design Team card:

Digital Images: Vera Lane Studio Designs at Etsy
Copics
 
Halloween cards can be so much fun! I can't wait to see what you conjure up for the Cards In Envy challenge fun!


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Come join the fun at #veralanestudio !

Come join the fun at Vera Lane's Etsy shop and on Facebook! I have fallen in love with her quirky and fun line of digi stamps. They have taken me out of my card making comfort zone, so to speak!
They are wonderful for card making, tags and journaling!

 
Come join the zany fun!


Monday, October 12, 2015

"Fight Like a Girl" W2SB challenge

Hi! Happy Columbus Day!
I made this card for the "Fight Like a Girl" challenge at Words 2 Scrap By. I haven't joined in over there in 'way too long and this is such a great and important theme. I used a digi set from Whimsie Doodles that raises funds for breast cancer research.

 
Don't forget to check with your doctor about scheduling your mammogram!
Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Early Holiday Wishes 4 Kids

The current challenge at Send A Smile 4 Kids is "Early holiday wishes 4 kids." Here's my card, using a  #veralanestudio digi stamp set:

 
Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Monday, October 5, 2015

Creepy Crawly Challenge at CIE

Getting in the Halloween spirit over at Cards In Envy with a new challenge: Creepy Crawly. Your creation can feature a spider, snake, anything creepy and crawly (I get the creeps just thinking about it!).

I wanted to use this "Not So Spooky Spider" by OakPondCreations (Etsy) because it combines a spooky image with those un-spooky big eyes! I also added purples and purple gingham to play down the scariness of the spider! I dislike spiders but he/she looks like a rather friendly sort!

Have fun with your Creepy Crawly creation; just remember: A2-sized card, no shaped cards, and flat for standard mailing. Can't wait to see what you create!

 
Thanks for stopping by!
Sherry

Monday, September 21, 2015

Colors of Fall challenge

The new challenge theme at Cards In Envy is "Colors of Fall." Autumn is my favorite season; the warm colors are so beautiful!

Here is my card. I used a masking technique that I learned 'way back in 2010 at a stamping class. The first tiny butterfly (Martha Stewart punch) was added to cover an "oops", then I decided to add two more (gotta follow that Rule of 3)!

 
Hope you'll join in the "Colors of Fall" fun at Cards In Envy!
Sherry
 
 

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Christmas cards for men challenge

The new theme challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is "For a Man". I immediately thought of the set of Christmas sweater digis I got at Vera Lane Design Studio at Etsy. I was thinking of all the sweaters guys receive on Christmas morning, or the guys who can't wait to bundle up and hit the slopes!

 
I colored the Vera Lane Studio digi with Copics.
Thanks for stopping by!

"Fall Colors 4 KIds" Challenge

I made this card for the "Fall Colors 4 Kids" challenge at the Send A Smile 4 Kids challenge blog. I paper-pieced a Pure Innocence by My Favorite Things stamp and used Authentique "Something for All Seasons" 6x6 pad  I also colored with Copics and added a seam binding bow. I really love paper-piecing; it satisfies my inner child that loved paper dolls!

 
Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Monday, September 7, 2015

"Inspired by a Song" Challenge at CIE

My card is for the new challenge at Cards In Envy : "Inspired by a Song". What a fun challenge! Think about some of your favorite songs and look through your stash of images to get inspired! I love this fun digi by Hambo Digital Stamps and it reminded me of the great Motown song, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine!"

 This little Hambo guy, who apparently has gone under cover as a bunch of grapes, looks pretty happy; I hope that means he's heard only good things "through the grapevine"! Here's my card for the challenge:

 
Colored with Copic Sketch Markers
American Crafts Basics Floral Purple (reverse is gingham) paper (12x12" sheet)
 
Pop over to Cards In Envy to see the rules for this challenge. I hope you'll join in the fun!  I can't wait to see what song inspires your A2-sized creation!
Sherry
 
 
##

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

"Birthday Cat Pout" card

This is the other card I made with a digi by From the Heart Digital Stamp that I purchased through a fund raiser that owner Faith Skrdla set up for her daughter's soccer league (link). There are several sentiments with this digi and this one really makes me laugh!

Pouty cat is colored with Copic sketch markers.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sherry
 

"Spectacular Birdbrain" card

I made this card and the kitty cat card on my next post with digital stamps by Faith Skrdla of From the Heart Digital Stamps. Faith has set up a fund raiser for her daughter's soccer league and this cute "Spectacular Birdbrain" digi is one of the images available through the fund raiser. I love it and couldn't wait to bling up those spectacles! For more information, click here.

Spectacular Birdbrain is colored with Copics and her eyeglasses are blinged up with Stickles, Glossy Accents and rhinestones.
Thanks for stopping by!


Monday, August 17, 2015

"Cute and Cuddly" challenge at Cards In Envy

Welcome! Here's my card for the new "Cute and Cuddly" challenge that starts today at Cards In Envy. Take out one of those cute and cuddly images you have (such as teddy bear, bunny, kitten, puppy) and join in the Cards In Envy fun!

Cards In Envy requires A2-sized cards (no square or shaped cards) which are flat for mailing (no thick embellishments or layers).  I hope you'll join in and I look forward to seeing what you create. You have two weeks!

 
Image: Dearie Dolls
Copic Sketch Markers
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
 

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Christmas Cards for Kids at 52CCT

This week's challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is cards for kids. I love this sweet snowman digi from From the Heart Digital Stamps!

 
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!

 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Calling All Book Lovers!

Welcome! The August challenge at Words 2 Scrap By is one I can't resist! The challenge is "Calling All Book Lovers!" and it's in honor of National Book Day. You can choose from these suggested titles as listed at W2SB, or pick a book that inspires you to make a card:

"Here are a few ideas, or choose one of your favorites:

  • Where the Wild Things Are
  • The Good Earth
  • Eat, Pray, Love
  • Winnie-the-Pooh
  • Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"
I chose The Good Earth by Pearl Buck because it's a great book and I immediately thought of the fun digital images at Hambo. Here's the card I came up with:

Hambo Digital Stamps
Copics
Cloud digis are from Vera Lane Studio
 
Thanks for stopping by. There's still lots of time to join in this fun challenge over at Words 2 Scrap By!
 

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Red & Green Color Challenge at 52CCT

Here is a card I made for the Red & Green color challenge this week at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown:

I love looking through sites that provide royalty-free vintage images. I couldn't resist this little girl in her red jacket and green plaid skirt.

 
Graphic 45 "Twas the Night Before Christmas" 6x6 pad
Antique Images

Monday, August 3, 2015

Cards In Envy has a new challenge and two new DT members!

There's a new challenge starting today at Cards In Envy: BIRTHDAY PARTY! Who doesn't love a birthday party and making birthday cards! Click on the highlighted link above to go to the blog and read the challenge rules.

Today is also my first challenge as a member of the Cards In Envy Design Team! I'm so excited and proud to be a new member of the team! As a long-time OWH'er, we learned very well the importance of flat, A2-size cards when we were making cards for the troops. I think that's a skill that carries over well to ease of mailing flat cards to all our families and friends.

Here is my birthday card:

Stamps: My Favorite Things Pure Innocence
DP: Teresa Collins World Traveler 6x6 paper pad
Candi Dots
Silver gel pen
 
I hope you liked my card and I'm so glad you visited my blog. Hope you will join in this fun Birthday Party challenge at Cards In Envy. I look forward to seeing what you create!
Sherry

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Christmas in July at Cards In Envy

Here is my card for the "Christmas in July" challenge at Cards In Envy. It's nice and flat as required by CIE with only 3 flat Candi dots as embellishment.

Postcard Rubber Stamp: Stampendous
Copics
Stickles
Candi dots
Ranger Distress Inks
Glossy Accents
 
Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon.


Final Sketch at Operation Write Home

Here is this week's sketch at the OWH Stars & Stamps Blog. It's the final sketch as OWH winds down its mission:


I have followed the OWH sketch nearly every week since I started making cards for heroes in 2010. I learned early on that I can't make a good card without a sketch. I call it "working without a net" lol. The weekly OWH sketch challenge always motivated me! I will miss it very much but thankful we have an archive of all the OWH sketches to refer to.

In honor of OWH and its founder, I decided to use one of the Ciara's Friends stamps that Sandy Allnock designed for Whimsy Stamps. I hope in a small way it expresses my thanks to Sandy for all the fun, knowledge and inspiration she has given us through OWH as well as all her very hard work. Her golden retriever, Ciara, was the OWH mascot and beloved by us volunteers. I didn't have exactly the right golden retriever Copic colors but did my best. And, of course, I couldn't make a card for Sandy without adding a bit of ribbon. Thanks, Sandy!!

 
OWH forever!
God bless our troops.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Cards In Envy: "Just Beachy!" challenge

I made this for the Cards In Envy "Just Beachy" challenge. I really love Vera Lane Studio's digi stamps and this set is called "Beach Love". I painted the background in watercolors and all other coloring was done with Copics.

Notice her itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny yellow-polka dot (not a) bikini lol!
My sis and I leave for the beach this Friday; that made this little project even more fun.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sherry

Monday, July 13, 2015

52CCT Color Challenge: Kraft and ?

I like this challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown because I love kraft paper. One of my favorite combos is kraft and green, so that's what I used here with only a speck of red and yellow for her hair. This digi was a freebie on OWH 'way back soon after I started volunteering (2010) and I can't remember who made it. I added a tiny mouth because I like it better that way.

Copics: Pine Tree Green
Martha Stewart evergreen branch punch
Button punch
Ellen Hutson DP
Spellbinders
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
Sherry

OWH Sketch #258

This sketch at OWH is second to the last one! Between you and me, I hope they'll post two more to make it an even 300!
 
Here's my card. I used a Dare 2 B Artsy set that as I recall was an OWH fund raiser:
 
 
 
 Here is this week's OWH Sketch 258:
 
Thanks for dropping by! Come back soon.
 
 

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

My last card for Operation Write Home

I  just had to post the last card that is going into my final box for Operation Write Home! I sent my first little box in 2010. I never sent a huge box of cards but I knew that every single card mattered--that each handmade card would be sent to the troops to write home on. As soon as I learned about OWH I was impressed with the organization and have never been disappointed. I am sad it's ending but I think many of us in the community have formed bonds (even tho they are in cyberspace) that will keep us in touch. Thanks to Sandy for founding OWH, for leading us and for all the fun!!
Before I get too sentimental, here's one more little card for my box:

Whimsie Doodles digi stamp
Teresa Collins DP
 
Thanks for stopping by! Stay in touch!!

Words 2 Scrap By challenge

Words 2 Scrap By has a sweet challenge right now: "A Friend With Chocolate". What could be better? I made this card with a Di's Digi Downloads image, watercolor pencils, Glossy Accents, and Stampin' Up cupcake punch. The sentiment is a wood mounted stamp and I will go up to my studio and check who makes it.



Crafty Individuals Challenge: Face Value

Crafty Individuals current challenge theme is "Face Value". I chose for my focal point a sweet Crafty Individuals' stamp that reminds me of those carefree days long ago when my sisters and I were little. The background includes two other CI stamps as well.

 
Stamps: Crafty Individuals
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists
Ranger Texture Paste
The Crafter's Workshop Butterfly Stencil
Ranger Distress Inks and paint
Whimsy Stamps Corner Dies
Pearl Pen
Really Reasonable crinkle ribbon
 
Thanks for stopping by! Please come again.
Sherry
 



Monday, July 6, 2015

52CCT July Sketch Challenge

Here is the July sketch at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown:


And here is my card:

                                         Image: "Santa's Delivery" by Di's Digi Downloads

I colored the image with Derwent Watercolour Pencils. The sentiment is a woodmount in my stash; I'll go up and get the name. Sorry that Santa's reds look orange-y in the photo.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Final ODBD Challenge at OWH: Thank You cards

Our Daily Bread Designs has been so very generous supporting the card challenge at Operation Write Home every month! Thanks, ODBD! I can't believe this is the final challenge as OWH winds down its mission.

Here's my card for the July 2015 challenge theme: Thank You cards, After finding a yummy pack of black and white buttons, I couldn't wait to make a monochromatic card with them. I borrowed this sketch from 52CCT.

 
I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day!
Thanks for stopping by.
Sherry




Happy Birthday, America!

Wishing everyone a happy Independence Day!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

52CCT Mixed Media Challenge

This week's technique challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is "mixed media". I watched a lot of very fun instructional videos! Here's what I made:

 
I built up the background with gesso, Ranger distress paints and distress inks. I glued on the Martha Stewart punch snowflakes and added another layer of gesso. Then I used the Ranger Texture Paste with Tim Holtz "Bubble" stencil. I paper pieced the MFT Pure Innocence stamp and added stickles and ribbon. The most fun aspect was using the Texture Paste--can't wait to use it again. Thanks for this fun challenge, 52CCT!

Friday, June 26, 2015

Frilly and Funkie challenge: It's Summer!

 
I made this for the Frilly and Funkie "It's Summer" challenge. I may be too late adding this link but next time I'll remember!
The pretty bicycle stamp I used is from Crafty Individuals.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

A starburst and another banner card

Welcome! I had a lot of scraps around from a 6x6 Pebbles paper pad called "Family Ties." I decided to try the OWH starburst technique. After piecing the starburst and trimming it to make a card, I had this nice strip of starburst left over so I decided to make another banner card for OWH. Here's the banner card first:

 
And here's the starburst that I cut the banner strip from:
 
 I haven't used this technique in ages and it was extra fun to get two cards out of it! Thanks for stopping by.
 

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

52 Christmas Card Throwdown

Making a Christmas card for this week's 52 Christmas Card Throwdown Challenge seemed like a good way to beat the heat! The color challenge is Black & White + one other color. I chose red:

 
Digi: Stamper's Best
Copics
I just noticed one of my 3 tiny black pearls fell off. I had put them there to disguise a stamp Oops. The little typewriter key stickers are from Tim Holtz
 
95 degrees and humid in Arlington, VA today! Stay cool.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Red, White & Blue challenge at Cards In Envy

For my red, white and blue card I chose this cute Melonheadz digi. Now I just need to find a little boy who has a July 4th birthday--any takers?