Thank you for your consideration

My projects are not to be submitted and/or used in any written publication, advertisement or contest without my knowledge. I am flattered if you use one of my projects as inspiration, but please give me credit when you do and, if possible a link back to this blog. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me using the contact form. Thank you

I appreciate my Followers!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

The Outlaws Clean & Simple Challenge: Anything goes!

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” 

Good morning Friends. 
This is the last Sunday of the year of our Lord 2013 ... Enjoy the day!

This weeks challenge at the Outlawz is anything goes ... We found over the holidays that my daughters best friend, who is expecting her second child, is having a girl. I was thinking of her when I made this card.



SUPPLIES: Pink card stock (Bazzill), white card stock & Sentiment from "Holidays & Wishes" (Stampin Up!), "Decorative Squares embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Ribbon, flower sequins and beads (Stash)

Come play along with our Clean & Simple Anything goes challenge this week

Saturday, December 21, 2013

"Ringing" in the New Year

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.  ~Charles Dickens

Good Morning Friends
Another joyous day! Can you believe that it is only 3 more days until Christmas! Where is the time going????

It's time for another Outlawz CAS Challenge and this time we are "Ringing" in the New Year with circles!


SUPPLIES: Stampin Up! (Card stock, rhinestones & Ink), The Angel Company (Sentiment), Bazzill (card stock for rings), Sizzix (Circle Dies)


Come play along with us and "Ring in the New Year" with us CAS style!

Superstar!

Hi
This card was originally made with someone specific in mind, but I decided to go another route.
Enjoy



SUPPLIES: Stampin Up! (Card stock, rhinestones & Ink), Darice EF (Dot background), Stash (Doily, rhinestone star & Ribbon). Smooch pearlized top coat (used on some of the embossed dots)

Friday, December 20, 2013

Thinking of You

Hi There
Lots going on so I have not posted much lately...
I have a card here I created using scraps from scrap bucket

Enjoy


 SUPPLIES: Stampin Up! (Sentiment, white card stock), Memories India Ink, Bazzill (blue card stock), Unknown (ribbon, pearls, DP and yellow card stock)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas card for Rae

Greeting for the day Friends!

I made this card for our Daughter who is in Japan for another Christmas. I got the idea for her card front from one I found on Pintrist. (Sorry - I tried to link up but kept getting a malware warning)

Anyway ... Here is the Outside:


Supplies: Stampin Up! (Cardstock & Ink), DCWV (DP), Unknown (Glitter paper used for star), Inkahootz! (Sentiment), Martha Stewart Punch (Star), Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations die (Townscape)

Here is the inside!
Supplies: Sizzix/Stampin Up! pop up die (O Christmas tree), Design paper for tree is unknown.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Outlawz CAS Challenge: Snowman Love

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O LORD of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. — Psalm 84:11-12 nlt

Good Sunday morning to one and all. I hope you are all getting your Christmas lists taken care of early so you can settle down and enjoy the season!

Today is another new challenge for Clean and Simple at The Outlawz. This weeks theme is "Snowman Love" CAS style. As Cheri said "Life give you lemons, you make lemonade. Winter gives you snow, you make Snowmen!!!!

Here's mine!

Supplies: Stampin Up! (Cardstock, sentiment, image & watercolor crayons), Cuttlebug/Anna Griffin (EF "Paper snowflakes"), Tsukineko Brilliance Pigment Ink Pad (Platinum Planet), Glitter (Stash).

Come play along with us and share some snowman love CAS style!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Poinsettias!

May the sun shine, all day long
everything go right, and nothing go wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true!
-Irish Blessing-

Good morning! Another beautiful day to celebrate being alive!
Today is also my turn to post the weekly challenge for The Outlawz Clean and Simple Challenge!

My birthday is this month so this weeks challenge is a card or project featuring Poinsettias! It is my favorite flower and derives it's name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant to the United States in 1825.

Here is the card I made for the challenge


SUPPLIES: The Paper Temptress (Cryogen White paper), Stampin Up! (Red card stock, ink and chalk),  Inkahootz! (Sentiment), Spellbinders die (Poinsettia), Stash (Gold seed beads)

Come check us out at The Outlawz Challenges
Maybe something will trigger your creative streak and you will play along with us.

HUGS
Cara

Sunday, December 1, 2013

CAS Angel Challenge

Good morning one and all.
God is Good!
Another beautiful day granted to try and be a better person and make someone smile. 
Today is also the start of a new CAS challenge over the Outlawz Challenges .... The theme this week is "Angels" ... Although I would normally be off this week I just had to make a card for this challenge since I have collected Angels, in one form or another, all my life - so I have quite the collection. 
I did make this into a card, but the more I look at I think I am going to find a nice frame for it and make it part of my decor! LOL

SO ... The challenge details: Create a CAS card or project (And does NOT have to be Christmas) that uses an ANGEL image or has the word ANGEL as part of the sentiment.

Here is my card!
Each layer of the wings is attached with foam for a 3 dimensional look

SUPPLIES: Stampin Up! (white card stock), Unknown (Glitter paper (wings) & Gold card stock), Stampabilities (Sentiment "Angels"), Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizziz (Die "Layered wings"), Stash (Button)

Please come on Come on by and check us out!


Maybe something will trigger your creative streak and you will play along with us.


HUGS, Cara

Friday, November 22, 2013

Sliding card

Hi There ...

This is a tutorial I did for Through the Craftroom Door
Please go check out this wonderful magazine on line magazine.

Love this card ... takes hardly any time at all but looks like you spent hours! LOL



Through The Craft Room Door Holiday Bonus Issue 2013



I am posting this video because I think that Colleen has a great product for the price!
The website hosts challenges and the magazine is fantastic!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Give Thanks

Good morning!
Today is a new day and a new Clean and Simple Challenge over at The Outlawz!

This week we are "Giving Thanks" ... One could think how cliche' since this month is Thanksgiving here in the U.S.A, but it's good to be reminded that giving thanks is not always about the Turkey and Stuffing. It's also about the people in our lives that we appreciate but so very often forget to let know how we feel.

Take the time to tell the people around you how thankful you are to have them in your life. Such a simple action and the only thing it will cost you is a few moments of your time, but it can make the whole day brighter for that special someone!

Here's my card for the challenge
I created the leaf using a sticker that I added to BG paper I made then trimmed out and added to card on a foam dot.

Supplies: Stampin Up! (card stock), Starform (Gold leaf sticker), Inkahootz (Sentiment), Paper Studio ("Leaves" EF), Memories (India Ink), metallic paper is scrap from my stash

The leaf background was made using a ink & alcohol technique


This card is going to my daughter in Japan. She has been posting on her facebook page wonderful pictures of Japan in the fall.  Her father & I are very proud of what she had accomplished. We are so thankful for her humor and wit and loving soul.

Please come on Come on by and check us out!
Maybe something will trigger your creative streak and you will play along with us.

HUGS
Cara

Monday, November 11, 2013

Birthday for Rae

Good morning ... I made this card for my Daughter. Her birthday is today.
She lives in Japan right now ... I miss her very much. :O(

Funny story though ... I didn't pay attention to the direction of the card base before I glued the front on.
The card actually opens on the left side ...
Rather that try to fix it, I decided to go with it figuring after all this time she is pretty used to reading right to left!



SUPPLIES:  Card stock, sentiment & felt flowers (Stampin Up!), Design Paper & bling (Stash), Bit of Paisley Embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Fancy labels die &  Decorative accent with flower die (Sizzix)

Thanks for looking!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Remember ...

Good morning!
Time for a new Clean and Simple Challenge at the Outlaws Challenges.

This week, our challenge is to remember or celebrate a loved on that has passed away , with a card or project CAS Style!

I didn't want to make a card for just one person. I've too many precious family members gone from my life that I wanted to remember so here is my card.



SUPPLIES:  Paper Temptress (Card stock), Sizzix Die (Leaves), Darice (Damask EF), Stampin Up! (Sentiment), Stash (Bling)


HUGS
Cara

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Bright November Color Challenge at the Outlawz

Good morning ... Today is new day and a new CAS challenge over at the Outlawz Challenge Blog.

This week we are to use bright colors to remember and celebrate the Summer gone!
Use one, some or all of these five colors and brighten up the week - Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Blue.  Combine them or use them alone, just keep it CAS and BRIGHT!  

Here's my card - I opted to use all the colors!
Love the fact that, outside the card base, the flowers are all punched from scrap card stock!

SUPPLIES: Card stock for card base, ink & pearl accents (Stampin Up!), Flower punched from scrap card stock using a punch from MS. Sentiment (Studio G).



Please come on Come on by and check us out!
Maybe something will trigger your creative streak and you will play along with us.

You could win one of these fabulous prizes!

$15 store gift card from OOZAK
$15 store gift card from 7 KIDS COLLEGE FUND
$20.00 Value Gift Package of 20 Sheets of Cryogen Paper from THE PAPER TEMPTRESS 
3 free digi images from SQUIGGLEFLY
3 Prizes of 3 digis each of your choice from RICK ST. DENNIS
$10 store gift card from TOUCHED BY A BUTTERFLY 

HUGS
Cara

Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Outlawz CAS Challenge: Halloween of course!

Good morning ... today is my day to post the CAS challenge for The Outlawz!
Since October always brings to mind All Hallows Eve aka Halloween ... (short history lesson!)

According to The History website (If interested you can get more information HERE)
Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred and the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

It wasn't until the late 1800s, that there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft and by the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day.

The American Halloween tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.  

There ya go - learn something new everyday!
Happy Halloween!

My card for this challenge!



SUPPLIES: Card stock (Stampin Up!), "Acanthus" embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Images & sentiment (Recollections), The pumpkin was colored using water color pencils and a blender pen.

Please come on Come on by and check us out!
Maybe something will trigger your creative streak and you will play along with us.

You could win one of these fabulous prizes!

$15 store gift card from OOZAK
$15 store gift card from 7 KIDS COLLEGE FUND
$20.00 Value Gift Package of 20 Sheets of Cryogen Paper from THE PAPER TEMPTRESS 
3 free digi images from SQUIGGLEFLY
3 Prizes of 3 digis each of your choice from RICK ST. DENNIS
$10 store gift card from TOUCHED BY A BUTTERFLY 

HUGS
Cara

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Christmas for the co-workers

This was crafty peeps days and I completed all my Christmas cards for my co-workers. (yay!)
Almost totally done, just need to get busy with the specialty cards I make for the parents and my daughter.

With the exception of card bases, these were made with scraps and borrowed supplies. I did use the same layout for each card and a sentiment from Stampin up! for papers vary from Target $1 bin , DSWV, Stampin Up!, Paper Crafts and who knows what else. The same for the ribbons.
The layout was inspired by this card HERE

Enjoy!
     Cara







Outlawz Clean and Simple Challenge: Rest and Relaxation!

More fabulous cards from the CAS Design Team ... Please click HERE to visit the Outlawz Challenges!

This week we are celebrating Rest and Relaxation!
Something most of us are not going have much of with the incoming Holiday season! :O)

Here is my card
I colored directly onto my stamps and then stamped the images right onto the card stock. 
Quick, clean and repeatable!


SUPPLIES: Card stock (unknown), Images (Stampin Up!), Sentiment (The Angel Company)

NOW COME SHOW US YOURS!
You could win one of these fabulous prizes!

$15 store gift card from OOZAK
$15 store gift card from 7 KIDS COLLEGE FUND
$20.00 Value Gift Package of 20 Sheets of Cryogen Paper from THE PAPER TEMPTRESS 
3 free digi images from SQUIGGLEFLY
3 Prizes of 3 digis each of your choice from RICK ST. DENNIS
$10 store gift card from TOUCHED BY A BUTTERFLY 

HUGS
Cara

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Halloween Boo!

Greetings one and all! I hope everyone who comes to visit has a fabulous day and tomorrow is even better!

I already have my Halloween cards done and mailed, so this one will go in my box for next year!
Talk about a head start!!!!
I am still working hard at using items from my scrap box such as small paper pieces and bits of Ribbon.
With the exception of the card base, this card is made from my scrap bin! 


SUPPLIES: Card stock (Stampin Up!), Image (Inkahootz!) Ribbon (Stash)

The pumpkins and leaves were colored with water color pencils and a blender pen and I used Aleens Paper Glaze on the eyes and mouth.

THIS CARD IS BEING ENTERED INTO THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES
Please click on the these links to visit the websites for even more amazing fun and creations!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Season's Greetings!

The challenge this week for the Outlaws Greeting Challenge is to use at least two different paper patterns.

Now folks, this can be a challenge for me at times to use ONE piece of patterned paper ... start adding on and I start heading into creative meltdown. I love the look but I am not comfortable, so I pushed myself here and used THREE different patterns ...

I have to admit... this is card 2 ... card one ... hmmmm. That's a story for another time!

So without further adieu ... here is my card!


SUPPLIES: Card stock (Paper Temptress), Ink (Stampin Up!) Large punched snowflake (Marvy) Design paper, fiber & metal snowflake (Stash) ... I am really trying to use my bits and pieces laying around. Money is tight and it's hard to justify a new toy when you have stuff on the shelf collecting dust.

THIS CARD IS BEING ENTERED INTO THE FOLLOWING CHALLENEGES:
Please click on the link and visit these sites for more fun and Inspiration

The Outlaws Greeting Challenge: Use at least 2 pcs of patterned paper
Create with TLC: Anything handmade & crafty


I USE THIS CARD I FOUND ON PINTERIST AS INSPIRATION;
krystals cards and more

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Thankful for ...

Happy Sunday afternoon! Although I still have a few more to do, I am close to finishing up my Thanksgiving cards so I can get onto finishing my Christmas cards!

***EDIT - THIS CARD WAS A FEATURED CARD FOR THE WEEK 10-21-13 AT THE OUTLAWZ CHALLENGE BLOG***

MY CARD

SUPPLIES: Card stock (Stampin Up!), Sentiment (Inkahootz!), Swirls (Autumn Leaves), Ink (Pallet Hybrid Ink & Stampin Up!), "Bricked" Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Leaf & rhinestones (Stash)

CARD CHALLENGES ENTERED
Please click on the links below and visit these sites for more fun and inspiration!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Outlawz Clean & Simple Challenge: Missing you!

Good evening!
The Outlawz CAS Challenge has been posted.

The Design Team did a fabulous job showcasing this weeks theme "I Miss You!"

Here is my card for the Challenge: A simple card using a piece of scrap paper that I ran through an embossing folder then lightly rubbed a stamp pad over the raised image. Very fast and CAS!


SUPPLIES: Card stock & Ink (Stampin Up! & stash), Sentiment (The Angel Company), Bit of Paisley EF (Sizzix), Metal frame (Stash)

Please come on Come on by and check us out!
Maybe something will trigger your creative streak and you will play along with us.

You could win one of these fabulous prizes!

$15 store gift card from OOZAK
$15 store gift card from 7 KIDS COLLEGE FUND
$20.00 Value Gift Package of 20 Sheets of Cryogen Paper from THE PAPER TEMPTRESS 
3 free digi images from SQUIGGLEFLY
3 Prizes of 3 digis each of your choice from RICK ST. DENNIS

$10 store gift card from TOUCHED BY A BUTTERFLY 

HUGS
Cara

Friday, October 11, 2013

My Friend

Good afternoon!
I made this card for my good friend Shannon.
She started entering challenges with me on The Outlawz Challenges and was recently asked to a guest designer for the Clean and Simple Challenge. Right on the heels of that she was asked to be a permanent member of the Greetings Challenge. I am so excited for her and I am looking forward to us pushing each other out of our boxes! LOL

The image looks rather faded as it is actually under the piece of vellum. I used chalks to give her a softer color.
I love this particular card because you can take it from fun to elegant just by changing your image!


Supplies: Card stock, vellum, sentiment and chalks (Stampin Up!) / "Stars and Swirls" Embossing folder (Sizzix) / Image "Deco Lady" (Stampendous!) / "Deckle" Edge (Fiskars edge scissors) / Flower and pearl (Stash)

Thanks for looking.
Comments are welcome and appreciated!
(Hugs) Cara

Batty Halloween for Rae

Good morning & Happy Halloween!

This card is going to my Daughter in Japan.
She loves bats and I always try to find cute images with her in mind.

The bat here was cut from a piece of scrapbook paper from Me and my Big Ideas! I added to the card with dimensional foam. I love that big eyed cheesy smile!



SUPPLIES: Card stock & Design paper (Stampin Up!), Sentiment (Studio G), Embossing folders ("Spiderweb" by Sizzix & "Woodgrain" by Cuttlebug), Ink (Memories India Ink),


Thanks for stopping by!
(Hugs) Cara

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Halloween Treats

Hi There ... I know I should work on my staging because it will make my projects looks so much more polished but it just seems like it's all I can do to get things photographed and uploaded.

While cleaning out my overhead at work I found a couple of left over Halloween Treat baskets I made for my co-workers last year.


These are incredibly easy to make so I thought I would share how to make them.

Supplies: Card stock, scallop punch, bat w/ sentiment & pumpkin faces (Stampin Up!), Shimmery paper for the ghost (Unknown), Fraidy Cat punch (Martha Stewart), Candy Corn image (Inkahootz!), Ghost #2 and Pumpkins #2 dies (Sizzix), Ink (Stampin Up! & Memories), Circle Punch (Marvy).

I generally use a 6 x 6 sheet of card stock because this makes a decent size little treat basket.
Score at 2 inches and 4 inches ... turn ... score at 2 inches and 4 inches
Fold along the score lines for nice sharp creases. Use your bone folder if necessary.
Cut as shown by dotted...


Use a strong adhesive to hold the basket in shape... decorate as desired!

Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by
     Cara

Smile!



Good evening ...
A very good friend of mine has joined me as a Design Team member on The Outlawz. While I am part of the Clean and Simple Challenge, she is now a part of the Greetings Challenge.
Shannon was so supportive and worked very hard to submit cards to my groups challenge even though CAS is not really her style!
Now I am trying to return the favor and make sure I participate in her groups weekly challenge!

That being said, here is my card ... Once again I crashed my stash! with the exception of the base, the card was made from my scrap bin!


I used Sketch #279 from Sketch Saturday



Supplies: Sentiments (Stampin Up!) Card stock and design paper & rhinestone (Stash), Ink (memories)

Thanks for looking!
(Hugs) Cara

THIS CARD WILL BE ENTERED INTO THESE CHALLENGES .... Please click on the links to visit the sites for more inspiration!
Sketch Saturday #279 - Anything goes
Monday Greetings Challenge - October 7th - Smile



Sunday, October 6, 2013

Birthday for Dakota

Good evening ... This card is for my son who will be turning 24 in a couple of days.

I used a card I saw on Pinterist for the layout.


SUPPLIES: Card stock & Sentiment (Stampin Up!), Design paper & silver bling (Stash)

THIS CARD WAS ENTERED INTO THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES: Please click in the link and visit these sites for more great submissions!
The Outlawz Greeting Card Challenge - Sept 30th, to Oct 6th - Anything goes
Twisted Thursday Challenge - Oct 3rd to Oct 9th - Masculine


Thank you

Good evening ... did a little crafting today!
I am challenging myself to "crash my stash" these days and use images and bit's I have laying around my craft room. I have so much and need to stop spending money when I have really cool stuff just waiting for me to put to good use!

This card was made using an imaged I'd stamped a while back. Other than the card base, all the paper is from my scrap box.


SUPPLIES: Sentiment, ink & card stock (Stampin Up!), Design paper (DCWV), "Vine" die (Sizzix), "Damask" Embossing folder (Darice), "Papercut Peacock" image (Inkadinkado)

THIS CARD HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES: Please click on the link and visit these sites as they have incredible submissions from other crafters!
The Outlawz Sketch Challenge 
Through the Craftroom door

Feeling TREE-Mendous

Hi There ...
New Clean and Simple challenge has been posted over at The Outlawz!

Since we are gearing up for Fall here in the United States the challenge this week is to create a CAS card or project that features a TREE image from any season you want.
Can be any color, any theme, just make sure you use a Tree and keep it CAS

Here is my card



SUPPLIES: Card stock (Stampin Up! & Bazzill), Tree, birds and sentiment (Sticker set "Fall Trees" from Stampendous)

Come on by to see all the wonderful inspiration from the other Design Team members.
Maybe something will trigger your creative streak and you will play along with us.

Hugs! 
Cara

THIS CARD IS ALSO BEING ENTERED INTO THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES: Please visit these sites as they have some incredible contributions to their challenges!

Through the Craft Room Door
Allsorts Challenge blogspot - Week 227
Tuesday Throwdown