Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Thankful

It's the time of year when we reflect and give thanks for the many blessings we are privileged to have in our lives.  So it is no surprise that the theme this week for the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge is "Thanks".  If you read my earlier post today, you'll know I'm on a candle binge at the moment.  Love them!!  I've already amassed quite a collection ready to give as gifts for Christmas.  And I had to craft a few additional ones for occasions such as birthdays, and of course, Thanksgiving!  The image is a There She Goes Stamp from the set "Bountiful Blessings", and the sentiment is from TLC.

 

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz to share your creations!  Looking forward to seeing your Thanksgiving or Giving Thanks projects!

 

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Cellulite

TGIF!  Today's Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge theme is "Tickle My Funny Bone".  You can choose any occasion as long as the card has a humorous element to it.  I've been a fan of Bugaboo for quite awhile, and today seemed the perfect time to use one of the Stella images.  I love this sentiment on the Frame it Stella Cellulite image!  Seems the older I get, the more of Stella's attitude I adopt (much to hubby's dismay, hehe)!

Not sure why this yellow cardstock continues to photograph as electric neon.  In real life it is a soft yellow.  One of these days I'll have to set up a better way to snap photos of my cards, and look to upgrading my camera.  Anyone have info on a camera they love?

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz to share a giggle or two with us this week!  Everyone can use an additional humorous card in their stash! 

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Pumpkins

Happy November 1st!  Can you believe it is already November?  For us this starts the sprint to Christmas!  I'm so excited...I adore this time of year!  And I'll be sharing more about it as the month goes by, so I won't bog you down with details today.  Welcome to the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge, the theme of which this week is Celebrate Pumpkin Toss Day!

This image is a freebie from Marianne Walker's blog for Copic.  Along with freebie is a Coloring Pumpkins for Beginners Tutorial.  I remember bookmarking this tutorial back in October last year.  I am delighted to see how far my coloring has progressed since then.  Both Marianne's blog and the Copic website have some great free tutorials and tips for improving your coloring.

Once again I printed the image in brown on textured cream paper rather than in black on Copic cardstock.  I really like the softer look for Autumn cards.  The plaid paper is an old K&Company and the cut out leaves are Sandylion Essential stickers to which I added a touch of green color pencil.  Four red pearls finish the card.

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Thanksgiving is almost here and you are running out of time to complete enough cards for all those lovely special people on your list (did I use the appropriate amount of prodding, hehe?)!

Sorry I haven't been to visit your blogs.  Still awaiting a diagnosis and prognosis on Greg's father.  Should have results of upper and lower GI later today.  If neither shows any blockage, the doctors are stumped as to the cause of his syptoms.  One moment he appears to be doing okay, the next he's out of it.  One day he can walk unassisted to the nurses station, the next he cannot.  Etc., etc.  Hopefully tomorrow will bring some news.  Thank you for leaving comments even though I am not currently returning the favor!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Noel

Another Friday down and only eight more until Christmas!  So, why not take advantage of the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge this week and create another Christmas card to mark off your list?  The image I've used on this card was a freebie from Dover Publications.  They offer many free coloring pages/images on their website.  Definitely worth a look.

There is not a lot of alcohol maker use on this card, but enough to meet the challenge I think.  The silver swirl on the middle box is colored with a Clear Sakura Gelly Roll pen.  I chalked the green background to pop the white boxes.  The greenery sprigs were made with a CC designs holly die.  A big red bow and a Noel sticker complete the card. 

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Christmas is almost here and you are running out of time to complete enough cards for all those lovely special people on your Christmas list (did I use the appropriate amount of prodding, hehe?)!

Sorry I haven't been to visit your blogs.  This is on auto post.  Will type an update on Greg's father when time allows.  Thank you for leaving comments even though I am not currently returning the favor!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Trick or Treat

It's Friday!  And I'm hosting this week's Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge!  We have a color theme for you this week using one of the fabulous color palettes from Design Seeds.  The palette is Sushi Hues 3. Although when I saw it, I immediately thought Halloween rather than sushi.  What?  Me not thinking about food?  How did that happen?  Must be the time of year...holiday vibes are in the air!  So, my card is all about Halloween!  I used the adorable A Day for Daisies image Cat for Halloween, and a combo of misc. Halloween papers.

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Looking forward to seeing your cards/projects with this color combo.   Enjoy your weekend!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Faith

TGIF!  Today at the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge our theme is Awareness.  While there are many Awareness campaigns out there, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Even the NFL teams are supporting this campaign with the wearing of pink shoes, gloves, towels, etc.  Thankfully, my immediate family has good breast health.  However, a dear friend of mine was diagnosed last year, and this summer WON a long battle with this horrible disease.  Through it all...the chemo, the radiation, the surgeries, the reconstruction...she remained positive and courageous.  And most importantly she kept her faith.  So, Kara, my dear friend, this card is a tribute to you (even though you said you didn't want any "pink" stuff or inspirational cards).  So happy you are still in this world with us!  By your actions, you are a true testament to Faith.

This stunning image is from Ike's World (Suzy offered it as a freebie to play in her challenge).  I'm still in awe of the strength and beauty in this image.  To stay away from the "girlie" pink that Kara so detests, I went for the hot pink in the Lola & Luca paper pack from The Paper Studio.  No embellishments were needed.  I added the word Faith and the card was complete.

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge, and support your chosen Awareness campaign!

Have a fabulous weekend, and I'll see you Sunday with a surprise post!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Here's a Bear Hug

Hi!  This is the first of two posts for me today.  Can you believe I have two posts for today?  Yes, it's true!  This post is for the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge where our theme this week is World Animal Day and featuring an animal.  Of course Pandas immediately came to mind, and this image by A Day for Daisies, Comfort, was a favorite the minute I saw it.

For the background paper I used a bamboo stalk image.  After replicating it multiple times, I altered the color, shrunk, enlarged, flipped, and digitally layered the images to create a bamboo thicket.  I also printed out several pieces, fussy cut them, and adhered them over the top of the background to create some additional dimension.

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge, and show us your animals!  

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Joy

Yep it is once again Friday, and time for the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge!  Being the last Friday of the month, the theme is Anything Goes with an optional Christmas twist.  I can be a procrastinator, so making at least one Christmas card each month is helping me make a dent in my list!  Today's card features a freebie design from Mary Corbet's Needle and Thread.  This image is an embroidery pattern entitled Holly and Joy.  When looking for card images, sometimes looking beyond the traditional digi or rubber stamps can provide new and exciting designs. 

While it is difficult (okay, impossible) to see in the photo, the trim around the letters was colored with a Spica Pen.  As usual, with the image being so busy, I kept the card very CAS.

For the month of September our sponsor is Digi Stamps 4 Joy.  Our very creative Jen is an illustrator for them, and through her connection has secured five, yes 5, digi stamps for our winner this month!  Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge, and give yourself a chance to win FIVE digi stamps.  Also, you could get a jump on your Christmas cards for this year!

Enjoy your weekend!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Konnichiwa

Konnichiwa!  Can you guess the theme of today's Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge?  No, it is not a Japanese theme, but you're close.  Around the World (featuring a country) is today's theme!  So, you already know the country I chose to honor with my card.  I've never been to Japan, nor do I have any close relationships with anyone who has.  However, I find the culture, which is steeped in tradition, and now rapidly changing due to their affluent, tech savvy, youngsters fascinating to read about.  For my card, I chose a Sister Stamps image reflecting a part of Japan's past.  Sweet little Yoshimi is outside on a lovely Spring day, with the cherry trees in bloom, practicing her fan dance.

For the month of September our sponsor is Digi Stamps 4 Joy.  Our very creative Jen is an illustrator for them, and through her connection has secured five, yes 5, digi stamps for our winner this month!  Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, Penny and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge, and give yourself a chance to win FIVE digi stamps.  Cannot wait to see what country you chose to feature in your card!  Thank you for visiting, and have a wonderful weekend!

P.S.  I entered this card in the Quirky Crafts Challenges #19 as it so nicely met their theme.

P.S.2  I won first place!  Thank you ladies! 

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Chocolate

It's Friday, and we have a yummy challenge for you this week at the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge!  Our theme this week is....CHOCOLATE!  I must admit to being somewhat of a chocolate snob.  I grew up enjoying the usual candy bars and chocolate treats, but after an experience at Fauchon's in Paris, my taste for chocolate changed forever.  The rich, luscious, decadent chocolate creations were amazing!  The standard Hershey or Nestle candies were fine when I was a child, but as an adult I seek out gourmet chocolates.  Three of my current favorite chocolate shops are Norman Love Confections, Woodhouse Chocolate, and Ethel M Chocolates (I adore the pecan caramel raptures....their version of "turtles").  If you are looking for a special treat, any of the three of these shops have delectable offerings.  Anyway, getting back to today's card, I've had this Lili of the Valley stamp, The Chocolate Factory, since last year, and what better time to ink it up!  Since there is so much going on in the image, I decided to keep additions to the card very minimal.  I printed a double line border and called it good.

 

For the month of September our sponsor is Digi Stamps 4 Joy.  Our very creative Jen is an illustrator for them, and through her connection has secured five, yes 5, digi stamps for our winner this month!  Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge, and give yourself a chance to win FIVE digi stamps!  Cannot wait to see your delicious creations!  

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - So Many Books

TGIF!  Welcome to the first Friday in September, and another Outlaws Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge!  The theme for this week is "Read All About It".  With so many fabulous images out there, especially on Elizabeth Dulemba's blog (she's all about books!...and she has a freebie every Tuesday), it was a challenge to pick just one image to color.  I finally settled on this adorable little fairy sitting on her stack of books.  And the sentiment by Paulette, of Create with TLC, appeared to be made especially to pair with this cutie.

 

For the month of September our sponsor is Digi Stamps 4 Joy.  Our very creative Jen is an illustrator for them, and through her connection has secured five, yes 5, digi stamps for our winner this month!  Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge, and give yourself a chance to win FIVE digi stamps!  Thank you for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Holiday Wishes & Snowflake Kisses

It's Friday!!!  Which means it is time for the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge!  And since this is the last Friday of the month, the theme is Anything Goes with an optional Christmas Twist.  Today's card features an adorable freebie from Kajsans.  I adore this pudgy little bird with his Santa Hat!  He was a dream to color, and I'm tickled with the way he looks on this card!  Of course I had to flock and sparkle the trim and ball on his hat.  And I glittered the snow.

Please do not forget this month the Alcohol Markers Challenges are being sponsored by our very own DT member, Dawn, who is a talented digi artist and has her own Etsy shop, LilyPink Scraps!  Pop on over and check out Dawn's fantastic digis!  She is offering the winner three digis of their choice from her shop!

Would love to see you join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge! Have a fun weekend everyone, and I'll see you in September!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Back to School

Sorry I've been a bit slacking on making cards and visiting your blogs.  Hopefully I'll have a tad more play time here in the very near future!  I did manage to make my card for the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge...whoo hoo!  This week's theme is "Back to School".  My kiddos are all grown up (and no grandchildren yet), but I do have a few nieces and nephews still in school, so the card will not go to waste!  The image I used is a coloring page from Coloring Pages for Kids.  They have over 6,000 free images to color on their website!  You can find the backpack image here. 

After coloring the image, I added the bling heart to the backpack.  I like how it pairs with the backpack hardware that I colored with a Jelly Roll pen.

Please do not forget this month the Alcohol Markers Challenges are being sponsored by our very own DT member, Dawn, who is a talented digi artist and has her own Etsy shop, LilyPink Scraps!  Pop on over and check out Dawn's fantastic digis!  She is offering the winner three digis of their choice from her shop!

Would love to see you join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and thank you for taking time to visit my blog!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Hello

Hello!  Welcome to another Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge!  Today's challenge is a change from the norm.  Rather than a topic theme, we have a color challenge!  Carla, our fabulous DT leader, selected a color palette from Jessica's website, Design Seeds, that you can find here.  If you are ever in a rut with your color choices or merely looking for some new ideas, check out Design Seeds for some gorgeous and inspiring color combinations!  Here's the palette Carla chose for this week's challenge:

Look at those beautiful minty blue/greens and pretty pinks!

For my card, I used the A Day for Daisies image, Flowers in Bottles (and yes, it is still available in the store).  I didn't have any patterned paper that matched, so using a computer graphics program, I altered the colors of two digital papers before printing to match my colored image.  Hope you like the end result!

 

Please do not forget this month the Alcohol Markers Challenges are being sponsored by our very own DT member, Dawn, who is a talented digi artist and has her own Etsy shop, LilyPink Scraps!  Pop on over and check out Dawn's fantastic digis!  She is offering the winner three digis of their choice from her shop!

Would love to see you join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Thank you for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Music Amongst the Trees

Happy Friday everyone!  Are you looking forward to a fun weekend?  Hubby and I have plans to see the new Matt Damon/Jodie Foster movie!  And then the usual beach and pool time, especially since hubby is having surgery on his knee next Friday and will be laid up for a couple of weeks.  He tore the knee pad during a round of golf.  Anyway, you didn't stop by to read about my husband's medical issues, lol.  On to today's challenge!  The theme for this week's Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge is Music.  I used the A Day for Daisies image, Music in the Trees, and added a few musical notes to really highlight the music theme of the card.

Please do not forget this month the Alcohol Markers Challenges are being sponsored by our very own DT member, Dawn, who is a talented digi artist and has her own Etsy shop, LilyPink Scraps!  Pop on over and check out Dawn's fantastic digis!  She is offering the winner three digis of their choice from her shop!

Would love to see you join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Have a fantastic weekend!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Summertime

Yippee!  It's Friday!  And time for another Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge!  Hot Summer Fun is this week's theme.  For my card I chose to use an image that's been sitting unused in a file on my computer for nearly three, yep...3, years.  He was from a group of free coloring pages back in 2010!  Isn't he the absolute embodiment of "summer fun"?!  His vacation suitcase is packed, and he's pulled together his favorite summer gear.

We have a new sponsor for the month of August. This month, the Alcohol Markers Challenges are being sponsored by our very own DT member, Dawn, who is a talented digi artist and has her own Etsy shop, LilyPink Scraps!  Pop on over and check out Dawn's fantastic digis!  She is offering the winner three digis of their choice from her shop!

Would love to see you join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Have a fun summer weekend!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Warm Winter Wishes 2

Happy Friday!  Can you believe it's already the last Friday in July?!  Summer is flying by so quickly!  As it is the last Friday in July, our theme today at the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge is Anything Goes with an optional Christmas twist.  Do you remember that adorable mitten paper I used last month?  Well, here it is again!  This time I used a Lili of the Valley stamp, Twinkling Star.  Her striped mittens made her the perfect choice to use with the mitten paper.

Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda and me over at the Outlawz for this week's challenge!  Enjoy your weekend!

Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge - Bon Voyage

TGIF!  And welcome to my first time as hostess for the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge!  This week's theme is Travel.  There are soooo many possibilities with this theme!  Choosing just one image and one direction for my card took some time, but this cute image from Bugaboo Digi Stamps,  Boat Duckie, pulled my scattered ideas into a cohesive card.  Around the blogs, I'm seeing a trend of "window" or shadowbox cards.  I wanted to try my hand at this technique, and today's card is the result!  The waves and clouds behind Duckie are die cut and placed behind the window.  Duckie is fussy cut and popped up with foam.  I really enjoyed making this card, and plan to try this style of card again!

 

Please don't forget our sponsor this month, Bombshell Stamps, will be randomly-selecting one participant in this month's challenges to win a fabulous prize, so please come join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, and me at the Outlawz Fridays Alcohol Markers Challenge.  I would really love to see some of my followers participate (especially since it is my first week as hostess...nudge,nudge).  Have a fun weekend!  

Outlawz Friday's Alcohol Markers Challenge - The Ants' Picnic Parade

Did those of you who celebrate on July 4th have a fantastic day?!?  And are you ready for another Challenge at the Outlawz?!  Today's theme is Picnic/BBQ.  I went with the Picnic so that I could once again use some of the fabulous ants from Nikki at Melonheadz Illustrations.  As I mentioned in a previous post, these little guys were freebies on Nikki's blog last summer.  They are still available for purchase as a set called Ants on Parade in her Etsy shop here.  I didn't get the chance to color them up last year, so I'm pleased to use them now.

I kept the card simple (seem to be creating CAS cards more frequently...might be developing a style, lol).

Since the card is CAS, in addition to this being a DT card for the Outlawz Friday's Alcohol Markers Challenge, I am entering it into the Without Words Challenge, July - Summer Picnic with the colors of strawberries, cream, and cucumbers.  And if you are confused about the Challenge, as I first was, because my card has "words" on it, here is their definition of acceptable cards:

CLEAN AND SIMPLE - OUR DEFINITION: A very simple layout with the absolute minimum of embellishments (or none at all), allowing the focus of the card to be a well coloured image. Sentiments are fine. 

Now back to the Outlawz Challenge!  Please join Carla, Dawn, Jen, Linda, and me in this week's Challenge!  This month's Challenge Sponsor is Bombshell Stamps. 

Thank you for visiting my blog, and have a marvelous weekend everyone!

Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge - Warm Winter Wishes

Yep, it's Friday!  And time for another Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge!  Being the last Friday of the month, the challenge theme for today is Anything Goes (with an optional Christmas Twist).  It's difficult to think of Christmas when summer is getting underway, but it is nice to get a jump start on my cards for the Season. 

When I think of Christmas, I think of joy and happiness.  We are celebrating!  Whether or not you believe in Christ, there is glow in most people during the holiday season.  This cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil is a true representation of joy!  I get all happy inside just looking at the sheer delight on her face!

 

She's colored with Copics, and I added a combo of white glitter, flocking, and Flower Soft to her hat and the trim on her jacket sleeves and hem.  The mitten paper is from the Recollections paper pack Jolly Holiday.  I adore the bright colors, and fun design (you'll be seeing more cards from me using that paper, lol).

Thank you for stopping by, and please join go check out the other DT cards at the Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge.  We'd love for you to play along with the challenge.  Like me, you could get a start on those Christmas cards! 

And this month, the Alcohol Markers Challenges are being sponsored by DIGISTAMPS4JOY.  One randomly selected participant will win 5 digis of their choice from the DIGISTAMPS4JOY shop here.  They have some fantastic images! The Outlawz very own Jen is one of the talented digi artists for DS4J!