Song of Spring Becomes an Autumnal Beauty in Fantasy {Fairy Tangles}

Greetings, Sweet Blogging Friends!

(and yes! I do mean SWEET, because you always are to me!)

Autumn has finally arrived in central Florida!
Our evening lows now dip into the 60s (15-17C), and our highs are in the mid 80's (29ishC).
Last week-end we actually had a few nights dip into the 40s!
And yes, those "highs" are in the shade in the middle of the day.

Autumn in Florida is unlike any other place in the USA. Bewitchingly blue skies, decreased humidity, the magic of tree leaves beginning to trade their emerald green for a lovely olive complexion, the enhanced blue-gray of the swaying Spanish Moss, and the decrease of green fungi on tree trunks bringing out their natural lovely caramel, cocoa and latte colors... these are my Florida's Autumnal shades.

We live in an oak hammock, so my card today depicts the colors I see from late October until mid January, spiced with small amounts of the olive green in the oak trees.

And...

Oh yes! It's time for a new Cardz 4 Galz challenge!

This challenge blog is dear to me because it is all about sharing what's in your stash!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

This fortnight's challenge, 
put your imaginative daydreams on paper!

The theme is Fairytale/Fantasy - 
so get crafting and show us your 
fantastical, 
whimsical, 
fanciful, 
fun creations!

I am featuring a beautiful Vintage rendition of an image in my stash longing to be used:

She is actually called THE SONG OF SPRING - but because it is Autumn, I exchanged the spring colors to become an "Autumn Vintage meets Sparkle" style.

IS THERE SUCH A THING?

One of the SIMPLEST images EVER to color, so I will purchase more in the future!

Then again, maybe it is actually ugly, and I only think it was simple LOL

My close blogging buddies know what I mean by the word "ugly" - so rest assured I'm not being derogatory of my artwork LOL

My card started out as a pretty colored image, to be mounted very simply;

HOWEVER...

 one calamity after another caused me to alter the design. It's always a journey, isn't it?

So here is how I covered up my many boo-boos:

First, create custom sized mats and frames:

Next - I won't even tell you how I blundered here, but my card ended up WAY-LARGER than I had planned LOL. It is 8.5" tall and 6.66" wide - I can't even convey how that happened, because it surprised me as well. Still, it is a pretty card (giggle - I almost said MONSTROSITY in place of the word "card" more giggling!)

The finished interior uses the "ugly" original frame from the front, and a punched border along the white panel that matches the front (sorry for the blurry sentiment photo, but you get the idea, right?):

And that's two ways of fixing boo-boos.

Feathers were added... JUST BECAUSE... they seemed appropriate since she has wings, after all.

I'm partial to the Mediterranean STARS embossing powders at Sparkle N Sprinkle.

They really do contain a lot of glitter, and I'm sad that they do not photograph as beautifully as they look in person. It added a touch of sparkle to this matte vintage creation.

The hint of "olive" greenery in the scroll work picks up the leaf colors elsewhere.

I had so much fun coloring this image, that I really do want to create more using the artist's fabulously imaginative stamps and pages!

Thanks for visiting today!

Hoping you will join us at Cardz 4 Galz!

Products Used:

• Image: Fairy Tangles - Song of Spring
• Copic Markers, Sharpie Metallic Copper
• Spellbinders 5x7 matting basics, (mat and frame)
• Sue Wilson pierced rectangles  (in mat)
• Sparkle N Sprinkle Sienna Star EP425 embossing powder (frame)
• Martha Stewart Laurel Leaf punch (frame and border)
• Embossaliscious Floral Wonder (Crafters Comp) embossing folder (mat)

The Path of Positivity Challenge this month is "Friendship". 

Friendship means Relationship, a Close Attachment, a Mutual Caring Deeply for another, a Supportive Companionship, Mutual Affection, A Kindredness -

As I pondered what friendship means the past few weeks, I think it goes much further. Some people are a True Friend to others, without it being reciprocated. It's a Gift freely given, a selfless Graciousness which is not demanding, but rather, given liberally.

But even more, I believe Friendship begins within.
     We must befriend ourselves first,
          caring about ourselves,
               respecting ourselves,
                   enjoying ourselves,
                         in order to be that true Graciousness and Friendship toward another.

Friendship with Nature,
     the deep love for The Creation,
          and for the Life we are granted,
                must also be deeply inhaled,
                       breathed into our lungs and hearts,
                             and breathed back out into the world through our

actions,
     thoughts,
          and lifestyles.

To be uncaring about the Earth,
    to be negligent toward wildlife,
          to be disrespectful about other humans,
               is not only an Unfriendly Gesture,
                    but it harms the Friendship within our Souls -

- for those who believe in God, it harms the Companion who resides within -
- for those who do not believe in God as a Being, it harms the Companionship of Self.

So my card today is about The Friendship Within - with Self, Creator, and Creation -

to see our lives as the threads of
    Loving Companionship/Friendship that have woven all History,
        bringing us to this point in our lives.

It is about recognizing ourselves,
     appreciating ourselves,
           yet reaching out to our polar opposite

(hence, the title of my blog post: Song of Spring becoming the Beauty of Autumn).

Thanks to the Path of Positivity for October's Theme.

I would love to know your thoughts as well on this little discussed topic.


Challenges I'd like to support with this card:

1. Addicted to Stamps Challenge #134 Lots of Layers + a Stamp 11/7 (sep post)
2. Crafting with Friends Challenges (Oct 21 - #29 or #30?) Anything goes 11/4
3. Dream Valley Challenges "For The Girls" 11/6
4. Fussy and Fancy #175 Shades of Autumn 11/4  please see Autumnal description above (sep post 11/11)
5. Path of Positivity (Oct) #42 "Friendship" 11/7 (please see my written thoughts about Friendship just above this section) (sep post)
6. Stamping Sensations (October) Autumn (please see my write up at top) 11/8 (sep post)
7. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #15 Oct15-Nov14 Anything Goes 11/15 (2nd entry)

Stamping Hugs,

Lace and Pearls from the Heart {Scrapy Land}

Happy Spring, everyone! And welcome to my humble little blog. 

Special welcome to new follower Becca Cruger.

Sadly, this will be my last post with the marvelous Scrapy Land design team - best team ever! Such kindness and encouragement in one place - I cannot thank my teamies enough for a very enriching and supportive experience!
Be watching soon for a Guest Design Team option at the SL Challenge blog!

This is Scrapy Land's 16th Challenge!

Challenge #16 is open from April 15 until May3. 

The theme is "PEARLS AND/OR LACE" using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells".  Scrapy Land sells over 40 brands of dies, including overseas products, and many are discounted.
The prize is a $15 gift card - good for anything in the Scrapy Land store!

My cards feature the following Scrapy Land dies.
(for all the dies used, please see the product list at bottom of post)

Scrapy Land Memory Box - Riviera Corner MBD-98372

Scrapy Land Memory Box - Elegant Scrollwork MBD-98153
Scrapy Land Memory Box - Chloe Stem
Scrapy Land Memory Box - Leavenworth Butterfly Trio (filigree)
Scrapy Land Memory Box - Cascadia Butterfly Trio (solid)
Scrapy Land Spellbinders -  Bitty Blossoms S5-086
Scrapy Land Cheery Lynn - "Cherish" B415

TIP:

When using semi-transparent glitter or embossing powder on die cuts, be sure to distress or shade the edges of your die cuts.
(It brings more dimension to the die cuts after the glue dries, because the ink can be seen through the glitter as shown on the leaves in my project)

TIP:

How to create a frame when you do not have dies the size needed.
(if reading from my blog, please click on the photo below to enlarge the print)

Love the pretty script on Cheery Lynn's word dies, especially when they are shadowed with a darker color. The pearl dotting the "i" is colored with a Copic Marker. The Memory Box Elegant Scrollwork die cut is timeless, and customized with SNS Mulberry Star EP. Little pearls grace the body of the butterfly (links for die cuts shown below).

Memory Box's Chloe Stem is coated with Prills in the color called "mini pearls" as part of the Scrapy Land Challenge this fortnight.

The SL designers enjoy seeing your fabulous works of art! You are all an inspiration to us!

The Path of Positivity Challenge has a wonderful theme this month. It's all about GROWTH. I thrive in the process of Growth - even those periods of 

     extreme complications, 

          challenges, 

               unpleasantness. 

But surprisingly I have learned (for me) that my Greatest Growth takes place when 

• things are SEEMINGLY good, 
• or 
• when I cease to struggle (using up precious energy) in a particular hardship
• especially when I am "at rest" despite the circumstances.  

I call this "embracing the challenge", though I may not like what is happening, or respond OUTWARDLY in a manner that others think I should.

When Life is not its prettiest, we look for ways to make it pretty - we work hard to change whatever is troubling us; so Change is often a natural outcome from that. But Change and Growth are not always synonymous.

When things are soooo Good (typically when we do not recognize that "things are good"), we might not realize that the Status Quo needs a bit of shaking up, to help us deepen our commitments to certain people or causes - even commitments to ourselves. Sometimes, when everything is "going our way", we bask in the easiness of life, and forget the preciousness of

     every little aspect of life, 

          every tiny moment, 

               every soul who crosses our path - 

we might even tend to take the goodness for granted (though that is never our intention).  

Like my card, The Heart Shape had to morph, undergoing lots of cut ups, inking, dry embossing, gluing, shaping, before it began to come together in a format I had not previously imagined. It remained rather flexible in my hands during the arduous transformation. Our lives can be like that. I treasure every stumbling block, every moment of life, because it is THOSE ISSUES which cause the Real Me to come through - both my Flaws AND my Strengths become more visible.

Friday, a Stamping Buddy came over to play. I explained to her that it is the Process of Creation I most enjoy - 

     far more than the actual finished project. 

• I enjoy watching plants grow from seeds. 
• I enjoy having to prune plants to nubs on occasion, because it is good for them - then I get to watch how they re-emerge prettier than ever. 
• I allow the "dead blossoms" to sometimes seed, even though the plant's sickly appearance gives the viewer a desire to cut off the "dead blossoms" or to think it needs to be watered. 
• In my heart, (in faith), I know the plant is still growing, and producing the POTENTIAL FOR NEW LIFE. 

Though we may be 
     fragile, 
          vulnerable, 
               hurt, 
                    afraid, 
                         or lonely, 

it's entirely possible that we are in that "seed bearing" mode, where Growth is not apparent - YET - but where the potential of growth is just around the corner. Sometimes Growth requires patience, rest, faith and to continue "walking in mercy" regardless of what is happening around us and in us.

I'd love hearing what Growth means to you!

Products Used:

• Scrapy Land Memory Box - Riviera Corner MBD-98372
• Scrapy Land Memory Box - Elegant Scrollwork MBD-98153
• Scrapy Land Memory Box - Chloe Stem
• Scrapy Land Memory Box - Leavenworth Butterfly Trio (filigree)
• Scrapy Land Memory Box - Cascadia Butterfly Trio (solid)
• Scrapy Land Spellbinders -  Bitty Blossoms S5-086
• Scrapy Land Cheery Lynn - "Cherish" B415
• Life Style Scallop and Plain nesting heart dies
• EK Success corner punch, MS border punch, Couture Creations embossing folder
• INKS: Distress Inks dye base, VersaMarker

• 
  Sparkle N Sprinkle: Brushable Glue, Mulberry Star EP, Sunny Daze Glitter, Spirited Green Glitter

• Image: freebie digital heart colored with Copics (I'm sorry, the name of the pretty heart image is not in my records, but it might have been from Digital Tuesday.)

• Lace, fabric flower, mini flowers and Pearls from stash

• USArtquest Prills in "minnie pearls" color (on Chloe die cut)

Fun Challenges participating in:

• Craft for the Craic (fun) - April "Die-ing for Spring" must use die cut with Spring theme - this card is full of Spring Time colors, flowers and butterflies - dies listed above (5/1)

• The Shabby Tea Room - #249 "Rainbow of Colors" inspiration photo to left (4/20)

• Crafts 4 Eternity - #221 Texture - prills, lace, glitter, embossing powder, silk flowers, pearls, glitter, dry embossing (4/15)

• Jo's Scrap Shack - #83 Florals and Butterflfies - I hope using the die cuts for the theme is acceptable with the spring green, heart shaped fauna (4/17)

• The Pink Elephant - #294 photo inspiration at left (4/20)

• The Path of Positivity - #25 Growth - (5/3) (paragraph written in blog post) (end of May?)

• Ooh-La-La Challenges - #178 At Least 5 layers (5/1)

• Creative Colors Challenge - #33 Use 3 Colors from the Inspiration Photo shown at left [pale pink, bright pink, lime green, yellow (ceiling) deep plum-lavender (embossing powder)] (4/30)

• Outlawz Paper Ala Mode - (Apr 11-17) "Pretty In Pink" - grab your pink! PAM04112015 (1st week May)

• DiesRUs Challenge - #24 May Flowers - must use dies (please see grocery list above) 5/1

stamping hugs,

Mid Month Reminder - "Possibilities" {Path of Positivity Challenge #17}

Clear It Out Challenge 12-2014

Note: for Edith updates, please click here.

Greetings to everyone, and to new followers Lisa, Hippieaud, Lady E and America. Thank you for dropping by. 

This month I am "guest designing" for the Path of Positivity Challenge which lasts from August 4 until August 31, when voting takes place. 

The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:

• Two images (or three if you use a TSB image on your creation) from The Stamping Boutique, our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• Three digital images from Ike's Art for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also  be:

• One digital designer paper (made to order in a few different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

Today's card share uses the darling TWIGS THE SNOWMAN digital image from Creative Bug Designs:

Possibilities

"Twigs" reminds me that there are seasons in our lives -- each one bringing precious possibilities.

There are seasons of Joy, Family Gatherings, Friendly Get Togethers, Good Times...

But there are also seasons of hard work, self-discipline, poor health, sadness, and even tragedy.

I've learned that the Best of Times and the Worst of Times are equally ripe with Possibilities, depending how we look at the circumstances. I'm going to share one of my Worst of Times with you. This actually happened 20 years ago, and sharing it will be embarrassing, because I don't want anyone to think badly of me. (Do you ever fear that, too?)

My friends had always told me that I'm a very sweet, tenderly kind-hearted person. Probably I was, but the events that led to the New Possibilities, made me realize that something was amiss.

Through a series of "unrelated and unpleasant circumstances", I found myself open to becoming more  aware of the "hidden" blessings we all take for granted. As I reevaluated "myself" and the values of every relationship and situation, what I might or might not do to improve upon them, and so forth, I realized that I could no longer try to be available for everyone all the time. I recognized that I was no longer strong enough (emotionally or physically) to "be there" for everyone else in the way they seemed to want.

The possibility occurred to me that perhaps I was never intended to "be there" for everyone else. We all must travel our own journey, and learn what we can in this dear life. Finding true Happiness and learning to discover Peace is something we must do for ourselves - we simply cannot "give it" to others.

In the journey, I embraced Possibilities that previously I had not considered. My mother died. My health failed. My job became more demanding. Family members and friends did not like the emerging "new me" because I was no longer being the person they thought I should be. 

But my husband responded during the ensuing year of grappling with Possibilities, and our love and respect for one another deepened. Eventually we both changed in good ways, as a result of my embracing the Possibilities. The new Possibilities caused extended family members and friends to avoid me, because I would no longer give what they demanded. I had to quit my job due to failing health. But gradually, without even trying, new friends unexpectedly came into my life. These were friends who liked me for "me", and not for all the things I did for them.

Although I lost my job, my health, my friends, and my extended family, by embracing Gratitude for what remained, New Possibilities flooded my life with a richness beyond what I ever could have hoped for. I am different. I found myself in the process. I learned that sometimes, when certain situations need to change, that it requires we change, too.

It involved a lot of risk-taking, prayer, sacrifice, and over-coming many fears. But now I am true -- all because I was willing to see what the Possibilities were during a catastrophic season.

My card "TWIGS THE SNOWMAN" reminds me of this period in my life. He was built by other hands, and fashioned into an appearance of what others wanted him to be. He found a way to be content in his surroundings, even when he was all alone. He found himself. Like Frosty The Snowman, a song grew in Twig's heart, and even when his snowy self melted away, he found a way to prove that he would rise again, as a new snowman, on another day.

I hope it was ok to share this shrink-wrapped version of my Journey for Possibilities without going into the specifics, and that it will encourage someone else who might be facing problems in some areas of their life.

My wish for all of us:

• To find gratitude for seemingly small things during our hardships.
• To be grateful for being our true selves, despite how others might possibly perceive us, or make us feel.
• To be humble, yet proud, for looking at previously unlooked-for possibilities during the unpleasant events in our lives (or even during Joyous events!).
• To be patient as others journey similarly, knowing we cannot understand what people may be experiencing as they interact with us.

TWIGS THE SNOWMAN is colored with copic markers.
This is a 6.25" x 6.25" card (approx 16cm)

The largest scallop on top is coated with Sparkle N Sprinkle: Diamond Dust Glitter, Jasper Blue Microfine Glitter, By The Lake Embossing Powder, and some white mica flakes.

The large white circular matt is covered with Diamond Dust Glitter.

The sentiments are computer generated. I covered up a huge ink blob next to the word "of" with that white snowflake - not the best alternative, but that's what was on hand (smile).

The "song" and frame on the card base are coated first with Diamond Dust Glitter and then with Jasper Blue Microfine Glitter to fill in the spaces from the larger glitter. The snowflakes are covered with the same combination.

TWIGS THE SNOWMAN digital image was REALLY fun to use, especially putting the hat and twig arm into the sentiment.

Products Used:

Creative Bug Designs (scroll down to see "Twigs the Snowman"
Computer Generated Sentiment
Copic Markers, Pool Dye Base Ink, VersaMarker
Paper: Neenah Solar White, Stampin' Up! and Bazzill blues
Adhesives: SNS Brushable Glue, Aileen's Quick Dry Tacky, Dimensionals Spellbinders: Grand Stately Circles LF-019, Grand Scallop Circles LF-249
Punches: Martha Stewart Snowflake Trim, Himalayan Snowflake, SU Oval and Scallop Oval
MISC: Ribbon, cardinal button, white mica flakes
Sparkle N Sprinkle: Diamond Dust Glitter, Jasper Blue Microfine Glitter, By The Lake Embossing Powder

Fun Challenges I'm playing in:

1. Craft-dee BowZ - August "Anything Goes" 8/30 (bow made with CDB tool)
2. Christmas Cards All Year Long - August - "Sparkles" - (glitter, more glitter, and mica flakes) 8/30
3. Sparkles Christmas Challenge - #43 "Snowflakes" - embellies are "doubled" snowflake punches and a brad. 8/30
4. Winter Wonderland Challenge - August - "Anything Goes Christmas" 8/30
5. Sweet Stampin' Challenge - August - ?Anything Christmas" 8/30
6. A Gem of a Challenge - #126 Stitching (I used a sewing machine around the top image panel) 8/28
7. 613 Avenue Creation Challenge - #85 Anything Goes - 8/25
8. Christmas Card Challenges - #38 Embossing 8/25 (By The Lake Embossing Powder around the outside scallop edge of the top of my card. It is mixed with glitter and mica flakes as well. I hand blended these three items to adhere with the wet EP.
9. Sentimental Sundays Challenge - #220 Monochromatic Theme - blue tones 8/25
10. The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge - #75 Anything Goes 8/21

Thank you for dropping by!

always stamping hugs for you,

Possibilities {Path of Positivity Challenge #17}

Note: for Edith updates, please click here.

Greetings to my SWEET followers, and to Sue (Graceful Greyhounds) and Lynn (my newest google followers!) Thank you for dropping by. 

This month I am "guest designing" for the Path of Positivity Challenge which lasts from August 4 until August 31, when voting will take place. 

The POSSIBILITIES theme is Perfect Timing for me! These past 2 months I have made several lifestyle changes and some difficult decisions to allow new possibilities into my life.

The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:

• Two images (or three if you use a TSB image on your creation) from The Stamping Boutique, our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• Three digital images from Ike's Art for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also  be:

• One digital designer paper (made to order in a few different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

Today I have two card shares using the same image:

This month's PoP sponsor is The Stamping Boutique. They designed this wonderful "Escape the Tower" image (from their Enchantment Line) to remind us that --

we all need to escape the towers of our existence from time to time, 

* and *

to renew our appreciation of what is right in our own backyards. 

The past two months I've been doing just that, 

and falling in love all over again with the beauty of my "little existence".

Possibilities

What are they? They all mean something different to each of us, and depending on our outlook, we might view them as cumbersome. I try to view Possibilities (and/or challenges) as something which might make me a better individual.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming - so many opportunities and possibilities - which one is the right one?

At the end of a recent Twilight Zone program a man responded to his accusing and angry son, "I don't have the words, but it doesn't mean I don't have the feelings".

Possibilities - when it comes to relationships, we sometimes take things too personally and become defensive or harbor unhealthy feelings. But the truth is - the Real Possibility is - that the person we are most concerned about is dealing with some harsh issues in their own way. Of course, the same is true for ourselves. We can only do our best, and not allow old and negative feelings, or reinforced past behavior patterns, to dictate what we should or should not do.

The "Possibility" exists that other people are having a bad day, or perhaps they don't know how to properly communicate, or maybe they only know how to lash out, rather than think before they speak. Perhaps my "hurt feelings" are nothing more than the result of another person's not being able to interact and behave in a healthy manner. THESE POSSIBILITIES open new doors, and allow us to make choices on how to go forward.

Like the man from the Twilight Zone quote above... the son felt that his father did not love him, did not approve of him, did not care about him, because the father never spoke his feelings aloud. However, the father was always there for his son, helping to pick up pieces, helping his son make good choices... but the son took the lack of verbally-skilled communications to mean that his father did not care, and did not love him. Hence the father's response:  "I don't have the words, but it doesn't mean I don't have the feelings".

So my wish for all of us is:

• to embrace the Possibilities in our lives, 
• try always to do our best in Recognizing the Possibilities, 
• to realize that others may or may not encourage us in our adventure. 
• to journey in Life, seeing all the Possibilities we can, 
• to recognize that we are not "locked in a tower" (as my cards show). Those Towers are largely of our own making.

Do you have any Towers you can Escape in order to better see The Wondrous Possibilities in your Life?

Here my easel card is closed (The fairy loves the light coming from the window of the tower as well as the moon!)

Now the card is open, to view just the sentiment. 

To see my tutorial for how to use parts of an artist's image (digital masking) to create a cohesively themed card, please click here.

The dolphins are a retired Spellbinders die, (popped up) and covered with SNS embossing powder.
The clouds and moon were printed a second time, cut out, and popped up to create the "stop" for the easel. The frolicking dolphins are "flipped" in the bottom panel to create visual interest (notice the moon also faces a different direction). To see how to use the artist's images to create a theme, please visit my tutorial here.

(see? possibilities even reveal themselves in our card art) (giggle) 

A Close Up:

 Fully Opened:

Same image, but colored with more green tones in the ocean and layered on an apricot colored background:

The sand-textured tower is created with Mudd Puddles (it's the first time I used this product and it really is VERY user friendly). The "netting ribbon" was applied by hand stitching through the yellow layer. Shells are adhered with 3D Crystal Lacquer. (I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this dried in our oh-so-humid environment!)

Size A8 card with identical sentiment:

Products:

• The Stamping Boutique "Escape the Tower" image (from their Enchantment Line)
• Computer-generated sentiment
• Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug 5x7)
• Spellbinders: Grand Decorative Labels One LF-018, Scalloped Labels One S4-375, Grand Labels One LF-161, Labels One S4-161, Labels Twenty-Five S5-077, Dolphin (retired)
• Copic Markers
• Brilliance Inks
• Adirondack Inks
• SNS Silver Lighting EP, SNS Mediterranean Star EP
• Ribbon(fiber?), Shells,
• Adhesives: Mudd Puddles, 3D Crystal Lacquer, Aileen's Quick Dry, Dimensionals, Stitching

Delightful Challenges I am playing in:

1. Scribbles Designs Challenges - #19  Sea-Sand-Surf (both cards are sea related) 8/20
2. Sister Act Card Challenges - #68 Anything Goes 8/6
3. Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - #119   Words (use words as part of your card front) 8/7+
4. Fairy Tale Challenges - #97 Summer-Beach-Sea 8/7? 14?
5. Creative Corner - #Aug 1 - Something Summer (Beachy theme) 8/7
6. Craft for the Craic - #7 A Craft Item I Have Never Used Before (Mudd Puddles, the fibrous ribbon which is stitched in place, and 3D Crystal Lacquer) 9/1
7. A Gem Of A Challenge - #125 Embossing (Yellow card has Mediterranean Star EP, and has yellow dry embossing with two different folders - one on the large panel, and another on the smaller layer behind the image)(Easel card has wet embossed dolphins with Silver Lightning EP). 8/14
8. Crafting at the Weekend - #4 Anything Goes 8/30
9. Inkspirational Challenges - #62 Use Markers or Pencils (Copic Markers used in all images on  both cards, and around both sentiments) 8/14
10. Artistic Inspirations Challenges - #103 Anything Goes 8/10

Thanks for stopping by today!
hugs,