Saturday Spotlight #20: Clean It Up!

Digi stamp and sentiment by Whimsie Doodles 'Leah Bunny on Easter Basket' and 'Hoppy Easter'. Ink: Copics. Cardstock: Baja Breeze, DCWV 'Glitter Sweet Matstack', GP 110 white. Accessories: Rectangle and tag Nestabilities, SU button, Stardust glitter pen.

For this week's 'Clean It Up' challenge.....

The Spotlight Divas would like to challenge you to go the opposite from last week's challenge and clean things up a bit on your creations! What does that mean? You can make a nice CAS style card (meaning 'clean & simple' style), or make sure you have clean edges and paper for your creation. Please interpret this how you'd like!

For our Spotlight sponsor this week we have...

(click HERE to go to store.)

CAS is one of my all-time favorite card styles. Trying new embellies or techniques is fun, but to really emphasize an adorable image like this one, nothing beats clean and simple! This Fall-To sketch #79 is courtesy of my favorite CAS inspiration blog, aptly named Clean & Simple Stamping.

Does this image remind anyone else of 'A Christmas Story'? The hilarious scene from that movie must have been in my subconscious as I was coloring this little bunny.

Be sure to check out all the 'clean' creations by the Spotlight Divas:
Vicki (Stamped Smiles)
Chris (Twinkles Glows with Stamps)
Boni (Bonibleaux Designs)
Crystal (Crystal's Crafty Creations)
Darlene (Dar's Crafty Creations)
Dawn (My Stamping Thyme)
Erin (Scrap, Stamp and Be Merry)
Jodi (Inked Inspirations)
Maria (Joyful Stamper)

Clean up your own creations, then be sure to link them HERE. One lucky winner from our challenge in Mister Linky this week drawn from random.org will receive a special code for a $10.00 shopping spree at Whimsie Doodles Stamps!

**We're searching for divas! Saturday Spotlight is holding a Design Team Member call running now until March 19th. Check out all the details HERE to join our fun group of Spotlight Divas!!**

Saturday Spotlight #19: Do the Mess Around!

Stamps: Stampabilities 'Little Nibbler' and sentiment. Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, scraps of DP, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Sage, Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, distressing tool, Distress Stickles 'Vintage Photo'.

Many of you may have noticed Vicki is missing again this week and has not been posting on her blog or commenting like she normally does. She again is facing technical difficulties and does not know how long it will take before she is back online. We miss you Vicki!!

For this week's challenge.....
The Spotlight Divas would like to challenge you to 'Do the Mess Around'. Make your creation "messy" by distressing with ink, tearing edges, wrinkling card stock, etc.

For our Spotlight sponsor this week we have...

Denise from
(click HERE to go to her store)

For my card, I went with the full 'distress' theme -- distressed cardstock edges, distressed image (is it tax time already??) and even Distress Stickles for the faux brads:

Thanks to Midnight Madness challenge #41 for the sketch inspiration!

Be sure to check out all the 'messy' creations by the Spotlight Divas:

Vicki (Stamped Smiles)
Chris (Twinkles Glows with Stamps)
Boni (Bonibleaux Designs)
Crystal (Crystal's Crafty Creations)
Darlene (Dar's Crafty Creations)
Dawn (My Stamping Thyme)
Erin (Scrap, Stamp and Be Merry)
Jodi (Inked Inspirations)
Maria (Joyful Stamper)

Get messy with your own creations, then be sure to link them HERE. One Lucky winner from Mister Linky this week will be randomly chosen to win $15 gift Certificate to be used at the Whimsy Stamps store....You could even use it for purchasing an image from their new Mythical Fairies and sentiment release on Feb 17 (4 fairies and new sentiments)!!

Asian Influence

Stamps: Amuse 'Sushi'. Cardstock: Textured white, Basic Black, CM faux mulberry. Ink: Black, Copics. Accessories: Black satin ribbon, CB leaf embossing folder, Rectangle Nestabilities, SU three flower punch, Martha Stewart black glitter.

Catching up on a few of my favorite challenges inspired by:

1. Tuesday Morning sketch challenge #33.

2. Opus Gluei #42 'Asian Motivation'.

3. KL SNS color challenge #17: Red, Black, and white.

Special thanks going out to Gwen (SCS tturtle) for sending me this fun sushi image and inside sentiment; I seem to be sorely lacking in Asian influence or at least Asian stamps in my own personal stash!

Here's the inside which I actually decorated, not a common occurence for me:


Happy Friday to everyone! I'll be back tomorrow with this week's Spotlight challenge!!

Wonder of Christmas Sparkle!

Stamps: Penny Black Sentiment. Cardstock: Old Olive, Soft Sky, Silver, Basic Grey 'Eskimo Kisses' DP. Ink: Purely Pomegranate. Accessories: Chipboard deer from Li'l Davis Designs 'Tis the Season', Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder.

Everyone needs a little extra sparkle for the holidays; this card has the bling in both deer glitter chipboard form and inspiration from this great sketch by Sparkle for her Christmas Card Challenge #11.

I found this fun package of glitter chipboard at the local dollar-type discount store, but was disappointed once I opened it to find only eight shapes instead of the labelled 10. Sigh. Guess that makes it a $1.25 store??

Oh well, it still packs a lot of bang (or sparkle) for this buck!

Cards of 'Elegance' and a Freebie!

Digital images and cardstock: Digi Scrap Graphics 'Elegance Card kit'. Sentiment: Papertrey 'Out on a Limb'. Cardstock: black. Ink: Versfine black. Accessories: black satin.

This is my CAS version of Digi Scrap Graphics' new 'Elegance Card Kit', although it doesn't look so simple, does it? The base with the swirl border is a pre-printed digi sheet; I just cut out the rose and popped up the layers, added a sentiment and the ribbon. Isn't this rose gorgeous?

Believe it or not, this second card is even more quick and easy -- no extra embellishments at all except for a touch of stickles on the bow center:

The front panel is already complete; I just popped up the rose and bow with the provided layers:

Aisne thinks of all the details! She not only included a decorated panel that can be used inside the card, but even a beautiful coordinating signature block for the back of the card, too:

Feel like giving digi-cardmaking a try? Digi Scrap Graphics is now offering this 'I Love You This Much' card kit for free! Download this fun kit HERE, complete with coordiating cardstock so you can try these quick and easy creations, too!

Saturday Spotlight Challenge #18: Around the House!

Stamps: Digi image by Victoria Case, Papertrey 'Mailbox Greetings'. Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, Basic Grey 'Wisteria', GP 110 white. Ink: Copics. Accessories: jewel brads, hydrangea Prima, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, clear EP, grape Kool-Aid.

For this week's Saturday Spotlight challenge.....

The Spotlight Divas would like to challenge you to use something on your creation that is from your household, but NOT a craft item! :) Use saftey pens, dryer sheets, household cleaners for doing a technique...get creative and have fun!! :)!

For my card, I used a Kool-Aid drink mix mixed with clear embossing powder to make my own version of grape scratch -n- sniff on the image:

A few tips:
1) Clear Kool-Aid versions are best; mix about half and half with clear EP.
2) Try your mixture on a test sheet before using it on your final image.

3) Do NOT overheat mixture when embossing.

I followed steps 1 and 2, but was a little over zealous with the heat gun during embossing and my grapes ended up looking a little more ripe than I wanted!

Thanks to Midnight Madness sketch #40 for the layout inspiration!

For our Spotlight sponsor this week we have...

Victoria Case Art Designs

Click HERE to go to her store

One Lucky winner from Mister Linky this week will be randomly chosen to win four digital images of their choice from Victoria's store!

Be sure to check out all the 'homemade' creations by the Spotlight Divas:

Vicki (Stamped Smiles)
Chris (Twinkles Glows with Stamps)
Boni (Bonibleaux Designs)
Crystal (Crystal's Crafty Creations)
Darlene (Dar's Crafty Creations)
Dawn (My Stamping Thyme)
Erin (Scrap, Stamp and Be Merry)
Jodi (Inked Inspirations)
Maria (Joyful Stamper)

Take a new look at those household items to inspire us with your 'homemade' creations, then be sure to link HERE for your chance to win four Victoria case digis!

Saying Sorry

Stamps: My Favorite Things 'Pure Innocence'. Cardstock: textured red, black, Basic Grey 'Bittersweet', Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Versamark. Accessories: white detail EP, Pebbles stitched grosgrain ribbon, circle Nestabilities, red brads.

Isn't this a sweet image? She looks like she is truly sorry and it never hurts to have an apologetic card on hand, does it?

This fun-to-color cutie came from my Secret Sis in monkeymama's Splitcoast Stamper's Card Kit Swap, along with the cardstock, DP, ribbon, and brads. Wow, what an amazing Secret Sis!

Inspiration for the sketch is the versatile Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #32 and the color combo is this week's 'Let Your Love Show' challenge #41 by the hilarious and talented gals over at Opus Gluei.

Now let's just hope that I don't end up doing something any time soon that requires using this card!

Little Love Bug

Digis: Digi Scrap Graphics 'Lovebug Bears'. Stamps: smARTworks. Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Gina K white, GP110 white. Ink: Real Red, Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Bazzill black double-stitched grosgrain, Dazzling Diamonds, Long Rectangle Nestabilities.

It's been a bit (more) crazy around here, so I haven't had much time to pursue my favorite stamping inspiration, challenges. Last night was a few minutes of free time, so I decided to make it count!

The initial inspiration is this sweet bear from Digi Scrap Graphics. It's designed as a 'decoupage' craft, with all the areas pre-printed for popping ease. Not only do you get this fun Lovebug Bear and another standing version of the cutie for only $1.50, but the coordinating heart DP is also included!

It just so happens that KLSNS' challenge #16 is 'Pop It Up'; you definitely need to stop by and see their DT's amazing interpretation of this technique! Here's my multi-layered bear:

The wonderful white DP is Gina K's version which I received through WRAK on Splitcoast Stampers, so this card also qualifies for this month's WRAK sketch challenge based on SC146. Thanks going out to Kitty (OregonStamper) for sending me this luxury cardstock!

I'm having fun with these digi card kits; it's so convenient to have all the supplies available at a click of the mouse. Next I'm challenging myself to only use digi elements. Stay tuned to see if I can forgo my always-mandatory ribbon!!

Clean and Simple Birthday Flower

**Click HERE to view the latest Saturday Spotlight challenge, 'Teeny Tiny Time!'**

Stamp: Papertrey 'Birthday Basics'. Cardstock: Chocolate chip, unknown source DP. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: organdy flower, white detail EP.

Tuesday Morning Sketch #31 is the inspiration for this card. In my opinion, the true measure of a sketch is how well it stands up to the bare bones (better known as Clean and Simple) approach and Melissa's sketches definitely shine in this style! The last two cards I've made with her sketches have been straight from the layout with no extra layers or mats; I really like how they've turned out.

Many thanks going out to my amazing Secret Sis in monkeymama's (Angela of Just Monkeying Around) Card Kit Swap -- she not only sent me this fun DP, but also these amazing organdy flowers; I used a punched circle from the coordinating DP and a page pebble to create the center:



More inspiration from this card comes from Opus Gluei challenge #40: Soup to Nuts. The Opus Gluei Poobahs encouraged us to complete a project OR start something new. Right now I have no major project anywhere close to completion (unless you count the maybe 50% complete organization of the craft area), so I struggled for a quite some time trying to figure out how to incorporate 'starting something new' with my overall 'downsizing' goal. Finally, it hit me -- since I always seem to like my CAS creations most, I should start making them on a regular basis. Say at least once a week? So, Jana and Rosemary, my new project is to create more CAS projects like this one!

As far as the craft room organization, that may indeed take the whole year!

Saturday Spotlight #17: Teeny Tiny Time!

Stamps: Stampabilities 'Dream Puff'; Papertrey 'Boards and Beams' and 'Borders and Corners (Circle)'. Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Grey, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Sugar Rush'. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Almost Amethyst, Versafine Black. Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, white flocking, Papertrey Poppy grosgrain ribbon.

For this week's challenge.....

The Spotlight Divas would like to challenge you to go the opposite from last week's challenge and think "teeny tiny" when making your creation this week!! ;) Please feel free to interpret this as you see fit!!

What could be more teeny tiny than a baby mouse? This House Mouse stamp is one of my favorites for baby cards and that's how this card started out -- as a baby card for a soon-to-arrive baby boy. I wanted happy colors that weren't the typical baby pallette, so I went with this fun DP by Basic Grey. The sketch is inspired by Mojo Monday week #124. A bit of flocking makes the cottonball touchably soft:

After completing the card, I realized it really would work as a 'Welcome to your new home' card, too!

Be sure to check out all the teeny tiny creations by the Spotlight Divas:

Vicki (Stamped Smiles)
Chris (Twinkles Glows with Stamps)
Boni (Bonibleaux Designs)
Crystal (Crystal's Crafty Creations)
Darlene (Dar's Crafty Creations)
Dawn (My Stamping Thyme)
Erin (Scrap, Stamp and Be Merry)
Jodi (Inked Inspirations)
Maria (Joyful Stamper)

Then share your mini creations by linking to this week's Saturday Spotlight challenge #17 so you can be entered in the drawing for this week's prize!

For our Spotlight sponsor this week we have...

Independent Distributor Kathe Slack from:

(click HERE to go to her Angel store.)


**One lucky challenge participant linked in Mister Linky will be drawn through random.org to receive this stamp set! **

Start downsizing your creations and join the fun at Saturday Spotlight challenge #17!

Gothic Tunnel of Love

Digi image and DP by Digi Scrap Graphics 'Gothic Love'. Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Black. Accessories: Stardust glitter pen, black satin ribbon.

Have you tried the tunnel card technique yet? It involves popping up layers of varying width on the same image to create a center 'tunnel':

It's a fun 3-D effect and Aisne of Digi Scrap Graphics takes all the guess work out of the technique with her digi sheets containing all layers and the coordinating DP for only $1.50!

Be sure to stop by Digi Scrap Graphics to see Aisne's other amazing tunnel card sheets, as well as decoupage and pryamid (sort of a reverse on the tunnel technique) sheets. There are also several fun digi paper packs, too!

Enjoy creating these quick and easy cards with major 'wow' factor!!