First Ever Blog Challenge with Candy!!!!!!!!

You've heard right~~~~ I'm hosting my very first blog challenge!!!! With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I know that most of us will be busy making cards, gifts, tags, you name it!!!! So, why not show off all that hard work... and possibly win some free goodies in the process :-)

My challenge for you is to create a Valentine's Day themed project (if not a Valentines fan, then at least a "love" themed project).  Now, what does that mean?!?!?  Exactly as it sounds.  Think outside the box!  You can make anything, so long as it's NOT a card or layout.  Anything you please following the theme :-)  This CAN include a tag, mini album, photo blocks, etc.  Get creative!!!

And when you're done, come back here and show it off using Mr. Linky below!!!! You worked hard to make it!!! At the end of the month, I will chose one randomly drawn winner to receive a prize pack (TBA).  Don't worry, it will be good :-)

I chose to make a paper bag mini album for my project.  Originally, it was going to be a gift for my husband... but by the time I finished it, it was far too pink to give to a man.  So I'll just keep it around the house for my company to look at!!! I first learned how to make these from a friend last month but I will certainly post links for the tutorial.  I will also post pics of my completed pages as I finish them this month.  The entire album will be finished (in theory) by February 28th... Wish me luck :-)

Here are some photos:

It's AMAZING what you can make from those little paper sacks!!!!

Papers are all by K&Company, using various lace, chipboard, grungeboard, bling, and doily.  

And here are some links to get you started if you decide you want to make an album... or just save it for a later date :-)

Fast and Easy Paper Bag Album!

DIY Paper Bag Album!

Cute Valentine's Day Projects!

Paper Roses, Satin Flowers!

Now, some simple housekeeping rules:

1.  You MUST become a follower of my blog and leave a comment below to let me know you'll be participating.

2.  You may enter UP TO THREE TIMES. I believe you'll have to include all of them in the same blog post but I will be checking them so don't worry!  If you make three projects, you'll get credit for each and every one :-)

3.  You DO NOT have to complete your project.  For example, if you decide on making a mini album, you need only finish one page (or the cover) in its entirety.  If you decide on an Artist Tray, you need only complete one square to be eligible for the drawing. If you complete three pages, or three squares, you're entered three times!!! Yep, it's that easy!!!

4.  Get creative!!!!! This should be something fun that gets your creative juices flowing!!! Make ANYTHING you want, so long as you follow the theme!!!!

5.  Challenge ends at 11:45 p.m. on February 28th.  Winners will be announced on March 1st.

6. HAVE FUN!!!!! After all, that's why we do this :-)

                 

Well, as usual gang, thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day!!!!!

Sketches With Color Guest Designer!!!!!

Soooooo... I wanted to let you guys know that I am February's Guest Designer over at Sketches With Color.    It's a wonderful site where you can go to get creative inspiration and enter challenges.  They provide you a sketch and color combo, all you have to do is put it together!!!!

Here is this month's sketch and color combo:

I decided to scrap a photo of my husband and I on a recent trip to West Palm Beach.  My aunt and uncle live over there and we try to visit them as much as possible.  It's so calm and relaxing, and always a nice getaway!!!

Here is my take on the sketch... I used the sketch literally, not changing anything, but only adding other elements.  

I used various papers from MME, DCWV, Anna Griffin, and K&Company.  As most of you know, I don't make much of anything without some form of metal on it (guess you could say that's part of my "style"!!) and this metal title is by Momenta.  They have so many lovely pieces.  I also dyed my doilies with Tim Holtz Distress Stains and inks to achieve my desired color.  The two hearts at the top were punched from coordinating paper, inked, and then lightly coated with glossy mod podge. I also used various embellies by K& Company, Recollections, and flower by Petaloo.  

Also, there's a February Challenge over at Sketches4All... you should come by and check it out for details!!!! I will post some of my wonderful love-day projects in just a few days!!!!!

As usual gang, thanks sooooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-) 

Nothin' but Love!!!!!!

Hey there my crafty neighbors!!! As you know, February is fast approaching and Valentine ephemera is EVERYWHERE!!!!! And since I just love the colors of the month, I decided to put them to good use!!! Hope you'll check out my creations!!!!

First on the list... My husband and I.  This is a picture I took on a dinner date of our One Year Wedding Anniversary last March.  I set the clock to 3:20 which is our Anniversary date (an idea I stole from a project my husband made me!!!!).  I called this one "Timeless" because that is how I feel about our love and partnership!!!

Here is a close-up of some of the embellies!!!!

The sketch is by Brenshevia and used for sketch number 25 at Sketch N Scrap and Brenshevia's Plus1 January Challenge at Colorful Creations.  I used a piece of Coordinations cardstock as the base and layered it with papers by MME "Love Me" paper pad.    The embellies are a mixture of K&Company, Momenta, and Prima flowers.  The metal clock and hands are by Tim Holtz. I also used metal pieces by Studio G. I have to admit that I am VERY pleased with the end result here!!!

Another page I made for Sketch N Scrap (sketch number 24) is for a special friend.  This is her at her Bachelorette party which we celebrated aboard a gambling boat and had an AMAZING time!!!! I also combined this with Fi's Palette Challenge over at Colorful Creations.  

I had to use more than two photos, include bling, alpha's, die-cuts, and stitching.  For the stitching, I hand stitched a flower from pink box pleated ribbon.  It looks sooo pretty!!!!!

All the papers are by K&Company as is the "Good Luck" die-cut.  Flowers are by Petaloo, the "fly" sentiment from the Melody Ross collection, and the quote from a Colorbok vellum stack. Doesn't she look fabulous?!?!? 

Another page I made using papers By MME is this one of my oldest daughter.  This time, I used the "Blush" paper pad for Fia's Valentine Color Challenge over at Sketches4All.  I LOVE love love these colors together.

   

The sketch was also used for the January Sketch Challenge at Sketches4All and Anne's "Say it with words" Challenge at Colorful Creations.  I used buttons by American Crafts, flowers by Petaloo, and a butterfly punched from an insert in a Basic Grey embellishment pack!  For the word "Blessed", I stamped it in Gesso dyed with copper mist, then went over it with Rangers Perfect Pearls.  It looks REALLY awesome in person!!! 

And here are some Love cards I've made in my spare time!! Hahahaha!!! Me, have "spare" time!!!!! What a joke :-)

The first is absolutely Fabulous!!!! No, really... it is!!!! I made this for my Mid-Month Card Challenge at Colorful Creations.  The challenge this month is paper-piecing using stamps.  This is a free digi stamp I found at Cruizines and thought it perfect for the card!!! I also used a past sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  

I got these papers in a mixed media pack and couldn't wait to use them!!! I LOVE the boldness of the colors :-)

And lastly, here is a card I made for Rosey's 5 colors challenge at Sketches4All.  The challenge was to create something using Teal, Red, White, Black, and Pink.  Honestly, I'm not too fond of these colors together, but it turned out okay I guess :-)

The sketch is number 101 by Tabitha Triplett and used for GDT Tracy Sabella at Colorful Creations.  

Well guys, thanks again for stopping by and have a LUCKY day :-)

Happy 2013!!!!

Hello again!!!! HAPPY 2013!!! I hope you all have had a GREAT start to your fresh new year!!! I have been very busy as usual making both cards and layouts, as well as some birthday invites!!! So, here's a look at what I've been busy doing!!!!

I'll start with some cards I made for various challenges and sketches.  The first couple of cards are last minute Christmas Cards that I wasn't able to upload before.  All three of these were made using a sketch by Cheryl Caldwell for a challenge at Sketches4All!  

Here is the lovely sketch Cheryl provided...

And here is what I came up with...

All three of these were made using papers by Recollections and MME.  The chipboard Santa is by K&Company, the violin , cute little reindeer, and bells by Recollections.  I also used a gold leafing pen around the edges of the cards.  

I also made a tag for my Tag Challenge over at Sketches4All.  This month, the challenge is to create a tag using a stamp.  I was lucky enough to be given this stamp made by The Greeting Farm from a lovely member at S4A.  The little girl Santa was just too cute to pass up on this!! I also used papers from Websters Pages given to me by Fia, the site's founder.  Isn't it adorable?!?!?

I also made a few birthday cards for some people very special to me.  The first was for my oldest daughter's 6th birthday!  She loves Disney Princess so I put them to work!!! I used some alcohol inks (for Paula's Challenge on Colorful Creations) on glossy paper to create the top and bottom border, then stamped my sentiment.  The center piece was purchased as a gift tag and I just tore it apart!! I added some bling to finish it off and voila... Disney Princess it is :-)

This is a close-up pf the inks.. Isn't that neat?!?

This is a card I made for my Mother-in-Law's birthday.  The papers are gorgeous and from the Melody Ross collection.  The chipboard flower is by K&Company and the sentiment by Basic Grey.  All I really did was put it together and add pink rhinestones to the circle.  Not much work  to make such a beautiful card!!!

The next two cards were made for challenges at Skecthes4All using a sketch Fia posted by Freshly Made Sketches.  I LOVED working with this sketch... it was soooo much fun!!!!!!

Here is the sketch...

The first is a card for a special friend using a Recollections Signature paper pad that I couldn't wait to play with!!! The papers are GORGEOUS!!! I actually made an antire paper bag album using them and it turned out PHENOMENAL !! I will def show pics when I can :-) I also used a jean pocket by Simple Stories and added some twine (my fav these days!!).  Lovely?!?!?

And the last card was made for my best friend.  She LOVES hot pink so I made a card to match her style.  I used some rub-on flowers in the middle to fill in all the negative spcae, added some ribbon and embellies by Soft Spoken and that was it!  Well, I also used my butterfly punch on some left over embossed foil (will show you that shortly) and outlined it with a Sharpie paint marker.  I just love the look :-)

And a close-up of the butterfly...

Now... On to some layouts!!!! I know you're probably sick of seeing all these cards!!!! I know you're probably also sick of seeing Christmas anything so his is the last one.. I swear it!!!!

I made this layout using a sketch for the January Sketch Challenge at Sketches4All! The theme is "Winter Wonderland" and I just happened to have some "winter" type photos.  This is my husband and I on the night he proposed (and of course I said yes!!!!).  The date was December 13th, 2009... Two days before my birthday, 10 days before our anniversary, and 12 days before Christmas!  

I also combined this with Paula's "Anything Goes" winter photo challenge at Colorful Creations.  The papers are Recollections Signature Collection and the flower and ornaments are by Recollections as well.  I just happened upon the red tree at Michaels and couldn't resist buying them.  They're buttons and cute ones at that!!! This is a close-up of the journaling pocket..

And the cute little tree!!!!!

Well, that sums up this edition of my crafty creations.  As usual, thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

S4A Guest Designer Team Call!!!!!

Hi there my dedicated followers!!! I am happy to announce that Sketches4All is hosting a call for Guest Designers in the month of February!!! Think you have what it takes to be on the team?!?!?  You can read more details at http://sketchesforyou.ning.com/forum/topics/gdt-february.  Hope to see you there!!!!!!!

Design Team at Sketches4All!!!

Hey there everyone!!!! I hope you have had an amazing start to your new year!  I just thought that I's let you all in a secret that I've been keeping... Starting this month I am OFFICIALLY on the Design Team at Sketches4All!!!! Isn't that amazing?!?!?  I am truly blessed to be on a team with such dedicated and talented members!  I hope you'll come on over and check things out :-)

Well, as usual, thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day!

After Christmas catch up!!!!!

Hello everyone!!!! I hope each and every one of you had a BLESSED Christmas!!!!!! And please be sure to have a SAFE and wonderful New Year!!!!!

I've been very busy in the month of December but have only been able to show you just a tiny bit of the things I've actually worked on this month.  So, without further ado, I bring you more of my creative projects!!!!!

First, I'd like to show you ONE of the artist trays I've been working on.  I decided to make one for my mother and mother-in-law for Christmas this year.  This one was for my mother-in-law.  She, herself, was born and raised in Panama.  My father-in-law was born and raised in Cuba.  Hence, the heritage cubes.  I also included a picture of her immediate family at our wedding (her and her husband, Oscar and myself, and her two step sons).  Of course, I also included a pic of our family, and her first, and only "blood" grand baby.  Both of her step sons have children, but Maya is her first blood :-)

Any who, here's a picture of the finished product...

And with different lighting...

For the "Panama" cube, I made a Panamanian flag for the background using my Cricut, then covered it with various items that she likes or that represent her heritage.  Flowers are Prima, cross brad by Recollections, wording by K&Company, and center vintage brad made by Spare Parts.  I also made a baseball and soccer ball from grungeboard by Tim Holtz, a little embossing powder, and permanent markers!!!

For the Cuba cube, i found specialty paper and a local Scrapbooking store that said Cuba all over it and just cut a square of it.  The flowers are by Spare Parts,  the clock and metal piece by Tim Holtz, and various ribbon and chipboard. I embossed the chipboard with my swiss dots embossing folder, used Tumbled Glass Distress Stain from Tim Holtz, then inked the top with Broken China Distress ink.  

For the other squares, I used various papers by 7Gypsies and Coordinations.  I embossed the background of the family pic paper with the brick embossing folder, then sanded it down.  I also used Prima canvas corners and dyed them with Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Rich Mahogany.  There's various other embellies by Tim Holtz, K&Company, Basic Grey, etc.  

I will also have some close-ups posted at a later date with pics from the other one I completed for my mother, and my first paper bag album that turned out PHENOMENAL!!!!

As far as paper crafting, I was able to complete a few scrapbook layouts.  This one is one of my favs!!!!! This was used for my Guest Designer Spotlight Challenge over at Sketches4All and GDT at Colorful Creations!!! The sketch is by Jenessa Franco and it was just wonderful to work with!  Here is the original sketch...

And my page...

This is my oldest daughter on her very first trip to Animal Kingdom (a branch of the Disney World theme parks).  She LOVED it!!!!!!

I used papers by the K&Company Wild Saffron paper stack which were perfect for this challenge.  All the borders and embellies are K&Company as well, which made everything very simple for me!!!! Isn't she darling?!?!?!

Another page I made was of my sister Amber during her Senior year.  She is gorgeous of course!!! I used an original sketch and page by Tabitha Triplett (with her permission of course!!!) and used it for my Scraplift challenge at Colorful Creations and Sketches4All!!!! 

Here is her sketch and page... she does very beautiful work!!!!

Isn't it stunning!!! I just loved her color scheme so much that I decided to lift from the page itself, which I usually do not do!!!

Here is the page I was able to create of my sister, also using various hues of blue!

I love this paper by Cloud9 Design!!!! I think it's gorgeous!!! The flowers are by Prima and Spare Parts and various embellies and brads.  I am in love with how this page turned out!!!!

Here are a few Christmas pages I completed as well....

This is Alyssa opening her Rapunzel Tower that Santa left for her last year!  She was so thrilled to add yet another princess house to her collection!!!!

Papers are by K&Company as are the journaling piece, border, and chipboard heart.  

This is her opening her Barbie doll and house the same year at my Mother's house.   I completed this for GDT over at Colorful Creations! 

Papers are by K&Company and MME "Be Merry" paper stacks.  I also used am embossing folder by Tim Holtz on the silver paper, then on blue Coordinations sandable paper.  I sanded the blue paper, then inked the top with Broken China Distress ink.  Then, I cut it up and used them as titling pieces!!! I am really happy with how this turned out!

Here are some last minute Halloween pages I completed as well.

The first is my husband and I at our annual Halloween party.  We were the good guys for a change!!! Hahahaha!!!! The papers are by K&Company as are most of the embellies.  The "metal" skeleton pieces are by Jolees with borders by Martha Stewart!!!

The second is a pic of my buddy Maurii at out Halloween party and he is by far the BEST looking Batman I've ever seen!!!!!! 

Papers are also by K&Company (different stack), as are all the embellies.  The border again is by Martha Stewart. 

And last are some Christmas cards I finished up just in time!!!!

This was for a game for our members at Colorful Creations during the Jingle Bell Blog Hop!  We were given an image (the cupcake) to use and make anything with.  I decided on a card.  

I made this card especially for Aunt because she just LOVES Poinsettias!!!!! This is actually a stamp that I colored using various stamp markers, then I added glitter using different glitter glues as well.  I finished it with some hemp cord and sentiment.

These were cards I made for my family and for a challenge for the Jingle Bell Blog Hop.  We were advised to make something using the words "Merry and Bright".  Again, I decided on a card :-)

Well gang, thanks for staying with me through all of this!!!!! Again, have a SAFE and wonderful New Year and a VERY LUCKY day :-)

Jingle Bell Hop Winner!

Congrats to all who participated in Colorful Creation's 2012 Jingle Bell Blog Hop!!!! What a success it was!!!!! There were so many wonderful creations to look at!!!!

And the winner of my 2012 JBH Stamp challenge goes to.......

Jacqueline Edwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Jacqui!!!! I believe I have your address and will send you out some goodies ASAP!!!! 

Thanks again and enjoy your holidays!!!!!!

Jingle Bell Hop!!!!!

Welcome to the Colorful Creations  Jingle Bell Blog Hop!  If you have come here from Rachel's blog then welcome! If you have stumbled across this by chance and want to play along then please go back to Colorful Creations  and start from the beginning.

Jingle Bell Hop

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year.  It is the celebration of Christ’s birth.  It is also the most giving time of the year.  Everyone seems to be in such great moods this time of the year! 

So in celebration of the Christmas season we are hosting a Design Team Blog Hop.  You are to visit each team member’s blog to see the Christmas inspiration they have for you.  There is only one project you are required to do and that is the CC Blog Hop project which requires you to use the color combo below and create a Christmas layout.  You are to use the colors below and create ANY project fitting the criteria given.  It can be a layout, card, mixed media project or altered item.  The sky is the limit!    If you do a layout, your pictures do not have to be Christmas pictures but your papers must!  

Please use at least 3 colors from this combo.  You may use them all.

Once your project is completed, please return to CC upload it to the gallery, tag it JBH2012 and then upload it to this event.

Also as you hop along the way you will find clue words on each of the Design Team member’s blogs.  Once you have gathered all the words they will form a quote related to Christmas.  These words should be BOLDED on each team member's blog!  Tell us that quote is by EMAILING it to me at ourcolorfulcreations@gmail.com for an extra rak of scrap goodies!

The winner of the hop will be randomly selected and will win the beautiful Prima collection below.

(Embellishments will vary)

As always there are rules for playing!

Here are the rules for playing and winning:

1. You MUST be a member of Colorful Creations

2.  You must become a follower of each CC team member’s blog and leave a comment on each blog.

Please make sure you visit the entire team today as some members are hosting additional blog challenges during the hop and offering their own extra goodies for you so the more you play the more chances you win!

I also decided to host my own challenge, to give you guys an EXTRA chance to win some fabulous goodies!!!!!
For my challenge, I would like you to create a project (anything that floats your boat!!!) 
using Christmas themed stamps somewhere on
it!!!!!

Here is my example ...I decided on making a Christmas card, since there are soooo many to get done!!! I used several stamps, including "Dear Santa", "Do not open until Christmas", and various flourishes around the card! 

You can use as many, or as few stamps as you like.  As long as I see a Christmas themed stamp, then it's all good :-) 

All entries must be new to Colorful Creations as of December 14th, 2012 and CANNOT be combined with any other entries.  Please upload your entries to the gallery, and tag them BHSTAMP to be eligible for the prize.  You may also upload your entries here, using "Mr Linky" below :-) I will chose one randomly drawn winner at the end of the hop.  

All blog hop entries are due by midnight, CST, December 20^th. 

My secret words for the quote are: be your 

Now hop on over to Libby's blog to see what she has in store for you.  Below is our lineup list in case you get lost along the way.  Have fun and dont forget to search for the clues on each team member's blogs, they will be in BOLD.

Line up:

CC

Rachel

Brandi

Libby

Anne

Fi

Janet

Paula

Tabitha

Brenshevia