Thanks a Latte @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Thanks a Latte" which means that she want to see projects featuring hot beverages. *slurp*

Now, for the second LRW week in a row, I didn't use a digi, I used a clear stamp - whaaaaa? Coincidentally, it's also from Stamplorations. But, this time 'round I got a little fancy. Well, fancy for me, anyways. Here's take a look, then I'll 'splain.

I know, at first glance it's not easy to pick out my "fancy stamping".  You see, that heart isn't actually a part of the mug, just a part of the set.  So, I stamped the mug, made a reverse mask, then stamped the heart on the mug.  Now, in my mind, you all are going, "ooooooooh" and are totally super impressed by my talent.  And I'm dreaming all that up just because I'm ridiculously (and embarrassingly) proud of myself for accomplishing that small, small feat.  So, proud I rewarded myself with some homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies....multiple times.  Gotta have somethin' to dip in my hot bevvie, right?  (-:

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

City Crafter:  die cuts
Addicted To Stamps:  have a heart
As You Like It:  favourite way to add a sentiment - My fave way is to use a digi/computer generated sentiment.  It's super easy, and you can say whatever your want and size it however you want.
Inkspirational:  inspirational photo
Simon Says:  anything goes

A Cake Smelling Elephant - Fab Friday @ Tiddly Inks

Of course you smell cake, you perfectly pretty pachyderm.....

....you're carrying it on your nose!

Really, could this elephant be more awesome?  It manages to look very realistically elephant-like while still looking super cute.  It's called Tiny Elephant and you get extras with it too.

Do make sure you go check out the other fabulous Fabby Friday makes the rest of the DT has come up with. You can see 'em all right here.

Also for:

Pile It On:  3D embellishments
Crafty Catz:  birthdays
City Crafter:  polka dots
Deep Ocean:  cute & cuddly
Through the Purple Haze:  add some turquoise
4 Crafty Chicks:  anything goes
As You Like It:  favourite way to add a sentiment - My fave way is to use a digi/computer generated sentiment.  It's super easy, and you can say whatever your want and size it however you want.
Star Stampz:  make it girly

Go Green! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Brenda's turn to choose the challenge and she wants us to "Go Green" by using something recycled/upcycled for our project. So, we get to be crafty in more ways than one - ha!

This is what I did....

I've got a couple of upcycled bits on there.....the ribbon was the tie from a Christmas gift basket and those snowflakes were cut from the backing paper from a package of nail stickers my daughter had.  Oh, and that button was from a big bag of buttons I was gifted by a lady who would religiously remove and save all buttons from any article of clothing she was throwing out.  So, that count too, I'm thinking.  And, for the bonus points, I used a bucket load of green.

Stamp is (not a digi *gasp!*) from Stamplorations.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Pile It On:  3D embellishments
Crafty Catz:  use pretty ribbon
Winter Wonderland:  anything Christmas
4 Crafty Chicks:  lots of layers
The Merry Christmas Challenge:  anything Christmas goes
Christmas At Sweet Stampin':  anything Christmas goes
Fab 'n' Funky:  Christmas
Shopping Our Stash:  home sweet home
Holly & Ivy:  anything Christmas goes
Get Creative:  use ribbon
Use Your Stuff:  twinkle, twinkle
Merry Monday:  inspirational photo - house, red ribbon, colours, tree

Luuurve @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge and since it's Valentine's Day I'm going with "Luuurve". Now, for any non-English reading readers, luuurve is just the my-level-of-maturity way to say "love". And, seeing as I'm probably the least romantic person on the face of the planet (just last week I was telling my Middlest that The Avengers movies are more realistic than every rom-com ever made) it's about the only way I can say it without sarcastic gagging after the fact.

So, I obviously went light with the mushiness.....

....coz a pun always makes things more fun than icky-sticky, right?  I love this bear.  It was a freebie from Educlips.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Cut It Up:  layers of love + die cuts
Aud Sentiments:  Valentine's Day + sentiment
Craft Rocket:  love
Moving Along With the Times:  love
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie:  inspirational photo
Simon Says:  add a die cut
The Crafty Addicts:  all loved up
Addicted to Stamps:  have a heart
Pink Gem:  have a heart
Allsorts:  love is in the air
Crafty Calendar:  2 or more layers
Crafty Friends:  love is in the air
My Time the Craft:  love is all we need
Cutie Pie:  Valentines
Cardz 4 Guyz:  something beginning with L - lines, layers
Deep Ocean:  love is all around
Die Cuttin' Divas:  Valentine's Day
Unicorn Challenge:  love
{PIN}spirational:  inspirational photo
Cupcake Inspirations:  inspirational photo

Shades of Red (or Pink) @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Heather's turn to choose the challenge and she wants to see "Shades of Red (or Pink)"....which I'm guessing is in honour of that day coming up on February 14th. *insert slight grimace here*

Not too long ago a like-minded coworker asked me, "Which 'holiday' is worse, Valentine's Day or Halloween?" Imo, the only saving grace of either of them is the fact that there's usually chocolate involved. We both did decide that Halloween is the worst of the two though. More work involved with Halloween, for sure, (though I am down to just one kid who still participates) and with Valentine's Day I sometimes have chocolate that's been actually bought for me so I don't have to feel guilty eating it like I would when I'd be sneaking mini chocolate bars for my kiddos' Halloween stash.

Anyhoo, that's kinda a long build up just to say that I didn't do a Valentine's Day card.....

...but I still did follow the challenge, of course.  Isn't that gift bag die awesome?  It's from Taylored Expressions.  I've had it for yeeeeears and have only ever made one card with it before this one, a Christmas one, that was of similar design.  While I was making this the idea to use this die as an Advent calendar popped in my head.  Wouldn't having all these wee bags, numbered, and hung on a string be so super cute?  You wouldn't be able to put much in them....if you were going the candy route you'd be outta luck unless you were just putting a few jellybeans in there.  But, if you were doing the Christmas activities notes or just using some sort of marker to mark the days, it would be perfect.  Something I might do before December, I'm thinking.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Pile It On:  3D embellishments
As You Like It:  favourite way to add stitching - Stitched dies all the way!  So fast, easy and they look fabulous too!
Crafty Calendar:  2 or more layers
Sweet Stampin':  anything but birthday
Crafty Catz:  one for the girls
Dragonfly Dreams:  flowers
Unstampables:  anything goes + something newly aquired - new tag dies (Sentiment is computer generated)
Starz Stamps:  red/pink
Allsorts:  spots and/or stripes

Ooooh, Brand New Stamps (& Digis) @ Tiddly Inks

Okay, so remember on this post how I was saying that there's going to be new digis soon from Tiddly Inks?  Well, they're here!  You can see all the new releases right here.

As soon as I saw this one I knew I had to colour her up right away.  I do so love Wryn....

Isn't she lovely!  This is called Wryn Wishes.  Makes me want spring, it does (though it's usually at least late spring/early summer before you can blow dandelion fluff).  I've never seen lil hearts float away in amongst the dandelion seeds....but wouldn't it be great if that happened?  We've got lots of dandelions 'round our place...being in the country and all, we don't spray our lawn.  Not that they aren't annoying, those dandelions.  Get one in your flowerbed and you'll never be rid of it.  And I don't know about the ones around your home, but ours here love to play this game where when they see the lawnmower coming they scrunch right down in the grass.  A day or so later they'll pop right back up, completely unharmed and make it look like your lawn hasn't been cut in a couple of weeks. Last year we found it strange that we had tons of dandelions but there was none in close proximity our house.  Couldn't figure out why until it was discovered that we had a groundhog living under our porch and she was doing a pretty good job of cleaning up the dandelions that were close.  I'm hoping she throws a party this year and invites all her friends to a feast to get a bigger swath of them gone.

There's no official hop with this new release but do go check out the lovely makes the other DT members have made.  Just click on over to the Design Team on the challenge blog and you can see examples of all the other new release images.

Also for:

Pile It On:  3D embellishments
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  3 of a kind - 3 words
As You Like It:  favourite way to add stitching - Stitched dies all the way!  So fast, easy and they look fabulous too!
Crafty Calendar:  2 or more layers
Sweet Stampin':  anything but birthday
Crafty Catz:  one for the girls
Stamping Sensations:  anything with flowers
Dragonfly Dreams:  flowers

Give Love @ Tiddly Inks

This month at

we're all about love. Doesn't have to be a Valentine's card, just show us the love and a Tiddly Inks image, of course.

This is what I did....

I used a fairly new digi, Changing Chameleon, from the For Reals line.  You really should check out the For Reals stamps.  Each one has multiple stamps, and they're only $2.00!  Love the add on tongue/heart too...perfect for all those occasions when you want to be giving the love.

Why not grab a Tiddly Inks image, and join us for the challenge?  And be sure to  check out the fabulousness the DT has come up with.

Also for:

The Crazy Challenge:  love
Inkspirational:  attachment
Just Us Girls:  love
Sweet Stampin':  anything but birthday
Craft Rocket:  love
Moving Along With the Times:  love
Star Stampz:  love
Aud Sentiments:  Valentine's/love + sentiment
Cupcake Inspirations:  inspirational photos
 
Pile It On:  3D embellishments
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  3 of a kind - 3 words
As You Like It:  favourite way to add stitching - Stitched dies all the way!  So fast, easy and they look fabulous too!
Crafty Calendar:  2 or more layers