N is for Newborn! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

Imke is continuing to take us through the alphabet with this week being, "N for Newborn!" which means she wants to see those baby cards.

This is what I did....

Even though I have a lot of baby digis that work great for baby cards, I always like to have a couple of more generic baby cards in my stash.  Although, at the last two baby showers I attended, there was a request to bring a book instead of a card.  I might have still included a card with my gift....the one time because it was for my daughter-in-law so I did both a book and a card.....and the other time because I didn't click a link on an evite, which contained additional information, so I didn't know about the book instead of a card request until I got to the shower.  Whoopsie!  (Turned out I wasn't the only one who hadn't click the link....but those other people luckily got told by other attendees before the shower.)

Just wanted to mention too....that sentiment is an ancient rub on I bought back when I first started making cards, like 16 years ago.  It went on beautifully and perfectly.  I was very impressed!  

Why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made. 

Also for:

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

A Cut Above:  anything goes with a die cut

Neglected Stuff:  use neglected stash - the aforementioned rub on

Crafty Animals:  anything goes with an animal

Critter Crazy:  anything goes with a featured critter

Die Cut Divas:  occasions + die cuts

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Honky Cat @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's continuing to take us through Elton John songs and this week it's "Honky Cat" which means she wants to see house pets on your project.

This is what I did....

I've had this freebie digi, from All Dressed Up Stamps, for aaaaaaageeeees and have never used it.  Although it's so super cute, I just couldn't think of an occasion for it.  I decided that it would work for a congratulations card for someone who is having their second (or third, or fourth or fifth or....) baby so I paired it with a paper pad I've also had for ages because I find the colours a bit challenging for a baby card.  Paper pieced the bow and that's about that.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made.

Also for:

The Male Room:  dogs and/or cats + masculine

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Allsorts:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Moving Along With the Times:  masculine

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

Crafty Animals:  anything goes with an animal

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Dream Valley:  anything goes

Neglected Stuff:  use neglected stash

Simon Says:  cute critters

All Dressed Up:  anything goes

Teddy Bears! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Chrissy's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Teddy Bears!" which means she'd like to see a bear, teddy or not, on your creation.

This is what I did....

Digi is from The Cat's Pajamas which has closed.  ):  The patterned paper is actually 12x12 scrapbook paper, which I don't buy unless it's from the reduced section which I then use for envelopes.  I couldn't resist the black and white colours though, so into my cart it went.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made.

Also for:

613 Avenue Create:  lots of love

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Double D:  hearts

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

Christmas [or not] Bingo:  G - free, pearls, die cuts

Crafty Animals:  anything with an animal goes

Critter Crazy:  anything with an animal goes

A Cut Above:  anything goes with a die cut

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Crafty Calendar:  hearts

New Beginnings! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Chrissy's turn to choose the challenge and she's going with that quintessential first challenge of the year - "New Beginnings!" which means she wants to see those "new" projects, like new home, new job, new baby etc.

This is what I did.....

....I went with a new baby card.  Originally, the sentiment was Welcome Baby so that it could be used for a boy or girl baby but the shorter sentiment didn't look right.  I didn't think Welcome Sweet Baby ______ would be received well, so after a look in my stash and seeing that I did have a baby girl card, I gendered it with boy.  Digi is from Scraps and Designs on Etsy.

Well, Dear Reader, I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you!  Wishing you much craftiness in the year to come.  ❤

Why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made. 

Also for:

Crafty Animals:  anything with an animal goes

Critter Crazy:  anything goes with a featured critter

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie:  anything goes

Color Throwdown:  black, white & grey

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Dream Valley:  anything goes

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

My Time to Craft:  new

CRAFT:  new

Simons Says:  something new

Balloons! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Doni's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Balloons!" which means, you guessed it, she wants to see balloons on your project.

This is what I did.....

I went with a baby card.  I've had this baby bear with balloons for so long it's from back when I first started cardmaking, before I thought to add the artist's name to a file, so I'm not sure where this digi is from.  If anyone knows, please do leave a comment.

Bah....there's that blue twine being all naughty again.  I'm thinking I'm gonna trim that one tail before I send this to anyone.  Can't believe I didn't notice that until now.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made.

Also for:

Simon Says:  make it cute

Creative Inspiration:  anything goes

Kraft Chicks:  stamp act

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  die cuts (tags)

Unicorn Challenge:  layer it up

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Cutie Pie:  bears

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Corrosive:  anything goes

Crafty Calendar:  anything goes

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Tic Tac Toe:  layers, die cuts, masculine

Cupcake Inspirations:  bears

Bicycle Race! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's continuing with her inspired by Queen's songs themes and she's saying "Bicycle Race!" which means she wants to see projects featuring transportation.  Vroooom, vrooom....

I went a little outside the box with this one and did this....

A buggy is certainly transportation for a baby, right?  I know this photo is on a bit of a weird angle, but it does show off that I foiled the sentiment, which is why I used it.  I had originally planned to go with green or yellow so I could use this for any baby but once I got the image printed out, it screamed pink to me, so pink is what I went with.  I know (and agree) we should be well over the whole colour/gender issue by now but, unfortunately, we're not.  ):

Why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made.

Also for:

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Inkspirational:  iridescent 

Through the Purple Haze:  tic tac toe - punch (hearts), stamp, button

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Crafting Happiness:  anything goes

Cutie Pie:  stamps

Incy Wincy:  sentiment

Simon Says:  bright & cheerful

New Beginnings! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

Chrissy is kicking off 2023 with the most fitting of challenges, "New Beginnings!"  She wants to see those makes about anything new like new jobs or new homes or....

....new babies!  There are a number of my nieces/nephews (by marriage) who are in the having babies stage of their lives so I like to use challenges like this to add to the stash.  Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating.

I hope 2023 is off to a wonderful start for all of you!

So, why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made.

Also for:

My Time to Craft:  welcome to the world, baby

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

Simon Says:  something new

Unicorn Challenge:  baby

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Make My Monday:  something new

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Cute, Cute, Cute! @ Little Red Wagon

 This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge and I'm going with, "Cute, Cute, Cute!" which just means I would like to see those cute creations!

Not much of a stretch for me, I don't think I ever really make anything but, so this time I tried to dial up the cuteness factor.....

and went with a baby card.  I also used the cutest patterned paper I have....and even managed to find a piece that says cute right on it (although it's partially covered up).  Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating and I just typed the sentiment.  I did that trick with the paper pieced heart where I trimmed around the hands and feet with a knife and slipped the heart underneath.  Gives it a nice dimensional look too.

So, why not give our challenge a go this week and join us?  And, if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to check out what the Girlfriends have made. 

Also for:

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

As You Like It:  favourite card base shape - My favourite is square!  Love the symmetry of a square base and I love the square stitched dies I have so it makes a perfect combo. 

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Stamping Sensations:  feminine

Corrosive:  anything goes

We Love Stamping:  anything goes with stamping

Allsorts:  anything goes

Crafty Calendar:  anything goes

TTCRD:  anything goes

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Ellibelle's Crafty:  anything goes

In the Air Tonight @ Little Red Wagon

  This week at

 

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying "In the Air Tonight" which mean she wants to see things that are up in the air.  So think, celestial beings, birds, fairies, aircraft etc. etc. etc.  Lots of things to choose from!

This is what I did....

As you can see I've got some birds and some clouds......on a meh card.  This one just doesn't do it for me.  I don't know if it's the colours or the crap job I did hand cutting the white heart frame....or just everything.  Sometimes it just is what it is.  

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.

It's Magical! @ Little Red Wagon

 This week at

 

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "It's Magical!" which just mean that she would like to see those projects that have to do magic or fantasy.  

This is what I did.....

I made a baby girl card with this sweet fairy from Mo's Digital Pencil.  It's hard to tell in the photo but all those dots on the wings and around the wee skirt have Stickles on them.  After all, is a fairy even a fairy without some sparkle?

Alrighty, my friends, I've got to tell you about this thing that happened when I was making this card.  First of all, let me just say that I adore Mo's images.  I think she's an amazing artist and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.  Okay, so, when I do any paper piecing for digis, I don't print the whole image out again, I crop it just to the section I'm paper piecing.  I mean, it only makes sense, right?  Why use the extra ink, and the extra paper when it's not needed?  Making this card was no different.  I cropped the image so it was just basically the skirt left and set it to print out.  It wasn't until I had the purple patterned paper in my hand that I noticed.  My immediate reaction was a muttered, 

Oh MY.

My next reaction was some forceful snickering because sometimes my humour level is on par with an eight year old boy who loves fart jokes. 

Not seeing it?  Just take your hand and cover up sweet lil Punky from just below her wrists to the top of her head.  Yeppers, you got it.

Now, when you're done either snickering or rolling your eyes at my childishness, 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.

Mo's Digital Challenge:  anything Mo goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Sweet Stampin':  use old stash - Patterned paper and flower and yeeeeaaaaars old

The Fairy & the Unicorn:  anything fantasy goes

Crafty Creations:  anything goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  lots of layers - There's 8 of you count 'em up to the button.

Crafty Sentiments:  anything goes

Through the Craftroom Door:  anything goes

Incy Wincy:  magical/fairy tales

613 Avenue Create:  things with wings

Corrosive:  anything goes

Crafty Friends:  use more than one die - tag die, stitched rectangle die, stitched square die

Balloon Time! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Doni's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying it's, "Balloon Time!" which, you guessed it, means she wants to see at least one balloon on your project.

This is what I did.....

I used a digi from Bugaboo Stamps. I made a bit of a boo-boo when I was creating this card.....I coloured the balloon a very wrong colour for the background I ended up using because I didn't follow that very smart rule of PICKING MY PAPER FIRST. So, picture a lime green balloon with that cloud background. Yeck, I know. I was able to fix it up when I remembered that a have balloon die set.  So now I can be all like, "Lime balloon, what lime balloon?"

Okay, my friends, now that I've got the card talk outta the way I GOTTA tell you The Thing that happened when I was making this card.  Because OMG.  So, I was at home by myself, puttering away at my desk making this card, when the doorbell rang.  I thought it was kinda strange as I didn't hear anyone drive in our lane (remember, we're out in the country so it would be extremely unusual for someone to come to our house and not have drove to get here)....as I went to the door I didn't see any vehicle out there, just someone at the door.  Someone I didn't know.  As I got closer, I realized even though it was someone I didn't know, they darn sure looked familiar.  And, as I opened the door, it hit me who it was.

It was Drake.  Ya, Drake.  You know, the rapper.  The kid who used to play on Degrassi: The Next Generation.  Ya, that Drake.

I'm pretty sure I initially came off as rude due to my WTF vibe and my epic resting bitch face and the fact that I was fairly shocked so my greeting was a, "Um, can I help you?" instead of a more traditional "hello" (or the frantic shrieking and crying that I'm sure he's used to hearing....albeit from a much younger crowd).  Well, it turns out he was having car trouble, a flat tire to be exact, and his driver (and probably bodyguard too) stayed with the car that was basically at the end of our laneway.  The driver had started changing the tire when the jack broke.  They saw our shop, figured we had tools, so Drake, being the less imposing of the two (yeah, that driver was BIG) thought he'd ask if they could borrow one.  (And they probably both figured the whole Drake thing would make anyone a lot more willing to loan tools than to have a "stranger" make the request.)  I offered them the use of our shop but it turned out they were almost done, they just about had the spare on when their jack broke.  So, me and Drake (*snicker* I've told this story a few times....well, a lot of times....and it still makes me snicker when I say "me and Drake".....which I do purposely instead of the more proper "Drake and I" because it tickles me to put me first) went out to the shop, I gave him a jack, told him if he needed any other tools to let me know, and off he went back down our lane.  I'll admit to watching them out the window the whole time as they finished up with the tire.....all the while kicking myself for not being more talkative when we went into the shop and for especially not asking what the actual F he was doing driving on our road.  And, as much as I'd like to make it be a fantastical encounter, that was about all there was to it.  They drove back in the lane, I opened the door to go out but the driver offered to just put the jack back in the shop, Drake rolled down his window and thanked me (very politely), the driver thanked me (also very politely), they both waved and off they went.

Somehow I'm thinking I'm not gonna get a song written for me outta this small favour but it sure makes a heck of a story to tell so I'll take that.  You're welcome, Drake.  I hope you got to wherever it was you were going without any more troubles.  (:

Why don't you 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 fabulous projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Oh, and P.S.  That whole Drake-flat-tire story is pure fiction.  Complete caca.  A total deception designed by me to distract you from the very real fact that I had to use the number 8 for the second B in BABY.  Do let me know if it worked, will ya?

Also for:

Alphabet Challenge:  W is for wish
Crafty Sentiments:  anything goes
Stinkin' Inkers:  make an impression
Crafty Cardmakers:  embossing
Cutie Pie:  cute & cuddly animals
Simon Says:  anything goes
Dream Valley:  handcoloured image
Make My Monday:  critters
Use Your Stuff:  circles
Crafty Calendar:  die cuts

Welcome To the World! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Welcome To the World!" which means that she wants to see those baby projects!

My gosh....it seems like it has been forever since my babies were babies. I was thinking about posting a picture of my babies as babies but then I remembered that was before I had a digital camera so I'd have to dig out the photo albums, scan the photos and.....well......I'm way too lazy for that. I did find one kiiiinda baby-like photo on the computer (must have scanned it in for some reason)....

Please ignore my boys' haircuts....a close relative used to cut their hair.  (You know how it is with family sometimes....easier to just go along than say no.)  That's them at around 1, 3 & 5 (give or take a couple months).  I was sitting here looking at that photo, feeling all nostalgic.....and I suddenly remembered that at the time of that picture, neither my daughter or my middlest were sleeping through the night.  Not one of my darlings started sleeping through the night until they were four years old.  And, aside from a brief and glorious two month period when my oldest was about 16 months old, that was them waking up, at least once, but usually multiple times, every single night, and never at the same time.  So, yeah, maybe I'd like to go back for the cuddles and the kisses, but I think they'd kill me if I had to get that little sleep again.

But, you didn't come here to see my babies, you came to see a project about babies!  And here it is.....

This image cracks me up!  Look at that giant diaper, you know it's a cloth one from the size.....the pins give it away too, of course.  I didn't cloth diaper, but I did used to think the patterns they came in were so fun.  So, had to paper piece, for sure.  Little tip for ya....when paper piecing images like this, rather than cutting around the feet to piece the diaper, I just print the stamp a third time and "paper piece" the feet too.  That way it looks more natural, the feet are on top of the diaper, as they should appear to be.  I find it easier cutting then too.

Image & sentiment were from one of those free digi downloads from a craft magazine....I didn't mark from which one so I'm afraid it's a no-name.

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 fantastic projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Stinkin' Inkers:  use your favourite colour - blue
Unicorn Challenge:  for the men/boys
Crafty Cardmakers:  masculine
Addicted To Stamps:  for a boy/man
Dragonfly Dreams:  for a man/boy
Fab 'n' Funky:  something new
As You Like It:  His or hers? - I find making "his" cards easier!  No need to get fussy or fancy.  (:
Crafty Gals:  you're the man
Crafty Calendar:  masculine
Crafty Friends:  men/boys
{PIN}spirational:  inspirational image
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  just for kids
Simon Says:  masculine

Lions & Lambs (and other animals) @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

I've got hosting duties and the challenge is "Lions & Lambs (and other animals)" so, not only could you create something with lions or lambs, you could make a make with any animal that's wild/not a pet. So, pretty much any creature aside from cats & dogs or caged animals, or fish in a bowl etc. is in! We've made it easy for ya to join us this week.

This is what I did....

I went with this super sweet elephant from A Day For Daisies.  I left this sentimentless as I wasn't sure what I would end up using it for.....could be a baby girl card, could be a birthday card, could be a shower card, could be a PSA card on how to protect oneself from injury-inducing hearts (they do have that pointy end, after all) when they fall from the sky.  Just wanted to keep my options open.

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 fantastic projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

As You Like It:  Layers - one of many? - I like many layers....how else will I ever use up the multitude of patterned paper pads I have?  (:
Cardz 4 Galz:  oh pretty baby
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  female
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie:  inspirational photo
Crafty Calendar:  for a child
My Time To Craft:  pink & girly
Inkspirational:  use your stash - papperned paper, image & bow die are all old stash items
Crafty Sentiments:  anything goes
Dream Valley:  4 legged friends
Colouring In Scrapland:  critters

Hey, Newbie! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge so I'm going with "Hey, Newbie!" which means I want to see something new. It can be new as a theme or new stash or new technique....as long as it's new (or new to you) it's all good.

This is what I did....

....as you can see I made a new baby card. Doesn't get much newer than that for a theme, 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 fantastic projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

My Time to Craft:  something new
Sweet Stampin:  new
As You Like It:  anything goes
Always Fun:  something new
Ike's World:  A for animals
Simon Says:  something new

Not Too Shabby @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge and I'm saying, "Not Too Shabby".....but actually you can be as shabby as you want! We're looking for shabby chic projects, so whatever level of shabby you want to give is a-okay with me.

This is what I did....

Sorry for the not-so-great photo....had to photograph it at night and then out the door it went. No stamps on this one.....just patterned paper, some seaming binding, flowers and a computer generated sentiment.  Fashioning that bow was definitely the most time consuming part of the whole thing.....while except for the time I spent cajoling my middlest to stop doing his homework and let me have the computer for 30 seconds so I could print out the sentiment.  He was doing quite a convincing role reversal about it....."Now, Mom, what's more important?  My homework or you finishing your card?"  Cheeky monkey.

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:

{PIN}spirational:  inspirational photo
Unstampabelles:  1, 2 & 3 items - 1 bow, 2 little flowers (and 2 bigger flowers), 3 words
Get Creative:  lots of flowers
Crafty Friends:  the letter B is for....bow, bird, brown
Simon Says:  anything goes

Riding Along @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Heather's turn to choose the challenge and she's "Riding Along" [And in my head I'm going, "Singing a cowboy song. Riding along, singing a song. Oh-lee-oh-lee (Oh-lee-oh-lee) Oh-lee-oh-lay (Oh-lee-oh-lay) Oh-lee-oh-lay." And now I'm chuckling to myself because when I Googled the song, coz I was going to be super lazy and just copy/paste those lyrics and coz I was curious to see what old tyme county & western singer sang it, coz I remember it being a staple song from my childhood and my dad was (and still is) very into that genre.....and, well.....turns out it's by Sharon, Lois & Bram.] which means she just wants to see projects that feature transportation of some kind.

I had a few false starts with this challenge but in the end this is what I came up with.....

No stamps here.  A bunch of die cuts, from a number of different companies, and a computer generated sentiment.  I love boats for baby boy cards.  And, that's about all I've got to say 'boat that.  Bwahahahahahahahaha!

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:

Crafting With Dragonflies:  cards with die cuts & punches
Simply Create Too:  use die cuts

Something New @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to chose the challenge so I'm gonna go with that old familiar, first challenge of the New Year challenge, "Something New".  And, it's a pretty open challenge really.....it could be a "new" theme, new-to-you technique, new stash....as long as it's something that's in someway new, it's in!

This is what I did.....

I ticked a few boxes with this one!  I've got a new baby theme, used a sketch I had Pinned but have never used before (so, not new new, but never used), used a new-to-me digi (from DigiStamp Boutique) and I also used a some letters from an unopened package.  (Also not new new, but let's just be happy that I used them, 'kay?)

I was also planning on using a new technique....I don't have a large fishtail pennant die so I went looking for a tutorial on how make one.  Turns out, there really aren't any that would work for this size (that I found, anyways).  So, I made up my own tutorial.  Well, not a tutorial really.  I basically just found the centre point, drew lines from the edge to that centre point and then cut it out with scissors.  I know, *flourishing hands* ta-da!  My New Year's gift to all of you.

So, why not do or use something that's shiny & new 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.

Another Baby Card?!?! - Fab Friday @ Tiddly Inks

About a month and a half ago or so I lamented the fact that I'm sure making a lot of baby cards for someone who has left the baby stage fairly far behind.  And, here I am again, with another one!

This sweet Ellie was a past Tiddly Inks freebie and is no longer available.  Guess you'll have to visit the store to see what you can scoop up instead!

I'd like to mention I got inspiration for this card from this project by Irene.  She entered a Tiddly Inks challenge a bit ago and I just loved her idea for paper piecing Ellie.....so I did it too!

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:

Ooh-La-La:  tiny tots
Aud Sentiments:  cute + sentiment
Moving Along With the Times:  cute animals
As You Like It:  old stash or new stash - Have to admit, I prefer old stash.....as you can tell from this card!  Both the patterned paper and the Thickers are ancient.  There's something about using old favourites that I really enjoy.  Plus, I practically celebrate if I actually use up stash....it doesn't happen very often, but it's not like it'll ever happen with the new stuff!

Stencil It @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying "Stencil It" which means, you guessed it, she wants to see you use a stencil on your projects.

This is what I did....

LOTV had a half off digi sale last weekend so I grabbed a few of 'em.  Admired this baby for while, I'm glad I got the opportunity to add the sweetie to my stash!  As you can see, I used a stencil and added some stars to those patterned paper rectangles.  I added some flowers too.....which has nothing to do with the challenge, but - hey look!  There's, like, six flowers on my card!  That's not a normal thing around here.

So, why not break out your stencils 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.

Hand Coloured Image @ Melonheadz Friends

For the next two weeks at

we've got a super easy one for you. All you need to do is colour an image with any medium....pencils, markers, inks, paints, or whatever. As long as it's not digitally coloured it goes!

This is what I did.....

This seems to be my go-to layout and paper pad for baby cards....especially baby boy cards. I made a similar card earlier in the summer. But this time I used a different image from the Babies pack. I've linked to the combo pack so you can get both the black & white AND coloured images.

I tell ya, I would have thought by this point in my life I'd be slowing down with the having-to-make-baby-cards thing.  You know the I'm-in-my-40s-and-my-friends-are-all-done-having-babies-but-not-having-grandbabies-so-no-need-for-baby-cardmaking.  Turns out some of my friend-ish acquaintances are having babies in their 40s.  (And power to them, I don't think I could do it now.....but I'm guessing they ordered the model that actually sleeps. I tried to order those ones but they were apparently on back order so I got three off the clearance shelf instead.  Wonderful models, to be sure, but they were missing the component that let them sleep through the night.....and the wireless upgrade didn't take affect until they were four years old.)  And some of hubby's younger cousins are very much in the starting or adding to their families, as well as his nephews are having babies so I've been making lots of baby cards lately.

Are you in need of a card, baby or otherwise? I'll bet there's some occasion you need to celebrate so why not whip out your favourite colouring medium and enter the challenge? And be sure to check out what the rest of the DT has made.

Also for:

ABC-Challenge:  O is for open.
Ooh-La-La:  anything goes
Crafty Cardmakers:  layer it up
Aud Sentiments:  anything goes + sentiment
Star Stampz:  going in circles
Eclectic Ellapu:  new beginnings
Stamping Sensations:  one for the boys
Corrosive Challenge:  anything goes
Stella Says Sketch:  sketch
Sweet Stampin':  cute & cuddly