Friend of Mine @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge and I'm going with "Friend of Mine" which means I want to see those projects that celebrate friendship or are for a friend.

This is what I did....

I used an image from Melonheadz Illustrating and made a lil bathroom scene.  Originally, the sentiment was just a strip of paper running across the top but I thought it might be cool to make it look like a picture on the wall, so I made a graphic in Canva and that was that.  I know this style of board and batten isn't really it anymore, but my girl here is obviously going through somethin' so we're not going to hound her about updating her walls.

"Friend of Mine" is a song from the Cornwall (Ontario) band, Barstool Prophets.  It peaked at number 34 on the Canadian charts in 1998.  Not a lot about the song out there on the interweb, it's sung in the first person and it's about checking in on a friend of the past.  The music is upbeat, which hides what might be a darker theme....depending on how you interpret it.  

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:

Unicorn Challenge:  something new - Those "bubbles" and "picture" are new.

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Neglected Stuff:  use neglected stash - I've wanted to use this digi for ages but couldn't think of how.

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Love Those Pretty Papers:  highlight patterned papers

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Seeing Red! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Brenda's turn to choose the challenge and she's "Seeing Red!"....she's not mad at us, she just wants to see red on our projects.

This is what I did.....

I went with a Christmas card using a digi from Melonheadz Illustrating.  I very briefly thought of doing a Valentine's Day card but I have a number of love-themed cards in my stash so I decided to get a jump on my Christmas makes instead.  Word die is from Paper Smooches.  I cut it out of fun foam which I find always cuts beautifully and adds that bit of dimension without the need to glue layers of paper together.  I had originally cut the words out of red glitter fun foam but they seemed to get lost with all the other red, so green it was.  

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

Peace on Earth:  inspirational photo

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Cut It Up:  This makes me happy + die cuts - Melonheadz digis, using fun foam with word dies, snowflake patterned paper

As You Like It:  favourite die - Since I mostly use digis, word dies are my favourite because you can easily add the sentiment without having to print it with the digi.

ABC Christmas:  C is for crimson

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round:  C is for cheer

Die Cut Divas:  red + die cuts

Pick 3 Challenge:  trees, square, layers

A Cut Above:  anything goes with a die cut

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Make My Monday:  use two dies

Happy New ?? @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Brenda's turn to choose the challenge - the first one of 2026 - and she's very fittingly going with "Happy New??" which means she wants to see you fill in the blank.  It could be new as a theme, like baby, home or job or it could be new stash, or a new technique....if it's "new" it's in!

This is what I did....

I went with a New Year card.  It went across the pond to a lovely crafty friend in France.  Did you know that Christmas cards aren't typically given in France?  Cards are primarily sent for for the new year rather than Christmas.  If you would like to read more about that tradition, you can read this post.  

Now, said lovely crafty friend is originally from the USA, so I know she wouldn't mind if I sent her a Christmas card.  I must admit, I do like that I get to make a card for the new year, rather than Christmas.  I tend to get all Christmas carded out, so making something different is a treat.

Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating.  This card started out with completely different patterned papers, and quite a bit of gold mirror cardstock.  In the end I decided the card was just too fancy for the image....so fancy it had me cutting out gold mirror stars to replace the polka-dotted ones as they just didn't go.  I finally started from scratch and had it turn out like this (or you could say, much better!).  I did discover you can print on gold mirror cardstock, which I wasn't sure about until I tried.  (I used a laser printer, not sure if an inkjet would work.)  I saved the other card and used it for something different....stay tuned for that reveal.  (:

Oh, and I foiled the banner, which you can't see in the photo, of course.  But I always like to take that money shot as proof.....

I do love foiling.  (:

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 Calendar:  anything new

Sweet Stampin':  new

Craft Rocket:  something new

Shopping Our Stash:  free is good - Digi is a freebie

613 Avenue Create:  cheers to the new year

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Aud Sentiments:  anything goes + sentiment

Christmas [or not] Bingo:  I - square, layers, free

Inkspirational:  shiny

Simon Says:  something new

I is for Ice Cream! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Imke's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "I is for Ice Cream!" so let's see those project with one of the yummiest of treats - ice cream!

This is what I did....

Now, I love me some ice cream but I would never get hard ice cream in a cone.  Cones are meant for soft ice cream, imo.  Hard ice cream is for bowls, then into the microwave for about 30 seconds....and if there's syrups and whip cream - all the better!  (:

Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating.

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

Cardz 4 Galz:  colouring

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday:  anything goes

Shopping Our Stash:  a few of my favourite things - ice cream, digis & Prismacolor pencils

A Place to Start:  something new - new to me digi

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Dragonfly Dreams:  feminine

I'm Still Standing @ 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 with this week being "I'm Still Standing" which means she wants to see those encouragement cards.

This is what I did.....

I used a freebie from Melonheadz Illustrating and made a (fairly cas) good luck card.

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

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Simon Says:  anything goes

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road @ 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 with this week being, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" which means she wants to see yellow on your project.

This is what I did.....

Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating.  Kinda wish I had done the sentiment as a couple of lines rather than single words now that I'm looking at it here.  But aren't those gold wings fantastic?!?  Pure luck I found them because I was looking for something completely different when I went spelunking in my embellishment drawer.  Never did find what I was actually looking for, of course.  (:

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

Peace On Earth:  inspirational photo

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

As You Like It:  soft or bold colours - I prefer bold colours.  They pack more of a visual punch.  (:

CRAFT:  Christmas

Addicted to Stamps:  Christmas

The Holly & Ivy:  anything Christmas goes

Crafty Gals Corner:  adorable

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

Merry Little Christmas:  anything Christmas goes

Christmas [or not] Bingo:  N - Christmas, free, dots/gems

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Dream Valley:  things with wings

Neglected Stuff:  patterned paper, digi

Allsorts:  inspired by a song

Inkspirational:  seasonal

Can You Feel the Love Tonight @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's going with an Elton John songs theme for 2025.  This week it's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" which means she wants to see those projects about luuuuurrrrvvvvvveeee. ♥♥♥

This is what I did.....

I've used a Melonheadz Illustrating image and coloured it up to look like my daughter and her girlfriend (my newest sub-baby) so my daughter could use it as a Valentine's card.  I was teasing her by telling her that, even though she's taller than B, I went with the slighter shorter one for her as she'd be the one more likely to do a high side ponytail.  I tried not to feel hurt by her scoff seeing as I used to rock the high side pony back in the 80s.  (:

Even though a lot of you agreed with me two weeks ago, I'm gonna say it again in case there's someone new visiting.....red and pink go beautifully together, and you'll never convince me otherwise.  So there.  (:

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 

Stamping Sensations:  hand coloured image

Love Those Pretty Papers:  anything goes with patterned paper

CRAFT:  anything goes

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

My Time to Craft:  use a sentiment

Fab 'n' Funky:  all things bright and beautiful - I think love qualifies as both those things. ♥

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie:  anything goes

Triple B:  blooms (on the patterned paper)

Christmas [or Not] Bingo:  G - Valentine, red, free

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Path of Positivity:  anything positive goes

AAA Colourful:  inspirational photo

Emboss It! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge and I'm saying, "Emboss It!" which means I'd like to see some embossing - heat or folder or letterpress or foiling technique(s).

This is what I did....

As you can see, I've used an embossing folder on the patterned paper, as well as on the butterflies, but what you can't see is.....

I've also foiled the sentiment - ha!  Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating.

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. 

Allsorts:  patterned papers

Can You Handle the Pressure:  anything goes with embossing folder

Crafty Calendar:  anything goes

Sweet Stampin':  spots & stripes

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Cut It Up:  die cuts + embellishments

My Time to Craft:  monochrome

The Holly & Ivy:  anything Christmas goes

A Cut Above:  anything goes with a die cut

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Aud Sentiments:  embossing + sentiment

Dream Valley:  anything goes

Die Cut Divas:  anything goes for World Cardmaking Day

Triple B:  butterflies

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Peace On Earth:  anything Christmas goes

Simon Says Stamp:  Christmas

Sparkle & Shine! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge and I'm going with one of my faves...."Sparkle & Shine!".  So, anything with glitter, foil, mirror, the sun, stars, bling....lots of different options!

This is what I did....

And the money shot....

As you can see, I've got more than a bit of Stickles on there, along with some sparkly enamel dots.

Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating.  I've always loved this digi, but I've never used it because.....well....you most definitely want it to go to someone who has a good sense of humour and/or someone who is really skinny, so it doesn't end up looking like an insult, iykwim.  Reason I was able to use it now was because it will go into a Christmas basket, which will be one of about 17 baskets that 17 people will choose for themselves.  That way, if a basket-recipient does not find this card humourous, they can pick a different one instead.  (:

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 

Dragonfly Dreams:  these are a few of my favourite things - digi stamps, Prismacolor pencils, blue, Stickles, humourous cards

Peace On Earth:  inspirational photo

Simon Says:  add a sentiment

Krafty Chicks:  Christmas

Crafty Gals Corner:  anything goes

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

Addicted To Stamps:  any occasion

Cardz 4 Guys:  outdoor activities - Building a snowman.  I know my card it's a bit of a stretch for the theme.  (:

The Holly & Ivy:  anything Christmas goes

Merry Little Christmas:  anything Christmas goes

12 Months of Christmas Linkup:  anything Christmas goes

Christmas [or not] Bingo:  N - masculine, enamel dots, free

Crafty Calendar:  anything goes

Light Up the Sky! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Chrissy's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Light Up the Sky!" which mean she wants to see those creations that feature the night sky......and she's also saying she would rather have your night sky be made with ink......and, well.....I definitely missed that part of the challenge criteria.  Whoopsie.

So, this is what I did....

As you can see, I've got lots of bright stars on there but it's all patterned paper, no inking to be found.  I suppose I could try and cheat and claim I stamped all those stars on white paper and see if I could get away with it.....oops too late now.  (:

Digi was a freebie from Melonheadz Illustrating.

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:  stars

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

CRAFT:  Christmas

Kraft Chicks:  all occasions

Through the Purple Haze:  anything goes

Crafty Catz:  embellishments

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

My Time to Craft Christmas:  music

ABC Christmas:  M is for music

The Holly & Ivy:  anything Christmas goes

Incy Wincy:  circles

Merry Little Christmas:  anything Christmas goes

Pearly Sparkles:  Christmas in July

12 Months of Christmas Linkup:  anything Christmas goes

Christmas [or not] Bingo: I - free, glitter, patterned paper

A Place to Start:  anything goes

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Peace On Earth:  anything Christmas goes

Cupcake Inspirations:  anything goes

So Cute! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's yours truly's turn to choose the challenge and I'm saying, "So Cute!" which means I want to see those cute creations.

This is what I did.....

Isn't this digi just the cutest?!?!  It's from Melonheadz Illustrating.  Nikki has some of the most adorable digis ever, her images have always been a favourite of mine.  I even used a couple of cute fonts.  Hmmm.....just wondering why the bottom right corner looks blurry.  Since there's nothing there but a couple of  Your Next Stamp's Gumdrops (which I also love), I don't think a photo retake is necessary.

I debated adding Glossy Accents so it would look like the glasses had lenses but I decided not to.  My bottle is getting fairly old, and I've found Glossy Accents can turn yellow when they're years old.  Not a complaint, just an observation.  (:  

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:  masculine

Krafty Chicks:  anything goes

Through the Purple Haze:  anything goes

Double D:  something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue - old patterned paper, new never been coloured before stamp, blue Gumdrops

Ellibelle:  anything goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  all about the men

Allsorts:  lots of layers

Crafty Calendar:  for a child

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Double Trouble:  masculine 

Dream Valley:  use your favourite colours - My favourite colour is blue.

613 Avenue Create:  for the guys

Cupcake Inspirations:  inspirational photo

Foolin'! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Foolin'!" which means she wants to see a project that is funny or punny.  

This is what I did....

Nothing really funny about that.  But here's the inside...

I don't know if everyone is familiar with the "that's what she said" line of joking but, thanks to my daughter, it's become something of an art at our house.  (For those who might not know this joke, "That's What She Said" is an expression used in response to statements that may sound sexual in nature when taken out of context.)  We run the gambit with this joke.  It goes from the set-yourself-up style - making a statement and then immediately saying "that's what she said" which is considered the lowest form of the joke; to the from-out-of-left-field - saying "that's what she said" after a sentence that nobody ever even dreamed about thinking or saying "that's what she said" but it makes perfect sense.  That one generally gets lots of laughs....my sub-baby Matt is an expert at those, both because he's very clever and because it's usually very unexpected as he's always very polite and soft-spoken.  There's other versions of the joke, like the-driveby - not being part of the conversation but throwing it in there on your way through and silent-acknowledgement - when you're in a situation or in company of people where saying "that's what she said" would be extremely impolite, so it's achieved by a knowing look or mouthing the words, if able.  

So, now that you know the history of the joke, hopefully you'll find this at least mildly funny.  Or, you might not be as immature as me and my clan and roll your eyes.  Either way, know that when my daughter gets this for Christmas, she will definitely laugh.  And, probably roll her eyes too.  (:

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

Peace on Earth:  anything Christmas goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Art Impressions:  shaker card

Krafty Chicks:  anything goes

Through the Purple Haze:  anything goes

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  dots and stripes

The Holly & Ivy:  anything Christmas goes

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Aud Sentiments:  use glitter, bling and green + sentiment

Dream Valley:  add some sparkle

Christmas [or not] Bingo:  B - frame, free, shaker

Incy Wincy:  humourous

Merry Little Christmas:  anything Christmas goes

{PIN}spirational:  inspirational photo

Simon Says:  add a sentiment

Seven Seas of Rhye @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's continuing on with her songs-by-Queen challenges and she's saying, "Seven Seas of Rhye" which means she wants to see a beach theme.  

Now, I'm not a big fan of the beach.  Anakin Skywalker said it best, "I don't like sand. It's coarse, and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere."  I actually say that to my kids whenever they say they're going to the beach.....not that they get the reference.  And not like I'm gonna suggest they watch those sub-par movies so they can get the reference.  They just think I really hate sand.

Anyhoo, this is what I did.....

Generally I make cards that have a purpose, either with someone specific in mind to give it to, or just something for the stash that I can use if needed.  This one doesn't fit either of those categories.  But, I can't say as that bothers me because I've got it sitting on a shelf above my craft desk and, for this particular card, that's enough purpose for me.  (:

Digi is from Melonheadz Illustrating, sentiment was made by your truly.

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:

613 Avenue Create:  nautical

Corrosive:  anything goes

Allsorts:  summertime

Crafty Calendar:  anything goes

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

As You Like It:  plain or patterned papers - I LOVE patterned paper!  Such an easy way to dress up a project, and it can help you choose your colours for colouring too.

Krafty Chicks:  anything goes

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  beach

The Crafty Addicts:  anything goes

A Place to Start:  live is a beach

Crafting Happiness:  anything goes

Things That Fly! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Doni's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Things That Fly!" which, really, could be a whole bunch of things from the alive variety (birds, butterflies & bugs) to the unalive (airplanes, kites & balloons) to fantasy creatures (like fairies, unicorns or even.....)

...reindeer!  Reindeer stamps are Mama Elephant (I got them and the matching dies for an absolutely steal on clearance at Michaels some time ago) and sentiment is from Melonheadz Illustrating.

I hope all my Canadian peeps are staying safe.  (For those who don't know, as of Monday there are 424 wildfires burning across Canada, more than 250 of which are considered out of control.)  My thoughts are with all those whose lives have been affected by the fires. ♥

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:

Peace on Earth:  Christmas

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

Allsorts:  use your dies

Crafty Catz:  cute for a guy

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Double Trouble:  masculine + plaid

Most Magical Time of Year:  Christmas

My Time to Craft:  masculine

Craft Rocket:  use dies

Moving Along With the Times:  man/boy

Addicted to Stamps:  Christmas

Ellibelle's:  anything goes

Cardz 4 Guyz:  lots of layers

The Holly & Ivy:  anything Christmas goes

A Place to Start:  anything goes

Crafting Happiness:  anything goes

Cutie Pie:  4 legged friends + cute

Dream Valley:  anything goes

Use Your Stuff:  anything goes

Merry Little Christmas:  anything Christmas goes

Cupcake Inspirations:  anything goes

Spring or Fall? @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Imke's turn to choose the challenge and she's asking, "Spring or Fall?" which means she wants to see project about or in the theme of those two seasons.  

While I prefer fall over spring with regards to weather (so much less unpredictability and mud with fall!), I like crafting spring better.  I feel like there's so much more you can do with spring, and the colours are considerably brighter, at least imho.  So, here's my spring make.....

I love this happy girl from Melonheadz Illustrating.  Paired her with some bright, blue skies paper to complete the spring vibe.

I've challenged myself to....let's say.....make more of an effort, in regards to my crafting as of late instead of just going with my usual layouts and the like.  I'm not gonna go too crazy, meaning I'm not planning on stepping outside my comfort zone or anything, but I'm trying to be more mindful when I'm making something, ykwim?  Asking myself if there's something I could do to somewhat elevate what I'm working on.  That's what led me to make this frame instead of....well, not making the frame.  lol  I certainly won't be doing anything groundbreaking, but seeing as I'm pleased with this card, I'm gonna call my first attempt a success.

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:

Allsorts:  in the spring garden

Can You Handle the Pressure: anything goes + embossing folder

Crafty Calendar:  die cuts

Sweet Stampin':  use die cuts or punches

Crafty Catz:  anything goes

Creative Fingers:  anything goes

Cut It Up:  embellishments + die cuts

My Time to Craft:  springtime

As You Like It:  people or critters - Admittedly, I like both but people might edge out critters by just a little bit.  I find with people, you can make a more grownup/serious card than with critters (though this card definitely isn't the best example of that theory!). 

Krafty Chicks:  anything goes

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday:  anything goes

Fab 'n' Funky:  use die cuts

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  rainbows

A Place to Start:  woman of the year

Make My Monday:  P is for... - paper, pink

613 Avenue Create:  anything goes

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