Certainly very old summer!!!

Ok, ok, so I played around with the Color Dare Challenge #64 title!! Honestly, summers can never get too old; especially in this part of the country, where it's growing icicles for almost 6 months of the year!!! I do love the colours of the challenge, especially the little burst of yellow among the mellow greens and sober vanilla. I used the sketch from the Papertake Weekly Challenge #39.

Here are the other challenges I'm entering this card in:

1. The Caardvarks Challenge which requires a monochromatic card.
2. Penny's paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Anything goes.
3. Raise The Bar Challenge #15 - Color Me Happy (favourite colour green in different hues + yellow).
4. Hand Full of Stamps Challenge #25- use more than 2 patterned papers.

I'm off to bed, to a night of uninterrupted sleep (hopefully!!). Namaste!!

Losing track of time.....

Wow!! I seem to be away from my blog longer and longer these days.....not sure how I feel about it. Hurrah for me!! My card was chosen (randomly, but nonetheless chosen!!!) as the Featured Stamper for the Color Throwdown Challenge #88. Well, this is the third feather in my hat/cap/hair band!!!

I've been enjoying the sunshine with my kids and I've been busy all week making cards at the request of my friends. Some have wanted mother's day ones, while others asked for birthday cards. I have to admit that I'm not much of a multi-tasker (if there is such a word!!!), so between taking care of the kids, the house, the husband (!), and making these cards, I haven't really made the time to take on any of the wonderful challenges out there. 

Well, hopefully this week will allow me to try some new challenges. I'm off to bed....Namaste!!!

Recycling...

I probably have a roomful of scraps, which I find hard to part with. You never know when you might just need a tiny piece of DP and not the whole sheet. Last night I decided to attack my bag of scraps and recycle a bit. I followed the Pals Paper Arts Sketch 38.

The DP is from a collection called La Creme Stack by DCWV; the stamps are from the Delightful Dahlia collection by the Raspberry Suite; the plain card stock and ribbon are from my stash and I used the Whisper White Craft Ink by SU for the stamps. I was thinking of adding a sentiment on the outside somewhere but I didn't want it to look too busy. 

A group of us moms are getting together for a Ladies' Brunch...without the kiddos. As much as I love my little monsters, I'm looking forward to a couple of hours of just hanging out with the gals!! Mamas, here I come...Namaste! 

Allergic to spring....sniff!!

I've lived in this country for 10 years and always enjoyed the beginnings of spring and its beautiful flowers. Not this year!! I mean, I still love the season and the colours, but my sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes are driving me nuts!!!!! I can barely breathe, I sound like the queen of nasal tones and I'm carrying a box of tissues with me all around the house. Not to mention, I keep startling my kids every time I blow my nose. My older one commented, after an especially noisy blow, "Wow!! Amma, that's like an elephant!!". Well, right now, I feel like there's one sitting on me! Still, I wouldn't give up this weather for anything:)

I took on the sketch from Clean & Simple FTL 86. I love their sketches because your card doesn't end up having that cluttered look with so many layers and embellishments.

Really enjoyed using some new DP by My Little Shoebox (they have the cutest papers!), and the sentiment is a Stampendous stamp. I used three different punches for the circles; the 1 & 3/4" from SU, the medium sized Martha Steward Punch and the smallest is from the JoAnn store. I really liked how the sentiment covered most of the yellow and balances the brightness. I also like how this card could be given for any occasion really. It's a simple and heartfelt sentiment and speaks volumes. 

My older son starts soccer practice today!!! I'm so excited for him. This is where I'm really transforming into the all-American mom!!! Planning on having a little picnic after soccer with sandwiches and fruit and then some yummy ice cream!!! It's a beautiful day....aachhhoooo!! Namaste!

Mother's Day.......

I've recently been making several Mother's Day themed cards. I've found some beautiful quotes online, but the one I've used for this card was simple and straight from the heart. The sketch is based on Kazan's from 2S4Y (#50) and the colours are from the Color Throwdown Challenge #88 - Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray and So Saffron/White. 

The DP is called Woodland Whimsy from the Sassafras website. I used both sides, since I really liked the fabric-like effect of the paper. The vertical strip was cut with a Martha Stewart punch, the tag has been cut using a Big Shot Die-cut machine and Lots of Tags Sizzlits dies (which I just ordered, and absolutely LOVE!!!) from SU . The sentiment is from the Delightful Dahlia set by Raspberry Suite. The tangerine card stock is from my stash.

Hurrah, it's finally Friday and we're heading out to dinner with the boys. We haven't been out to a restaurant in a while as a family, so it should be an interesting experience!! Will probably need to actually do some exercise this weekend to burn off the extra calories. Food, here I come.....Namaste!!

Pretty in Pink

I really like the Card Positioning Systems Sketch #162.

I initially thought of adding buttons but I had these great digi freebies from My Graphico, so when ahead and used those.

The colours are a little  more vivid because of the lighting. I really liked how it turned out!!

I'm also entering this card for the Caardvarks challenge which asks us to make a new baby card. I can't wait to send this card to someone who has a new baby girl!!!
This card also qualifies for the Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge (anything goes).
This also qualifies for the Our Creative Corner Challenge, which requires the use of bows. 

Well, I'm off to drop my older one to preschool. Namaste!!

OCC sketch Challenge #10 & more...

Another quick entry for the OCC Weekly Sketch Challenge #10.

I took the liberty of tweaking the sketch a little:) I'm also entering this card in the C.R.A.F.T Challenge 45 which requires the use of buttons. Namaste!!

Quick entry

Realised that the deadline for the PPA 36 challenge is almost.....now. The theme is flowers. Here's my card....

Really loved this quote that I found on the internet and decided to use it. The flowers stamps are from SU, the DP is from Papertrey, and the cardstock is from my stash. I used my printer for the center quote and printed out the ovals which I then cut out!! I can't wait for my die-cutting machine to arrive, so I can give my scissors and fingers a rest!!! Namaste!!

Good morning sunshine!!!

My little ones slept well last night. The older one had a fever and a touch of diarrhea yesterday, but seems to be doing much better this morning. I didn't hear a peep from the baby till 7:30 am!! There's nothing like a good night sleep and waking up with happy children!!

I took on the Sketch Saturday Challenge #97 last night. The colours are from the Monday Colour Challenge on Stamp TV (Black, Yellow & White) and I'm also entering this card for the Charisma Cardz Challenges #14 (Thank You!!). 

The DP is from the La Creme Stack by DCWV and the yellow ribbon from my stash. I used my sewing machine around the edges. My SU scalloped circle punch and Martha Stewart circle punches came in handy. I don't have any tool to create an oval, so that's my representation of it!! The center image is from a box of teas my friend gifted me. And the the sentiment is from the Delightful Dahlia collection by Raspberry Suite. 

My friend/neighbour across the street has been very generous with handing over a bunch of stuff that her boys don't use anymore. Honestly, I'm more than thrilled with "recycling" toys and clothes!! She hasn't let me pay for any of the stuff and I've been wanting to thank her with something special. I thought this would be a great thank you card for her, and I'm giving her some handmade cards that she could use for Mother's Day or any other occasion. I figured since she would be spending money on these anyway, I might as well gift her something she can use. I hope she likes them!! Namaste!

Little feet...

My neighbours just had their fourth baby girl. All their daughters are such angels, and this one will no doubt be too. K was born in December and I haven't had a chance to give her a little something to celebrate her arrival on our beautiful planet. I was inspired by the Card Positioning System Sketch 161 to make this really sweet card for the baby.

I'm also entering this card for the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge 53 - Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice!! Of course, that's what little baby girls are made of!!!

The dimensions of the top most rectangle (square in the case of my card) is a little off compared to the original sketch, but I'm really happy with the overall product. All I have to do now is shop for a really cute summer outfit, which I'm going to "ooh" and "ahh" over several times, before I pack it. And then I'm going to stop by their home, and get my little baby girl fix!!!! I love little babies!!! They truly are reflective of how beautiful life and creation are. God's little miracles!! Namaste.

Ok, so I really love these colours!!!!

I couldn't resist making yet another card for the PDCC Challenge #23....

The sketch is loosely based on that from Card Patterns #58......

I used an Eclatte Prima flower from the Flourishes Boutique. The DP is from the Triple Pack Collection - Seaside, Garden Gala, and Nature's Storybook, again from Flourishes. The ribbon is from my stash and the base card stock is the vintage cream from Perfect Match Papertrey Cardstock Sampler Collection. 

I'm also entering this card in the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (FTTC61) - the "bought it, use it" challenge. I've been hoarding the Prima flowers for quite a while, and decided to finally pull them out since I've been given permission to do so:). 

I'm reading to my son's preschool class tomorrow. A little nervous about it, since I always worry that the kids may not understand my accent (being from India and all that!). But they've enjoyed my reading in the past, so this should be no different. Well, goodnight and namaste!!

Another one for PDCC23

I wasn't too happy with the first card I'd made for the Play Date Cafe Challenge #23. So I went ahead and made this one....

Had a really great morning with the kids...gymnastics, park, pizza hut and ice cream!! Hoping I can grab a wink while the baby naps and my older one watches some TV. Namaste!!

Crafting Therapy

So my father went back to India after staying with us for almost 6 months!!! It was wonderful having him with through the dreaded winter. He's such a great dad; helping me out with almost everything around the house and with the kids. I was able to dedicate a lot of time to improving on my card making skills with him around. Well, it's been a week since he's left, and I wish I had more than 24 hours in day!! After a really really long and exhausting (in a good way!!) day, I really didn't think I would have the inclination or energy to do anything, let alone make a card. But once the kids were in bed, the kitchen cleaned, and everything was peaceful and quiet, I set my DVR to record my favourite show and headed to my craft table....

I made this first card based on the sketch from Card Patterns #58.

_________________________________________

With the second card, I combined 2 challenges: the sketch from I heart 2 Stamp....

 and the colours from the Play Date Cafe Challenge #23......

Here's mine...

In hind sight, I would have liked to create something better....Namaste!!

Creative Conflicts!!

It's funny how sometimes when the challenge requires the simplest of colours, I can't find the right stuff!!! I haven't attempted a Pals Paper Arts Challenge in a while, and thought I would tackle the PPA #36 Color Challenge...

These colours are soft and beautiful and so reflective of spring! The DT have created some fantastic cards which you must check out. I didn't have the exact colours in card stock or ink, so I tried to match my supplies as best as I could. Anyway, here's what I created....

I'm pretty sure I've covered all three colours!!! Anyway, I'm off to enjoy the sunshine with my boys!! Namaste!!

Nature's colours

I got an opportunity to combine two really awesome challenges: the sketch from 2S4Y (Kazans's Sketch 49)...

......and the colours from The Color Throwdown Challenge #86 - Yoyo Yellow, Garden Green or Old Olive and Chocolate Chip. 

I used this really great DP - Origins from the Basic Grey collection. The center flower piece is actually from the cover of a beautiful box of teas that my girlfriend gifted me. I'm thinking this would be the perfect birthday card for her! Really proud that I was able to recycle a gift!!

Hoping everyone's enjoying the weekend as much as I am. We're off to the zoo tomorrow...Yippee! Namaste!!!

Simply Digital!

  Made this card in less than an hour. Downloaded the digital freebie image from a really great website called 2 Cute Rubber Stamps.  I followed the sketch from Card Positioning Systems Sketch 160. 

These are the challenges it qualifies for:

1. Pile It On Challenge 12: Animal-riffic

2. 2 Cute Rubber Stamps: Challenge # 2

3. Crafty Creations Challenge 61: Anything Goes

4. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog: Easter

5. Tanda Teaser Challenge 140: "Rabbit rabbit rabbit"!!

6. Just Add Ink #11: Just add...ink (Make anything you like)

7. Dare U 2 Digi- Stamp Challenge 34: Easter

8. Bee Crafty Challenge 27: Birthday

9. Everything But the Kitchen Sink Challenge 12: String (Around the House challenge)

10. Stampavie & More Challenge 88: Friends

11. Lexi's Creations Challenge #10: Easter

12. Stamp Simply: Easter

13. Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge #35: Easter

14. Incy Wincy Designs: Spring/ Easter 

15. Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge 7: Easter

16. Cute Card Thursday Challenge 105: Dimensions

17. Digital Tuesday Challenge 52: Scrap It (String and DP from scraps)

Ok, a lot of challenge once again!!! Wouldn't mind winning some blog candy at least on one:) Goodnight and Namaste!!