I am sure that you, my blogpost friends have thought that I have left the internet blogposting world. I am still active, in fact I am so busy that I have not had time to post. However, all that should change. I have finally retired from teaching and from being a member of our local Artisan Shoppe. That leaves me with a void of time!!! Therefore, I have recently become a Close to My Heart Consultant. I am also on the design team for Chalk n Stock.
Your should count on me to post several cards and paper projects each month:)

The card that I have posted is for the recent challenge on Chalk N Stock Blog. 
Materials Used:
Digital Stamp - Bugaboo Stamps
Designer Paper - Basic Gray
Coloring Mediums - chalk and Copic Markers
Card Base- Michael's
Bling: Gel Pen

I am sorry that the picture is not so bright. It has rained most of June in Western NY! I usually try to take pictures outside in natural light.
This card was designed for my granddaughter who is playing softball and just got out of school a few days ago. The inside says: Have a Great Summer.

Thanks for stopping to view my card. I hope that I have inspired you to be creative with chalk and to use Bugaboo Digital Stamps. They are just darling and very reasonable.
We would love for you to join us at  for our July Challenges. Just click on the highlighted post.
Chalk N Stock Blog
Wishing all of our US friends a wonderful Independence Day and our Canadian friends, Happy Canada Day. For everyone....Have a wonderful weekend and take a few minutes to do something that you enjoy.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Wednesday Challenges
Addicted to Stamps Challenge, Anything Goes
Crafters Cafe Blog Challenge, Summer Fun
Mod Squad Challenge Blog, Pattern Paper
Kraft in Kimmies Stamps, Anything Goes

Hi

Another card for this week! This card was designed in our small stamp class and uses all Close to My Heart materials, ink, stamps, designer paper and buttons. This is the beauty of using coordinating materials from this stamp company. You do not have to search for something to "match." The inside was left blank.

Thank you for taking the time to stop and visit. Some of my cards are quite simple, as this one is. If you scroll down you will see some more elaborate card designs and folds. I would enjoy reading your comments and if you leave your blog address, I will stop and visit your blog too. Please feel free to follow this blog if you find my cards inspiring. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the gorgeous autumn weather.

Welcome, Baby

Thank your for stopping to visit my blog today. The above card was my design team card for Chalk N Stock Challenge. I thought this darling digi stamp from Bugaboo was just perfect for a welcome, baby card. Actually, the background CS is peach so that it could be used for either gender. I paper pieced the giraffe as well as the frame.  For this design team, we are to use chalk somewhere on the paper craft. I used chalk for the shadow of the giraffe, the leaves and the ears. Chalking is a simple and quick way of coloring. It is so easy to blend colors too. You still have time to join us for our current challenge. Just click HERE and you will be directed to the challenge blog.

Materials Used:
Card-stock, ribbon, designer paper and twine: Michael's
Burlap: From my coveted stash
Button: vintage
Sentiment: Computer Generated

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Monday Challenges:
Artistic Inspirations Challenges: Anything Goes
Craft-deebowz Challenge: Anything Goes with a handmade bow
Crafting From the Heart Challenge: Anything Goes
Cutie Pie Challenge: Must be CUTE
My Besties UK Challenge: Anything Goes +Something old: Burlap, Something New: Bugaboo image
Crazy Challenge: Cute Little Animals
Sunday Challenges:
Pile it on Challenges: Best Wishes, Congratulations
Corrosive challenges by janet: B Unique (3 items that begin with B: Burlap, Button, Bow)
Saturday Challenges:
crazy 4 challenges: Animals
All Sorts Challenge: Wary Sunshiny Colors

I hope that you enjoyed your visit and that I have inspired you, in some small way, to use chalk on your next paper craft and possible enter the current Chalk N Stock Challenge. I would love it if you would leave a message and possible become a follower of this blog. I have another card to post soon with a technique that is new to me....you won't want to miss this one!!!  Have a wonderful last full week of summer:)

Sporty Box Card

Hi, welcome to my blog! I hope that you are enjoying this lovely summer weather. We actually have had two days of sunshine with several more sunny days predicted for the future!!!YEAH!  I wanted to try a "box" card...with my grandson's birthday coming soon, today was the opportunity'
 I must apologize for the darkness of the pictures. I am having difficulty uploading pictures from my camera so had to use my cell phone. We just purchased a new computer with Windows 8 and I understand that I will have to spend some time on how to upload to Picassa. This usually is an easy process but not with the new Windows 8....
My grandson loves baseball and is on at least two leagues. I hope that he will enjoy this special card.

 View from the front

 Right side view

Left side view

There is also a sentiment and his name on the back of this card. I really enjoyed making this and it truly was easy. I am sure that I will make more soon!

Materials Used:

CS: Recollections

DP: From a packet that I purchased at a scrapbook convention

Sporty Kids: Autumn Leaves: Sporty Kids

Front Sentiment: Close to My Heart Stamps

Ink: Close to My Heart

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Friday Challenges:

A Creative Romance: Fun in the Sun

Craft for the Craic: Use any craft item never used before ( The Sporty Kids packet that I have had for several years!)

Craft 4 Eternity: Anything Goes

Docerela Creations: Summer Colors

polkadoodle blogspot: Fun in the Sun

Sister Act Card Challenge: Anything Goes

Sweet 7 Designs Challenge Blog: Birthdays

Wags N Whiskers Rubber Stamps Blog: Birthdays

Wednesday Challenges:

Penny's Challenges: Anything Goes

I hope that I have inspired you to make a box card. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I would love it if you would leave a comment and even follow my blog. If you leave  your blog address, I will come and visit you. Have a wonderful weekend. Hoping you are also able to enjoy some sunshine and maybe even a baseball game!

Happy Charmed Birthday

 This is the outside of the card

This is the tag you can pull out from the front of the card.

The inside of the card is blank.

I had this beautiful Designer Paper and knew I just had to make a special card from it. The card-stock used is a navy blue, then I cut the DP on a diagonal. I found a piece of DP in my wonderful "stash," that worked as a tag. The tiny clear pearls were applied to the center of the flowers. The ribbon, also from my "stash," was used and paired with a charm. (The charm was actually a pierced earring! I just cut off the back...clever, right? I am pleased with this card. 

You never know what you can design using what you have on hand. ( I am really trying to downsize my supplies! Just have to stay away from Michael's...

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Tuesday Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Designs Blogspot: Anything Goes
Didgi Choosday Challenges: Lots of Layers
Scrap-Creations Challenge: Birthday Celebration
Inky Chicks Blogspot: Happy Birthday
Shopping Our Stash Challenge: Use three or more of one embellishment: Pearls
Monday Challenges:
2 Cute Ink Digital Stamps: Anything Goes
Crafting From the Heart Challenge Blog: Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations: Color Challenge



Craft Your Passion: Flower Power
The Pink Elephant Challenge: Anything Goes

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and to read the description of this card. I am hoping that I have inspired you to create something special using what you have on hand. I would love to hear what you think. . I am always looking for ideas to improve my crafting skills. Please feel free to follow this blog. I will be posting a DT card soon.

Wine/Friends

Happy Wednesday!  Wanted to share a birthday card designed for a special friend. I am trying to improve the coloring of my images. What do you think? I seemed to struggle with this card. I knew that I wanted to use this image and verse but could not decide upon the design. Shiny paper shows even a little glue residue!! 

Materials Used:

Digital Image: Bugaboo

Verse: from the internet

Coloring: Copic Markers, I used Liquid Glass to make the grapes shiny

Embossing Folders: Darcie

CS: From my treasured "stash"

Ribbon: Marshall's

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Tuesday Challenges: 
Crafty Sentiments's Design Challenge: Hand colored image
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog: Lots of layers
Inky Chicks Challenge: Happy Birthday
Party Time Tuesday's: Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge: Using fruit or vegetables in the challenge.
Through the Craft Room Door: Anything Goes


Thank you for taking the time to visit.  I hope in some small way that I have inspired you to have fun and enjoy your time  papercrafingt !  I would love it if you took a moment to leave a comment, tell me what you think and perhaps follow this blog. My goal is to reach 250 followers! I know this is a lofty goal but you could help me???? However, only follow this blog if you like my work and I have inspired you... If you leave a post, I will be sure to check out your work also.    Have a wonderful day.  Barbara

Happy Summer Birthday

Don't you just love this beautiful designer paper? I did not want to use it as a background, it is just too pretty. The best part of designing this card is that I did not purchase anything new. Everything is from my treasured "scraps." I did learn that white ink smears very easily!

Materials Used:
CS: Georgia Pacific
Ink: CTMH
Stamp: Hero Arts
Everything else was from my Scrap Collection probably purchased at Michael' s  because that is the closest craft store! I did not have a die design that I wanted to use(black curved area) so I made one.

I am entering this card into the following card challenges:
Sunday Challenges:
Stamping Sensations: Summer Blooms
That Craft Place Challenge Blog: Anything Goes
Saturday Challenges:
Little Claire's Designs: Summertime
Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge: Anything Goes
Friday Challenges: 
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge: For the Birds!
Creative Corner Challenges: For the love of ribbon

I hope that I have inspired you, in some small way, to enjoy your creative paper-crafting talents. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I would love it if you would leave a comment and even follow my blog. I am trying to get to 250 followers...If you leave my your blog address, I will come and visit you. Have a wonderful week.

Happy Birthday

I have so much treasured "scrap" paper! Decided to put them to good use. What do you think? My favorite colors to work with right now are orange and bright green. I needed some birthday cards, so that was my inspiration.

Materials used:
DP: MME paper pad ( I love using these pads because  most of the papers coordinate.)
CS: Georgia Pacific
Stamps: Close to My Heart
Ribbon and Lace: From my treasured stash:)

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Thursday Challenges:
Crafty Girls Challenges: Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenges: Anything Goes
Milk Coffee Challenges: Birthdays
Through the Purple Haze Challenge: Happy Birthday
Wednesday Challenges:
The Crafter's Cafe: Birthday
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Challenge: Spots and Dots
The Sisterhood of Crafters: Happy Birthday

Thank you for taking the time to visit.  I hope in some small way that I have inspired you to papercraft and use your treasured stash! I would love it if you took a moment to leave a comment, tell me what you think and perhaps follow this blog. My goal is to reach 250 followers! I know this is a lofty goal but you could help me???? However, only follow this blog if you like my work and I have inspired you... If you leave a post, I will be sure to check out your work also.    Have a wonderful day.  Barbara

Anniversary/Retirement

I was commissioned to design a 60th wedding anniversary card. Since this is traditionally the Diamond Anniversary, I decided to keep it white with "jewel" accents. I also wanted to make a retirement card for a friend so I used the same design. I fussy cut the butterfly from another die cut card stock then popped it up for emphasis.  I think that they turned out quite nicely...simple and elegant!

Materials Used:

Card Stock: Georgis-Pacific

Die: Darice

Sentiment on front of first card: Computer Generated

Inside sentiments: Found on internet, wish I could remember the source...

Silver inside paper: Michael's

I am entering the second card in the following challenges:

Friday Challenges:

Sister Act Challenge: Anything Goes

The Stamping Boutique: Fussy Cut Something

Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps Challenge: Anything Goes

Thursday Challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: Inspired by a song:" Butterfly Kisses"

4 Krafty Girlz: Anything Goes

Wednesday Challenges:

Crafting With Dragonflies: Challenge: Clean and Simple

Creative Moments: Anything Goes/Celebrations

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge: Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping to visit. I hope I have inspired you, in some small way to create and enjoy your time spent crafting. I would love it if you would leave a comment and tell me what you think. Also, please feel free to follow my blog. Have a wonderful weekend.

Carnations

This is a free digital stamp that I colored with chalk. I love this medium for its soft effect. I tried the sunburst technique on the first card. I think it turned out cute. The second card was my own design. Did you notice the little bumble bee on each of the cards. He is a scene stealer, isn't he?

Materials Used:
DP: MME Paper Pad  (These little pads are so much fun to use because they are color coordinated.)
CS: From my stash
Coloring Medium: Chalk
Embellishments: From my stash
Die: Sizzix

I am entering the first card in the following challenges:
Sunday Challenges:
613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes
Chalk-Ah-Lot Cafe: Anything Goes with chalk
Pile it on: Add some flowers
Stamping Sensation: Summer Blooms
Saturday Challenges:
Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge Blog: Anything Goes
Time for Scrap: Anything Goes

Thank you for taking the time to visit.  I hope in some small way that I have inspired you to papercraft:) I would love it if you took a moment to leave a comment, tell me what you think and perhaps follow this blog. If you leave a post, I will be sure to check out your work also.  I will be posting another card soon.  Have a wonderful day.  Barbara

Fore You..Birthday Card

This is my second post for today...Yeah. I usually do not have time to do this but with our holiday tomorrow, everyone is taking it easy! I am on the Design Team for Chalk N Stock and just fell in love with this  Bugaboo image.. Could it be because my husband is an avid golfer and I needed a birthday card?

Materials Used:
Image: Bugaboo
Sketch: Paperminutes
DP:MME ( Love these little pads because most of the papers are color coordinated.)
Coloring Mediums: Copic Markers and chalk for the shadows.
Background Die: Cuttlebug
Button: CTMH colored with Copic Markers. I chose red because these are the tees closest to the hole!
Ink: CTMH
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Inside Verse: I found this on the internet, wish I could remember the site

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Paper Minutes: Sketch
Crafty Girls Challenge: Anything Goes
Crafty Little Fairies: Summer Fun
Time Out Challenges: Fun in the sun

Thank you for visiting today:  I hope that I have inspired you in some small way. If you have not used chalk, this is an easy medium to color objects and/or use as shading. You can be bright or subtle with chalk! I encourage you to enter our blog. Just click the link in the first paragraph:) Please feel free to leave a comment and/or follow my blog. Have a wonderful weekend and to those in the
USA: Happy Independence Day

Encouragement

Being on the Design Team for Chalk N Stock.,  I recently designed the above card for the current challenge.
The image is a Bugaboo digital Stamp. This stamp is so precious that it needed very little embellishments. I wanted to share two ways that you could use it for a card.

FIRST CARD: Materials used:
Card base: Me & My Big Ideas
Die: Spellbinder
Jewels and DP: From my stash (I really am trying to use what I have:)
Notice how I popped up the image for a little dimension (second picture)

SECOND CARD (third image): Materials used:
Card base: Me &My Big Ideas
Jewels and CS: From my stash (I really am trying to use what I have:)
Coloring Medium: Chalk, the sky and grass
Die: Sizzix

I am entering the second card in the following challenges:
Die Cuttin Diva's: Sketch Challenge
Crafting By Design: Anything Goes
Hobbybook Design: Summer
Little Red Wagon: Summer
Scrapper's Delight: Anything Goes/Summer

Thank you for stopping to visit this blog. I hope I have inspired you, in some small way to create and enjoy your time spent crafting. I would love it if you would leave a comment and tell me what you think. Also, please feel free to follow my blog.  Have a wonderful weekend and for the USA crafters:
Happy Independence Day

Ladybugs

I have had some time lately to enjoy crafting greeting cards. Honestly, I have so much to do but it has been soooo hot that anything physical is a chore! So, I decided to enjoy myself and relax. This is a general card that I chose to leave blank inside. I could be used for many occasions.

Materials Used:
Card stock: Georgia Pacific
Coloring Medium: Copic Markers, I also used Glossy Accents on the Ladybugs
DP: MME
Aqua CS : Michael's
Silver Edging: Krylon, Silver Leafing Pen
Ribbon: From my stash

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Bearly Mine Challenges: Let's Go Digital
Cards Galore Encore: Use a digi or stamp
Ladybug Crafts: Summer flowers ( I am hoping they like my little ladybugs!)
Clear It Out Challenge: Theme: In the Garden... Stash: ribbon
Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown: Anything Goes

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I hope in some small way that I have inspired you to papercraft:) I would love it if you took a moment to leave a comment, tell me what you think and perhaps follow this blog. If you leave a post, I will be sure to check out your work also.  I will be posting another card tomorrow.  Have a wonderful day.  Barbara

Graduation

I just completed these graduation card/money holders. Our local graduations are this weekend! Yes, New York State is unusually late.... However, graduation parties begin today and are scheduled throughout the summer. I found the suggestion for this card on Pinterest then altered it a little. I usually do not indulge in stickers but I had previously purchased them and decided it was time to use them. 
I hope that I have enjoyed visiting my blog and that I have inspired you to create a unique fold card. I would love it if you would leave a comment and/ or follow this blog.  Thanks, Barbara

I am posting this card on the following blogs:

http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com:  Make your own embellishment (tassel)

http://www.challenges.papercraftingmagic.com/:  Anything Goes
http://pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.co.uk/: Red, White and Blue
http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.co.uk/: Anything Goes
http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/: Anything Goes
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/: Anything Goes
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.com/: Clean and Simple

Now that life is getting somewhat more normal, I have been able to craft a few cards for the design team:http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/. 
 We were fortunate to receive these digital stamps from our sponsor:http://www.bugaboostamps.com/

This digital stamp was colored with copic markers and shaded with chalk.

I am posting this card on the following challenges:

http://cardmaniachallenges.blogspot.com/ (flowers)
http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/p/challenge.html   (Anything Goes with a homemade bow)
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ (Anything Goes)

I am posting this card in the following challenges:

http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ (Anything Goes)

http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/ (The Color Orange)

I used the same technique on this stamp. Shading with chalk is so easy and it makes the image just POP! I find making Sympathy Cards so challenging.

This image is called...The Cupcake Sitter. I purchased it awhile ago and decided it was time to use it:) This is a center stair step card. The sentiment is computer generated. Again I shaded with chalk.  I am posting this card in the following challenges:

http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ ( Anything Goes)

http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/ (The Color Orange)

http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/ (Fun Folds)

If you like any of these digital stamps, you can find them here: 

http://www.bugaboostamps.com/

I hope that I have inspired you to use chalk in your card designs. I would love for you to leave a comment and please consider following this blog. 

We would love for you to join us in our June challenge.

There are a few simple rules we ask you to follow to join in the fun and they are listed here:

1) You must be a follower to join the challenge.  If you are not a follower, your entry will be deleted!  
 

2) You must use some type of chalk on your project be it pastels or chalk ink and let us know where you used it.

3) You may enter up to four projects for the month 

4) You must tell on your blog you are in this challenge and post a link back here to Chalk n Stock.

5) Use linky tool to link up.

6) Have fun!

You can find the blog here: http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/

Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful Bugaboo digital stamps and the winner of this month's challenge will receive 7 stamps of their choice.

Hope to see you stop and visit again soon.