Southern Scraps

I just finished baking a chocolate cake. It's my first try at my grandmother's well known recipe and I think it turned out well. The icing is a homemade, hand stirred fudge icing. YUM! But it is a little bit of work, so I'm quickly sharing this card and then it's off to bed. This week the VC Stamp Challenge was to use black, purple and green. I love that as a Halloween combo. I used Mr. Moon digi stamp . The papers are K& Co. My layout is based on the sketch at Crazy4Challenges this week. A few deets : the black strip behind the image is embossed with the Cuttlebug d'vine swirls folder. The image is colored with Prismacolor pencils. A little funny note: I colored where I shouldn't have on the witch, so she has a full set of sleeves in her dress. I guess I thought she shouldn't be so sexy, LOL!

Looking for a unique gift? Try this gorgeous Red Flower Bib Necklace by reloveddesig ns. Make your gift even more unique by pairing it with this card.

...spent on this card. I was trying to do some machine stitching for the Simon Says challenge and I can never get the tension right. I spend way too much time adjusting and redoing and I still have crooked sloppy stitches and waste my precious paper! Oh well, we are not all perfect. I'll keep at it and one day I'll get it. If you have any tips for sewing on paper, please share. I didn't toss this card. I'm not happy but I'm posting it anyway. I incorporated three other challenges. I chose to use olive, mustard, and chocolate from the Color Thowdown choices. I used the sketch at the Pink Elephant and went with a fall theme for Stampin Sisters in Christ. Stamp: Harvest Fruits- Sweet n Sassy Paper : K&Co. Accents : Ribbon Tools : Nestabilities Label Four; Prismacolor pencils; Cuttlebug Vintage corners; Cuttlebug birds and vines folder

The cool blue sapphire marks the season'schange from summer to autumn. For those born in the month of September, it relaxes and clears the mind. It also protects its owner from fraud, envy and ill health. A sapphire means blue in Greek. The sapphire is the symbol of heaven and joyful devotion to God. (Info from various web sources.) Since the gorgeous sapphire is the birthstone of September, we are focusing on some sapphire etsy finds this Friday. Blue Elegance Bracelet and Earring Set by TrinityLynn Hawaiian Sapphire and Emerald Blossom - Fused Dichroic Glass Flower Pendant by glisteningglass Sapphire Trinity Necklace by TheMegShop

No posting this weekend, as we went to a Sunday School conference. We learned some great things. Well, it seems everyone is getting ready for fall with all the fall challenges. I'm ready for the cooler temps. It's still getting to the 90's here. Here is a card I made to combine a few challenges. It uses a digi image and is for the digital tuesday Fall-clean and simple challenge . It's also for AspoonfullofSugar and I used this week's sketch from crazy4challenges. Stamp : digi-stamp Scarecrow digital delights Paper : K&Co. Accents : Jewels- K&Co. Tools : Prismacolor pencils, Nestabilities, chalks

I'm right back with another challenge card. This one is for Sketch Saturday . This was a fun sketch to do. I chose to do a Halloween card. Paper : My Little Yellow Bicycle Stamp : Dog Gone Stamps witch with pot Accents : Queen and Co. felt; rhinestones (Michael's); ribbon, die cut (MLYB); brad Tools: Marvy Markers

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This is the scripture that inspires this week's challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ . If you read my blog much you know this is one of my favorite scriptures and I've made lots of cards with that verse. Just go back a week or two in my posts. I love sketches too. Here is my card based on the sketch. Paper : BasicGrey; Bazzill cardstock Stamp : Sweet n Sassy Accents : Making Memories fiber, brads Tools : Nestabilities, Prismacolor pencils

I've been traveling for a few days and I'm tired so this will be quick. While I was in the motel with nothing to do, I managed to get a pocket card done for the Our Daily Bread Designs challenge . Here is my card using Lift Up Our Hands. Here is the inside message card: Thanks for looking!

Here's a birthday gift that will surely pamper the recipient. The coordinating card makes the whole set a relaxing combo and will relay the message that the recipient deserves a special day! Card by SouthernScraps Bird Bath Salts - Rose Petal - 2.0 oz (56.7 g) by BirdsBubbles

New to me, that is. Twice today I've played along with challenges that I've been wanting to but couldn't get around to. (See my earlier post.) This one was done for Victoria Case Stamp Challenge and three others that it fits. The VC challenge is for red- brown - orange. Those are so "fall" so it easily helped me fit in the OCC fall/autumn challenge . The VC image I chose fits the Digital Tuesday challenge for a kid theme . Lastly, I used Mercy's Tuesday sketch for the layout. A few deets: the image is colored with Prismacolor pencils. I ran the orange panel through my Big Shot with the cuttlebug argyle folder. Stamp: Digi stamp Victoria Case Paper: K& Co. Accents: Ribbon, circle clip

I'm doing a quick share of a card I made at the last minute for The Cat's Pajamas Tuesday challenge . This is the first time I've played along with them. I've only got a couple of their stamp sets. I got some Christmas sets during the July sale and finally saw a sketch I could work with my stamps. Stamps : The Cat's Pajamas Paper: Bazzill; Junkitz Accents: Buttons Tools : Martha Stewart Lace Doily punch; Nestabilities; chalk

The coming of September brings the return of football season- a favorite of many high school and college fans. I searched etsy for some collegiate finds to help you show your spirit. Display your favorite team in your home or office ( or home office, lol) with a clock from RDGDesigns. Wear your spirit in your hair with these pony tail holders from DesignsByJanna Bake up some team spirit with a pan from kimer25 Show your spirit a number of ways with cutiepatooties1

Some of my favorite and most admired card makers have started another challenge blog- Crazy4 Challenges ! And the first challenge was a sketch and just the inspiration I needed for the StampTV out of the lines challenge. Here is my card that I made to fit these two challenges: I stamped the poinsettia from A Year of Flowers set by GinaK Designs and colored them with Marvy Markers. I cut them out and layered them on a circle that I cut with my Nestabilities. I actually cut a ring with the Nesties by cutting a circle and then the next smaller one within it. Stamp: A Year of Flowers (GinaK) Paper: Bazzill Cardstock, Anna Griffin patterned paper Accents : Ribbon; Rub-on sentiment; Stickles Tools : Nestabilities: Marvy Markers

Yes, it's the Jeremiah verse once again. I'm still making cards to send to the Sunday School class. This card was made for the Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash #4- a color challenge. The layout of the card is based on the sketch at Little Paper Shop this week. Stamp : Verve Paper: Bazzill; K&Co. Accents: Buttons (Bazzill); flower, brad Tools: Nestabilities Next is a card I made for Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash challenge #1. It is a photo inspiration challenge. I pulled the colors from the photo. As soon as I saw it, I thought about Basic Grey Lime Ricky papers. The sketch is from A Spoonfull of Sugar . Stamp : Cruisabella- Stamping Bella; sentiment- MFT Paper: Bazzill cardstock; BasicGrey Lime Ricky Accents: Prima flowers, brads; BoBunny chipboard

Another quick challenge card share. This was made for Taylored Expression's Birthday Bash Challenge #6 - sketch challenge. I used the same sentiment as yesterday's card because I'm making cards to send to my Sunday School class. Stamp : Verve Paper: BasicGrey; Bazzill Accents : Brads

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend! This week's Two for Tuesday pairs these great earrings by catchalljewelry with this recently listed card by SouthernScraps Who wouldn't be delighted to receive this combo?

I just found a fun new etsy shop- Hooks of Hope. Such yummy colors in their "hooks" or cloths. And they are having a giveaway on their blog ! Check it out. The best thing about them, is that they donate a percentage of sales to charity!

I've got to quickly post this one and go cook supper. Hubby is vacuuming for me, so I know he'll be hungry soon, lol. I made this card for the Weekend Sketch Challenge and I added some faux stitching around the side panel for the Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash Challenge 13 . (Leave it to me to start with the last one first!) Stamp: Verve Paper: BasicGrey Tools: Nestabilities, gel pen, paper piercer

I took some "me time" today on the holiday to make some cards. These two are similar. I was having fun with this paper and my Sizzix machine so I just went with it and made two in the same theme. The first one is for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. Stamp: Inkadinkado Paper: DCWV Christmas glitter stack; Bazzill cardstock Accents: Die cuts, brads, ribbon Tools: Sizzix big shot, dies; circle punch Next is a card that combines challenges. The layout is based on the sketch from Stamps and Smiles and I combined it with the Charisma Cardz challenge to use swirls and curls. Snowflakes make swirls, right? There are a couple of swirls on there too for added measure! Stamps: Inkadinkado Paper: DCWV Christmas Glitter stack Accents : Snowflake dies, stickles, ribbon Tools : Big Shot, Nestabilities

September is Piano Month. I took lessons for six years but play very little. Nonetheless, the piano is truly a joyful instrument to listen to and I admire those who can play. Now for some piano finds at etsy. Mens Unisex TOM WAITS Piano T Shirt tee american apparel S M L XL Any Color by zenthreads keys by brightsidephotos piano tube top - made to order by SewOeno Old World Ivory and Brass Earrings by KasheaIntl

Here's a quick share. I made this card for the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge. I really like Taylor's sketches but rarely get to play with them. Isn't this doggy sweet? Stamp: JessicaLynnOriginal Paper : BasicGrey; Bazzill cardstock Accents : Brads, stickers(sentiment) Tools: Nestabilities circles

I'm glad to be getting in some challenges this week. Digital Tuesday issued a challenge this week to use pearls and lace. I thought that the distressing challenge from A Spoonfull of Sugar would go well with this too and make for a nice vintage card. I sanded the edges of my panels with a file and inked them with Ranger distressing ink. The layout is based on the sketch over at Friday Sketchers this week. I really like it when challenges work well together. Here's my card: Papers : BasicGrey Digi stamp : Freebie from Fred, She said Accents: Lace, pearls, flowers Tools: CutterBee multi-tool; sewing machine

What girl doesn't love shoes and purses? Give this cute little shoe cuff bracelet by sassybellewares in this sweet purse gift bag by SouthernScraps for a truly unique gift!