Southern Scraps

and a recipe. First, let me say Happy National Chocolate Chip Day ! Yep, it sure is. Today. Crazy4challenges is celebrating by issuing a challenge to have some image related to chocolate on your card. I played along and used this cute image from Mo's Digital Pencil . I designed another gift card holder using the sketch from Sketch Saturday . The image is colored with Prismacolor pencils and OMS. Papers are from Lime Ricky by Basic Grey and Bazzill cardstock. So, here's my favorite way to use chocolate chips. Cowboy Cookies (this includes directions for making the mix in a jar as a gift. Recipe from All Recipes .) Ingredients 1 1/3 cups rolled oats 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1.Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the...

I'm popping in with a card I made for a couple of challenges. I am not playing with the challenges nearly as much as I used to be but I am working on my Christmas cards and I'm incorporating a challenge here and there when I can. Charisma Cardz and Critter Sketch both issued challenges for Christmas cards. I made this  Christmas card  using MFT stamps ( Santa Baby) and Basic Grey papers. It's a fun little card for your special guy- the inside reads "All I Want for Christmas is you." Papers: BasicGrey Eskimo kisses Stamps: MFT Tools: Nestibilities label, Copics Accents: ribbon, flower, button

I started working on some Christmas card and tag designs this weekend. (I'm really behind the curve on this.) Sketches are always a great inspiration for me. I almost always reach for a sketch when designing a card. I used this sketch from Jen at i{heart}tostamp for my cards.  One of my cards does not follow the sketch EXACTLY because I only have one embellishment/flower instead of two. But that's the beauty of a sketch- you are free to use your own interpretation. Here are my cards: I used BasicGrey Wassail papers and some vintage digital images from VintageHolidayCrafts. When I finished the cards, I used the scraps to make some tags. The next time you need some inspiration, turn to a sketch and your scraps. 

For many kids, college students, and parents it's back to the books this time of year. Crazy4challenges issued a "book related" challenge so I've created a bookmark. Papers: Pink cardstock, BasicGrey sugared Tools: EKSuccess treading water punch Accents: Flowers, brad, ribbon Here are a few steps to making your own: Cut a 6 1/2 inch by 3 1/2inch  piece of pink cardstock. Punch each long side with a decorative edge punch. Cut a 6 1/4 inch piece of decorative paper. Adhere to pink piece. Cut a  2 inch by 4 1/2 inch piece of white cardstock. Stamp image. Color. Adhere to decorative paper. I then sponged walnut distress ink around the edges of my image panel. Punch a  hole in the center at the top. Tie in a piece of ribbon.  Layer flowers with a brad in the center. Attach at the top so they cover the hole. Voila! Super easy bookmark! I'm linking this up to the Crazy4Challenges blog and to the link parties on the side. I'm also putting this bookmark in ...

Slowly, I'm getting back into the card challenges. Simons Says issued a challenge to use pearls and lace. I used a strip of lace under the ribbon and some pearls around my sentiment. I used the sketch over at Whiff of Joy and a Whiff of Joy Stamp. Paper: BasicGrey sugared Stamp: Whiff of Joy, MFT sentiment Accents: Ribbon, flower, hat pin , acrylic jewels, brad Tools: Marvy Markers I made my own hat pin embellishment. I have some listed in my etsy shop if you're looking for some of your own.

I'm sharing a card made with Loving Tilda using the color challenge- pink, yellow, orange- issued at Roses on Paper . The layout of the sketch is based on this months Magnolia-licious DT sketch . I made it into an easel card. Stamp: Magnolia Loving Tilda Papers: BasicGrey; DCWV cardstock Accents:Prima flowers, ribbon, buttons Tools: Copics, Martha Stewart lace doily punch I'm also submitting this card to the following challenges: BasicGrey Challenge- punches (my papers and buttons are BasicGrey) A Spoon Full of Sugar- recipe Just Magnolia - One for the girls Paper Sundaes- easel card

The BasicGrey Challenge this week is to use this photo as inspiration. I was mostly inspired by the reds and used BasicGrey papers in these colors. I based the layout on the Mojo Monday Sketch 137. Stamptacular Sundays is celebrating moms and is calling for a woman or lady on your card- I chose a Bella- butterflyabella. With her flutterby and the punched flutterby I've also met the challenge at Flutter by Wednesday . Paperplay challenges wants to see a stamp and bling. Simon Says group on Paper Craft Planet is having a month long bling challenge, so I've got a little bling on here too! Here is my card. Thanks for looking.

Several challenges this week called for animals and Phindy's was to use your favorite image. My favorite is Rainy Day Friend. I colored him with copics following the color challenge issued by Paper Sundaes- red, yellow, green. I've used the sketch from Sketch and Stash . Here is my card: Paper: BasicGrey Lime Ricky Stamp: Phindy's digi image Accents: flowers, ribbon, All papers and accents were from my neglected stash. This was the first time I have touched the alphabet stickers in the Lime Ricky set. This card is being submitted for the following challenges: A Spoonful of Sugar- Animals Going Grey- anything goes Saturday Challenge- friendship All Sorts- animals Aly's Sunday challenge- animals and Pile it On: Boyish colors

Tonight I'm sharing with you my card using Tilda with Flowers for the Just Magnolia sketch challenge this week. I colored her with copics and used BasicGrey Sugar Rush papers. I also used three embellishments for the Going Grey challenge - flowers, jewels and pearls. You have to look close, but there are some tiny pearls on the flowers in the punched border. Pixie Cottage issued a sketch or Mother's Day theme. I opted to do the theme only and make this a Mother's Day card. What mother doesn't love flowers from a sweet little girl? Here is my card:

I thought for a little while that Simon Says had me stumped with their movie challenge. I don't have any ticket stubs, I didn't really want to make a popcorn box or candy holder, although those would have fit. I started thinking of favorite movies and stamps that might fit. A Knight't Tale and Prince Ian- that's what I came up with. Here he is: The other part of the challenge is dry embossing. It's hard to see, but I've embossed the top right panel with a Cuttlebug argyle folder. I've also used blue, gold, and white and BasicGrey boxer papers for the BasicGrey Challenge . Thanks for stopping by!

The Club Anya WCW challenge was to use this photo for color inspiration. It really is a fun combo. I used BasicGrey Marrakech papers to achieve the look I was going for. The layout of my card is based on the sketch at ASpoonful of Sugar this week. My card has lots of layers so I'm also submitting this for the Stamp Something challenge . Miss Anya Dressy is also quite "girly" with her flowers and rhinestones- I'm linking this one at Anyone for Anya . Here is my card:

We could all stand to be lifted up in prayer, not just in difficult times, but daily. I'm so glad to know there are people who pray for me. I used this ODB stamp from the Lift Up Our Hands set for this weeks ODBDSLC- sketch challenge and Stampin' Sisters in Christ's prayer/peace theme challenge . I modified the sketch a little because it was just not working for me. My two panels are not as long as they are supposed to be but I still like the end results. Paper: BasicGrey Wisteria Stamp: ODB Tools: Marvy scallop punch, nestabilities long rectangles and scalloped rectangles Accents: Ribbon, button, cabochon, Prima flowers Other challenges: Pile It on: Sentiment only Aly's: Buttons

I played with my new BasicGrey green at heart paper . I've had it for a couple of weeks but just got to tear into it today. I made a card for the BasicGrey challenges blog sketch challenge . I made my sentiment a circle as I was working in the Anyone for Anya challenge - 3 of a shape, 2 of another, and 1 of another. I have three squares, two rectangles and a circle. I used some flowers and pearl cabachons to fit in the All Sorts petals and pearls challenge . I did some real stitching today ( Stamp Something's challenge ) and added some distressing on the outer edges for the ATS challenge . ATS carries this lovely Miss Anya Dressy. Here is my card: Paper: BasicGrey; Bazzill cardstock Stamp:TGF Tools: Copics, square nestabilities, circle punch, scalloped circle punch Accents: Prima flowers, cabachons

I hope everyone is enjoying this first day of spring more than I am. I am sick with allergies and sinus infection so I'm not feeling well. I did manage to finish this card I started last night. I'm sharing it in a few challenges. Paper Sundaes is asking for a multifold easter or spring card. I have been meaning to try the easel card for a while. I think I'm hooked! This was easier than I thought and so pretty. The layout of my card front is the sketch from Midnight Madness #45 . This is the first time I've played there. My image is a digi from Digital Stamp Oasis. Stamp: Digital Stamp Oasis; sentiment- Inkadinkado Paper: BasicGrey wisteria Tools: Nestabilities; Martha Stewart punch; Prismacolor pencils Accents: Making Memories and Prima flowers, pearls This card was submitted for the following additional challenges: Pile it on: Pastels The Pink Elephant - Spring I Love Digi - Easter A Spoonful of Sugar - Easter PaperTake- lilac and lemon

FLourishes is having a celebration and has had a week full of challenges. I made this card for Timeless Tuesday celebration theme and for Cute Card Thursday . Most celebrations involve gifts, so I've used an image from All Wrapped Up. My colors come from Color Throwdown's color chall enge and the layout of my card is from Friday Sketchers . Here is my card: Stamps: Flourishes Paper: BasicGrey Tools: Copics; Nestabilities Accents: Prima flowers, rhinestones, brad Here are the copics I used: Thanks for looking and sharing your comments! Don't forget to spring forward! At this hour, I am going to really miss my hour tomorrow.

I love this image. It reminds me of hubby and Bella when we went to pick her up. She just jumped into his arms as if she belonged to him and it made him so happy. We had lost our old dog a month before. She is still missed, but Bella brings us lots of joy. This image can be found at Digital Stamp Oasis . I've incorporated this into the Sketch at Friday Sketchers . Coloring was done with Prismacolor pencils and I sponged Ranger distress ink aroung the edges. Papers are by BasicGrey.

I've got another Digital Stamp Oasis DT card to share. This one features Party Squirrel . You can pick him up at the shop now. I've made my card with the sketch at Papertake Weekly and I've added three types of texture for the Crazy4Challenges challenge . I used embossing on the yellow squares, ric rac, and some glitter on the present and balloons. The paper is BasicGrey Lime Ricky and I've colored my image with Prismacolor pencils. Thanks for taking a peak.

I've combined several challenges into this card. I've used a Whiff of Joy image and Basic Grey Wisteria papers. I think the colors have a vintage feel. I've colored my image with Copics markers. The first photo shows the ones I've used. Here's a little close up. One of the challenges calls for glitter and I added just a hint with Stickles to the flowers in her basket, headband, and bow. You can't see it too well in the main photo. Here are the challenges I've entered with this card: Whiff of Joy sketch challenge Simon Says - Vintage with flowers Spoonful of Sugar - Distress inks, pearls, and glitter All Sorts - Mother's Day

I am constantly discovering new (to me) stamp companies and challenge blogs. I recently discovered Hambo Stamps. Here is my card I made for their sketch challenge . I used their free cool cat. I also made this for Dutch Dare "Summer in Winter". This cat sure makes me think of the lazy days of summer. I colored him with Copics sketch markers and the paper is BasicGrey Lime Ricky. The sentiment is a rub on. Thanks for looking.

I've been studying some Prismacolor tutorials and have been trying to improve my coloring skills. Here are a few good tutorials I've found: I've colored this image with Prismacolor pencils, desparately trying to apply what I've learned. I actually do thing this is my best colored pencil job yet. This card is made for the High Hopes challenge - use a bow, The Pink Elephant Birthday theme challenge , Creative Inspirations use something new (my new item is the label trio die) and for Aly's Sketch chall enge. I had to tweak the sketch a little but I started with it for my inspiration. Stamp: High Hopes Gavin the Birthday dragon Paper: BasicGrey Lime Ricky Tools: Prismacolor pencils, Nestabilities oval, scallop oval, and labels trio Accents: Ribbon