Anything Goes at Catch the Bug

Hi, everyone! Happy Saturday!

I love Saturday blogging - there are always so many great challenges and creations in blogland on the weekends, and today is no exception; in fact, today is a new challenge day at Catch the Bug Blog, featuring all kinds of sweet Bugaboo Stamps images! Since it's the first Saturday of the month at Catch the Bug, it's an

Anything Goes

theme for our challenge this week!

Make sure you hop on by to check out all the wonderful DT eye-candy, and we hope you join us for the fun!

Click Images to Enlarge

This card features the image Deacon Bugs from Bugaboo Stamps. I have had this card in my head for quite a while, which was inspired by a sheet of paper I had in my stash. I actually ended up not using that paper on this card! lol! It has already been cut down several times for other projects, and the strip that was left just did not suit what I was thinking on this one. So, even though it is not on my creation today, it was a driving force for how this turned out. :)

I started by coloring Deacon in PSE, and I created my sentiment there, as well. I printed them both out and used my Silhouette for doing Print and Cut. I made the red layers for my images in Silhouette, too. The bugs were all cut in Silhouette, as well. They are something I had made up quite some time ago. They're cut quite small, so I actually opened up a new mat for cutting (my old one has finally given up the sticky), and I made sure to set my cutter to the slowest speed. When cutting such little pieces I always try to use high-quality paper. I hate it when the cutter just won't handle some papers, don't you?! Those little 'paper boogers' bug me! 

I did use a black pen for adding some details to the bug cuts. I think the lines gave the ladybug and cricket more personality. :)

So, that's it from me today, folks! I hope your Spring weather is turning sunny and dry in your area! 

Now it's your turn to pick a favorite image, or try something new from Bugaboo Stamps, whip up your project and head on over to enter it into the Mr. Linky!

By entering your project, you could win up to TEN Bugaboo images!

Head on over to Catch the Bug to play along!

Pick up this cute Bugaboo set of images, and others, over at the Bugaboo Stamps Store, and make sure you also jump over to the Catch the Bug Challenge Blog: it's where you can find out all the lastest "dish" on what challenges are happening and what other challenge sites that Bugaboo is sponsoring (more chances to win some free Bugaboo!). It's also where you can check out all the other fantastic DT projects, including the OBG (Oldie But Goodie) stuff, the ABC (Anything But a Card) items, and the Tuesday New Releases......plus so much more!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

If you enjoyed your visit, please consider following me ======>>

Challenges Entered
A Creative Need - Signs of Spring
Crafty Calendar - Things with Wings
Crafty Catz - Springtime
Di's DigiDesigns Challenge - Welcome Spring
Paper Crafting Challenges - Masculine

It's BINGO time at Catch the Bug!

It's Saturday, which means a new challenge over at Catch the Bug today! We are hosting our monthly B-I-N-G-O Card Challenge! 

Without further ado , here is this weeks Catch the Bug 

Bingo Card:

Isn't this BINGO Card the coolest?! So many choices!

You may choose three squares: horizontal, vertical, or diagonal!

I chose to the far right column of requirements for my card this week

 Bugaboo Image, Ribbon and Orange/Brown)). 

My card features the Bugaboo Stamps Bugaboo Brats Sports Basketball Boy image. 

I love the Bugaboo Brats images: they were the first thing that turned me on to Bugaboo Stamps, many moons ago!

Click Image to Enlarge

I grabbed some scraps of Basic Grey paper from my scrap box. I was happy that they had some orange and brown in them. I know it looks more grey than brown in my photo....it's a weird tone. I used my Silhouette to cut the basketball, and it was run through my Big Shot with the Mesh Cuttlebug embossing folder. I couldn't get my ribbon banner to lay straight, so it's a little wonky. It adds character, tight?! lol!

 There are more super in the Bugaboo Stamps Store! 

Hop on over and check them out! Don't forget to look at all the New Images this Month, and the Sale Section! There's always something great happening at Bugaboo Stamps!

So, let's see your card this week! Pick your BINGO daubs (you can go horizontal, vertical or diagonal), whip up your project and head on over to enter it into the Mr. Linky!

By entering your project, you could win up to TEN Bugaboo images!

Head on over to Catch the Bug to play along!

Please check out the rest of the Design Team goodies while you're there! These peeps are filled with talent, full of good tips and ideas......and loaded with eye-candy-inspiring ideas! I am so honored to be part of the group!

<=====Their blog links can all be found in my left sidebar! :0)

Pick up this cute Bugaboo image, and others, over at the Bugaboo Stamps Store, and make sure you also jump over to the Catch the Bug Challenge Blog: it's where you can find out all the lastest "dish" on what challenges are happening and what other challenge sites that Bugaboo is sponsoring (more chances to win some free Bugaboo!). It's also where you can check out all the other fantastic DT projects, including the OBG (Oldie But Goodie) stuff, the ABC (Anything But a Card) items, and the Tuesday New Releases......plus so much more!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

If you enjoyed your visit, please consider following me ======>>

Second Post Today!

Hi, everyone!

I know, I know.....wasn't I JUST here?! lol! Yes, a second post from me in one day....seems crazy, but I have been wrapping up some unfinished things in my craft room this morning, even after taking a lunch break with my #1 Son. :)

This is a card I am sending out to a friend of mine. He decided that he was not going to approach the big FOUR-O without setting some fitness goals for himself, and of course he did! (He's a total go-getter!). He and his beautiful wife hit the gym together every day, working hard to stay in shape. So, I thought this Just Inklined image, Strongo the Magnificent, would be a great card front for his card. I made it an easel card, and kept things pretty simple so it will still fit in a mailing envelope.

Click to Enlarge

Here's a closer look at Strongo

So, one more thing to cross off my "To-Do" list today! :)

I hope your week is going along as productively as my day has!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Happy Crafting!

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

4 Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes

My Heart Pieces - Anything Goes

Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes

Creative Craft Challenges - Anything Goes

Inky Chicks - Use Two Different Die Cuts

Scrap-Creations - Cut It Out

Reel Special!

Hi everyone!

I have a confession to make.........I didn't send my dad a card for Father's Day this year!! <*GASP!*>

I know, I know.......how could I NOT?! I mean, it's not like I don't MAKE cards, right?! (hanging head in shame).

In my weak defense, I did call him on the phone! :) I haven't seen him in a while, but hubby and I are taking a trip home next week (the first in almost two years), so we will be spending some time together then. We're supposed to head to the zoo with many of the other family members, so I told him I'd buy him an ice cream while we're there. lol! I know that sounds funny, but if you knew my dad you would know that he LOVES ice cream! lol! There are always at least three or four different kinds in the freezer at his place! lol! AND he stays skinny as a rail!!! Grrrr........

In the meantime, I thought I'd put together a card to take with me for him. Sort of a "non-Father's Day Father Card", if you will. The inside of this one reads, 

"You are REEL special to me!".

Click to Enlarge

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoy my card!

Card Details:

Image - Meljen's Design Fisher Moose

Die - Quickutz Fishing Pole (retired)

Paper - Recollections

Ribbon - American Crafts

Misc. - CTMH Waxy Flax, Gel Pen, 

Zig Marker, Dbl-Sided Ribbon Tape

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

Meljen's Designs - Dad, Daddy, Father

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #298

Artistic Inspirations - Ribbon or Twine

Creative Creations - For Dad/Masculine

Digi Makeover Challenge - Punches/Dies

Lexi's Creations - Fathers Day

Melonheadz Friends - Die Cuts

Mema's Crafts - Fathers Day

New Release Day at Bugaboo Stamps!

It's Tuesday.......time for a Bugaboo Stamps New Release! Jodie's been hard at wrok on some great images, and this Race Car Word Art is just one of them! Sometimes the simplest images (as far as their detail) are so much fun! This one is perfect for a little guy! It would make a great birthday card, or maybe an encouragement card....or just to say "hello"! :)

Click Image to Enlarge

Pick up this, and the other new release images, over at the Bugaboo Stamps Store, and make sure you also jump over to the Catch the Bug Challenge Blog: it's where you can find out all the lastest "dish" on what challenges are happening and what other challenge sites that Bugaboo is sponsoring (more chances to win some free Bugaboo!). It's also where you can check out all the other fantastic DT projects, including the OBG (Oldie But Goodie) stuff, the ABC (Anything But a Card) items, and the Tuesday New Releases......plus so much more!

If you like what you see, the "Follow" button is over there ====>>

*winkwink*

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

Digital Tuesday - Boys

Ladybug Crafts Ink - For a Child or Teenager

Gingerloft - For the Guys

365 Cards - Day 95 - Color Combo

Non-Traditional Valentine/Birthday Cards for Men/Boys

Hi, everyone!

This is my second post today. If you are looking for the NEW Catch the Bug HUMOR ME WEDNESDAY post, please scroll down one! :0)

I've been really busy cleaning and organizing my craft room over the past month; it sure seems like a never-ending thing, doesn't it?! I really want to streamline my "Stuff", making it quicker and easier to find. It's all in the hopes that I will become inspired to use it! lol!

While I was cleaning, I came across some cute, science-y paper that I had in my stash. One of my favorite Tiddly Inks images is the Genius image, and I had finally spent some money purchasing it a month ago, but had yet to use it! I knew that the paper would be a great background for him, so I printed two of him out, colored him up, 

and put two cards together. 

I think we can all agree that making masculine Valentine cards can sometimes be a challenge, so I decided to use this adorable image to create two non-traditional Valentine cards: one for my son, and one for my hubby. :0) While I made these specifically for their Valentine cards, they could also be used as Birthday cards. :0)

Here's the first one, a horizontal A2 card:

Click Image to Enlarge

I colored him with my Prismacolor pencils. The embellishments are all svg's I made. I added some Stickles to the beakers and test tube to emulate a liquid, but I didn't want it to stand out to much, so I used some Rock Candy and Diamond instead of a color.

The little microscope is layered, and then I did some fine line work with a marker.

The inside of this card reads, "...to know you mean the world to me". :0)

Here's my second card, a vertical A2:

Click Image to Enlarge

This one uses some different embellishes than the first, but they are also svg files I made. 

The outside of both cards read the same, but the inside of this one is different: it reads, "to know you'll always be my #1 son!". My son is my only child, and it's a little joke we have had between us since he was small. He even had a baseball hat when he was a baby that said, "#1 Son" on the front. Haha! Nineteen years later, and I still use the saying with him. lol!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you've enjoyed your visit!

Happy Crafting!

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

Tiddly Inks - Anything Goes

Celebrate the Occasion - Boy's Birthday - Must use Blue

Craft Room Challenge - Valentine's

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes Linky Party

Artistic Inspirations - Add a Bit of Sparkle

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Celebrations

Tammy's Scrapin Corner - Manly Cards

Inspired by.....

Hi, everyone!

I have recently been browsing the Cottage Cutz website because I am in love, love, love with their dies!

I just purchased the Mountain Lodge and the Rustic Trees & Sign, and am (im)patiently waiting for them to be delivered so I cam play with them. In the meantime, I saw their Profile of a labrador die, which is just a single layer die, and inthe name of being thrifty (okay.....broke!) lol!, I made an svg similar to it.....but better, I think! 

I created multiple layers to make this: a base layer that includes the dog, a grassy layer that includes the cat tail reeds, then a grass-only layer, plus the cat tails. I also added these cool flying geese/duck silhouettes for some extra effect of a hunting dog. What do you think of my card - too "plain"? I wasn't sure if I should add multiple layers of papers beneath for more "design", or not.

Click Image to Enlarge

I haven't added a sentiment, yet, as I may use it for Father's Day, or possibly a birthday card for my son. I just wasn't certain, so that can wait, and I see no harm in there be no sentiment on the outside, do you?

I did do some detail shading and line work on the dog to give him some facial features, plus the ear. I did quite a bit of sponge inking around my cuts, too. It seemed to add a bit more depth to my otherwise "flat" birds. lol!
I had trouble taking my picture; the colors aren't quote showing up right on the camera. The background paper is a creamy yellowish-tan, and it threw everything off a little bit. It is much richer in person, with a chocolatey brown mat on an olive green card base, plus the reeds and grasses are much richer, in the same papers as the mat and card.

Thanks for stopping by today! If you like what you see, please consider following my blog ===>>

Happy Crafting!