Cards by Dorothy

I waited a while to get an order of new "stuff" - then have been busy with Valentines and a special order - no time to play with that order!  So I tried here - using a Kanban kid for the butterfly and gold scroll border.  The image is Unity, and I followed their Facebook sketch challenge - though I have not yet figured out exactly how to participate, since I am pretty new to that platform.  I used a dark brown cs, embossed with the Embossalicious happy birthday folder, for the background. 
Challenges entered:  
Animal/bird:     ABC-challenge  (A)
                          Crafty Friends
Any:                  Digi Stamps4joy
                          Through the Craft Room Door

This is for encouragement of my friend.  I used a fairly new Unity stamp, and my newest papers - DP by Lily of the Valley, and red cs from a packet of reds I recently purchased.  The border is from a Spellbinder Banner set that is new to me.  I added twine, and colored with chalk pencils and shiny metallic for the flowers.  I embossed the edge of the red mat (Labels).
Sketch:           Share Joy
Pink and red:  The Unity Stamp co.
Embossed:      Creative Knockouts
New:                Dream Valley Challenges
Any:                Crafty Friends
                          Crafty-Girls

It's a good thing there are still a lot of Christmas challenges out there - I can use a few more cards and I need to get the mojo going again.
Stamp by Unity;  Paper Pizazz DP; Offray ribbon;  Cuttlebug Embossing folder;  glitter -from my very old stash - (on snowflakes - hard to see here); unknown holly stickers; unknown glittery star; gold gel pen.
Sketch:      http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:    http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/ 
Glitter:      http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Holly:        http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Christmas: http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/
                   http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
                   http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/ 
Warm and cozy - under the tree with these warm wishes:  http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/

Supplies:  Unity sentiment (from "Lying in a Manger");  LifeStyle Crafts embossed tree; Cuttlbug Snowflakes; Cleo metallic red and green ribbon; Pizazz Aplenty half pearls; corner rounder;  green cs; shimmery cream cs by Recollections
Sketch:        http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:   http://asnowflakespromise.blogspot.co.uk/
                      http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
                      http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
                      http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
                      http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/ 
                      http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/
                      http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html
Silent night:  http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas tree:                            http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.com/ 
Ribbon & Pearls (Christmas):   http://hjcchallenge.blogspot.ca/ 
Inspiration (tree):                        http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/ 
Christmas w/ red & green:         http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/

CAS is always more of a challenge for me than other styles - it is hard to leave all that white space!  I hope this works - the Unity sketch used Christmas ornaments - I have none, but thought this Unity Itty Bitty party set would work.  I colored with chalk pencils and a couple of metallic markers, and added glitter tothe hat, balloon and sentiment.  (I tore the sentiment layer to fit the Labels die.
Sketch:         http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Glitter:          http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
                      http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.com/
Celebrate:     http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/
   

The Happy Birthday embossing is easier to see IRL. I tried a favorite technique with Washi tape - I adhere it to a strip of cs, usually white, then use my cutter to create a strip of whatever width I would like - for this, I cut it in half.  Then I have another strip to use later.  Most of you probably figured this out long ago, but it may be new to someone.  I also tried something kind of new to me - a sort of non-fussy cut image  I just roughly cut around the Unity bird image.  Since it is layered on top of the Memory Box lavalier circle, the somewhat uneven white border is not noticeable.  The charm is one of many that was on a super cheap bracelet - maybe from a $ bin at Michaels??   The black strip is a narrow ribbon.
Sketch:                     http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/?utm_source=Retail+Unity+Customers+from+Website&utm_campaign=cd95fb4917-Be_inspired_ends9_14_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cd3dd47de1-cd95fb4917-17453837&ct=t%28Be_inspired_ends9_14_2015%29&mc_cid=cd95fb4917&mc_eid=99e93f06b2
Charm:                      http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Wings & Ribbon:      http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca/search/label/challenges
Texture ($ challenges only):    http://lawnscaping.blogspot.com/2015/09/lawnscaping-challenge-texture-sponsored.html

A couple of years ago I received a huge box of goodies - including a pack of bright colored papers, stickers, die cuts, etc.  I seldom use them - but since it is my nature to find a use for everything - I thought I could create a celebration card for a child.  The red layer includes the embossed word "celebrate" The sentiment is from Unity.  .The fun look is completed with red tear drops from Classy Cards.
Sketch:       http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Celebrate:   http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/2015/08/ccns-challenge-100-100th-challenge.html

These 4 cards are for a set - see the AI challenge.  I used the Unity bird, various embossing folders, and a black and white theme for two birthday cards and two anniversary cards.  Please see preceding posts for more detail.
Set of cards:  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2015/07/challenge-165-create-card-set.html

This will be included in a set for this week's challenge at AI.  There are lots of family events in August and early September, so I am trying to get ahead!
Image - Unity; Cuttlebug Congratulations folder; CB frame folder (Cut down);  Kolette Hall sentiment.
Sketch:   http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
 Any:       http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-08-03T08:47:00-07:00&max-results=2&start=2&by-date=false
Animal or bird:   http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 
Anniversary:       http://cardmaniachallenges.blogspot.com/

The touch of color is a pale yellow bow.  Supplies:  various papers, birthday embossing, Unity stamp.  The black bg for the bird is embossed with leaves.
Layout:  http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Wings:    http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/
Animal:  http://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/
Black and white with color:   http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca/search/label/challenges
Any:        http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/

I tend to be intimidated by the thought of coloring butterflies - that is why I have a lot of dies!  This is one of the Unity stamps I chose for a recent prize, and decided to try it out - I would appreciate your critique.  I colored with a combination of purple Prismas and gel pens.  The embossed strip is by Cuttlebug, and I added a strip of shiny twine.  The dark purple base cs is white core.  I have a dull cutter blade I save for distressing - it leaves a slightly rough cut.  I also added a bit of chalk to the sentiment for added distress.  I do not often mask - I need to practice positioning!
Sketch:   http://theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/2015/06/unity-be-inspired-challenge-june-11.html?showComment=1435268068581#c4930166455093167071
Butterflies:  http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.uk/
Bingo (purple, emboss, distress):   http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Case (a combination of several inspiration cards):  http://stamplorations.blogspot.com/search/label/June%20CASEplorations
Friendship:    http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Any:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

Image - Unity, colored with Prismas;  sentiment - Recollection; DP - Paper Pizzazz; Embossing - Darice
Sketch:    http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Color challenge:    http://theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/2015/05/unity-be-inspired-challenge-may-14-june.html
Any but square:   http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com.au/

Image - Unity, colored with Prismas; sentiment - Cheery Lynn - rust backed with black for added dimension; Cheery Lynn branches for corner treatment
Sketch:    http://theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/2015/05/unity-be-inspired-challenge-may-14-june.html
Corner treatment:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
Masculine:             http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
                               http://whimsiedoodles.blogspot.co.uk/   (5 CH max)
                               http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/

This birdie seems to be announcing the arrival of spring - to me, the season begins a new year of blessings!
Pale sage cs by SU (I forget the name); bg DP in a pale gold by Making Memories; unknown scraps; image by Unity; sentiment from Verve Faith Medley; tiny flowers by Cheery Lynn.  I do not sew, and my hand drawn faux stitches often do not work well, so I used a metallic gold strip for the faux stitches.  I used some of the "negative" dots from that sticker sheet to scatter around, and for the flower centers.  Disclaimer - what appears yellow here is really more pale gold.
Sketch:     http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Color:       http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Stitching:  http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Spring:      http://www.frosteddesigns.blogspot.ca/

Metal:        http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Beginning: http://www.addalittledazzle.com/
Wings:       http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 

What an appropriate verse for Easter Monday!  The stamps are Unity, colored with shiny metallic markers.  The DP is Doodlebug Design, from my stash, and I added some pastel gems.
Sketch:     http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Colors:     http://joannamunster.com/2015/03/16/ibsic-92/
Thanks:    http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Spring:     http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/
                 http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
                 http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
Pastel:      http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.co.uk/
Inspiration:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Any:          http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/
               

    I had this stamp out and decided to use it again - I do not often use the same image right away!  I also do not often do more than put a verse on the inside of cards - thanks to the challenge, I am stretching a bit!  For the inside I used materials from a kit from Kanban (Lovely in Lace).  It did not reproduce well, but the color is a pale teal to match one of the stripes on the front.
Other supplies:  stamps by Unity; Die-Namics grass die; Doodlebug DP. Pizzazz Aplenty cord, shiny Fiskars metallic pens, glitter to give a sparkly look to the grass. 
The grass and cs mat are a dark green not black.




Sketch:    http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Colors:    http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Green:     http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
                 http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
                 http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party 
                 http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
Spring:    http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
                 http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/
Decorate inside and out:  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:         http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Pruducts used:   Unity stamps, markers, misc. papers, glittery gold cs for the butterfly; Cheery Lynn butterfly, lace, Tattered lace die (panel bg for the main image).
Sketch:    http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Gold and pink:  http://www.addalittledazzle.com/dazzling-diva-challenge-65/
Gold:       http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.com/
Pop of pink:   http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:     http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com.au/
Any:   http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
            http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/

Supplies: Recollection cs and DP; Unity stamp, vintage lace, Spellbinder dies.  I have had the Majestic Elements dies for a while, but only used them on a handful of cards - I really like the intricate detail but never can seem to fit in more than one or two of the ovals.  I also have not used these butterflies very often in recent months.  (They have been separated from the package and I forget the origin.)
Sketch:  http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Shades of purple (anniversary challenge) :  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Uplifting sentiment:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Neglected dies:   http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/neglected-dies.html
Any:  http://ttcrd.blogspot.com/

This is for the First Communion of a neighbor's grandson - a very special day.  I hope I have made a special card, though I did not have a lot of time.  Since it is for a boy I kept frills to a minimum.  The pattern papers are from a pad called Faith by the Paper Studio - I am getting a lot of use from the papers.  The burgundy bg has the 23rd Psalm, repeated - more visible IRL.  The focal sentiment is from Unity (Faith).  The other sentiment has a label called Mostly Animals - not sure what that means!  I added Spellbinder leaves and a tiny punch.  The card is 4.5 x 6.25.
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Inspired by the crosses:  http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Autumn colors:  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/

I should have completed this challenge a few weeks ago - but I did manage to do a fall card, and one that expresses thanks, using a stamp by Unity (Faith).  I used Nesties to cut circles for layering the flowers.  The DP is DCWV, and the flowers are Petaloo, with half pearls added.  some gold ric rac, and an edge by Martha Steward complete the look.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Circles:  http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/
Fall:  http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/