Thursday, September 30, 2010

Meljen's Challenge #27

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Thursday, September 30, 2010 1 stamps of approval
Well, Hi there!  I'm a little behind the times, aren't I?  I got the challenge post typed up on the main blog, but I forgot my own!!  LOL!!  Sorry!

This week's challenge at Meljen's Designs is Monochromatic with NO GLITTER!  We are showcasing Operation Write Home this week, which is an AMAZING organization that sends loads of handmade cards to deployed heroes so that they can keep in touch with loved ones back home!  Mail is so important to the soldiers when they are far from home, letting them know that they are missed, loved and appreciated!  But, what about the friends and families waiting patiently here?  Isn't it awesome that now, a soldier can go pick out a card, that was loving handmade by someone who appreciates their service, to jot a nice note on and send home?  I think it's just the coolest idea I've ever heard!

This is what I posted on the challenge blog about why this is so special to me -

I also come from a long line of Military Heroes, which makes Operation Write Home hit close to home for me.  I was raised an Army Brat.  My Father served our country for 28 1/2 years.  He also served in Vietnam (during the same years as Melissa's Dad) as a Combat Medic.  My Mother served in the Army for 2 years, before she decided to start a family after meeting my Dad.  Both of my Grandfathers were Career Military and both of my Uncles also served our country.  My Dad's brother, my Uncle Bruce, served in Desert Storm in the 1990's.  My Mom recalls being so young when my Dad was in Vietnam, before email and computers.  She recalls the long silences between "phone" calls that were always monitored and timed.  Letters from home were really the only way to communicate with loved ones, if only we had an organization like this all those years ago!


In addition, I'd like to add - 
In talking to my Mom about writing up this post, she told me about the phone calls and mail delivery.  When my Dad was in Vietnam, he was in a mobile unit.  It would take 2 weeks for the mail to literally "FIND" him!  It would get there and then someone would have to track him and his unit down to get it delivered.  My Mom would bake cookies every single Sunday and mail them every Monday and even though they were 2 weeks old, by the time they got there, my Dad and his buddies loved every one of them!  Now we have email and cell phones and so many easy ways to get hold of our heroes.  But the mail is still SO important!  You can't take a phone call with you in, tucked in your pocket.  You can't reread an email late at night when you're lying on your cot unable to sleep.  Having a note from home is so precious!  And, being able to mail a note home is just as precious!  Sending a beautiful card home, letting them know that you are ok, that you miss them and think of them often... well, that's just the best!  I am so glad to be able to work with the amazing founder of this organization, Sandy, on our Design Team!  She is an incredible woman and an inspiration!


Here is the card that I have made for this weeks challenge - you can earn an extra entry to win our prize, just by linking to Operation Write Home in your entry and you can earn yet another extra entry by actually mailing your card (or more) to Sandy and her super helpers to go to our heroes!  Just remember, NO GLITTER!  Glitter is not safe for our soldiers!




Thanks so much for playing along with us this week!  I do hope you send your cards to OWH!  You can send any other cards you like as well, just take a peek at the guidelines on our blog or the OWH blog to know what to send.


Happy Crafting!


Monday, September 27, 2010

I'm a busy card-maker today!

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 27, 2010 11 stamps of approval
{Please scroll down for todays Karen's Doodles challenge card}

I decided to play along with some challenges today, there are a lot of fun ones going on right now!

First, we have the sketch at Friday Sketchers and my Card Makin Mamas group wanted us to use borders.  This card is part of an inside joke between my friend, Jessica and I.  When she posted the CMM challenge as "Run for the Border" I told her that I was going make a Taco Bell card!  I hope she likes it!  From my research, Te Quiero means "I Love You" in Spanish... if I'm incorrect, please let me know!  I'd hate to have my card say something completely different!  LOL!

Image: Meljen's Designs

Next is the sketch at Kenny K and the colors from the new Ribbon Girls challenge blog - Black, Orange and White


Image: Kenny K

And last, is the sketch at Waltzing Mouse

Image: Meljen's Designs (Today's Freebie!!)

New Karen's Doodles Challenge

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 27, 2010 8 stamps of approval
Hello, friends!  I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!!

The beginning of the week, of course, brings with it a new challenge at Karen's Doodles!  This week, we challenge you to combine your Karen's Doodles images with 7 of something!  Anything your little heart desires, as long as there are 7 of them!!  Flowers, gems, images (can you get 7 Karen's Doodles images on one card?)

There are some beauties from the Design Team this week!  Be sure to check them out and see if you can find their 7 somethings :)

Anne - Annita - Chris - Dorte - Gini - Gro - Joey - Kelly - Lori - Nancy - Peri - Sandy - Tanja - Tracy - Zoe

For my card, I used the image Bigsby Wreath - which just happens to have 7 ornaments - and I added an acrylic bauble to each ornament.  I've seen so many beautiful PINK Christmas cards this year, and I really wanted to try to make one myself and see if I could pull if off... what do you think?

Sentiment: Ippity

And, there you have it!  Another Karen's Doodles challenge with a super fun Karen's Doodles image!

I hope you can play along this week, too!!  I look forward to seeing your SEVEN!


I'm also entering this card into the challenges at The Crafty Pad - Christmas Sparkle, Sew Many Challenges - Christmas & Totally Gorjuss - Christmas

Sunday, September 26, 2010

SSC #78 - Seasons Change

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Sunday, September 26, 2010 2 stamps of approval
It's Stamptacular Sunday Time, everyone!!

This week, we challenge you to create a card or project using as many colors as you can BUT only the colors of Fall!

I've used a lovely Swiss Pixie that I thought would look great in Fall colors


I hope you can join us at Stamptacular this week!  Our sponsor is Magnolialicious with an awesome Magnolia stamp for our random winner!

I'd like to enter this card into the challenge at Drunken Stampers - Salute To Fall & Stamp Something - Fall Colors

Thanks for visiting!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

New Meljen's Challenge!

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Thursday, September 23, 2010 1 stamps of approval
Hi Friends!!

There's a fun new challenge at Meljen's Designs DT blog today!
In Celebration of FALL and the beautiful colors that come along with it, we are challenging you to create a card or project using only Fall Colors!  And, there's five awesome new release images to get you in the mood!

This week, I've used the new release Little Pocket Mice on my card.  I knew I wanted to use this image, but I couldn't figure out how to do it with Fall Colors, until I looked at my own pants!!  I was wearing khaki slacks that day and thought that I could do a khaki pocket for the little mice!

Here's what I came up with

Such a fun card, I think!  I had a paper pack that came with matching die cut tags and frames, so I picked this frame and I used my Ippity stamps to add the sentiment.  Then I tied it on with some twill tape and added some eyelets.  I'm really happy with this card!  It's so easy to make fun cards using Meljen's images!  These little mice are so darn cute!

I hope you get a chance to play along this week, Fall Colors are so pretty and easy to work with!

Have fun and thanks for visiting!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Karen's Doodles Challenge & Blog Hop

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 20, 2010 32 stamps of approval
Karen's Doodles is hosting a blog hop today along with our weekly challenge.  Visit each team member's blog and leave a comment.  We will be awarding random prizes of digi images chosen from the people who comment.  If you arrived here from Chris' blog you are on the right track.  If not, start at the Challenge blog for a list of the DT members in hop order.  In addition to our normal 3 winners, the Design Team will also pick a favorite entry who will be invited to join us as a Guest Designer for the month of October.  
*
Heres my card using this week's Lace challenge theme

I've had this lace forever and have been waiting for an excuse to use it!  I thought that it went well with Miss Bovine Beauty and the whole card made me smile, so the sentiment was perfect as well!  The sentiment can be found with many, many, many more here.
*
And now it is time to continue on with the hop by visiting my litter stamper, Emily.  But before you go, there is one more twist, if your name is chosen as a random winner and you have entered into this week's
Lace challenge, your prize will double!  And don't forget, if you get lost along
the way, you can always return to the Challenge blog for a
complete list of blogs to visit.  Winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 28th.  


Sunday, September 19, 2010

SSC #77 -

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Sunday, September 19, 2010 2 stamps of approval
Hi everyone!

I'd just like to give a big thanks to everyone who participated last week and sent their cards off to Operation Write Home!  I'm sure the soldiers will love to have your beautiful cards to send home to their loved ones this holiday season!

This week our Stamptacular challenge for you is

GRIDS!

Somehow, someway you are to use a grid on your project!

I've used Willow from Lil' Lolita @ Tickled Pink Stamps for my Grid card.
Don't forget to check ME out in October as I am honored to be a Guest Designer for Lil' Lolita!

I created a grid background by embossing the lines on my Scor-Pal - so simple!


If I can "Grid" it - so can YOU!  So come on, play along!

Our sponsor this week is 

You can't win it if you don't play!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Meljen's Inspiration!

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Friday, September 17, 2010 3 stamps of approval
Have you had a chance to play along with the recipe challenge at Meljen's yet??

1 Ribbon (Knot or Bow)
2 Flowers
3 Brads

Oh, shoot... I just realized that I'm missing a brad!  Will you forgive me???

For the 2 flowers, I've done 2 of each of the new Mini Cuties flowers from this weeks release, so cute, huh?

(**Please note: The Whimsy Shop is still undergoing some fixes, so in the meantime please email Denise directly if you are interested in purchasing the new digis. Thank you for your patience!**)


I also followed the sketch at ICS this week

Play along at Meljen's for your chance to win 3 free digis!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Karen's Doodles Criss Cross Challenge

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 13, 2010 6 stamps of approval
Aaand, it's Monday again!

Where does the weekend go??

Oh, well - Monday means it's time for another super fun challenge at Karen's Doodles!!

This week, we challenge you to make a Criss Cross card!  You can find an amazing tutorial right HERE that walks you through every single step and makes this card easy and so much fun!

Here's what I created for my Criss Cross card - with a fun Halloween theme


and here's the pull-out inner card


I've used the Trick or Treat image from Karen's Doodles and added a couple of $1 stamps that I found in my Halloween box.

This is such a fun card and everyone on the team has done such a beautiful job with it!  You should visit them all!  Don't forget to leave comments - everyone loves comments, right?

Anne - Annita - Chris -Dorte - Gini - Gro - Joey -Kelly - Lori - Nancy - Peri - Sandy - Tanja - Tracy - Zoe

I can't wait to see your Criss Cross card!  Remember, there are 3 prizes to be won!
  • 1st Place - 3 Digi stamps of your choice from Karen's Doodles and Card of the Week Blinkie, awarded to the best entry voted on by our Design Team
  • 2nd Place - 2 Digi stamps of your choice from Karen's Doodles
  • 3rd Place - 1 Digi stamp of your choice from Karen's Doodles
So, play along!  That's 3 chances to win free Karen's Doodles images!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

SSC #76 - Operation Write Home

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Sunday, September 12, 2010 3 stamps of approval
We have a very special challenge for you this week at Stamptacular Sunday!

We are honored to be included in the celebration of Operation Write Home's Birthday this month!

Not only will we have a prize from our challenge sponsor 
$15 Gift Certificate

We are also offering up a special prize from Operation Write Home to anyone who creates and MAILS their card to OWH to be forwarded on to our heros away from home.

Operation Write Home is an amazing program that sends cards to units stationed away from home, so that they can pick what they like and send cards home to their loved ones.  To learn more about them, please visit the website - Operation Write Home

Any card can be sent to OWH, but right now they are really in need of Birthday and Christmas cards! 

Also - and this is IMPORTANT!! - Please do not put any GLITTER on the cards you send to OWH!  Glitter can come off the card and stick to the soldiers uniforms, which could make them visible at night.  So please, send any cards to OWH, but give your glitter the day off!

To be eligible for the prize from OWH - you MUST send your card to them!  You may send as many as you like - every card equals another entry.

I've done a Halloween theme for my card, using an image that was generously provided by Mo's Digital Pencil

(This card does have glitter on it, so I can't send it in - but I will be adding to my stack of OWH cards and sending them all in soon!)

I do hope you play along with us this week at Stamptacular - and I would love it if you also sent your cards off to OWH to support our heros.  

It's easy to go about our days and be thankful for all that we have, but we need to remember those that have fought and are still fighting for us.  Our freedom is not free - there are men and women who give their all to protect us and keep us free.  Please remember them, and their families.

usa

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Coloring the Saturday away.....

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Saturday, September 11, 2010 2 stamps of approval
Just a couple of simple cards today... 

I went down to my craft room to make a card for my Aunt's birthday... and this is what I came up with... 
Hmm.... not exactly my Aunt's style... so, I picked something else that I had made to send to her, but I still like the card!  I'll save it for one of my more "Rock Star" type friends!

This one fits into the recipe challenge at Sentimental Sundays

And, another card that I made, just because with no reason... one can never have enough Thank You cards, right?


I'm entering this one into the Freshly Brewed challenge this week - which is to use the color Brown.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Saturday!!

See you tomorrow for a very special Stamptacular Sunday challenge!

Never Forget

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Saturday, September 11, 2010 0 stamps of approval
Are your American Flags flyin' today? 

 Remember to show your love for our country and your support for the heros that give their all to protect us every day.  Please also remember the Americans we lost on this day... It's been 9 years... I'll never forget.



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Meljen's Back 2 School!

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 15 stamps of approval
Ah, the first week of school... and I thought summer was Chaotic!!  LOL!

Our challenge for you this week at Meljen's is to create a Back 2 School card - or project of some sort :)

I've done a simple card using a new release image "Little School Books" and an image from a previous release "Back 2 School Badge"


I need to go back to the store and get more of this pencil paper, I think!  It's so much fun to use and I've used it alot!  I think I got 3 sheets when I was at the store, and this was the last small piece I could find!

I hope you can play along with us at Meljen's DT Challenge blog this week!  YOU could win 3 FREE images or be chosen as one of our Top 5 favorites!

So, kiss those kiddies goodbye, get them safely on the school bus and hit the craft table, my friends!

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Southern Girls Challenge - Debut - Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft - Books & Stories
Oh Alice - Sparkle
The Pink Elephant - Back 2 School

ICS, Fab 'n' Funky & Meljen's

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 8 stamps of approval
Meljen's Designs is sponsoring ICS and Fab 'n' Funky this week and I wanted to play along!

I'm also going to enter this one in at the Fab 'n' Funky What'eva!  Challenge - AND the DT call that is going on this week!  Good luck to everyone who enters!

I had the super cute Chili Chihuahua already colored up and ready to go, so this card was quick, easy and fun!


You should play along at ICS and Fab 'n' Funky this week - that's 2 chances to win 4 FREE Meljen's Digi Images!

Kenny K - Swirls & Pearls

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 2 stamps of approval
I got all girly with this weeks Swirls & Pearls challenge at Kenny K

Here's Miss Thang sportin' her stuff!


Lil' Lolita Girly Girl

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 2 stamps of approval
Here's a card that I made for the challenge going on over at Lil' Lolita

Pssst... did you see the post with the new Guest Designers for October?  Yup, that's ME!  Yay!

Here's Willow all sweet and pretty and girly!


I used the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches for this one and I'm entering it into the flowers challenge at Card Makin' Mamas!

This is a bigger card than normal - it's 4.5 x 6.5 to allow for Willow's height - she's a TALL girl!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Meljen's Inspiration!

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 06, 2010 0 stamps of approval
Hi there!

Have you had a chance to play along at Meljen's Challenge blog yet??

Our challenge is fun for all and easy to play!  You don't even have to use a Meljen's image, but why wouldn't you??  :o)

This week our theme is STRIPES!

And our new release images are oh so stinkin' cute!!

Here's a card that I made to inspire you this week, using the new Fall Ball Teddy Bear


We're not footballs fans in this house, but I found this super paper one day while I was out at the craft store and thought it would be perfect to go with this little guy! 

I chose to use Blue and Gold for his uniform, because those were my high school colors (way back when!) and I remember our football team was pretty darn good!

I hope you get a chance to play along!  There's a prize of 3 free images up for grabs!

Have Fun!

Stamptacular Sunday #75

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 06, 2010 2 stamps of approval
Yesterday a new challenge went up on Stamptacular Sunday Challenge!

Now that I'm caught up, I can share the card I created for this challenge!

Our theme this week is DISTRESSING - ink it, tear it, sponge it, rip it... however you want to play it as long as it's distressed!

Both my 5 year old daughter and my Hubby said that this card looked like the dogs got to it... I guess that means it's distressed!!  LOL!!


Our sponsors this week are

My Favorite Things (big thanks to them for providing us with stamps to play with!)
offering up a prize of 
$25 Gift Certificate

and

offering up a prize of 
4 Digital Images of the winner's choice

Karen's Doodles #27

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 06, 2010 2 stamps of approval
Now that I'm home from our busy weekend, it's time to get caught up on my DT projects!

Here's my card for the Karen's Doodles Challenge this week - Pretty In Pink!

It's all about PINK!  Pink paper, pink markers, pink ribbon, pink everything!

The Kids are doing PINK today, as well - and they have 2 weeks to play along!  See Emily's card on her blog

Come play along with us - there's always a chance to win!

I used the sketch from Mojo Monday today and would love to enter this card into their challenge this week!

Our Princess at NAM

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Monday, September 06, 2010 0 stamps of approval

I was gone this weekend at the National American Miss pageant with my daughter Emily, 5 years old.  She did amazingly well - finishing in the Top 10 Semi-Finalists out of 41 Princess-Aged (4-7) girls in the WHOLE state! Out of 41 girls, my little girl made Top 10!!  She didn't make the Top 5 Royal Court, but she did so well for her very first year, and first ever public appearance! 
 Imagine being 5 years old and walking on stage with a microphone to announce your name, age, city and ambition to 1,000 strangers and 10 judges??
  Imagine being 5 years old and doing 10 one-on-one interviews with judges? 
 Imagine learning a dance routine in 30 minutes with 40 other little girls and then being asked to perform it in front of 1000 audience members within the next hour?
  I know I couldn't do any of that, but SHE did!!  She is incredible! She came home with 3 trophies and a rose presented to her by the 2009 Princess for making the Semi-Finals - she was thrilled and we are so proud!

Here she is with one of the trophies she won - the Spirt Of America Trophy - in her Interview Outfit
Here she is with Daddy, her Formal Wear Escort and little brother, in her Formal Wear Outfit
Emily LOVED Jade, the 2009 WA State Princess
In her production outfit, ready to dance!
And, this is the outfit she wore for the optional Casual Wear Modeling contest - she didn't place in this contest, but we hadn't rehearsed anything, because I didn't know what to expect.  She looked so cute, though!

Thanks for letting me share - we are so so so very proud of her!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Just a little bit MIA....

Designed by Sprytebyrd on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 0 stamps of approval
Hi everyone!!

Just a quick note so that you don't miss me too much this weekend!

It is Pageant Weekend and we will be busy, busy, busy with Emily and her Pageant Contests!
We're all very excited!

Because I will be so busy - my DT projects will all appear sometime during the next week - but YOU can still play along with all of our challenges!

A new challenge was just posted at Meljen's Design Team and Challenge Blog - be sure to check that out for a chance to win 3 free images!

Sunday - you can find a new challenge at Stamptacular Sunday.

And

Monday there will be a new challenge at both Karen's Doodles and Karen's Doodles Kids!

So, there you have it!  Play along with us and I will join you next week!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!


 

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