"Angel" Challenge #2

 Theme: A Child's Birthday

Since Christmas is the birthday of Jesus, I am extending that to birthday cards for children in general. Make a card, layout, ATC (artist trading card) or other project appropriate for celebrating a child's birthday. You may use any colors, but "Happy Birthday", "Birthday Wishes" or similar sentiment must be visible. Again you may use images from any source but if you use stamps from The Angel Company and cite them in your supply list on your blog, you will have an extra entry for the drawing.



The prize this week, determined by random.org, is a package of assorted ribbons.

 

Be sure to review the Challenge Rules.
This week's challenge will be due Tuesday, December 21st @ 6:00 a.m. US central time.

 Submit your creation on Angel Creative Updates.




Here is my sample for the challenge.

• Image: The Angel Company - Boyz & Girlz
• Sentiment: The Angel Company
• Cardstock: Recollections
• Pearls: Mark Richards
• Charm & Heart Brads from stash.
  

 Last week's winner for the gratitude card is Kateri! While there were only a couple of entries, I am hoping to see more this week.

Reminder - Deadline for First Angel Creative Updates Challenge

Gratitude Challenge

Less than 36 hours left to submit your entry to the First Angel Creative Updates Challenge!

 

Both of these cards are made with The Angel Company stamps and TAC papers too!  Remember you can use images from any source: stamped, digital or none at all. Let's see some more participation! Submit your cards at angelcreativeupdates. Challenge closes at 6 a.m. (central time) Tuesday, December 14th. New challenge will be posted before noon the same day.

First Angel Creative Updates Challenge

Since Purrfect Sentiments gets more exposure than Angel Creative Updates, I am going to list the challenge on both blogs. You will need to go to Angel Creative Updates to submit your creation.

Before I give you the specifics of the challenge, let's get those pesky rules out of the way.

• Submission must meet the challenge
• Must be a new creation: not posted before the day the challenge begins
• Limit 3 submissions per crafter
• Link from your post to the Angel Creative Updates blog
• When prizes are offered, the winner will be chosen by random.org unless otherwise stated

• If your submission uses an Angel Company stamp and you identify The Angel Company in your supply list with your posting, it will be entered twice in the drawing  I will take care of the extra chance to win (you do not need to double post).

Challenge #1

Theme: Thank You

Must have a sentiment expressing gratitude

Create a new card, tag, bookmark, layout or 3D project 

Upload a photo to the Angel Creative Updates blog using the inlinkz option

Due  Tuesday, December 14th @ 6:00 a.m. U.S. central time

Prize

2 chipboard albums

(Use as mini albums or take apart

and use the chipboard shapes individually)

Eventually I will put together a Design Team, but until then, you get my samples. 

•  Dog/cat image: The Angel Company: Furry Friends
•  Colored with Copic Markers
•  Sentiment: The Angel Company: Joyful Notes
•  Yellow & Green cardstock: Recollections
•  White cardstock: Georgia Pacific
•  Tag: Cricut Cartridge Plantin Schoolbook
•  Crystals: Recollections
•  Two tone Ribbon: Textured Trios (for Michaels)
•  Flowered Ribbon: Discount Bin (No name on spool)

I hope to see lots of entries. Enjoy your crafting time!

New Challenges

Angel Creative Updates will be challenging you in the near future! Angel Creative Updates is my other blog, dedicated to The Angel Company products. I am an independent "angel".

As soon as I get myself organized the challenge will be posted. I picked a good time of year to do this didn't I? Check back, I hope to have this rolling by tonight or tomorrow. I hope you will participate and let your friends in on the fun!

Last Present

We have had a tradition in our family - since the kids got older - that one present for each person had a special identifier on it. Some years it has been an ornament. Some years it has been a mini (2-3 inch) teddy bear. But  this item would identify each person's "last present". No one wants the last present they open to be socks or underwear or a gag gift. This made sure that it was a quality present at the finish.

Whether the opening was organized or chaotic, everyone know NOT to open the "last present". Once everyone was down to their "last present" then they were opened by age - oldest to youngest or vice versa. This year we won't all be together at the same time but I am still going to make something to identify the "last present". Now I know that opening them in their homes with the "other side of the families" may mean that it isn't actually last. But I will know that they know that this is the particularly special present from us this year. This year I am making jumbo tags. Here is the first one finished. Only eleven more to go!

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is to use two different patterned paper to make a card, layout or other project. My materials:

• Plaid paper from Paper Pizzazz
• Wordy paper is from Imaginesce
• Peppermint brad
• Ornament charm
• Glittery pipe cleaner
• Tag was cut using Cricut's Plantin Schoolbook cartridge

Another almost purrfect Christmas image

No kitty. No Michu. Sir Chester won't let me give 5 stars to an image without a kitty so this one gets 4 1/2 stars. Seriously, it is another fun image for your holiday cards and layouts.

Materials:

• Image from Soft Pencil
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Snowflake Dazzles from Paper Wishes
• Sentiment cut on Cricut using red shiny self stick paper
• Green cardstock from DCWV
• White cardstock from Georgia Pacific

Valentines for OWH

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is "Anything Goes". Well, my creativity is being focused on Valentines for OWH (Operation Write Home). While here in the states we are preparing for Christmas, the Christmas cards to the military have already been shipped. Valentines need to go out by the first week of January. I especially liked the way this Valentine turned out.

If you are tired of working in green and red for Christmas or blues with the snowmen, consider making some Valentines for our military to send to their special loves. Make them extra special. The families give up so much while their loved ones are serving our country. The holidays are difficult but Valentine's Day is a "couple;s holiday". Hard to celebrate when half of the couple is halfway around the world. 

Let's keep them all in our prayers no matter what the holiday. We just want them to return home safely.

Lil Sailors

Those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere are getting ready (or already dealing with) snow for the holidays. South of the equator it is spring going into summer. Elizabeth, the creator of the Soft Pencil Images lives in Argentina. She is getting warm weather. This week's spotlight is on a summer image.

So in Kansas we have cold weather, in Argentina they are getting ready for summer. In the world of Operation Write Home - we are making Valentines! Yes Valentines are due to the shippers by the first week of January. This Soft Pencil card will be in the box of Valentines being sent to our military personnel. Appropriate image don't you think??

Michael's Christmas Challenge Week #2

I missed out on Week #1 of the Michael's Challenge on Facebook, but had a lot of fun with week #2. The required materials are: a 13 inch charger, scrapbook paper and adhesive. My project is a clock  -  not just any clock, but a Twelve Days of Christmas Clock. The images for the 12 Days of Christmas song take the place of the numbers (although I did include the 4 "compass point" numbers)

Materials:

• 13 inch gold charger
• Crayola Chipboard album (1 page only)
• Cricut Joyous Noel cartridge
• Oh My Vinyl: red and black
• Accent Depot number brads
• Imaginesce Gumdrop brad
• Gold/white cording from Michael's
• Adhesives: Zip Dry, Xyron sticker maker, Dimension squares.
• Vintage Santa scrapbook paper
• clock hands/mechanism

 Here is a close-up look at the cording and vintage paper. Wish me luck! Deadline is midnight tonight and the new challenge will be posted early Monday morning. 

Phindy's Sleigh

The Phindy Challenge, ending tonight, is to make a Christmas card using a Phindy image. I played around with a few - especially ones with kitties (Chester insists) but decided to go with the horse drawn sleigh.

Shiny Things

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is to make a Christmas card, layout or project using lots of bling!. Get out the glitter, the crystals, the foil and SHINE!

How many Christmas cards have you made? How many left to make?? Let the challenges give you the incentive to get crafting. It is almost Thanksgiving and despite what the calendar says, Christmas is just a few days later.

Merry Christmas: Snow Memories

Merry Christmas is this week's featured Soft Pencil image. Remember those snowy mornings. The walk or driveway freshly shoveled so the wetness reflected the light. The snow in the yard was still pristine.

• DCWV Summer Dream Cardstock (with glitter)
• Image colored with Copics
• Image enhanced with Paper Glaze
• Snowflake brads
• Gold/White cording

**********************************************************
An additional message from Elizabeth at Soft Pencil:

• I´ll be running a sale on my Etsy shop during the month of November: 20% OFF on all my designs (digi-stamps, clipart, printables, etc.)

• Starting on November 30 my own shop (softpencilshop.blogspot.com) will be closed until the next year so only my Etsy shop will be open.

• All my current goodies will be available ONLY until January 2

New subject

Our newest grandson arrived this morning at 7:41 a.m.  Alexander (Xander) William weighed in at 8 lbs 7oz. Gonna be tall like his Daddy and big brother measuring 20.5 inches long. Everyone is doing fine. Now grandma has a new subject for scrapbook pages! Photos with brother Zerek and cousins Max & Mason will be fun to use in layouts.

Thankful for Understanding Friends

I have been behind in too many of my commitments lately. Late or missing DT assignments. I did resign from one DT thinking that would help. I am preoccupied with the new grandchild coming, my painful knee, etc etc. BUT that is no excuse. My dear friends IRL and on the MBs are standing by me. I thank you!!

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is to make a Thanksgiving card using buttons and bows. Well, I used ribbon and a round chipboard disk (LOL). Somehow I missed the b&b part until I had the card finished and photographed. Therefore once again I have to beg the mercy and forgiveness of my friends. My heart is sincere in my thanks for your friendships.

OWH Midweek Throwdown Challenge

This week's challenge is to make a "Thinking of You" card and use ribbon on it. I used a photo my son took of an eagle while camp/canoeing in the Boundary Waters near Ely, MN. The "I am Soooooo Thinking of You" stamp is from The Angel Company. I used a gatefold format. The completed card is 4 in by 4 in and will fit in an A2 envelope.

Also Archway Cookies has pledged 4000 Cookies for 4000 Valentines. Deadline is December 1st for these Valentines (the cookies will go to the troops). The overall deadline for Valentines is the first week of January. Put some extra effort into making the Valentines (remember - NO Glitter). Most soldiers will be sending just one or maybe a few Valentines to those most special people in their lives. Spouses and children will be the main recipients. Let's give them cards made with extra care.

3 2 1 Christmas!

I'm taking a little liberty with the name of Phindy's Challenge this week. It is actually 1  2  3.  I used:

• 3 large circle brads: blue, red, purple
• 2 papers: HOTP coordinating Christmas papers
• 1 very cute Phindy image colored with Copics

 Three, two, one - It's Christmas!!!! Makes this little boy very happy!

Get Organized!

Elizabeth has designed this cute little calendar for 2011 with Michu flying a kite. I chose to mount it on dark blue cardstock and slide it into a white binder with the clear protector front. It would be perfect to organize:

• add some large envelopes to keep tax receipts for the year
• use some clear sheet protectors to keep birthday cards for special people for each month. Highlight the birthdays (or posting dates) on the calendar.
• keep a few photos for each month/season/occasion separate until you can scrapbook them.

I'm sure you can come up with some good ideas of your own!

\I also used borders from HOTP available at Paper Wishes to outline the calendar.

Better Late...

Guess I'm the one who needs my own get well card (LOL). The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is to make a Get Well card using a stamp (rubber or digital or die cut) of something that flies. I got mine ready only a day late, but was at the lake. I didn't have the memory stick adapter so I could upload the pic.

The butterflies are stamps from The Angel Company. Click on Sir Chester above to link to my other blog which has only information for The Angel Company products and FunShops and specials.... you get the idea.

My Second Favorite Color is Blue

I love this Phindy Angel with the Metallic Silver/Blue paper from HOTP. The silvery ribbon is from WalMart - I don't remember the brand but I have to go back and get some more. This is my second entry (can we do 2 this week?) for Phindy's favorite color challenge. I couldn't make up my mind between the blue and the green and both cards are going to OWH. The deadline for Christmas cards to the shippers is Saturday!

Favorite Color Green

The Phindy Challenge this week, well one of them (if you haven't checked out the 1000 member festivities then get over there!) is to use a favorite color. Green is one of mine and of course a kitty of any color is welcome.

Kitty with Identity Crisis

Everyone knows that black cats rule at Halloween. However Michu rules and Michu is grey. Here are a pair of cards with Michu and witchy friend. Another great Halloween image from Soft Pencil!

Halloween Circles

This week's Paper Cutz Challenge is: Make a card, LO or craft project for Halloween using stars, circles, diamonds or crescents. I used circles from the polka dot paper to the the tiny gold beads (technically the beads are half spheres, I'm a  math teacher). I love the trick or treat bag. It came in an embellishment pack of four. The glitter button is from Oriental Trading and the brads from Paper Wishes. Let's see your creations posted to PCC!

Michu's Mummy?

Elixabeth (Soft Pencil) has some of the cutest Halloween images. The fact that many of them have Michu (a kitty) has nothing to do with my bias.

• Image: Soft Pencil
• Colored (minimally) with Copic Markers
• Cardstock papers: DCWV
• Brads: Paper Wishes

Best Wishes & Blessings for the Bride & Groom

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is "Anything Goes". I needed to make a wedding card for  my husband's co-worker who is getting married this weekend. She is a scrapbooker, but I'm not sure about card making. I did know that she would enjoy receiving a handmade, unique card.

I started out with one idea. First I changed the paper. Then I switched a lace flower (a little too large) for the ribbon. I found these darling little hearts at a local scrapbook store (Scrapbook Unique in Lenexa KS) when I stopped by the other day. The 3D word sentiments were in the dollar bin at JoAnn's. I considered adding some lace in the upper right corner or some crystals scattered about, but decided the card was fine just like this. Best Wishes and Blessings for the Bride and Groom!

Halloween For Fun (Challenge)!

I just couldn't resist using one of my favorite Halloween images. He is just soooooo cute! I am keeping most of my Halloween cards fairly simple this year.

• Image: Sew Many Cards 
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Sentiment: The Angel Company stamp
• Pumpkin Brad: Paper Wishes (HOTP)

Halloween Michu/Ratini Style

Another darling image for Halloween from Soft Pencil!! I just love Michu. This is a great image for a young child's card - not scary - just fun!

Double Duty Cutie!

Those of you that know me know that I rarely submit the same card to more than one challenge (more fun to make more cards). However the sketch challenge for OWH and the Phindy Challenge just meshed together soooo well!!

This sweet little boy is enjoying a candy cane. 

• Image: Phindy's Place
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Sketch: OWH Sketch Challenge
• Papers: HOTP

Red, White & Black Christmas Elegant

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is to use red, white and black only. Well, I cheated a little. The ribbon I chose did have a little gold filament in it too.

• Sentiment: The Angel Company
• Red metal flowers: Paper Wishes
• Ribbon; Celebrate It (Michael's)

Something New

For Fun Challenges challenges you to try something new. Think about all those tools and supplies that you bought with good intentions and then never took the time to try out. I have a large box of quilling supplies and a wire writer. I also have several bottles of flocking. That is what I chose to use for this challenge: flocking.

• Image: The Angel Company
• Flocking: Flower Soft (Toffee)
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Sentiment: The Angel Company

Happy Anniversary

This Bride & Groom image from Soft Pencil is purrfect for a wedding or anniversary card. The earth tones and simple style make it appealing to men, the pink beading gives a feminine touch.

• Image: Soft Pencil
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Sentiment: The Angel Company
• Acrylic Flourish colored with Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks
• Pink and white pearls: Mark Richards
• Papers: DCWV

October Surprise - Operation Write Home

October Surprise is the latest challenge from Operation Write Home. To help ward off the deluge of Christmas cards (due by October 30) they are offering prizes if you get your cards in by October 15th! Click here for more information!  Remember - NO GLITTER!

The images in both of these cards are from Phindy's Place. Check out her other Christmas Cuties!

Phindy's Sketch Challenge

Phindy has a sketch Challenge this week. I had to buy one of the new Christmas cuties. This was one of those times that the papers, the image, the embellishments - they all came together exactly as I wanted them to! So happy with the way this one turned out.

• Image: Phindy's Place
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Sentiment: Imaginisce
• Glitter paper: DCWV
• DP: AdornIt Carolee's Creations
• Peppermint Brads: Paper Wishes

Patterns, Patterns, Patterns

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is to use 3 patterned papers for your card or layout.

Images are from The Angel Company. For more information about The Angel Company, click on Sir Chester's picture at the top of the page. You will be taken to my other blog, Angel Creative Updates.

Trick or Treat!

These darling little trick or treaters are from Soft Pencil. Wouldn't they be purrfect on a Halloween card or treat bag?

• Image: Soft Pencil
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Sentiment: The Angel Company

Autumn by the Old Well

The For Fun Challenge this week is to get ready for fall. Think fall when making your card or layout. But no Halloween yet.

The Challenge is sponsored by Digi Doodles this week. We thank them for the images they provided for the DT. I especially like their Americana/rustic images. The Old Well is one of them. There is also an old barn, milk cans and quilt images. The winner this week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Digi Doodles.

Thank you for Being My Friend!

The Phindy Challenge this week is make a Thank You card using a Phindy image. I love this little one hugging her "best friend", her bunny!

• Image: Phindy's Place
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Sentiment: The Angel Company
• Buttons: Oriental Trading
• Pearls: Mark Richards

This Critter is Under the Weather

Paper Cutz Challenge is to use a stamped, digital or Cricut cut critter on your card, layout or project.

This image is from Phindy's Place, so I am also submitting it to the Phindy Challenge. I don't usually double submit but I really like the way this one turned out.

Best Friend

Puppies & kitties make great friends. They listen without judging. They always forgive us. They sense when we need a hug. This week's Soft Pencil image spotlight is on our young lady with her dog.

Does this image remind you of a favorite pet??

Vintage Christmas

The For Fun Challenge this week is to be "vintage" (time period, not wine).

• Image from McMahon Five
• colored with Copic markers
• Glitter paper from DCWV
• Ribbon from Michael's
• Silver brads from HOTP

No Black No Orange

Think Halloween: black & orange, right? Wrong! This week's Paper Cutz Challenge is to make a Halloween card without using any black or orange. So I chose an image from Sew Many Cards. It reminds me of my grandson Mason. Something about the belly maybe.... Anyways, I used purple and yellow mainly with greys for the kitty and accents of green and white. Let's see what you can create!

Phindy Goes Green

The Phindy Challenge this week is to go "green". That can be in color or in reusing materials. I chose to use the color green and an image in a green (natural) setting.

Halloween Peek-A-Boo

The Soft Pencil image this week is a Halloween Peek-A-Boo. Michu and Ratiny are playing peek-a-boo around the pumpkin.

• Image: Soft Pencil
• Colored with Copic Markers
• Cardstock from DCWV Neutral Mat Stack
• Brads & ribbon from stash

Glitter For Fun

The For Fun Challenge this week is to use glitz & glitter! The trees are an image from The Angel Company's Hedgehog Happiness Hostess stamp set. They are colored with 3 shades of green Copic markers. I used icicle and green Stickles for most of the glittery look. The rest are crystal and pearl stickers. The ribbon is from a St. Patrick's Day ribbon set, but works well for the Christmas holidays as well.

Apple of My Eye

Sorry I'm late with this week's Soft Pencil creation. I had it all planned out in my brain and then life intervened. I didn't want to mess it up so I delayed it instead. The image is part of the Back to School images, but also works as a note too - You Are the Apple of My Eye!

The patterned papers are DCWV Grade School Stack and the green solid cardstock for the worm and leaf/stem is also DCWV. The white "chalk" marks were made with Versa Magic cloud white.

Black and White plus One

The For Fun Challenge this week is to make a creation using black, white and one other color. Sassy Studios is the sponsor. One winner will receive 4 Sassy images. Thanks to Sassy Studio for the images provided to the DT.

Halloween Dragon

The Paper Cutz Challenge this week is to use 1 ribbon, 2 buttons and 3 papers. Any theme is okay. I made a Halloween card for OWH. Papers and image are from The Angel Company. The buttons are from Oriental Trading and I think the ribbon is too.

Please consider joining us in the Challenge!

Michu & Ratiny go Back to School

A new image from Elizabeth at Soft Pencil: our favorite Michu and friend Ratiny. They are ready to go to school or just to write a note.

The DP is DCWV school mat stack. The glittery button is from Oriental Trading. The image is colored with Copic markers.