Dare to Get Dirty Challenges - Post 5

Good Morning Friends & Followers!  I hope you have a fun weekend planned.  Here are some more projects I created for the DTGD challenges on SCS.  The first is a little Ghirardelli treat box (tutorial can be found here on SCS - they are WICKED easy to make and recipients have always loved them) that satisfied the requirements of two DTGD challenges:

(please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  Experience has taught me that the easiest way to keep the flap of the box closed is to find some cute image, label or tag (I used one from Stampin' Up's retired 'Cute & Curly' set along with their curly label punch)  and pop it up with foam tape and then thread a piece of twine or ribbon through the space and tie it on top - festive no?  This cute little guy hold 3 Ghirardelli chocolate squares in flavors of your choosing - YUM!  I am also entering this Ghirardellia chocolate box into Moxie Fab World's Holiday Food & Treat Wrap Challenge (they allow entries posted within 4 weeks).
     The next card satisfied the requirements of three DTGD challenges on SCS:

(the inside says 'the more you have, the harder it is to find your keys - LOL!)  I had fun paper piecing the purses from Skipping Stones Design's Birthday Purses set and used a CB 'Houndstooth' EF for a patterned background.  Not sure I love the colors on this one - I had pictured it coming out a LOT differently in my head...  but it satisfies the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:

• Paper Playtime - use patterned paper (mine is from Echo Park's 'Victoria Gardens' collection), and
• Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes.

     Thanks for looking - should have more for you to see later today (have to make some serious progress on the remaining DTGD challenges - there are 42 total and I have only completed 20 of them so far, EEK!)  Wish me luck!
~ Crafty Math Chick

Not Skipping Skipping Stones Design's Sketch Challenge

Hello friends & followers!  I hope you are well.  I have not participated in a Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge in several weeks, and I have missed them.  When I first saw this week's sketch SSD120:

nothing came to mind at all... until today of course... the last day of the challenge.  Then, once I was playing with the sketch, a flood of ideas came to mind!  Does that ever happen to any of you?  Here is the first card I came up with:

Simple no?  The only difficult part of this card was finding buttons in the right colors & size.  I thought the SSD 'Healing Wings' "Friends give color to our lives" sentiment was perfect for this card, no?  This card also fulfills the following additional challenges:

• Shopping Our Stash Challenge 44 - Buttons +/or Bows (I obviously chose buttons, LOL),
• Stamp-n-Doodle - Let's See Some Circles or Ovals (well, the buttons are circles), and
• One Stop Craft Challenge - CAS.

Once I made this card I had another idea to use the music notes and the pretty bird from 'Heartsong' to make this card:

Figured it was a pretty one layer card, very postage friendly right?  And that bird is so pretty it really doesn't need a tons of embellishing...  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• Paper Creations Ink Challenge 21 - Things with Wings,  
• Craft Your Passion Challenge 103 - Monochromatic cards, and
• One Stop Craft Challenge 175 - CAS cards.

     Thanks for taking the time to stop by and see my cards.  Have a great night!
~Crafty Math Chick

Olive You More

Hello friends & followers, sorry you have not heard from me in a while, I am sick.  I mustered up all my energy to create a card for Sketch 113 from Skipping Stones Design:

I used SSD's Chic Martini set (aren't those little olives adorable?), some patterned paper from the Birthday Extravanga stack by the Paper Studio, and added red rhinestones - TA DA!  Quick & easy card created even though I am sick.  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog - The One I Love (my hubby doesn't like overly mushy or sentimental cards, so this might be a good valentine's day card for him... of course... he doesn't like olives either...  hmmm...), and
• Do You Stack Up Challenge 57 - Anything Goes.

Off to rest - thanks for stopping by!!
~Crafty Math Chick

Flipping Over SSD

Hello friends & followers!  I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday.  I am so happy that I was finally able to play in this week's Sketch Challenge 111 from Skipping Stones Design - I never used to miss one, but things got so hectic around the holidays and are just settling down.  Here is the sketch we were given this week by Pamela Young:

which I flipped of course because heaven forbid I leave a sketch alone (get the title now?  'flipping' over SSD?  LOL!) to create this card with SSD's Grey Hares set:

I morphed the circles into balloon shapes punched out from colors that coordinated with the 'streamer' patterned paper using Martha Stewart's balloon punch and created strings from them using twine and then had the hoppy bunny hold them by stamping his arm a second and sandwiching them between the popped up layers.  So, what do you think?  (BTW - Heather is having a sale over at SSD, if you were eyeing any of their sets, now would be an opportune time... just sayin'...).  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• The ABC Challenge - H is for Happy Birthday,
• Party Time Tuesdays Challenge 51 - Birthday Cards ,
• Pile It On Challenge 3 - Fuzzy Friends (bunnies are fuzzy right?), and 
• Stamp 'n Doodle - It's All About Birthdays.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my creations and read my ramblings!  Have a wonderful evening!
~Crafty Math Chick

Sparkling Snowman

Hello friends & followrs!  Today's card was made using December's First Skipping Stones Design Sketch by Jen del Muro:

I decided to combine this challenge with my friend Lee's VSN challenge on SCS to glitter your entire image panel.  I stamped the cute snowman from SSD's 'Sassy Snow' set, colored it in, ran it through the Xyron upside down, peeled the back off, sprinkled clear glitter all over (if you are the kind of person who needs pictures to envision this, Kim has a terrific tutorial on this technique in today's post on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog).  Here is my card:

It might not show up in the photo, but the image panel is wicked sparkly!  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 104 - Glitter & Bling,
• Winter Wonderland - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,
• The Pink Elephant 128 - Snowflakes & Sparkle,
• The Poodles Parlour - Thank You,
• Cupcake Craft Challenge 172 - Don't Look at the Light (make something sparkly), and
• PaperPlay Challenge 49 - Snowmen.

     Thanks for taking the time to stop by!  Have a wonderful evening!
~Crafty Math Chick

Finally Stamping Again!

Hello friends & followers!  Sorry for the brief hiatus there, I got caught up with the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving and after-Thanksgiving sales a bit.  But I am back and was eager to stamp again.  I am embarrassed that I missed two weeks of sketch challenges by Skipping Stones Designs and wanted to make sure I rectified that today by participating in this week's SSD105 sketch challenge:  Here is the sketch we were given this week:

And here is the first of two cards I created for this challenge, it is similar to one I made with a different sketch several weeks ago (when I see ovals these days I think 'olives' - especially with Valentine's Day not that far off):

(you all get that the big thing in the center is an olive right?).  The sentiments are from SSD's Chic Martini set and the paper is from the 'Birthday Extravaganza' stack by the Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby).  Then I decided to make a second card using SSD's Heartsong set and some soft & feminine papers from Echo Park's Victoria Gardens stack:

I added some soft pink bling to the butterfly body and curled it's wings up just a bit for dimension.  I created a flight trail to mirror the stem of the flower in the sketch using a paper piercer and then went over the holes with a black fine tipped pen so make then stand out more.  
     Alrightie, that is all I have for you this evening.  I hope to be doing a lot more stamping later this week so I hope you will visit again soon.  Take care!
~Crafty Math Chick

Still More HYCCT Cards

Hello friends & followers!  I have been busy in my craft room all day stamping away trying to complete the remaining Hope You Can Cling To (HYCCT) challenges over at Splitcoaststampers (SCS).  I have five more for your viewing pleasure today.  
     The first card is for Judy's HYCCT challenge to create a card with yummy edibles and a splash of pink.  I decided to use Peachy Keen Stamps Sketch 64 and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps' So Sweet Cocoa set paired up with some patterned paper from DCWV's Sweet mat stack to create this card:

This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Inspiration Challenge 12 - the sprinkles on the cupcake in the picture made me instantly think of this image of Cocoa mouse peeking out the middle of the donut,
• Paper Cupcake's magical Monday Challenge - Trick-or-Treat or Something Sweet (I obviously went with 'something sweet'),
• Forever Friends Bling Bling Challenge - to use rhinestones with a cute & cuddley animal,
• The Ribbon Carousel Challenge 27 - Anything Goes with Ribbon or Twine, and 
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes plus a Bit of Bling.

     My next card was for Jami's HYCCT challenge to make a holiday card where pink is the predominant color.  I used Sketch TESC149 by Taylored Expressions and their adorable new Woodland Winter set which was a birthday present from my 'deer' friend Barbie (THANKS BARBIE!!) and came up with this card:

The sweet little woodland critters are colored with Copic markers and I tied a bit of green & pink twine at the top in a bow for a little fun.  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - to choose a favorite sketch and make a holiday card using it,
• Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge 35 - make a Christmas card and use ribbon, and
• The Ribbon Carousel Challenge 27 - Anything Goes with Ribbon or Twine.  

     My third card was made for Beate's challenge to make a circle card.  I used a cute digi image called 'Cocoa with a Cause' from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, some nestabilities die cuts and some punched hearts from my heart trio punch from Stampin' Up! to create this card:

I decided to leave Cocoa white here.  This card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• Allsorts Challenge Week 128 - to make a card that is 'anything but a square', 
• Digital Tuesday Challenge 135 - Cute & Cuddly with a digi image,
• Charisma Cardz Week 44 Challenge - Cutesy, and
• Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Release Party Challenge #3 - to make a card using at least 2 die cuts or punches.

     My fourth card was made for Cathleen's 'Thank a Caregiving' HYCCT challenge using the clean and simple version of The Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge 128 (MMSC128), Doctor Hanna by Hanna Stamps and some yum-MAY S.E.I. paper from their Charlamagne collection with glossy raised embossing on it:

This card also fulfills the requirements of two additional challenges:

• Do You Stack Up Challenge 44 (DYSU44) - To Use Teal in your card, and 
• One Stop Craft Challenge - To Use 3 of something in honor of their 3rd Birthday.

     My last card was made for Lisa Lara's HYCCT challenge to make a CAS card with a splash of pink.  I figured Skipping Stones Design's Birthday Purses would fit the bill perfectly:

Just five more challenges to complete and I will have finished all 33 HYCCT challenges!  Wish me luck!  Have a great weekend!  And thanks for stopping by!!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick

Still Working on HYCCT Cards

Hello friends & followers, I hope you are all doing well.  I have two more cards to show you, both were created for Hope You Can Cling To (HYCCT) challenges over at Splitcoaststampers.com (SCS).  The first uses Teresa Kline's 'Viva la Verve!" Week 2 sketch - I thought it was a really challenging sketch that perplexed me for weeks so I am proud of myself for finally seeing a way to utilize it - along with Eva's HYCCT1129 Challenge over at SCS, to make a card that focuses on words of encouragement; I knew There She Goes Clear Stamps' Angel Mail set would be perfect for this challenge:

I used some heart shaped Marvy Uchida punches and some patterned papers from retired Stampin' Up! hostess stacks and cut the wing images out by hand.  I added a piece of twine purchased from Home Depot and tied a knot in the end to match the 'tie a knot and hang on' sentiment - and now it fulfills the requirements of Challenge TSG128 - Au Naturale - to use twine, burlap, hemp, etc. on your card, and Dolce Stamps & Cards Challenge - make a square card with one or more die cuts.  


My second card was designed using Skipping Stones Design's Sketch 100 and their Bra's Volume 1 set to create this card for Tammy's Bosom Buddies HYCCT Challenge - to make a card that incorporates pink, ribbon and a friendship theme.  

This card also fulfills the following additional challenges:

• Stamp Scrap and Doodle - Monochromatic, and 
• Our Craft Lounge 89 (OCL89) - Going pink.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my creations - I am way behind on my HYCCT challenges so plan on seeing a LOT more cards from me in the next few days.  Thanks again!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick

More Hope You Can Cling To Cards

Hello friends and followers!  Today I have three cards for your viewing pleasure, all for the Hope You Can Cling To (HYCCT) card drive for the patients at the UT MD Andersen Cancer Center and their families to use during their stay.  The first is based on Skipping Stones Design Sketch 98 using their Chic Martini set:

(You can tell that the big olive circle and the small olive circle are supposed to create a great big olive, eight?).  I found this cool DP from the Paper Studio's Birthday Extravaganza Mat stack from Hobby Lobby and thought all those different sized circles went well with the two forming the olive, and added some Offray ribbons to hold the sentiment highlighted with a few petite rhinestones.  This card also fulfills the following additional challenges:
HYCCT1121 - Big or Small Save 'Em All (use two sizes of any geometric shape, I obviously chose circles), and
Wee Memories Challenge 73 - Free for All (anything goes).
My next card was created using a Stamp TV Release Party sketch by Theresa Momber and Holly's HYCCT Challenge to make a supportive card featuring the color purple.  Here is what I came up with using Gina K. Designs' Many Wishes set and a Kaleidoscope spectrum ink pad:

(This picture really does not do this justice - there are lots of rich purple and lilac hues in this card, for some reason the photo washes them out, it is much more vibrant in real life).  The flowers are velvet from an old Stampin' Up! kit with black brad in the center.  This card also fulfills the following additional challenges:

• Paperworks Friday Recipe #20 - You Float My Boat - Use an image that floats (the dandelion seeds here are floating through the air), ribbon (check) and brads or eyelets (I have just the one in the center of the velvet flowers),and
• One Stop Craft Challenge Week 154 - No Designer Paper.

My last card was created for another Stamp TV Release Party Challenge to use Pink in a card with Gina K. Design stamps and I decided to combine it with the HYCCT Challenge to create a collage card to create this card:

Personally, I am not a fan of collage style cards, it just is not my taste, but since beauty is in the eye of the beholder I am hoping that one of the patients at the hospital or a family member will like this card and it will make them smile.  I used a lot of different GKD stamp sets to create this card: Little Tees, Many Wishes, Timeless Textures, and You Are Not Alone and various shades of pink and tan ink.  In addition this card fulfills the following additional challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp and Show - One Color (! obviously went with pink), 
• Creative Inspirations Challenge 134 - Monochromatic, and
• One Stop Craft Challenge Week 154 - No Designer Paper.

Thank so much for stopping by.  You know... my next blog post will be my 100th... might just have to have a little bit of blog candy to celebrate...  ;)
~Crafty Math Chick

Christmas in October

Hello again friends & followers!  I had a fun and crafty day, and have three more cards for your viewing pleasure, all with a Christmas/winter theme.  The first I created using this week's Sweet Stop Sketch SSS129 from Sweet n Sassy Stamps using their Christmas Joy stamp set and some yummy papered from Echo Park's Season's Greetings collection (both new items):

I had so much fun coloring this BEAUTIFULLY illustrated cardinal with Copic markers.  I added some platinum Stickles (LOVE this color!0 to the edges of the paper poinsettia's and, although it does not show up well in the photo, I went over the pine cone with a Copic Spice pen to give it a subtle sparkle as well.  In addition to SNSS's sketch challenge, this card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges:
Wild Rose Studio Festive Frolic Blog Hop - Make a Christmas card,
ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Unused Stash (the stamp set and the paper pack were brand new, gifts from hubby - Thank You Sweetie!!),
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Things with Wings,
Ribbon Carousel Challenge 24 - Make a card with sparkle & ribbon or twine.
My second card was created with two challenges in mind: (1) Stamp TV's Free-for-Friday Challenge by Suzanne Dean to use red & kraft cardstock, and (2) Bridget's 'Things are Looking Up' HYCCT09 challenge on Splitcoaststampers - you are supposed to incorporate something you can see when 'looking up'; I used snowflakes, which can be seen falling from the sky on a snowy day.  :)  Here is my card:

I went with a CAS approach and stamped the snowflakes from Gina K. Designs' 'Warm & Wonderful' set in white and sponged the edges in white as well, inspired by the way snow collects on the edges of your windows when it is falling.  The sweater and hat are embossed with white EP onto Real REd cardstock and I added a pom pom to the hat for additional dimension.  In addition to these two challenges, this card also fulfills the requirements of Creative Inspirations Challenge 133 - to make a one layer card.
I stuck to the CAS style with my last card as well, based on Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge SSD97 and Wanda's Hope You Can Cling To Challenge HYCCT1108 - Hang in There! - to incorporate something that 'hangs' into your card - I selected an ornament, which hangs from the bough on your Christmas tree:

The ornament & sentiment are from SSD's 'Christmas Swirls' set and the ribbons are both from a recent score at the Offray Ribbon Outlet in Hagerstown, MD (if you live within driving distance, totally worth checking out!).  In addition, this card fulfills the requirements of the following challenges:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 139 - make a card with an Ornament,
Creative Inspirations Challenge 133 - create a single layer card, and
ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Unused Stash (both ribbons were recently purchased but this was the first time I had used them).
(Holiday Card Count - 45, still shy of where I like to be by this time of year)
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!  I will have more creations for you to see tomorrow.  have a good night!
~Crafty Math Chick

Hope You Can Cling to Cards

(if you are looking for my 'Operation Julie's Smile' post - please scroll down, thank you)
Hello friends & followers!  I have two more cards for you today - both are created for the 'Hope You Can Cling To' challenges over at Splitcoaststampers, a card drive for the patients of the UT MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center.  The first is for my friend Lee's Challenge: HYCCT1102 - Inspirational Cupcake Photo Challenge.  I used Card Patterns' Sketch 135, 'Bars Vol. 1' by Skipping Stones Design and some yummy papers from Echo's Park's 'Be Mine' collection to create this card:

I rotated the sketch and created little breast cancer support ribbons and adhered them to these big black buttons in place of the little circles in the sketch. I hope whoever receives this card will like it.  In addition to the inspiration and the sketch, this card fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:

• Skipping Stones Design's World Card Making Day Challenge - to make a card using SSD stamps,
• The Crazy Challenge 87 - Think Pink for Breast Cancer Support,
• Partytime Tuesdays Challenge 26 - Shaped cards or show your support for breast cancer,
• Inky Impressions Challenge - Show Your Support for Breast Cancer/monochromatic pink,
• Ribbon Carousel Challenge 23 - Anything Goes with ribbon or twine, and
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

My second card was created for my friend Lori's challenge HYCCT1107 - The Colors of Hope - to create a card using the colors yellow, green and brown.  I used Sweet N' Sassy Stamps' Sweet Stop Sketch 128 and their cute Olivia Owl image (I have it in a clear stamp set, but she is still available as a digi) and some papers from DCWV's Blossoms & Butterflies stack to create this card:

I colored Olivia with Copic markers and stuck yellow button centers in the middle of some brown flowers, used some jute ribbon that I love, and paper pierced along the bottom near the 'I'm hootin' for ya!' sentiment. In addition to the color & sketch challenges, this card also fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:

• The Paper Variety - Forest Friends,
• Repeat Impressions Designer Choice Challenge 928 - Animal Theme,
• Paper Play Challenge Week 40 - Autumnal Colors,
• Paper Sundaes Challenge 89 - Lots of Layers (I have six here),
• Ribbon Carousel Challenge 23 - Anything Goes with ribbon or twine, and
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and viewing my creations!  I hope you have a wonderful Columbus Day Weekend!
~Crafty Math Chick

Happy October!

Hello friends & followers!  I hope you all had a Happy World Card Making Day!  Regretfully, I spent the day admiring the creations of others rather than making any cards of my own (have to do that differently next year, LOL).  Today I have a card for you based on Skipping Stones Design Sketch 95:

I used SSD's "Sassy Snow' set and some papers from DCWV's Winter mat stack and changed the big circle in the center of the card to snowflakes (FYI: Marvy Uchida's snowflake punches do NOT like DCWV's pre-glittered cardstock, maybe it is too thick or something, maybe I am just weak, LOL, but it got stuck in my punch three times before I switched to something thinner) and the star on the side into a snowman. The way his arms are outstretched I thought he would look cute tossing some snowballs around so I added an arc of pom poms attached by glue dots and I added some 'candy stripe' red & white twine and some yummy ribbon  I found at Offray's ribbon outlet.  (Holiday Card Count - 41).  This card also fulfills the September 27th Recipe Challenge over at Paper and Such Online - I selected ribbon, twine and designer paper as my three ingredients.


I am afraid that is all I have for you this evening.  But please keep checking back - I will have lots and lots for you to see as I complete all of the "Hope You Can Cling To' challenges over at SCS.  I hope your October is off to a wonderful start!
~Crafty Math Chick

Sunny Birthday Cards

Hello friends & followers!  I hope you are all having a happy Friday and have something fun planned for this weekend.  :)  Today I have two cards to share with you.  The first I created for Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge 94 using SSD's 'Margarita Birthday' set and some yummy tropical pre-glittered patterned paper from DCWV's Citrus mat stack:

(Please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I know these tropical colors are not exactly seasonal at the moment, but they are happy and bright and I like them.  :)  I took the liberty of changing the circle to a margarita glass (LOL!) and the lime wedge takes the place of the star and is popped up with dimensionals (as is the glass).  I added some Stickles (side note - mine are ALWAYS getting clogged - if any of you have some advice on how to unclog them I would be most grateful, inserting an unfolded paper clip into the opening does not seem to be working) to create the 'salt' rim and some seed beads threaded through a thin wire to serve as the wine glass ring.  The inside says "...especially when the salt accompanies a drink and good friends."


My second card was created for There She Goes Clear Stamps Challenge 123 - to create a birthday card with pizzazz in celebration of their 3rd birthday.  I opted for a CAS layout using TSG's 'Make a Wish' set:

(please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  Again, I opted for happy, sunny yellow.  Although, this is Daffodil Delight and the previous card used Yoyo Yellow - can you tell the difference?  Maybe not with monitor distortion.  The cupcakes were colored using my Copic markers and I have to say, my friend Lee might faint, but I liked the way they looked before adding the glitter.  I thought the glitter was required for the challenge when in actuality the little heart shaped rhinestones I added to three of the ROYGBV cupcakes (I love color, LOL!) would have been sufficient to meet the challenge requirements.  I just really liked the shading I did with my Copic markers and the glitter hids it a little.  


Well, that is all I have for you right now, I might have something more to see this evening - I need to find something to take my mind that I have to wait one more day for TSG's Release Party (Saturday Night 9 pm EST - be there or be square!) and to fill my time since there is no Friday Night Chat at TSG this evening.  (insert melodramatic sigh here).  Have a wonderful Friday everyone!!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick

Tweaking TE for SSD93...

Hello friends & followers!  Hope your week is off to a good start - mine is, because I got to stamp today!  YAAY!  My first card was made for Sketch SSD93 by Skipping Stones Designs using their adorable 'Birthday Purses' set and some fun patterned papers from Echo Park's 'WAlk in the Park' Collection:

(please click on the photos for clearer resolution)  See the purse?  It is actually 3-dimensional - I used this shopping bags die made by Taylored Expressions - now, it is a little bigger than the largest purse image in this set, so I trimmed it down a bit and tweaked it to make it fit and stuff some of the pretty light blue glittered tissue paper that Julee sends with her Verve stamps in the mail.  Here is another angle to give you an idea of what I mean:

I just tacked on some DP strips from the scraps on the sides and VOILA - purse!  I can tuck a little Hershey's nugget or some other chocolate treat in there if I want to, there is room for something small (see why I like that TE die so much?).  Oh - there is more - To continue the 'birthdays are like purses..." sentiment on the front, inside the card we have...

Do you see the little keys I made in the corner?  I used this key punched I purchased years ago (I knew it was perfect for all those 'we've moved!' cards I need to keep making over and over) and punched out 4 keys from grey cardstock, punched a hole in their centers (which was a little tricky - had to use my craft knife to gently coax each one out without tearing them), threaded some silver wire through them and twisted them to make a key holder - TA DA!!  Do you like it?!! In the future I think I will stamp several more purse images inside and then 'hide' the keys among them.  In addition to SSD93, this card satisfies the requirements of the following additional challenges:

• Ribbon Carousel Challenge 20  - Get Punny with ribbon or twine,
• Stamp Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - Birthday, 
• Party Time Tuesday Challenge 33 (PTT33)  - Birthday Card with fibers,
• The Stamping Boutique September Challenge - make a birthday card, and
• Truly Scrumptious Challenge 65 - Decorate the Inside of your card.

My second card used Jen del Muro's September Sketch-for-You-to-Try (SFYTT).  I stuck with SSD's Birthday Purses and used some yummy varnished papers from SEI's Charlamagne stack (they reminded me of the texture that some of the designer purses have) to create this card:

(Again, please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I colored the handle and bow with Copic markers and paper pieced the middle panel section of the handbag.  The inside says 'To my favorite pursen' - cute huh?  In addition to Jen's SFYTT challenge, this card fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:

• Ribbon Carousel Challenge 20  - Get Punny with ribbon or twine,
• Stamp Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - Birthday, 
• Party Time Tuesday Challenge 33 (PTT33)  - Birthday Card with fibers, and 
• The Stamping Boutique September Challenge - make a birthday card.

Thank you all for stopping by and taking time to look at my creations and read my ramblings.  I hope you have a wonderful evening and a terrific week!
~Crafty Math Chick

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night...

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise..

(The Beatles)

Hello friends & followers.  If you have not heard 'Blackbird' before, please allow me to introduce you.  I think it is such a calming, peaceful, uplifting song.  It has a lot of interpretations, but to me, it is a song of encouragement to a living thing that has had some  challenge to overcome, for them to fly above it all, I like that positive message delivered so gently.  I love listening to it, even enjoy singing it (much to the dismay of those in earshot of me) - haven't heard it?  There are lots of different versions of it out there.  HERE is a link to a version of it I particularly like on You Tube performed by the cast of the television show Glee.  Hope you like it.  :)


So why do I begin today by breaking into song?  (actually, that is not unheard of for me, especially at TSG Release parties...).  Two of the challenges I completed my first card for were 'Inspired by a Song' and this was the song that inspired me to make not one but two cards.  :)  The first card was created using Skipping Stones Design Sketch 92 (isn't it great?  Amy Sheffer designed it - staying in my 'go-to' file for sure!):

I replaced the star element with my own little 'blackbird' image from SSD's 'Heartsong' set perched on one of the musical scores of Echo Park's yummy 'Be Mine' collection, which matched the design on the bird's body perfectly, to create this card:

(Please click on the photo for clearer resolution).  I used some flirty ruffled ribbon, a get well soon gift from a friend right after I had my spinal fusion surgery, accentuated by some black velvet ribbon (I LOVE velvet ribbon!).  The 'thank you' sentiment is also from the same set - pretty font no?  Okay, get ready, in addition to the sketch challenge this little card fulfills the requirements of the following additional challenges as well:

• Charisma Cardz Challenge 36 - Inspired by a Song,
• Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 151 - Inspired by a Song,
• Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Thank you,
• The Paper Variety Celebration Day 2 Challenge - to make a card with 70% paper from your favorite paper company; I like A LOT of companies, so this was difficult, but lately I just cannot resist Echo Park, so I went with paper from their 'Be Mine' collection,
• Try It On Tuesday - Monochrome (I obviously went with pink),
• Shopping Our Stash Challenge 16 - Birds, bugs or beasts (I obviously went with birds),
• The Ribbon Carousel Challenge 19 - Anything Goes with ribbon or twine,
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes,
• Pile It On Challenge 37 - Layer it (I have at least three layers not counting the ribbon & birdie),
• Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge 16 - Tickled Pink, and
• Creative Card Crew Challenge - Anything Goes.

WOW!  LOL!  :)


My second card was still inspired by this song in the sense I was thinking of something uplifting, supportive... a 'you can do it!' attitude.  This card was made for my friend Lee's Mix It Up Monday Challenge at Stamp TV - to 'think pink' for our friend AJ who is fighting the good fight right now (and I KNOW she is going to WIN!!).  I used Theresa Momber's beautifully illustrated 'Hang in There' set by Gina K. Designs, this week's sketch 72 by Donna at Sunday Sketch & Stamp and created this card to send to my friend:

I cut a rectangle of grey paper int he desired size and crumpled it up several times and split it apart to create a brushed look of faux suede to match the koala's natural soft texture, substituted three flowers in for the circle in the sketch, used more of that fabby ruffled gingham and black velvet ribbon, some pearls and some black rhinestones (one of my favorite colors of rhinestones oddly enough).  There were two different challenges that asked us to decorate the inside of our cards: (1) Paper Sundaes 86 (though they called it 'Finishing Touches' - isn't that cute?), and (2) Truly Scrumptious Challenge 65, and since this is for someone I really care about I wanted it to be special, here is the inside:

(the angle is a little off in the photo - sorry!).  All of these images are from 'Hang in There'.  Okay, here we go again, this card also fulfills the requirements of the additional challenges:

• Crafty Catz Challenge 99 - to use ribbons,
• The Paper Variety Blogaversary Celebration Challenge Day 1 Day 1 - to make a card with stamping on it,
• The Paper Variety Celebration Challenge Day 5 - to make a card with your favorite embellishments on it - mine here are rhinestones (especially the black ones), ribbons (especially velvet) and pearls,
• Stamps R Us - Friendship,
• The Poodles Parlour - Animal Antics,
• Paper Play Challenges Week 36 - to use 2 more more stamped images (I did inside the card),
• Try It On Tuesday - Monochrome (I obviously went with pink),
• Shopping Our Stash Challenge 16 - Birds, bugs or beasts (switched to beasts for this one, if you can call this cute little guy a 'beast'),
• The Ribbon Carousel Challenge 19 - Anything Goes with ribbon or twine,
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes,
• Pile It On Challenge 37 - Layer it (this has more layers than my previous card),
• Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge 16 - Tickled Pink, and
• Creative Card Crew Challenge - Anything Goes.

Whew!  I think that is 17 challenges total - a new record for me!  WOO HOO!



Thank you to all of the challenges sites, and their sponsors, for the fun challenges, and of course thank YOU, my loyal friends & followers who visit my blog regularly and give me the warm fuzzies with all of your sweet & supportive comments.  I hope you have a FABULOUS Sunday and a terrific week ahead!
~Crafty Math Chick

Two Takes on Sketch SSD91

Hello friends & followers!  Hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend yes?  I have two cards for your viewing pleasure today, both created for this week's sketch challenge, SSD91, at Skipping Stones Design:

I took this sketch and rotated it 90 degrees to the right for both cards.  The first is a birthday card for a chocolate loving friend using SSD's 'Buns & Crunches," "Chocolate Vol. 1" & "Chocolate Vol. 2" sets and some yummy patterned paper from Hot Off the Press that I purchased at JoAnn's:

(Please click on the individual photos for clearer resolution).  Here is the inside of the card, I thought my friend would be amused with all of the different chocolately images:

This card also fulfills the requirements for the following additional challenges:

• Crafty Catz Challenge 98 - Monochromatic,
• Charisma Cardz Challenge 35 - Anything Goes, 
• Our Craft Lounge Challenge 81 - Anything Goes,
• Creative Card Crew Challenge - Anything Goes, and
• Clearly Inspired Challenge 35 - to use patterned paper.

Here is my second card using SSD's 'Christmas Swirls' set:

I prefer my chocolate card better, but am making an effort to post all my cards to 'keep it real' and you never know when something you post will inspire someone else to create something else, right?  :)  BTW, the Christmas baubles in this set fit perfectly inside of Marvy Uchida's blue circle punch.  The subtle background DP here is from a DCWV winter mat stack.  I had some trouble with the Encore metallic silver & blue inks smudging - even after heat setting them.  if anyone has advice for working with these inks or other metallic inks they are happier with I would love to hear your input.  This card fulfills the 'Christmas in August' challenge for this week's For Fun Challenge.  


Thank you for taking the time to stop by and view my creations.  Have a great Saturday night!  :)
~Crafty Math Chick