There is Magic in the Air ...

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan (1915–1977), in The Kansas City Star

Hi everyone!
New Outlawz Color Challenge located HERE has started.

This challenge will run for 2 weeks, ending on January9, 2023 and our sponsor is Beccy’s Place

The colors are pastel but I’m afraid I used the wrong color green on mine and didn’t think about it until after the card was made and would not come apart easily…

The twist is New Year’s… the inside of the card says Happy New Year

Supplies (5 x 7 card)

• Digital image & sentiment (Rubeus) printed on Hammermill Color cardstock
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and Stampin Up!
• Design paper from my stash
• Die unknown (Stitched fat ovals)
• Rhinestones from Stampin Up!
• Stampin Up! Stampin blend markers

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to stop by The Outlawz Challenges HERE for more challenges and Inspiration! 

I {heart} Christmas ...

Candy is sugar that's all dressed up for the party. ~Terri Guillemets

Hi everyone!

New Outlawz Sunday Song & Rhyme Challenge located HERE has started. This challenge will run for 2 weeks, ending on January 7, 2023 and is Sponsored by Patties Creations with a prize of 3 images from her store!

This challenge was selected by team member Theresa

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la!

'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la!

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la!

Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!

See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la!

Strike the harp and join the, Fa la la la la la la la!

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la!

While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la!

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la!

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la!

Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la!

Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la!

My card is based on the line “Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la!” with a little peppermint candy canes thrown in and loosely follows a sketch from Mojo Monday.

Supplies, A2

• Digital Image “Candy Cane Heart” printed on Hammermill Color Copy
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) & Stampin Up!
• Design Paper from Stampin Up! (Peaceful Prints)
• Die from Gina Marie Designs (Nested pierced fancy labels)
• Die unknown (Merry Christmas)
• Embossing folder from Cuttlebug (Candy canes)
• Ribbon from my stash
• Sequins from my stash
• Sketch used; Mojo Monday 360

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the main blog located HERE to see the other challenges we offer!

(Hugs) Cara

Sunflower Smiles ...

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers, so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous. (Bricks to all greenhouses! Black thumb and cutworm to the potted plant!) ~Edward Abbey, "Cliffrose and Bayonets," Desert Solitaire, 1968

Good morning!

We have a new Challenge at The Outlawz Greeting Challenge located HERE.

This challenge is sponsored by StarzStamps and will run through January 7, 2023

This was my fortnight ot pick the challenge and the image I am using is called Sunflower Smiles

Greeting: An Occasion

Optional Twist: Add flowers

I opted to create what I call a “Happy Hello card” as I am always sending these out to friends that live far away.

Supplies: A2 card

• Sponsor image (Sunflower Smiles) printed on Hammermill Color Card
• Cardstock from Stampin Up!
• Die from Die-namics (Dizzy lace border)
• Ink from Tsukineko (Versa Clair fine)
• Rhinestones from Stampin Up!
• Sentiment from Studio G
• Stampin Up Blend markers

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the main blog located HERE to see the other challenges!

(Hugs) Cara

The Outlawz Crash your Stash Challenge: Final Challenge

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. ~Jean Massieu (1772–1846)

Good morning!
We have a new and final Outlawz Crash your Stash Challenge going on at The Outlawz Challenge! You can find us HERE! This challenge will run through January 14th.

Make sure you are following us so that you know when the new challenge is starting!

For our final Challenge, our sponsor this month is Sandra van Blaricum.

As in the past, this challenge is culmination of all the challenges over the last year, so we get to pick what we want to use. I am using embossing folders

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Sponsor image printed on Hammermill Color Copy
• Banner bunch from Stampin Up!
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and Stampin Up!
• Dies from Sizzix (Classic Circles)
• Embossing folders from Lifestyle Crafts (Chain-link) and Cuttlebug (Polka dots)
• Ink from Tsukineko (Versa-fine Clair)
• ProMarkers & Copics
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps
• Sketch used: Poetic Artistry/MojoMonday 526

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to Don’t forget to join our Facebook Fan Page
(Hugs) Cara

Masculine card ...

Thought for the day: Old man — don't let's forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives, and that we obey them without knowing it. ~Vincent Van Gogh, 1889

Good morning!
Sharing a card that I made a while ago. It was actually for a challenge but I messed a few things up so it didn’t work out.

Supplies (5 x 7 card)

• Cardstock from Stampin Up!
• Die from Gina Marie Designs (Double Rope Ovals)
• Die from Sizzix (Ribbon flags)
• Embossing folder from Stampin Up! (Old World Paper)
• Image from Eureka (Baroque Square) printed of Hammermill Color Cardstock
• Pearls from my stash
• ProMarkers
• Punch from Sizzix (Banner)
• Sketch used: Verve VLVMay2011

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Christmas ...

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author unknown, 1960s

Hi everyone!

New Outlawz Color Challenge located HERE has started. This challenge will run for 2 weeks, ending on December 26th and our sponsor is Beccy’s Place

The challenge this fortnight is to use a tic tac board. You get to choose which column / row / diagonal boxes you want to use. 

For my card I am using the left side columns from top to bottom. The image “Holly Bauble” is free from our sponsor and can be found HERE

The white with a touch of green & red from the top square

The kraft color from the cookies from the middle square

The purple and ornament from the lower square

I replaced the circles with ovals

Supplies (5 x 7 card)
Digital image (Holly Bauble) printed on Hammermill Color cardstock
Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and Stampin Up!
Die unknown (Fat stitched ovals)
Embossing folder from Cuttlebug (Snowflake cookies)
Embossing folder from Stampin Up! (Pine Bough)
Ink from Tsukineko (Versa fine Claire)

Judikins diamond glaze
Metallic Artiste gel marker
Metallic twin markers
ProMarkers
Rhinestones from my stash
Sentiment from Hampton Arts (Holiday Sentiments)
Sketch by Me CCBC10
Wink of Stella

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to stop by The Outlawz Challenges located HERE for more challenges and Inspiration! 

Baby card ...

Thought for the day: The paradox of gifts: I know what I have given you. I do not know what you have received. ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com

Hi everyone!

New Outlawz Sunday Song & Rhyme Challenge located HERE has started. This challenge will run for 2 weeks, ending on December 24 and is Sponsored by LeighSBDesigns Digi Stamps & SVG Cutz with a prize of one Digi Stamp set or one SVG Cutz set (excludes Print & Cutz sets) of winner’s choice with a max value of $5.

This challenge was selected by team member Lorie

Baby's First Christmas

By Cj Heck

So, this is Christmas morning...

everyone is here.

I don't really understand it

cause it isn't very clear,

but Mom and Dad are happy,

there's pretty ribbons everywhere,

lots of things that they call presents

and even paper I can tear.

They keep showing me this new stuff,

balls and books and even soxes...

they don't seem to know how fun it is

just playing with these boxes.

My card is based on the lines “there's pretty ribbons everywhere, lots of things that they call presents“

Supplies, A2
Digital Image “Presents” printed on Hammermill Color Copy
Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base)
Design Paper from Darice (Multicolor Prints)
Die from Momenta (Background Banners)
Embossing folder fro, Cuttlebug (Polkadots)
Ink from Tsukineko (Versafine Claire)
Sentiment from Stampin Up! (Teeny Tiny Wishes)
Shimmer paper from Neenah
Stampin Up! Stampin Blend Markers

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the main blog located HERE to see the other challenges we offer!

(Hugs) Cara

Get well Muzzy ...

In our busy 21st century life the one commodity that seems to be going extinct is time and we forget that healing takes time. ~Dr. Frank Lipman

Good morning!

Again, using some older design paper, I created a set of get-well cards. Never know when one is needed!

The image on this card to I have had for ages and I just love him and tend to use him when I need to make a get-well card even though I have other stamps that work as well! He’s great for paper piecing which I did with this card.

 

 

 

Supplies (A2)

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio and Stampin Up!
• Dies from Sizzix (Classic Circle)
• Image from Great Impressions (A Band-aid from Muzzy)
• Ink is Versafine Claire
• Layout from Call me Crafty Al of Cards #SUYSApr2020 #Showusyoursheetloads
• Sentiment from Stampin Up! (Well said)
• Sequins from Unity Stamps)

Merry Mousemas ...

Once again, my dear people,

Merry Christmas is here,

With holly and mistletoe

And its good will and cheer!

With its joys and its heartaches,

With its laughter and song,

It comes as a reminder

That time marches along.

~Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, "When Christmas Comes," 1940s

Good morning!

We have a new Challenge at The Outlawz Greeting Challenge located HERE.

This challenge is sponsored by Hetty Clare and will run through December 18th!

Greeting: Happy Holidays

Optional Twist: Add a bell (I did not add a bell, because, well I forgot!)

Using the adorable tag set, christmouse-gift-tags, I created some very simple, but cute Christmas cards based on a sketch from Call me Crafty Al. Not counting the bases, all 8 of these cards were made from 4 sheets of 6 x 6 design paper and 2 sheets of colored cardstock. This is also a great layout for scrap!

 

Supplies, 5 x 7

• Sponsor image (christmouse-gift-tags) printed on Hammermill Color Card
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (Base) & Stampin Up!
• Design Paper from Pine Cone Papers (Polkadots) and my scrap bin
• Sketch used: Sheetload of cards SUYSJune2021
• Twine from my stash

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the main blog located HERE to see the other challenges!

(Hugs) Cara

Progressive Freebie Challenge: December 2022

Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza. ~Dave Barry

Good morning!

A new Progressive Freebie Challenge has started at The Outlawz Challenges located HERE. And will run for one month ending on December 31st.

If you are not playing along and wish to join the rules are very simple:

You need to be a member of The Outlawz Challenge Facebook Fan Page and you will need to send us an email to outlawzprogressivechallenge@gmx.com. We’ll send you the image. All you have to do is enter a card/project made with the image supplied before the challenges closes on the last day of the month and you will automatically get the next image. If for any reason you don’t get your project made and you would like to rejoin us, contact us and we will let you know how to jump back in. And as long as you enter before the end of the month you will get the next one free and you will then get them automatically each month you enter a project.

This month’s fun image comes from our very own Sandra van Blaricum!

This is such a fun image and I decided to make it into a Christmas card because … why not?

 

Supplies for 5 x 7 card

• Image printed on Hammermill Color Copy
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (Base) & Stampin Up!
• Design paper from my scrap bin
• Ink from Tsukineko (Versa fine Claire)
• ProMarkers & Copics
• Sentiment from Stampin up! (Making Spirits Bright)
• Sequins from my stash

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out our MAIN blog and join our Facebook Fan Page
(Hugs) Cara

With Sympathy ...

All say, "How hard it is that we have to die" — a strange complaint to come from the mouths of people who have had to live. ~Mark Twain

Good morning!
I usually keep a handful of Sympathy cards on hand because it seems the sad news comes in waves. I made these to replace the ones I had to send out.

I used a layout from Call me Crafty Al, but given that these are sympathy cards I decided to just use all white card stock and add minimal color. 

It’s hard to tell in the photos but I changed to layout of the Tufted embossing folder with half of the cards having portrait emboss and the other half having a landscape emboss.

 

 

 

• Supplies (Mini Slimline)
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio
• Dies from Spellbinders (Classic Ovals, small and Scalloped Ovals, Large)
• Dies from Honeybee Stamps (Coneflowers)
• Embossing folders from Stampin Up! (Subtle, Tufted and Layered Leaves)
• Ink from Stampin Up! and Versafine Claire
• Layout from Call me Crafty Al of Cards #SUYSSept2022
• Sentiment from Stampin Up! (Close to a Memory)

Santa Paws...

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. ~Author unknown, 1940s

Hi everyone!
New Outlawz Color Challenge located HERE has started. This challenge will run for 2 weeks, ending on December 12th and Sponsored by QKR Stampede

The fortnight we are using a color wheel.
The challenge is to use one color from the top half and two colors from the bottom half.
I chose Red, light blue & dark blue.

I am using the cutest image from our sponsor; Dog with a bone! I just added a Santa hat and he became Santa Paws!

Supplies (5 x 7 card)

• Digital image (Dog with a bone) printed on Hammermill color copy
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (Base) and Stampin up!
• Deckle scissors
• Design paper from my scrap bin
• Dies for hat from Memory Box (Jolly old Santa) and Ornament Unknown
• Embossing folder from Cuttlebug (Geometric circles) and Stampin Up! (Tasteful Textures)
• Ink is Versafine Clair
• ProMarkers
• Sentiment from Every Elle (Santa Paws)
• Silver cardstock from my scrap bin
• Snowflake sequins from Stampin Up!

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to stop by The Outlawz Challenges for more challenges and Inspiration! 

Deserve a break? ...

Keep on going and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down. ~Charles F. Kettering

Hi everyone!
New Outlawz Sunday Song & Rhyme Challenge located HERE has started. This challenge will run for 2 weeks, ending on December 10th and is Sponsored by Mirtillament with a prize of 2 images

Here is out poem this week selected by fellow teamie Susan

What a wonderful bird the frog are!

When he stands he sit almost;

When he hop he fly almost.

He ain't got no sense hardly;

He ain't got no tail hardly either.

When he sit, he sits on what he ain't got almost.

My card was inspired the line “When he sit, he sits on what he ain't got almost”

I generally like to color my images but pre colored ones sure come in handy when you are rushed for time!

Supplies, 5 x 7

• Pre colored Image “Crazy Paw Frog” printed on Hammermill Color Copy
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base), Stampin Up! and scrap bin
• Dies, Fat stitched ovals (Unknown)
• Embossing folder, Tasteful Textures (Stampin Up!)
• Ink, Versafine Clair (Tsukineko) & Stampin Up!
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps
• Sequins from Stash

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the main blog located HERE to see the other challenges we offer!

(Hugs) Cara

Holiday Sparkles ...

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~J. L. W. Brooks, 2007

Good morning!
I am starting to use up old design papers that I have had laying around for eons … so I made a set of Christmas cards using a one sheet wonder from verve and some very old Stamping Up! design papers.

I know that the sentiment I used was bought at the same time I bought the design paper because they worked together but I don’t remember the actual name of the paper.

 

Supplies (A2)

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio
• Design paper from Stampin Up!
• Ink from Stampin Up! & Versafine Claire
• Sentiments from Stampin Up! (Sparkling Season and unknown set)
• Sequins from my stash
• Sketch from Verve, September08 OSW Challenge
• Studio G Glitter Glue

Christmas Cat in a Hat ...

Round, misty-blue eyes stare desperately. Love me, they say, let me into your life — so that I can begin to take over your entire existence. ~Pam Brown, Utterly Gorgeous Cats, 2006, helenexley.com

Good morning!
We have a new Challenge at The Outlawz Greeting Challenge located HERE.

This challenge is sponsored LeighSBDesigns and will run through December 4th

Our Greeting challenge this fortnight is Christmas Greetings
Optional Twist: Add a Santa Hat

We are using this super cute image called Santa Whiskers

Supplies, 5 x 7

• Sponsor image (Santa Whiskers) printed on Hammermill Color Card
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (Base)
• Design Paper from my scrap box
• Dies; Stitched fat oval (Unknown)
• Ink; Versa fine Claire (Tsukineko) & Stampin Up!
• ProMarkers / Copics
• Rhinestones; Dollar Tree (Jot)
• Sentiment; Festive Banner Sentiments (Lisa Horton Crafts)

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the main blog located HERE to see the other challenges!

(Hugs) Cara

Thanks ...

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude. ~Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com

Good morning!
I am trying to restock my card file so today I am sharing thank you cards I made. 

 

Supplies (4.25 x 5.50)

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (Base), Stampin Up! and Unknown
• Design Paper from GCD Studios (Les Fleurs)
• Embossing folder from Stampin Up! (Timeworn Type)
• Rhinestones from my stash
• Sentiment from Close to My Heart (For Ever Occasion)
• Sketch from Call me Crafty Al of Cards #SUYSMay2021 #Showusyoursheetloads

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Happy Halloween ...

Bring forth the raisins and the nuts—

To-night All-Hallow’s Spectre struts

Along the moonlit way...

~John Kendrick Bangs, "Hallowe’en," Echoes of Cheer, 1912

Good morning!

Sharing a set of Halloween cards I made using a sketch from Call me Crafty Al. I rarely make and send out a lot of Halloween cards but I have so many super cute papers and stamps and stuff that I really wanted to make some for this year!

I made my own card candy for these cards using a crop-a-dile to punch small circles. I then attached them to the card and used Judikins Diamond Glaze on top. Usually this works amazing but the glaze dried opaque instead of crystal clear so I am no sure if it an issue with temperature or if the product is getting old. Needless to say, I’m a bit disappointed in that but I am very happy with how my cards came out!

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies (A2)

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (Base) and Stampin Up!
• Circle punch from Marvy
• Design paper from Stampin Up! (Happy Haunting)
• Embossing folder from Lifestyle Crafts (Mesh)
• Ink is Versa claire fine
• Judikins diamond glaze
• Scallop circle punch from Stamp in Up!
• Sketch from Call me Crafty Al of Cards #SUYSJan2022 #Showusyoursheetloads
• Stamped from Stampin Up! (Batty for You)