DYSU # 78 : Blue Skies and Clouds

Needless to say, at the announcement of this challenge I was very excited! I'm not sure if any one else has noticed recently, but I've had a things for clouds recently (here & here) and so to have a challenge dedicated specifically to those adorable little paper embellishments that I've been enjoying recently (thanks fiskars!) really wasn't that much of a challenge. I'm so glad we had some sponsor images to work with this week, because otherwise I'm not sure where I would have started (or stopped for that matter) with all the ideas that were floating around in my head.

SUPPLIES

Gecko Galz "Tag You're It" Tags

Recollections Paper

My Minds Eye Paper

Prima Paper

Vintage Dictionary Sheets, buttons and floss

There are three fantastic sponsor this week at the DYSU blog, and I had the privilege to work with some digital scrapbooking tags from Gecko Galz. They are offering a the complete July collection (valued at $30) to one lucky winner. This is one of those moments I almost wish I wasn't on the DT team so I could be eligible for the prize. I've never worked with digital scrapbooking stuff before (besides stamps of course) and I had a blast!

Be sure to check out the Do You Stack Up Blog to see what the rest of the design team has come up with and for a peak at our other sponsors.

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Catered Crop : Colour Me a Rainbow {Rebecca}

Yes its me again, with clouds, and banners, and I managed to squeeze on a butterfly too. I'm becoming a little predictable I think. But then again, its really quite difficult not to be when there are just certain elements that I love! Usually the people I give my cards to haven't been looking at the blog, so they have no idea that about 75% of my other cards look pretty much the same.

Ok, maybe this one is a little bit different. They all are just a tad because I have to tweak them somewhat to play along with my favourite challenges. This weeks challenge isn't just another challenge, its my first post officially as a "Top Chef" at Catered Crop. Its rather a yummy design team position that I'm thrilled to be a part of. Challenges run for two weeks, so you have lots of time to play, just tell them Rebecca sent you :)

SUPPLIES

My Minds Eye Button and Ribbon

Prima Ribbon

Misc Ribbon and floss

The ribbons look a little wet, and they are, but not with water. I dabbed the ends with a little bit of clear nail polish so they wouldn't fray. However, in my eagerness to finish the card, take a picture, and blog about it all before the husband got home, I didn't quite allow it time to dry. Oops :)

Thanks for stopping in.

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Catered Crop: Color Me A Rainbow {Sarah}

This week I am so excited to be joining the lovely ladies (including my own sister, Rebecca) over at the Catered Crop as a member of the design team!  I cannot even begin to tell you how much of an honor it is to have been asked to join such a talented group of crafters.

This week's recipe swap is "Color Me A Rainbow" and it gave me the perfect excuse to break into some of the October Afternoon "Fly a Kite" collection that I have been hoarding.  I have a special affection for this collection because it is the line that started my obsession with OA products.  I really like the cheerful color scheme and the whimsical designs.  

  Supplies used: October Afternoon patterned paper, stickers and journal card, 

Jenni Bowlin vintage buttons, American Crafts thickers, ribbon and cardstock.

I am not sure if my design quite lives up the expectations I had for this paper, but in the end I am really happy with this layout for a completely different reason.  While I was working on it, I jokingly asked my husband if he would do the journaling for me. To my compete surprise, he said "yes".  Since the photos are of our kids with their great-grandmother on his side, I think it is special to have their daddy's perspective on the day. 

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Scrappin Patch : (Prima) You've been Promoted!

Another project for Scrappin Patch to share with you today!

For this father's day, my husband informed me rather suddenly that he had every intention of celebrating it. I of course was more than happy to comply as I love any excuse to celebrate! Our little one is not due until August, but just because it is a little shy doesn't mean that we cannot enjoy being parents already ... I had a little trouble knowing what to put on the card, but once I got past that, this card just came together and my husband loved it.

SUPPLIES
Prima : Paper and cardstock

Vintage buttons

Cosmo Cricket : Type font

More great Prima product to work with, though I choose a much simpler card this time. That seems to be a trend in this household. The cards I make for girls tend to get very "product heavy", while my masculine cards are much more CAS. How do you do it?

Thanks for looking! 

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DYSU 77 : Movie Inspiration

Forgive the short-ish postings recently. We're in the middle of moving, I'm sure most of you can understand when I say things are rather busy at the moment! 

Have you ever seen the movie "Leap Year" with Amy Adams? Its one of my absolute favorites! As soon as I saw the theme for our weekly challenge at Do You Stack Up I knew I was going to use this movie as my starting place. I used this adorable stamp from Tiddly Inks, one of our sponsors for the week. Isn't she sweet?

I had so much fun with this weeks challenge and you will too, especially when I tell you there are some pretty neat prizes to be won.

Tiddly Inks is giving away a $12 gift certificate to their online shop and there is also a $20 gift certificate to Alley Way Stamps up for grabs.

Not to mention the always impressive bragging rights to those who earn one of our Top 3 spots, or the guest design position. Hurry on over!

Challenges :

Reasonable Ribbon : White and Blue 
Case Study : Challenge # 96

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A Father's Day Card

I really like making cards, but for some strange reason I always forget to make cards for specific occasions.  I have a basket full of cards that I made for no specific person or event, but when it comes to holidays and birthdays, I always forget that I need a card until the very last moment.  And of course, no matter what the occasion, it will be the one theme that I don't have in my collection of pre-made cards.

This year though, I was organized - so organized in fact that the card I made for my father-in-law was mailed in time to actually get to him before Father's Day (not organized enough to remember to take a picture of it though...)

This is the card that I made for my Dad.  You will notice that I am still on my grey/yellow kick.  All of the papers are from the American Crafts Chaps line and the sentiment was based upon a  cute printable I saw on Pinterest.

I have come to the conclusion that I like to make square cards. I don't know why, maybe it satisfies some OCD tendency that requires everything to be even.  At any rate, the problem with square cards is that it is difficult to find ready-made envelopes to fit them, and I am lazy don't particularly like fiddling with making my own, so I've taken to making "sleeves" for my cards. And if they have to be mailed, I just seal up the top in the same way I seal up the sides (Washi tape works well!)

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DYSU 76 : Masculine

I am so excited to be posting my very first project for Do You Stack Up?, my newest design team position and one I've long thought would be an incredibly fun one to be a part of. I've been playing along off and on since the site started, so to be chosen to work along side these fantastic ladies is such a privilege.

For our first challenge (but #76 for the DYSU site!) we were to create a masculine card. Here's my take :

SUPPLIES

My Minds Eye Paper, Brads, Stickers

Musc Ribbon and Paper

Its a bit of a fun from this card I posted a few weeks ago. I had wanted to try this card with a bit more of a masculine twist anyways, so this was the perfect opportunity.

You have a full week to create a project based on the inspiration, can't wait to see what you create! There are lots of opportunities to win some fantastic prizes from our sponsors and/or earn a top 3 spot where you can join us as a guest designer.

Challenges : 

• Paper and Such : Feature a Bird
• CAS-ual Fridays : Polkadots
• Crafty Sentiments : Man in Your Life 
• Freshly Made Sketches : Sketch #39

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