Penny Black Challenge

For this challenge at The Penny Black Blog, the theme is background stamping. I used my new paisley stamp on the green cardstock to add the pattern behind my stamped image. The green and yellows I used make me think of spring and sunny days - something which we haven't had a whole lot of lately. :)

Birthday Challenges

Quick post today. I only have a little time before I have to leave and pick up my daughter.

I am entering my card in Simon Says Stamp Challenge and Hero Arts March Contest. The sketch is from Card Patterns - sketch 107. I am also entering my card for that challenge.

The cupcake is Hero Arts. The sentiment is Recollections.

Penny Black Challenges

The theme for this week's challenge is Green at Penny Black Saturday Challenge . I used PB's Yearning. I know I use that stamp a lot, but I only have a couple PB stamps . . . for now.

I am also going to enter it in the Penny Black at Allsorts March Challenge - Welcome Spring.

Hero Arts Monthly Contest

Last month I never got the chance to make and enter a card for the Hero Arts Contest. This month I have finished in time to enter the contest for the first half of the month. All I had to do was use a Hero Arts stamp and upload it to their Flicker Hero Arts group.

Card Patterns Sketch 106

I really love this paper, called 'Up, Up and Away', from Kaisercraft. I thought I would use it to make my card for the Card Patterns Sketch 106 challenge this week.

Penny Black Sparkle Challenge

Well, I won't miss entering this week's PB Challenge. I used glitter around my image (PB's Yearning) and also on the hearts around the sentiment (Hero Arts). I don't have any sentiments from Penny Black yet.

Anything Goes....

The current Simon Says Stamp Challenge (which ends tonight) is 'Anything Goes'. I originally made this entry for a different challenge that wanted a colour combination (teal, purple and orange), but I ran out of time. So I figured I would enter it for the Simon Says instead.
I used my PB stamp Yearning, added a couple orange flower brads and a bow over the stamped 'Hello'. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the watering can is purple and the blue mat is the closest I had to a teal colour.

Card Patterns Sketch 105

I bought some beautiful paper from MME a few weeks ago and finally decided to use it to make a card using Card Patterns Sketch 105.

No Cook Recipe Challenge

This week at Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog, the challenge is a no cook recipe. The entries require: 1 image, 2 patterned papers, and 3 different types of embellishments.

I almost missed submitting my entry (it's been a busy week!)

I used a PB stamp, "...your birthday", two different papers - but from the same pack (sorry, can't remember where I got them from) and for the embellishments I used red brads, ribbon and a red button. :)

Coffee and Cream...

Inspired by Simon Says Stamp challenge - Coffee and Cream, I made the following card:

I used my PB stamp, Yearning, and coloured it with my copics (warm grey and earth tones). I used My Mind's Eye Union Square "Perfect" Damask print paper.
I am entering my card in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Coffee and Cream) and the Penny Black @ Allsorts challenge (Say it with Flowers).

Card Patterns Sketch 103

Happy 2nd Anniversary to those at Card Patterns! I've only been visiting their blog for a short time, but it is such a great blog - great sketches, wonderful designers.

For sketch 103, I have chosen to make a card that can be used for a boy's birthday. I haven't made a lot of those and find them a little trickier to make - as I tend to want to add flowers and gems.

I am also entering this card for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Mens Cards.

Sorry about not having a different title on this post to include the Penny Black challenge! I realised too late.
I just realised that I did not use a PB image/sentiment for this card. So I cannot be part of the PB Saturday challenge. Sorry about that.

Cardabilities Card Sketch #25

I bought a new PB hedgehog stamp yesterday and wanted to try colouring it a little differently than normal. I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa and coloured it with my Copics (W-3, W-5, E08 and E11). I started making the card with another image in mind, but once I bought this one I knew it was perfect for the card.

I'm entering it in Cardabilities Card Sketch #25. I really liked the DT's cards - Holly's and Rhonda's especially.

Sorry it looks a little crooked - I photographed it on the same colour background as the base of the card and when I trimmed the picture I realized I couldn't trim it exactly square, and it's hard to tell the background from the base. :)

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 138

The challenge this week at Penny Black Saturday Challenge is 'Pretty in Pink'. I used PB's hegdgehog stamp, 'Yearning'.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

"LOVE IS IN THE AIR" is the theme at Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog. I've entered my card in their challenge.

Card Patterns Sketch 101

I really like the sketch this week at Card Patterns and wanted to make a card with it as soon as I could.

I have also entered this card in the Penny Black Winter White Challenge.

Sketch Challenge 100

It is the 100th card sketch challenge at Card Patterns. I liked the sketch and decided to make a card(I have a few family members who have birthdays coming up.)

Penny Black Stamp

I really love the Penny Black stamps. They are hard to find around here, so I ordered my first one from a store near London. I just love it and can't wait until I get some more!

Card Sketch #22 Challenge

I'm new to making cards, and I'm really enjoying it. I've been finding all kinds of amazing cards on blogs and I also found this challenge. It is Cardabilities Sketch Challenge. It is my first challenge, and I had a lot of fun making the card.

New Year

With the new year comes new goals. My first was to join SCBWI, and I did - a few weeks ago. I also joined the listserv for the Eastern Canada members of SCBWI. :)

As for my writing goals, I need to finish editing my first mg novel and find an agent. I already have one in mind - but I need to make sure my novel is ready. Then I can continue writing my second mg novel.

I still plan to write and submit short stories, but I have been enjoying writing longer stories.

Long overdue post...

Benches are very uncomfortable. It wouldn't be so bad sitting on the hard benches if the temperature was more reasonable - not a muggy 90+F. The only reasons to keep me from moving to the comfy couch in the air-conditioned lobby are my kids. I enjoy watching them during their swimming lessons. Some parents read, some watch...I sometimes write, though.

Last week, during the swimming lessons, I got a few more characters written - I need to develop 8 characters. I figure the best way to do this is to write an introduction for each one. I can then see how they react to the MC and interact with the other characters. I wrote a couple lines describing them, but that didn't help me understand their personalities. I need to see how they behave and the only way to do this is to start writing a couple pages of the story. Each character meets the MC in the same way - at the MC's front door. So far I have five completely done and I have a better grasp of how each of the children think and behave. I don't know if I'll use any of those pages in the story, but it definitely helps me understand each of these characters.

I have strayed from my goal of submitting this year. Once I have all my characters written, I will have to start submitting again. :)