FBW90 Snowflakes and Butterflies

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!! This is a quick post today as I am running around like crazy!! This week's Flutter By Wednesday challenge is an open one...just don't forget to use a butterfly/fairy/angel on your card!! Don't forget that the Flutter By challenge will be moving to its new home in the new year, so don't miss a beat!

I love butterflies (like you didn't know that!), and when I saw this sentiment in the new winter kit from Whiff of Joy, I knew I had to use it! I cut the snowflakes on the Cricut, and I used the butterfly punch for the silvery butterflies. The snowflakes are actually on a creamy shimmery paper, but the picture didn't pick it up all that well! Thanks for stopping by today!

Card Details:

Stamps: sentiment by Whiff of Joy

Paper: Silver and cream shimmer cardstock; Night of Navy and Night of Navy DSP by Stampin' Up

Ink: Night of Navy

Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch; Joys of the Season Cricut Cartridge; Organdy ribbon by SU

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

It's a Mommy and Me Mercy Sketch and a Free Digi from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights!!

Meredith and I spent the later half of the afternoon making these cards based on Mercy's Tuesday sketch this week. She wanted to do the same thing that I was doing...it only got a little hairy when she insisted on using my Creative Memories cutting system to cut her circles. I let her do it, but she quickly realized that her hands can't do everything! And, can you tell she likes bling stickers? Well, she does!

Did I mention a free digi? You can get the digi free HERE from the Rusty Pickle Digital Delights site. If you love digis, you'll think it is awesome! If you have never used a digi, why not download it and try it? He's a cutie! The image is the one that Meredith and I used for our cards today!!

Here is the awesome sketch we used from Mercy's BLOG. It was fun and very versatile! And, I also did the challenge from the Jacksonbelle Embellishments blog HERE by using the My Mind's Eye paper, which can be found in their store!

The Copics that I used for the image.

Don't Forget...you can still win a set of 72 Copic Ciao from Michelle at Rusty Pickle Digital Delights. All you have to do to be entered is purchase $10 worth of stamps in her store, and you will be entered. Very easy!! And, pssst...there are very few entries, so your chances are very good!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Free Digi from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights
Paper: Basic Black and Tangerine Tango by Stampin' Up; Colorful Christmas by My Mind's Eye
Accessories: Creative Memories circle cutting system; Martha Stewart snowflake punch; rhinestone stickers; Liquid Applique

FBW89 Butterfly Wreath

Sorry for my late post...I got a little over committed in the last few days, and I absolutely crashed last night and didn't get my card done!! Bad blogger, bad blogger! LOL! I hope that all of you have either survived your holidays (Happy Hanukkah!!) or that you are finishing up the last minute details (Merry Christmas!!) or that you are happily unengaged with anything (Happy Winter Solstice!!). Oh, Happy Kwanzaa also...and Happy Festivus! Did I catch everything? I didn't want to leave anyone out because it gets so crazy at this time of the year!

Today's Flutter By Wednesday challenge is an open one...just don't forget the butterfly/fairy/angel component on your card! Mine was a concept in my head for a few days, but I pulled it together this morning. I hope you like my wreath! Please don't forget to visit all of my lovely team mates' blogs for equal inspiration. And, link your card up HERE to show off what you did! This card is also for a wreath challenge HERE.

Card Details:
Stamps: None
Paper: My Mind's Eye designer paper; Purely Pomegranate and Basic Black from Stampin' Up
Ink: None
Accessories: Joys of the Season Cricut cartridge; SU scalloped edge punch; EK Success snowflake border punch (snowflakes); EK Success for American Girl Crafts Butterfly border punch (butterflies); Making Memories Christmas fibers; Nestabilities

FBW88 A Christmas Butterfly

We have quite a treat for you today at Flutter By Wednesday! The very talented Mercy Kerin has designed a sketch challenge for us this week. I love, love, LOVE sketches, and I was very excited to tackle this one!! We would all love to see what your take on the sketch is this week...just don't forget to also include a butterfly, fairy, and/or angel on your card! That's the most important element, right? You can link your creation up HERE when you are finished! Don't forget that in the New Year we will have our new home, the Flutter By Wednesday blog!

I did something a little different with my butterfly. First, I took this image found HERE. It is an ornament, and it was a free download from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights. I printed two each of two different sizes, and I created a butterfly. Then, I used an Accucut die cut, and I cut it down to just the body...it fit perfectly! Kismet! I wanted to make it a Christmasy butterfly, especially with it being an ornament and all! Voila!

Card Details:

Stamps: Ornament by Rusty Pickle Digital Delights; sentiment from SU

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Choc. Chip, Old Olive DSP, and Very Vanillaby SU; unknown glittery scrapbook paper

Ink: Choc. Chip by SU
Accessories: SU oval and scalloped oval punches; Accucut butterfly; Cuttlebug; MS snowflake punch; copic markers; spica glitter pens

A Caroling We'll Go

Hello all!! A quick post today to show you this adorable image from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights! I paired it with an amazing Mojo 116 sketch this week and colored with Copics. I had to use my Eskimo Kisses paper from Basic Grey, and away we go! I even used my Cricut to die cut the notes! Enjoy, and I'll be back tomorrow!


Card Details:
Stamps: Caroling Penguins by Rusty Pickle Digital Delights; Musical Score BG by SU
Paper: Old Olive, Choc. Chip by SU; Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey
Ink: Rose Red and Rich Razzleberry by SU
Accessories: CM cutting system; Nestabilities; Cuttlebug embossing folder; Basic Grey Ribbon; Cricut Joys of the Season cartridge
Copics: YR02; YR04, RV11, RV34, B12, B16, C00, C1, C3

FBW87 Santa Baby Flutters Too!

Good morning All!! It was a wild night here in Charlotte with high winds and rain pounding the windows. Even the window in my craft room was leaking...YIKES!! There's a lot of paper in there! Oh, the horror! Then, when we wake up this morning, it's sunny. Go figure! It will be 60 degrees today, then it will be in the 40s for the rest of week. Crazy! And, to top it all off...my daughter turned 5 on Monday. Where did the time go? I have a 5 year old.

Today is Flutter By Wednesday, and this week we are challenged to make a winter-themed card using a butterfly, fairy, and/or angel on our cards. I saw on the Greeting Farm blog that someone had used the Santa hat from Xmas Sweeties and put it on Flutter Anya. Well, I had to duplicate that idea! Of course, I can't find the original card, but I didn't copy the card, just the idea. So, kudos to the genius who came up with the idea!!

Don't forget that Flutter By Wednesday is moving to a new home after the first of the year. The Flutter By Blog is up, so go and check it out! Meanwhile, after you have made your card, please link it up HERE, and we can all admire your crafting brilliance!

Card Details:
Stamps: Xmas Sweeties (hat) and Flutter Anya by The Greeting Farm; Sentiment from Season's Greetings by Stampin' Up
Paper: Merry Moments DSP, Real Red, and Garden Green by Stampin' Up
Ink: Garden Green by SU; Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Silver Bells and Royal Red Shimmerz; SU ornament punch
Copics: E00, E01, E02, Y11, Y21, E33, R24, R27, N5

Rusty Pickle Meets Tuesday Sketches!!

Good morning all!! The Rusty Pickle Girls have a treat for you today! Michelle, creator of Rusty Pickle Digital Delights, is sponsoring today's sketch (#23) at Tuesday Morning Sketches. You can win 5 images from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights...awesome!!! All you need to do is make a card with the sketch above and link it up HERE. Easy, right? I had fun with this sketch as it has many possibilities, and it can also be flipped, so have fun!!

Tuesday Sketches Design Team:

• Theresa


• Tammy


• Joni


• Melissa


• Chupa - Dec. Guest Designer

Please visit them and give them some love for all of their hard work to bring you Tuesday Sketches!!

Rusty Pickle Digi DT:

• Heather - DT coordinator


• Jenn


• Tracy


• Rachel


• Billie


• Kim


• Me


• Ali


• Jacquie

That's a lot of people having a lot of fun stamping today!! We hope that you will join us in the fun! And, don't forget that you can still win the Copic markers from Michelle on the Rusty Pickle site!!

Card Details:

• Stamps: Reindeer by Rusty Pickle Digital Delights
• Paper: Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey; Choc. Chip and Kiwi Kiss by SU
• Accessories: Red Rhinestone stickers; SU rubons; SU Modern Label and Word Window punches; CM Cutting system
• Copics: E71, E74, E40, E25, N5

Season's Greetings!!

It's that time of year again, and I am woefully behind on my Christmas cards. How do I let this happen? I must seriously thrive under pressure!! I had to try out this image from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights...I printed it a little big, but I made it work on the card. It was really a dream to color! I was a little limited on my reds that I had, but things came together, and I am pleased. I hope no ornithologists are looking at my blog because I am not sure that I got the color grade and variations correct. Honestly, I don't know any ornithologists, so we should be ok!!

Don't forget to check out the Copic giveaway on the Rusty Pickle Digital Delights site...it's an awesome contest that you won't want to miss!! And, you don't want to miss all of the cool samples and ideas over at the Rusty Pickle Digital Delights DT blog!

Here are the details:

Stamps: Cardinal by Rusty Pickle Digital Delights; More Great Greetings by Stampin' Up

Paper: Wassail by Basic Grey; Always Artichoke and Riding Hood Red by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic Markers; SU oval and scalloped oval punch; SU Always Artichoke ribbon; MS holly border and holly punches; Red rhinestone stickers

FBW86 Happy Colors, Please!!

It has been rather dreary here in the Charlotte region over the last few weeks...more rain and overcast than sun it seems. So, I thought I would inject a little cheerfulness into the mix!! I am woefully behind on my Christmas cards, so I am scrambling to figure out what to do! I'm even thinking, GASP, of just sending out a photo card this year!! Am I bad?

Today is Flutter By Wednesday, and we have a special guest, Mercy! She does amazing work and please be sure to stop by her blog and peruse a bit! I especially love the image she is working with this week...it is amazing!!

We also welcome a new team member this week...Kimberly. We are so excited to have you join our super fun team, Kimberly! We also, sadly, must say goodbye to Taylor. We will miss you, Taylor, but we'll see you soon!

Today's challenge is an open one, so you just have to use a butterfly, fairy or an angel on your card this week. You can link up your creations HERE.

Some more exciting Flutter By Wednesday news...we are moving to a new home in the new year. The Flutter By Wednesday Blog is up and running...make sure to become a follower to keep up with all of the new changes!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Cloisonne Butterfly by Michael Strong

Paper: Pretties Please by My Mind's Eye; Baja Breeze and Pumpkin Pie by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic markers; SU punches; Nestabilities; SU rubons

Rusty Pickle Digital Delights Snowman Debut!!

Wow, as promised, here I am!! I feel like I am just chillin' like this snowman cutie above from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights! I used Liquid Applique on his hat and Flower Soft for the snow...my first time using it, and I think I may be addicted to it!! I haven't ventured into the other types, but I thought that the "snow" might be a good first step!!

Don't forget about the amazing Copic giveaway from Rusty Pickle Digital Delights...it's an awesome opportunity to expand your Copic collection or get it started!! And, we would love to see you hop on over to the Rusty Pickle DT blog to see other projects made with these adorable images!

This card is also for the Mojo Monday 115 sketch this week...it is a fun one, however, I think my circle may be a bit overwhelming. However, it is such a cute image, I couldn't resist!!

I'll see you tomorrow for Flutterby Wednesday...can't wait!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Snowman by Rusty Pickle Digital Delights; Let it Snow by SU
Paper: Rich Razzleberry by Stampin' Up; Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey
Ink: Rich Razzleberry by Stampin' Up
Accessories: Copic and Spica markers; Martha Stewart punch; glitter brad; CM cutting system; SU ticket corner punch; SU Scalloped oval punch

Amazing COPIC Giveaway!!

I know how attached I am to my Copic markers, so I know you don't want to miss this giveaway on the Rusty Pickle Digital Stamps site!! Rusty Pickle Digital Delights Shop is having an awesome giveaway of not one, but two different Copic sets of markers (12 and 72!!). There are many ways to enter--just go to the RP blog HERE and check it out!!

To be entered for the first set of 12, all you need to do is leave a comment HERE and for an extra entry, post a project using a Rusty Pickle Digi on your blog with information on the giveaway and link it back. The drawing will end on December 8th.

To be entered for the set of 72 Copics, you will get an entry for every $10 you spend in the store (that's a whole lot of digital stamps you can get!!)

What are you waiting for? It's a no brainer!!

Sorry that I was a bit tardy in getting my winners of the free digis from the Rusty Pickle...I had to use Random.Meredith because I haven't quite figured out the other method (ahem!!). The winners are:

Rattle - StampinCathy
Moon - Danni

Just email me at mattandnancybush@yahoo.com and I will hook you up!!

Be back tomorrow with a Rusty Pickle card for you and don't forget Wednesday is Flutterby Wednesday, and there is some fun news for the Flutterby Fans!!! See you tomorrow!!

FBW85

Hello, Flutterby Wednesday girls!! I hope everyone is ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow (here in the US)...I am hosting my first Thanksgiving in my new kitchen! I'll post pictures in the next few days!

This week's challenge is to use circles on your card in addition to either a butterfly, fairy or an angel! We would love to see your creations, so please link them up HERE to be able to view them! Sorry about the short post this week...many Thanksgiving details left undone today...YIKES!

Card Details:
Stamps: None!!
Paper: Pretties Please by My Mind's Eye; Baja Breeze and Soft Suede from Stampin' Up
Accessories: MS Butterfly punch; rhinestone stickers; scalloped oval nesties; SU scalloped edge punch

Over the Moon...for Rusty Pickle Digis!

My card has a bit of a blue glow to it this morning, but it works for the "look"! Today is the third day of sneak peeks for the new Rusty Pickle Digis. I have the moon featured today, and I decided to give you a boy baby card today.

Don't forget that you could win this image from me or you could win the entire release from Rusty Pickle Digital Stamps!!

The Grand Prize Winner will win the entire release plus 3 images of their choice from the store. To earn this you need to comment on the DT blogs on all 3 of the Sneak Peak Days, comment on the RP Store/Blog and start following the store blog. An equally lucky runner-up will win the entire release. Our DT blog is also a great place to find ideas for all of the images!!

My team mates would love a visit from you as we launch this new fun line of digital stamps!

The Rusty Pickle Design Team:
Heather - DT Coordinator
Jennifer
Tracy
Rachel
Billie
Kim
Ali
Jacquie

Enjoy the samples today, and thank you so much for stopping by and supporting me and the other team mates! I hope you have all the blessings love and happiness in this Thanksgiving season!

Card Details:

Stamps: Moon by Rusty Pickle Digital Stamps; Riveting by SU

Paper: Bashful Blue CS and DSP, Night of Navy, and Yoyo Yellow by Stampin' Up

Ink: Bashful Blue and Night of Navy by SU

Accessories: SU circle and ticket corner punches; Quickutz dies (stars); SU ribbon; Cuttlebug Embossing folder; Copic and spica markers

Introducing...Rusty Pickle Digital Stamps!!! Sneak Peak and a chance to win BIG!!

I am proud to announce the debut of fabulous digital stamps from Michelle at Rusty Pickle Digis!!! From someone who loves to color, I was really excited to be asked to join this design team because the images are just begging to be colored!! This venture also marks my jump into digital stamps...I finally conquered my fear and went for it! I'm so glad that I did...there really is a certain amount of freedom in them. I hope that you will visit the site and peruse the ever growing catalog of digital stamps!

Today's debut marks the first release from Rusty Pickle, but there are many other images to choose from that will appeal to many different styles!

Do you want to hear how to win? Well, here we go!! We will be giving you sneak peaks Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. On Wednesday evening, we will each be able to draw a name for a winner of each image that we sneak peek. So, you can win the rattle from me and another image on Wednesday. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and become a follower of the Rusty Pickle Digis blog HERE. That is super easy, don't you think? And, please be sure to visit our other design team members for a chance to win their digis also.

BUT, WAIT...it gets better!!!

The Grand Prize Winner will win the entire release plus 3 images of their choice from the store. To earn this you need to comment on the DT blogs on all 3 of the Sneak Peak Days, comment on the RP Store/Blog and start following the store blog. An equally lucky runner-up will win the entire release.

The Rusty Pickle Design Team:

Heather - DT Coordinator

Jennifer

Tracy

Rachel

Billie

Kim

Ali

Jacquie

Well, what are you waiting for? It's time to discover something new out there. And, if you are afraid of digital stamps (like I was), take the plunge...it's painless!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Rattle by Rusty Pickle Digis

Paper: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, and Kiwi Kiss by Stampin' Up; Designer paper from Memory Box

Accessories: DCWV vellum quote ("It's a Girl Thing"); Rhinestone stickers; Craft knife

Copic Markers: Spica Silver; C000, C1, C3

FBW84 Love Always, Tilda

Good morning, Flutter By Wednesday fans!! It's that wonderful time again...the wings take the hump out of hump day!! Today, we have an open challenge...but please don't forget to put a butterfly, fairy or angel on your card! I was able to use some new great finds on this card! I got this awesome paper pack on clearance at Michaels for 75% off...Autumn Splendor by Making Memories. It is really pretty, and it doesn't have to necessarily be autumn only! Also, can you see the new border punch I used? I love it! It is EK Success made exclusively for Michaels' new American Girl crafts line. I had to check out this new line because my daughter is now obsessed with all things American Girl (Ann, I'm sure I'll be contacting you in the future!!)...however, I told her she wasn't allowed to have one until her 6th birthday (still young by some standards, but I had to split the difference a little!). I think even I jumped on the bandwagon because of a visit to the American Girl store in NYC a couple of weeks ago!

Enough of my ramblings! We would love to see your Flutterby creations! Just link them up HERE on Danni's blog. Today, we also welcome 3 new members to our team...it's always a blast to have new talent among us! Be sure to welcome Karen, Kris, and Pam to our team!! Thanks for stopping by today!

Card Details:

Stamps: Butterfly Tilda by Magnolia stamps

Paper: Really Rust, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip by SU; Autumn Splendor by Making Memories

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: EK Success border punch; May Arts rick rack; SU rubons; Circle and scalloped circle punches from SU; Scalloped border punch by SU; Brown grosgrain ribbon

Copic Markers: E00, E01, E02, R20, E31, E33, E37, E08, E09, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y19, R89, R12, YR68

FBW83 Giving Thanks

I really love this time of year because I try to focus on the things that I am thankful for around me. I am thankful for my family and friends, our good health, our freedom, and the many blessings we have had this year. I have been thankful this year for being able to make my Flutterby cards every week and the opportunity and privilege of serving on such a fantastic design team. These girls are top notch and fun and kind...it's been an honor, and I am thankful for them. Without butterflies, this wouldn't have been possible. So, in essence, I am thankful also for butterflies and the power that they had to bring all of us together!

Our theme this week is giving thanks...and it can have any interpretation that you can come up with. The only requirement is that the card includes a butterfly and/or fairy on it. We would love to see your creation...just link it up HERE. My other design team members would love for you to visit their creations also...a complete list is in my left sidebar. My card is also for this week's MOJO 112 sketch. Thank you for visiting my blog!

Card Details:

Stamps: Butterfly and sentiment from Technique Tuesday

Paper: Really Rust and Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up; Nook and Pantry from Basic Grey

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic markers; SU Hodgepodge hardware; SU ribbon; Nestabilities; CM cutting system

FBW82 A Butterfly with Pizazz!!

Doesn't that color (Bermuda Bay) have pizazz? It just jumps off the screen...so glad that I was able to use it today!! And, I have a new Martha Stewart punch...it's a butterfly border punch. It punches out the butterfly images, then it makes some of them so they pop up! Sometimes those details get a little lost in a picture!!

Did I get my groove back yet? Maybe a glimmer because I combined this week's Flutterby challenge with this week's Mojo Monday 111 sketch! I haven't done a Mojo sketch in a LONG time! What is wrong with me? This week's Flutterby Wednesday challenge is an open one--just don't forget to use a butterfly and/or fairy on your card! I love this quote, but I have very few butterfly related quotes, so this one gets a lot of action. We hope that you will play along with us this week...we've got a few members fighting the flu, so send them some healing thoughts! We would love to see your creation, so please link up HERE to show us your stuff! And, fun, fun, fun--we have a guest designer this week. Her name is Vicki, and she is awesome!! You will especially love her card for this week on Danni's blog!! Check it out!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Butterfly of Happiness by SU
Paper: Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay CS; Bermuda Bay DSP all by Stampin' Up
Ink: Soft Suede by SU
Accessories: Martha Stewart border punch; Rhinestone stickers; Quickutz butterfly die

FBW81...A Little Late but early Happy Halloween!!!

What did she say? What does that mean? The card is a day late, but the "Happy Halloween" is a little early!! Did you get that? Well, I finally got everything together (at least in regards to this card), and here it is!!

It is an open week for Flutter By Wednesday this week as it is the last week of October. The only prerequisite is to use a butterfly and/or a fairy on your card. Butterflies and Halloween don't usually comingle in my brain, but I decided to make it work!! And, I kind of like it!! This is a Doraline stamp from Motivet that I borrowed from a friend, and it is a cutie! I love the vintage look of it, and it came out cute coupled with the Basic Grey "Eerie" paper! We hope to see your creation for this week's Flutter By Wednesday challenge! Upload it HERE! My team members have some amazing creations this week...why not check them out!

Card Details:

Stamps: Doraline on a Pumpkin by Motivet; Halloween Fun by Clear Art Stamps

Paper: Eerie by Basic Grey; Wild Wasabi and Tangerine Tango by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Ribbon by SU; MS butterfly punch; SU oval and scalloped oval punches; Copic Markers

If it weren't for the last minute...

I'd get nothing done!! My Flutter By Wednesday card is coming, but we are knee deep in kitchen renovations today, and I am behind! So, my FBW card will become my Flutter By Thursday card!! I thought I had a good handle on packing up my kitchen, but demo started this morning, and I was still packing things up, moving stuff from our kitchen fridge to our garage fridge and so on! YIKES...I never thought I would get to bed last night!! Anyway...I'll be back tomorrow with my card, and in a couple of weeks, I'll make the big reveal of our new kitchen!!

FBW80...A Fluttering Wedding card!!

Welcome Flutterby Wednesday fans!!! We are so glad to have you here on this fine October Wednesday!! This week is an open week, and you just have to use a butterfly and/or a fairy on your card. We would love to see your creations HERE on Danni's blog! I will definitely be around to see everyone's creations this week. Last week is such a blur, I can't even begin to sort out all that I was unable to do!!

My card today is one that I made for a wedding that I attended this past weekend. It was for my cousin Jared and his bride Ashley. They were married in Lake Junaluska, NC and the reception was in Waynesville, NC. It was peak leaf season in the NC mountains this past weekend, but, boy, was it cold!!


This was the inside of the card...I never do the inside, but wedding cards are special, so I thought it was only fitting!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Between the Lines by Stampology for Autumn Leaves

Paper: Bazzill Blingz; Stampin' Up DSP; Wild Asparagus paper; Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up

Ink: Choc. Chip by SU; Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Shimmerz Paints in December Sky; Rhinestone stickers; Copic markers; Nestabilities Labels 4; SU corner punch; Cuttlebug embossing folder; Martha Stewart butterfly punch

FBW79 Time Flutters By

Time Flutters by, whether we want it to or not! This week's Flutter By Challenge is an open one...just use a butterfly and/or a fairy, and you are good to go! We'd love to see your creations!! Just link them up HERE on Danni's blog. We have an amazing guest designer this week, Christi Thorsen! I've been a fan of hers for a long time! She always has such beautiful creations...please be sure to leave her some of your flutter by love this week!! Please take the time and visit my teammates' blogs on my left sidebar...you will discover some truly amazing creations! And, a belated congratulations to our very own Chris for being selected as this week's featured stamper on SCS!! AWESOME!!!

I opted for a fairly simple look this week, and I played around a bit with the reverse image, so to speak! Instead of popping up the butterflies, I used the outline instead. Then, I painted the inside image with Coffee Shimmerz on Basic Black paper. The stamp is a new one that I bought at a stamp show in Greenville, SC. The stamp company is Sparkle n Sprinkle, and they had some really funny stamps (not this one of course, but Max is a frog in a martini glass, and that is the fun one!) The paper is from an awesome clearance sale at Target! The pack of 24 sheets plus 3 sheets of stickers was $2.24, and it is from Making Memories called Just Chillin'. I love a bargain, so I had to use it!!

On a side note, speaking of bargains! We have a department store here called Belk. In their store at Southpark Mall, they sell more designers than their other stores. Well, they had their mega clearance sale this past weekend. If the original price is $24 or less, the item is $2.98. If the item is $25 to $51, it is $4.98, and between $52 and $108, it is $9.98. It goes up from there, and I saw some dresses that were originally in the $500 range selling for around $20-30!! Anyway, I bought a pair of Lilly Pulitzer cropped pink pants that were originally $98 for only $9.98!!! Now, that is a bargain! I also picked up 4 Lilly knit shirts for $4.98 each. That is unheard of...I was so excited!! I can't believe I just went on about that for an entire paragraph!!

Card Details:

Stamps: sentiment by Sparkle and Sprinkle stamps

Paper: Just Chillin' by Making Memories; Purely Pomegranate and Basic Black by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Purely Pomegranate ribbon by SU; Martha Stewart punch; Coffee Shimmerz

FBW78 Tilda's Fluttering By!!

Hey all you beautiful Flutter By babes, it's time to come out and play this week!! Today's challenge is an open one, and you just have to use a butterfly or fairy on your card and link it up HERE, so that we can all stop by and admire your art! I used this adorable image that I received from a Magnolia friend, and I had to dust off the Nestabilities (Labels Six). I just rotated the pattern to give a little interest, but then that bumped the card up to a 5.5x5.5 size! I've got a crazy day today with appointments and classes, but I did get this posted!! YAY!! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Card Details:

Stamps: Tilda holding Butterfly by Magnolia

Paper: Bashful Blue and Pretty in Pink CS and Tea Party DSP by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic and Spica Markers; Labels Six by Nestabilities; glitter brads; prima flowers

FBW77 Sapphire Butterfly

I'm back!! We were visiting the head mouse himself last week, so I was on hiatus!! Today is the last day of celebrating Danni's birthday month. It has been so much fun, and we have had so much response...a big thank you to you all for making it the best!! There is still one more prize to be had, so grab your gear and get to work!! This week's challenge is to use a butterfly and/or fairy and include sapphire on your card. It can be in the form of bling or paper, but it is to honor September's birthstone. We have a guest designer this week, Anna, so please leave her and my other team members some love. Also, please welcome back Taylor and Kristie to our team...we are so excited to have them back!! Visit Mr. Linky HERE on Danni's blog to show us your creations!

Card Details:

Stamps: Michael Strong Cloissone Butterfly

Paper: Pink Flamingo DSP, Pacific Point CS, and Bashful Blue CS by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Various yellow and blue Copic markers; EK Success border punches; Basic Grey Bling it; Rhinestone stickers; Shimmerz

Meredith's Card Debut FBW75

Good morning, Flutter By Wednesday fans!! Sorry I'm a little late this morning, but as you can see, there are two cards to show today!! Danni's challenge this week was to use sparkle on our cards (along with a fairy or butterfly also!), and she had her children, Annabelle and Matthew, be the guest designers. Well, when Meredith heard this, she said, "can I be a designer?" How can you say no to that? So, she made her card (before me, I might add!), and here it is today! If you would like to play along, there are prizes involved all month in honor of Danni's birthday. I just love celebrating all month long! Just link your creation up to Mr. Linky HERE, and we can't wait to see your creations!! My card is also for the Mojo104 sketch this week!!

Card Details:

Meredith's Card:

Stamps: Meme by PMS

Paper: Basic Black and Cool Caribbean by SU, Anna Griffin designer paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: lots of glittery stickers!!! Copics and shimmerz!!

My Card:

Stamps: Sentiment by SU; butterflies by Stamps on Fire

Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, and Pumpkin Pie by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Pretty in Pink by SU

Accessories: Pixie Dust Blingz by Shimmerz; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; Nesties scalloped circles; CM circle cutting system; Cuttlebug embossing; Rich Razzleberry ribbon; Hot pink flower stickers by Kaisercraft

Forty and Fabulous! FBW74

Danni is Forty and Fabulous!! Well, she was always fabulous, but she turned 40 last week, and we at the Flutter By Challenge are celebrating all month long! We have another fabulous guest designer this week...Jacque! I've been a fan of her Magnolia work for quite some time! Guess what? This week gets even better because there is blog candy!! Jessica Diedrich designed this wonderful butterfly set for The Greeting Farm...Butterfly Wishes...and she has donated it to Danni to give away!! Well...why are you not playing along this week? Awesome inspiration, blog candy...it doesn't get better than this! Link up your card with Mr. Linky HERE!

I ratcheted down my card a bit this week...it's a simple one, and I had fun playing with some embellishments that I don't normally play with! There is no stamping on the card, and sometimes that just feels good!!

Card Details:

Stamps: None

Paper: Urban Prairie by Basic Grey; Barely Banana by Stampin' Up

Ink: None

Accessories: SU Bigz die (butterfly); primas; beads and wire; SU rubons; brads

They Say it's Your birthday...

No, it's not my birthday, but it is Danni's birthday month, and we are celebrating all month long, flutter by style, in honor of her turning the big 4-0!! This week's challenge is to make a birthday card using either a fairy and/or a butterfly on your card. We even have a special guest this week for the Flutter By Wednesday challenge. Christy Croll is our guest, and she designed an awesome image in honor of Danni! Danni, you have arrived!!!! Head on over to Danni's blog to wish her well, WIN SOME BLOG CANDY, and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Trust me, the blog candy is definitely worth it!!!

This is a really bright one for me, but I really love how the colors came together! Normally, yellows aren't my thing, but when I saw this image, and those fantastic boots, I had to do it!! This image was from an image chain swap on the Magnolicious group, and I found some really fun ones!!

On a crazy side note, I have to laugh at my life lately! We, on what would seem like a whim, have decided to remodel our kitchen! We're talking new cabinets, countertops, lighting, appliances, tile backsplash, the works!! Now, we are not handy, so we hire others!! I am learning about things that I don't think I ever knew existed!! In fact, I've been fanatical about watching HGTV lately...go figure. Anyway, can I make myself an honorary general contractor because I can't believe all of the things that have to be orchestrated together. YIKES...let's hope I survive this all!!

Back to our regularly scheduled program:

Card Details:

Stamps: Tilda with ladybug by Magnolia

Paper: Marrakech and June Bug by Basic Grey; Riding Hood Red by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Doodlebug Designs Trim; EK Success border punch; American Crafts rubons; Martha Stewart Butterfly punch

Copics: Skin-E00, E02; Hair-Y11, Y21, E33; Dress-B12, B14, Y13; Boots-Y13, Y15; Ladybug-R24, N5

Flutter By Wishes FBW72 and MOJO101

Hello Flutter By fans...it's Wednesday again, and I have a little creation for you. This week's challenge was from Kim, and we were to use our favorite quotes on our cards. Kim always does that most fantastic job with incorporating quotes into her cards. She uses most of her quotes from Paper Makeup, and they have one of the best selections for quotes!! I used my new set from The Greeting Farm this week, and it is designed by Jessica Diedrich...it's an awesome set and Jessica is really proud of it! If you would like to play along this week, please upload your card to Mr. Linky on Danni's blog. And, if you are uploading to SCS or PCP, put the tag FBW72, so we can find it there, too!! This card is also for the MOJO101 sketch this week!

I have some exciting news about our Flutter By challenges for September! September is Danni's birthday month, and she is turning 40 this year. She is going to knock it out of the park with special challenges and prizes all throughout the month of September. You don't want to miss this next month!!! Mark it on your calendar, ladies!!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Butterfly Wishes by Jessica Diedrich for The Greeting Farm
Paper: Cottage Wall, Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, and Basic Black by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Rich Razzleberry by SU
Accessories: Martha Stewart butterfly punch; rhinestone stickers; sponges; Nesties curvy
rectangles; SU Rich Razzleberry ribbon; Quickutz embossing folder

A Little bit of the holiday spirit!

It seems like my sparse posts have involved a lot of Christmas cards. Well, there is a reason for this. I do this raining cards thing as part of a Magnolia group, and I have to use Magnolia images to make the cards. Since most of my Magnolias are just stamped images of Christmas or winter themed ones, these are what my cards turn out to be!

I did have fun playing with my nesties on this card. I couldn't wait to finally get my hands on the curved rectangles!! I love them, and they are perfect for making a card this size!! The image is Alva, who is just darling! I love the Magnolia stamps...maybe it is because they are super cute or from Sweden, I don't know!

Thanks for sticking by me in my seeming stamping rut! We are up to our eyeballs in getting estimates for a kitchen remodel, so my mind has been elsewhere. Luckily, I don't have to deal with my daughter going to kindergarten...that's next year! I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things!

Card Details:
Stamps: Alva by Magnolia
Paper: Ski Slope, Choc. Chip and Old Olive by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Nesties Curvy rectangles; Hodgepodge hardware by SU; Choc. Chip ribbon; Cuttlebug Embossing folder
Copics: E00, E02, R20, Y11, Y21, E31, E33, G21, G24, G28, R32, R35, R37, R24, R27, R29

The "Case" of the Curious Butterfly

Hello Flutter By Wednesday friends! Today's awesome challenge is brought to you by Cassie, and she chose a fun way to play this week...case another members' card. I have always seen so many awesome cards from my fellow members and players that it was hard to choose! I decided to try one of Cassie's cards...she always makes simple totally rock and they always blow me away. Since I always try to make everything so much harder than it needs to be, this was a real challenge for me!! HERE is the card that I cased from her.

If you would like to play along, pick a card that you have admired by one of the team members and CASE it. I picked a blog, and I used the search button, typing in "flutter by". It was easy! Just make sure that you give credit and use a butterfly and/or fairy. Use Mr. Linky on Danni's blog to show us what you did!!

Card Details:

Stamps: none

Paper: Rich Razzleberry by SU; Lemonade by Basic Grey; Chocolate shimmer paper from Paper Source

Ink: None

Accessories: Martha Stewart punch

A Little Sunday Mojo

This is a quick post to show my Mojo99 card...I've been off my mojo lately, so I had to at least get this done within the time parameters!! It is a birthday card for a friend!

Card Details:

Stamps: Susie Surprise by The Greeting Farm; More Great Greetings by Stampin' Up (sentiment inside)

Paper: Pink Flamingo DSP, Tempting Turquoise, and Real Red cardstock by Stampin' Up

Ink: Tempting Turquoise for inside sentiment; Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Label punch by SU; Ribbon; red rhinestone stickers; 1 3/8 inch circle punch by SU

Copics: E31, E33, E37, R24, R27, R27

My "Take Ten" Flutter By Challenge

I've long been a fan of the Take Ten magazines simply because I love the idea of making a beautiful card in ten minutes. Ever since discovering copic markers and other coloring mediums, I haven't really been able to make a true 10 minute card. To do an extra challenge for myself this week, I tried to make this card in 10 minutes. I succeeded!! And, the added bonus is that it is pretty, and I like it!!

Our Flutter By Wednesday challenge is an open one this week. All you need to do is use a butterfly and/or fairy on your card and let the creative juices flow! We have a fabulous guest designer this week, Sandra McLean, and she has a gorgeous blog! Please join us and link your creation HERE! You can also find all of my phenomenal Flutter By sisters' creations on the left sidebar...take a peek and leave them some love if you will!

Card Details:

Stamps: None

Paper: Lemonade by Basic Grey; Rich Razzleberry by Stampin' Up

Ink: None

Accessories: Stampin' Up butterflies Bigz die and top note bigz die; Rich Razzleberry ribbon; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; SU rubons; pink rhinestone stickers

Fluttering By for a cause!

As you have noticed recently, our team members have been picking the challenges for Flutter By Wednesday. This week, Harriet chose a very worthwhile cause, fittingly called the Butterfly Project. The following poem bears repeating from the link:

The Butterfly

The last, the very last,

So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.

Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing against a white stone....

Such, such a yellow

Is carried lightly ’way up high.

It went away I’m sure because it wished to kiss the world good-bye.

For seven weeks I’ve lived in here,

Penned up inside this ghetto.

But I have found what I love here.

The dandelions call to me

And the white chestnut branches in the court.

Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.

Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.

Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942

Born in Prague on January 7, 1921.

Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942.

Died in Aushchwitz on September 29, 1944.

Every time I have read and encountered this poem over the years, it gets me. The Butterfly project seeks 1.5 million handmade paper butterflies, one for each of the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust. That number is staggering. The link I gave sends you to the Craft Critique website, and they are collecting them to send to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Please join us this week...we would love to see your creations, but don't forget to mail them to the people at Craft Critique. I'll be making more small ones with my daughter to send in, but this one was the focal point.

Project Details:
Project measures 6.5x6.5
Stamps: None
Paper: Cottage Wall DSP, Rich Razzleberry and Orchid Opulence cardstock by Stampin' Up
Ink: None
Accessories: Rhinestone stickers; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; AccuCut Butterfly die

Is it Christmas already?

Well, no, it isn't, thankfully! However, it has gotten me in the mood, so to speak! I did yesterday's and today's cards with Christmas Magnolias to send to my rain group recipients. I've been diligently trying to practice with my copics, and I do see some improvements. It's all trial and error, I suppose. I often find that the texture that I create with shadows and such doesn't always translate well through the picture (especially my low level current camera...can't wait to buy my new one!).

It was fun to bring out some items in my craft room that I hadn't used yet! My friend gave me these wonderful felt poinsettias by Hero Arts, and the ribbon is this lovely silver satin. The background paper that I cut with the Creative Memories oval shape is actually a silver metallic that shines ever so nicely in person! The paper is Wassail by Basic Grey, and I still love it!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Tilda with wreath by Magnolia (an image that was borrowed)

Paper: Wassail by Basic Grey; Garden Green and Cranberry Crisp by Stampin' Up; Silver metallic by unknown maker

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Angel Wings Shimmerz; CM oval cutting system; Scalloped ovals by Nestabilities; Felt Poinsettias by Hero Arts; Ribbon by Waste Not Paper

Copics: BV000, Y11, Y21, R24, R27, R29, E00, E02, E13, E18, E33, G12, G14, G17, G21, G24, G28

Christmas in July, Flutterby Style!

Sorry for the late post...it's been very insane here for the past week. My husband was out of town, and the morning he left, our house was broken into. They took my good camera (among other things), so I apologize for the quality of the picture. It is taken with my point and shoot, so it takes a little getting used to! We are fine, but we are really angry...I still am baffled that others make a living off stealing from other people's homes. Enough said!

Today's Flutter By Wednesday challenge is to use a butterfly or fairy and use no designer paper. This was really difficult for me, and I knew that I had to involved texture to give it more interest. Ann, you kicked my butt with this challenge, but I am so glad because I like the way my card came out. If you get a chance to play along, please link up your creation on Danni's blog with Mr. Linky! We'd love to see it!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Tilda by Magnolia (can't remember the name of her!)
Paper: Night of Navy, Shimmer, and Bashful Blue cardstock by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Silver Bells Shimmerz; Labels Four by Nesties; SU organdy ribbon
Copics: E00, E02, R20, BV000, B12, B14, B16, T2, T4, E31, E33, Y11, Y21, R21, R22, C1

She's Causing a Scene!!

I'm so sorry that you haven't seen me around of late...I think I put myself on somewhat of a stamping sabbatical. There has been a lot going on around here. None of it has been bad, just busy and a little scattering to the brain. Also, after doing the copic certification class, I wasn't able to practice like I wanted (a vacation got in the way), and I kept looking at my markers with fear. Call it performance anxiety, I don't know!! I finally sat down with them last night and started playing with all of them. I'm rusty on the techniques, but I think I've conquered my fear. I know that probably sounds a little weird to some of you, but that seems to be the only way I can explain it. Also, I had to really think about why I make cards and like doing it. Tryout after tryout after rejection after rejection for design teams can get a little daunting and well, very disappointing. So, my soul searching made me realize that I need to do this for me, at least for a while. The Flutter By challenge has always been a lifesaver for me! I'm going to be getting back on my challenge kick, and I've got a million Magnolia cards that need to be made. Instead of just collecting these stamps and supplies, I need to use them! Viva la cards!!

Enough of my mindless chatter...it's Flutter By Wednesday, and we had one humdinger of a challenge this week!! Heather, who's cards almost defy description they are so detailed and amazing, chose the theme of creating a scene with a butterfly and/or fairy and using little or no designer paper (yes, you can use some!). I decided to go with the no designer paper at all. I used stamps, sponges, and nesties to create my scene. I have three pictures for you so that you can see some of the detail. I tried my best with the cutting, but these are some seriously detailed images! The bunnies and flower are from an adorable set called Stinkin' Cute by Firecracker Designs by Pamela. The fairy is from an Inkadinkadoo clear set. The grass in the forefront is a stamp from Savvy Stamps. For the clouds, I used a cloud template and Cool Caribbean ink on the different sizes of Labels Four nesties. I wanted clouds, but with the stair step card, there isn't a lot of height unless you create it!

I used my new techniques on the coloring of the bunnies, flower, and fairy, but I think you can see more detail on the fairy image. The stickles set off the wings a bit more, and there are Martha Stewart punched butterflies. (that woman punches butterflies...how mean!)

We'd love to have you join us for the Flutter By challenge this week...it was a great awakening for me. Thank you to all who read and comment on my blog. I read every comment, and it is uplifting to hear your words of encouragement and praise. I hope you have survived the confession of my existential crisis and know that I'm back on track!! Have a fabulously fluttering day! Stop by Danni's blog and leave your creation via Mr. Linky (if he's MIA, leave me a link here or in Danni's comments!)

Card Details:

Stamps: Grass by Savvy Stamps; Stinkin' Cute by FCD; Beautiful Fairies by Inkadinkadoo

Paper: Wild Wasabi by Stampin' Up; Georgia Pacific white

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Nesties Labels 4; Rosie's Roadshow cloud template; Stickles; Martha Stewart butterfly punch

Copic Markers: Seriously way too many to list, and I forgot to...sorry!!

Running around like a butterfly with its wing cut off...

Alright, bad visual, but that is what I am feeling like, so I thought I would throw in the plug for this week's awesome Flutter By Wednesday challenge. Cathy, one of our very talented design team members, chose this week's challenge to be a color combo--pink and brown. I love this combo, and I tried to keep it strictly those two colors (don't worry, you don't have to do that!!). Just make sure that you include either a butterfly and/or a fairy on your card, then upload to Mr. Linky on Danni's blog, so that we can all see your creation!

I'm still having a hard time finding my way back to crafting. I've been trying to declutter my house, and I think I have also decided it's time to declutter my brain. Is that even possible? Do you ever have that slump where you just don't feel like being creative? I admire the people that plug along and make multiple cards, but I'm a girl who needs to be inspired. I guess my brain is still on vacation.

Card Details:

Stamps: One of a Kind and Priceless by Stampin' Up

Paper: Eva by Basic Grey; Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Versamark

Accessories: SU brown embossing powder; Nesties Curved Rectangles; SU scalloped circle and oval punches; Fiskars 1 1/2 inch circle punch; SU oval punch; Basic Grey Bling; SU ribbon slide; brown grosgrain ribbon

Christmas in July!!

Just a quick post today...still trying to get back into my stamping groove! I just walk into my craft room and stare at the stuff! YIKES! I hate it when that happens. I've been trying to get the rest of my house in order, so everything else has taken a bit of a back seat! I have also been taking a break from the computer...very little blurfing and commenting, so I am sorry! I'll be better soon!

This card was for my stamp club swap this month, which was a Christmas in July theme! I just love the Snow Swirled set from Stampin' Up. It begs to be embossed, so I unearthed my embossing supplies and went to it!

Card Details:
Stamps: Snow Swirled by Stampin' UP
Paper: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Bashful Blue DSP by Stampin' Up
Ink: Silver Encore; Versamark
Accessories: SU Oval and Scalloped Oval punches; SU Navy organdy ribbon; SU Winter White EP