Masculine cheese-y birthday card featuring The Paper Shelter's Pepe digital stamp

This masculine birthday card was for my cheese loving husband's recent birthday and features Pepe l' Souris digital stamp from The Paper Shelter (for the sake of grammatical correctness I feel obliged to point out that should be Pepe la Souris). Although I'm not a great fan of mice in real life, they do make awful cute digi stamps and there are several cards on the blog featuring them, like this Maurice the Mouse get well card.

This cheese looks like a good Swiss Emmentaler to me, so I decided to color Pepe's beret Swiss red.

Paper is from The Paper Studio Antiquity paper pack (retired). The sentiment was created with Montey font. Embellishment is a simple wooden heart, red button and twine bow.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock,The Paper Studio Antiquity paper pack
Digital stamp – The Paper Shelter Pepe l' Souris
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – Die-Namics oval stax
Embellishments – wooden heart, button, twine
Font – Candy Round BTN

I'm linking up with: Craft Rocket Challenges #65 – Happy Birthday, QKR Stampede #372 – ATG, Polkadoodles Week 46 – ATG, Creative Fingers #175 – ATG, and Colour Crazy Challenge Week 45 – ATG.

Alpaca birthday card idea

Do you get the pun-ny sentiment on this Alpaca birthday card's front? Would it help if I told you the inside says, '...and send them in a card to you! Happy Birthday X!'? I didn't even try to run this by my French husband, I thought that was expecting a bit much. After all, I didn't want a repeat of the Peas on Earth incident. I decided for the sake of this card, this is an alpaca, but it could be a llama (lots of pun opportunities there). Although in reality they aren't the same thing and don't look exactly alike, I think your average lay person isn't going to know the difference.

The digistamp is from Pretty Grafik's Dessert Llama set. If you click on the link and take a look you'll see there are several stamps included in the set apart from the llamas/alpacas, making it a very good buy (especially as it's on sale right now for $0.99). Their digital paper packs (also $0.99) are very nice as well. The cactus, for example, is a separate stamp in the set. I used the PNG version of the stamp to layer it behind the alpaca. See this tutorial, if you'd like to know more about layering PNG images.

Patterned papers are Aldi finds – Max Bringmann/Folio paper pads. Embellishments are a simple thin ribbon and two resin flowers. The sentiment was created with Segoe font.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, Max Bringmann/Folio paper pads
Digital stamps – Pretty Grafik's Dessert Llama set
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – Die-namics square stax
Embellishments – ribbon, resin flowers
Font – Segoe

I'm linking up with: WWC246 – ATG w/feminine twist, Crafty Calendar Nov. – Cute & Girly, Crafter's Castle #23 – ATG, Pattie's Creations #164 – ATG, and Colour Crazy Week 44 – ATG.

I'll be gnome for Christmas – Christmas themed cards using KLM Designs digital stamp freebies

Today's post has four cards I created for November's Simply Cards & Papercraft issue #198, (available for purchase on newsstands now) using KLM Designs gnome digital stamp freebies (click HERE to download). All sentiments shown are from Kim's Digital Stamps 12 Christmas Greetings sentiment sheet. All patterned papers are from Snap Click Supply Co. Oh Joy Cosmo Cricket digital paper pack.

The Gnome image on this card comes with 'interchangable' hands. I chose the ornament image, but you can also choose to show him holding a candy cane, gingerbread man, or package. I added a wooden snowflake (my favorite Christmas embellishment!) and velvet brad with the fasteners cut off.

I liked this little guy all tangled up in Christmas lights. I kept his embellishments simple with some coordinated buttons.

The ribbon on this card is meant to mimic the ribbon on the package the gnome is holding. I accented it with a gold button.

I fussy cut the holly leaves around the candles' base on this circular card and added a bit of ribbon as embellishment.

In addition to these digital freebies, there are all sorts of goodies provided with this issue, including super cute tag cutting dies and coordinating traditional stamps! Simply Cards & Papercraft is easily found at newsstands across the UK and at  Barnes and Noble, Jo-Ann’s, Michael's, Books-a-Million and AC Moore stores in the US. In Canada you can find it at Indigo Chapters.

I'm linking up with: Winter Wonderland 01/11 – Use holly or ivy on your card, Crafty Friends Challenge #122 – ATG, My Time to Craft #409 – No rectangle or square cards (I'm entering my circular card for this one), Digi Doodle Studios Challenge Blog #22 – Christmas/Winter, and SheepSki Designs Challenge #32 – Christmas is Coming.

Happy Halloween! card featuring Scribbles Candy Corn Mason Jar digistamp

Happy Halloween to everyone observing the holiday today! I've been on a Candy Corn roll this year; this is my second card featuring candy corn (you can see the first one HERE). I doubt I'll have any trick-or-treaters this year. Halloween is not really observed in France (even though mass-market chain stores are trying their best to change that). If you're curious what holiday France traditionally observes this time of year, see this What's Halloween like in France post.

Tell me, do you think the mason jar on this Scribbles Candy Corn Mason Jar digistamp has a lid on it? I studied it long and hard before deciding it didn't and coloring it that way. Whether it does or doesn't I was pleased with how it turned out. I think it makes a very cute non-spooky Halloween card, since not everyone appreciates the spooky factor.

I go back and forth this time of year debating whether to make Happy Halloween or Happy Fall/Autumn cards. Sometimes I choose Halloween, sometimes I choose Fall/Autumn (like this Happy Fall Ya'll card from last year). The plus to an Autumn card is I feel it covers me for Autumn/Halloween/Thanksgiving and needn't necessarily arrive by 31 October. With Thanksgiving just after Halloween and right before Christmas, it's a push for me to do Halloween AND Thanksgiving cards both. Although, having said that, even on the Halloween ones I add to the inside sentiment Happy Autumn/Halloween/Thanksgiving.

Papers are digital freebies from The Coffee Shop Blog – Fall Paper Pack 2 and Fall 4 Paper Pack. The sentiment was created with Harlow Solid Italic font. Embellishments are a few enamel dots and twine.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, The Coffee Shop Blog Fall Paper Pack 2 and Fall 4 Paper Pack digital papers
Digital stamp – Scribbles Candy Corn Mason Jar
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – no-brand stitched rectangle die
Embellishments – enamel dots, twine
Font – Harlow Solid Italic

I'm linking up with: Moving Along With the Time Challenges #109 – Rich Autumn Colors, ITD Creative Playground #10 – ATG, DL Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #248 – Fall, Aud Sentiments #239 – ATG + a sentiment, and Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #245 – ATG.

Boo 2 you! Halloween card featuring Dearie Dolls free digital stamp

Yet another Halloween card for you today, featuring all freebies! The trick or treating ghost digi is a freebie from Dearie Dolls. Although Mary Ellen is no longer posting new freebies, she's graciously left her site up and open. It's a treasure trove of freebie digis for every season. I especially like her fall designs, as seen on this Scarecrow Thanksgiving card.

The Boo 2 You! ring around the digi is a freebie from My Grafico, as is the Boo! paper. Unfortunately, I noticed as I was looking for My Grafico links to share with you, these freebies are no longer available.

I kept embellishments simple with some scattered enamel dots.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, My Grafico Halloween digital paper freebie
Digital stamp – Dearie Dolls trick or treating ghost freebie
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – Die-namics circle stax
Embellishments – enamel dots

I'm linking up with: Always Fun Challenges #133 – Something Scary, Artsy Stamper Challenge #2 – Patterned Paper, Crafting Happiness Challenges #19 – Halloween Colors, Pammie's Inky Pinky Challenges 1942 – ATG, and Angie's Digital Stamps #36 – ATG/Opt. Twist Halloween/Fall Colors.

Happy Halloween Candy Corn card

When I was a kid I loved candy corn. The last time I ate some I found it horribly sweet and didn't enjoy it all that much. And that was years ago, I really can't remember the last time I ate any. Candy corn is not something I see much of in Europe. But, all that aside, candy corn is still synonymous in my mind with Halloween, hence this card.

The digital stamp is a Gerda Steiner freebie from long ago. This particular stamp is no longer available, but she does have some very cute digital stamps for sale on her site, as well as the occasional freebie. Paper is more freebie digital goodness from The Coffee Shop blog. This time it's the Trick or Treat digital paper pack. Rita graciously shares some stunning free digital papers on her blog; they're worth checking out! The super cute paper on this Cupcake Birthday card is a case in point.

I used my favorite Toga Polaroid die on this card; I use the heck out of this die. The banner here is part of the die. Whatever I use it on tends to turn out great. Just out of curiousity, I checked and I have at least 12 cards on the blog using this die (if you're curious, search the blog by Polaroid and you'll see it in all its various incarnations). Embellishment is a simple felt brad with the tines cut off. Sentiment font is Smarty Pants BTN.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, The Coffee Shop Blog Trick or Treat paper pack
Digital stamp – Gerda Steiner freebie
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – Toga Polaroid die
Embellishments – felt brad
Font – Smarty Pants BTN

I'm linking up with: Artsy Stamper Challenge #1 – Autumn Colors, Cute 'n' Crafty Challenge #32 – ATG, The Cutie Pie Challenge #140 – ATG cute, Angie's Digital Stamps #36 – ATG opt/Halloween or Fall colors, and International Art & Soul #69 – Halloween.

Fall themed cards using AMB Illustrations Den of Foxes digital freebies from Simply Cards & Papercraft issue 197

Today's post has four cards I created for October's Simply Cards & Papercraft issue #197 (available for purchase on newsstands now) using AMB Illustrations Den of Foxes digital stamps and paper kit. To download these digital freebies, click HERE. Except for the basic cardstock used, all papers and images are from the kit. Its large variety of images and papers will give you endless autumn creative options. Candy Round BTN font was used to create the digital sentiments.

This circular card wishes you a Happy Autumn! Embellishments are a strip of paper used as a ribbon and some enamel dots.

Dressed up with a little ribbon and a button, this one welcomes the family's new arrival.

A few enamel dots enliven this all purpose card, good for any occasion.

And finally, three side buttons decorate a birthday card for your mum.

In addition to these digital freebies, there are all sorts of goodies provided with this issue, including a cutting die and traditional stamps! Simply Cards & Papercraft is easily found at newsstands across the UK and at  Barnes and Noble, Jo-Ann’s, Michael's, Books-a-Million and AC Moore stores in the US. In Canada you can find it at Indigo Chapters.

I'm linking up with: Allsorts #540 – Ribbons, Crafter's Castle #22 – ATG option Fall/Autumn, Crafty Calendar Challenge October – Autumn Colors/Halloween, Just Us Girls #508 – Designer Paper, and Sweet Stampin' 20/10/19 – Animals.

Happy Autumn card featuring Di's Digi Stamps Henry's Harvest digital stamp

Can you believe it's autumn already? Got all your fall themed cards done – autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.? No? Join the club. But, I'm having a good time working on them. Actually, autumn cards are my favorites to make. I love this time of year – the color of changing leaves and the pumpkins, mushrooms and chestnuts in the market (yummy!). Fall card themes and colors echo all these things I enjoy.

Today's card features Di's Digi Stamps Henry's Harvest digi (on sale for just $1.00). This is such a cute image (love the wagon!). I used yet another Di's Digi Stamps wagon image on this autumn card from last year.  Paper is free The CoffeeShop Blog Fall Paper Pack 2 and Mabel digital papers. If you're in the market for some digital papers The CoffeeShop Blog is the place to go! Rita has a fantastic selection of freebies on her site for any occasion.

I used Euphoria font for the sentiment and dressed the card up with a little ribbon and three buttons.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, The Coffee Shop Blog Fall Paper Pack 2 and Mabel digital papers
Digital stamp – Henry's Havest Di's Digi Stamps
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – Die-namics rectangle and circle stax
Embellishments – ribbon, buttons
Font – Euphoria

I'm linking up with: Di's Digi Challenge 20/09/19 – 2 or more patterned papers, Addicted to Stamps and More #361 – ATG, Crafty Creations #399 – ATG, Crafty Gals Corner #199 – Fall Colors, and Fab 'n' Funky #451 – Autumn Colors.

Carte de Noël escargot – Christmas Snail card #2

I've got a thing for quirky Christmas cards. It's easier for me to achieve quirky in English than it is in French. French is my second language and although I've mastered it fairly well (mastered being a relative term here), finding a humorous nuance is a challenge for me. Which is why I'm reusing this QKR Stampede Santa Snail image and sentiment I was so proud of myself for coming up with last year (see Carte de Noël escargot – Christmas Snail card #1). I note every year what card I send to who, so I'll be sure to send it to someone different this year, bien entendu.

The sentiment translates in English to, 'Quick! Soon it's Christmas!'. You get it, right? A slowwwwww moving snail saying 'Quick!'?

I colored the snail a bit differently this time around, I didn't want it to be exactly the same. The papers are salvaged from my digital paper printout scrap bin.

I used my favorite embellishments on this card – a simple wooden snowflake (my Christmas card embellishment standard) and brads with the tines cut off used like dots (the only way I ever use brads).

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, patterned paper
Digital stamp – QKR Santa Snail
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – Die-Namics square and circle stax
Embellishment – wooden snowflake, brads
Font – Candy Round BTN

I'm linking up with: QKR Stampede #364 – ATG, Always Fun Challenges #129 – Cute Critters, Get Creative Challenges #84 – ATG, Di's Digi Challenge 30/09 – 2 or More Patterned Papers, and Winter Wonderland September – Use Your Favorite Embellishments.

Thank you card featuring 2 Cute Ink Country Music Chick digital stamp

Usually, my cowboy themed cards are going to Texan family members back in the States – like this Howdy Halloween from  last year – but this one is for a Swiss French speaking friend of mine who loves country music (hence the 'merci' and not 'thank you'). The cute Country Music Chick digital stamp is from 2 Cute Ink.

I used a few coats of quick drying acrylic paint to color the wooden merci sentiment and flower a dark brown (you can see the merci in its natural state on this masculine wine tag). I added a pink button and some shimmery twine to top it off.

The digital paper is AMB Illustrations Cowgirl. Is it the perfect match or what?!

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, AMB Illustrations Cowgirl digital paper
Digital stamp – 2 Cute Ink Country Music Chick
Color – Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Dies – Die-namics rectangle stax
Embellishments – wooden merci sentiment and flower, button, twine

I'm linking up with: Creations in Pink #13 – ATG predominately pink, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #30 – ATG with a critter, A Bit More Time to Craft #99 – ATG, A Perfect Time to Craft #9 – ATG, and Crafty Animals #30 – ATG with an animal.