Love Like No Otter - Valentine Card Series #2

Hello friends, welcome to Day 2 of my 2018 Valentine Card Series! Today I'm playing with the utterly adorable Avery Elle Otterly Fantastic stamp set. I actually stamped out four of these guys and colored them with Copics in either browns or grays, just to keep them a little different.

Then I created background with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink, and stamped a sweet sentiment with Lawn Fawn Plastic Flamingo ink. I added a strip of MFT Hearts & Stripes patterned paper die cut with the Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Borders down the side to tie back in to the seashells and fish. Simple but cute!

All of these cards will be going to the Cards From The Heart Card Drive benefitting St. Jude's Children's Hospital. This is such an amazing cause! I would love it if you would consider participating. Check out my Valentine Card Series Day #1 post for all the information.

And now for the video. Clink on the YouTube link at the bottom right to watch the video in HD and don't forget to like and subscribe! It means so much! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cards From The Heart Drive + Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #20 + Valentine Card Series #1

Hey friends! Welcome to Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #20 and also the kickoff of my 2018 Holiday Card Series! Today I'm playing with the adorable Lawn Fawn Milk and Cookies stamp set to go along with our Fun With Food Challenge! Too cute!

It's also Day #1 of my Valentine Card Series, which coincides with the Cards From The Heart Card Drive, benefitting St. Jude's Children's Hospital. This is such a worthy cause! We would love to see as much participation as possible. Last year Winter collected over 7,000 cards that went to 21 hospitals, 2 foster homes, and even a nursing home! What a blessing to so many people.

If you would like to participate, here are a the guidelines:

*Create handmade cards of a Valentine theme ONLY - no get well soon, feel better, or prayers. These kids know they are sick. We want to give them one day to forget!

*Cards should fit in an standard size envelope (no need to include any) and be for any gender or age.

*No buttons, enamel dots, or anything that could be pulled off and become a choking hazard.

*Absolutely no glitter of any kind. If it looks sparkly, the hospital will not accept it. This is a safety precaution for children with breathing issues.

*Include a cheerful greeting and sign with your first name and state. No last name, city, blog address, or any other personal information should be included.

Send cards to:

Winter Sims

Card From The Heart Card Drive

P.O. Box 754

Warren, TX 77664

*Cards must be RECEIVED by January 31st to ensure that Winter has enough time to sort, repackage, and send out the cards to the hospitals.

That's it! Pretty simple if you think about it. It's all about bringing smiles to these kids faces. They are so deserving!

Please see Winter's blog post for any additional information.

And now for the video! Click the YouTube link at the bottom right corner to watch it there in HD and please don't forget to like and subscribe! It means so much.

Please hop over to the Lawn Fawnatics Challenge Blog and check out the other amazing design team samples and link up your Fun With Food projects to play along.

Here's to an amazing 2018!

2017 Valentine Card Series #8 plus a feature at BRI!

Hey friends! It's Friday, which means it's time for my Friday Feature at the Butterfly Reflections Ink blog. I left you a sneaky peek to entice you over, but the full reveal and all supplies will be listed there. I'd love it if you leave me a comment there too!

This is also Card #8 in my 2017 Valentine Series benefitting the Cards From The Heart Card Drive and St. Jude's Children's Hospital and more. Unfortunately, if you haven't mailed your cards by now, it's probably too late (mine went out on Wednesday) unless you overnight it, as the deadline to be received was January 31st, but if you missed out, never fear! Start a stash for next year! The kids are so worth it, and each one is guaranteed to make them smile, so you can add to it all throughout the year if you want, and have a big ol' pile to send in next year. Just please visit Winter's blog for all the requirements before you begin, as the hospital has several restrictions to ensure the children's safety and happiness. 

I will be continuing this series through Valentine's Day and doing exactly that. I have a special box that is reserved for stockpiling for this Card Drive. :)

Please enjoy the video! Click on the YouTube icon to watch it there in HD and please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! With all the changes YouTube has made in the last few months, it's more important than ever to show your support for your favorite YouTubers so we don't get lost in the shuffle. I sure do appreciate it! You all have a fabulous day! Thanks for stopping by.

2017 Valentine Card Series #5 and the Kajcyika Crafts Video Hop

Hey friends! I'm back with card #5 of my 2017 Valentine Series, in support of the Cards From The Heart Card Drive which benefits St. Jude's Children's Hospital (and others as well). I'm also taking part in Kajcyika Craft's Video Hop, as Kaja launches her YouTube channel today!

For my card I used the Lawn Fawn Octopi My Heart (so cute!) with a few additional images from Mermaid For You. I colored them with Copic markers, and all colors and supplies are listed in the video with links in the description bar below. Click on the YouTube icon at the bottom right to watch it there in HD and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe. It really helps out!

The next stop on the hop is Kristina! There are seven stops on the hop and four prizes to be given away, so be sure to check Kaja's channel for all the details. Enjoy the hop! Have a great day!

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2017 Valentine Card Series #4 plus a feature at BRI!

Hey there! Today I'm so excited to bring you my first design team project for Butterfly Reflections Ink! I'm just sharing a sneak peek of it here, but you can click over to the BRI blog to check out the whole card. 

It's also Day 4 of my 2017 Valentine Card Series benefitting the Cards From The Heart Drive for St. Jude's Children's Hospital and more. For more information on that drive that runs through the end of this month, please click on the heart icon below.

Here's the video! Click on the YouTube icon to watch it there in HD and please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! I hope you all have an amazing day!

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2017 Valentine Card Series #3

Hey friends, today I'm back with not one, but TWO cards for the Cards From The Heart Card Drive benefitting St. Jude's Children's Hospital (and more!) When I saw these patterned papers from the Crate Paper Heart Day 6x6 pad, I knew they were a match made in heaven for the Lawn Fawn Stuck On You stamp set.

Since I wasn't doing any coloring on this video (shocker, I know!) it was really quick and easy to just stamp out multiple images with Lawn Fawn's beautiful inks, so it just made sense to make two cards, especially since I could use my patterned paper scraps to put the second one together. Same papers, same stamps, same design, but two super cute and different cards. And two extra smiles for the kiddos!

All colors and supplies are listed and linked below the video in the description bar. Please click on the YouTube icon to watch it there in HD and please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Have an awesome day! Make some cards!

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2017 Valentine Card Series #1

Hey friends! Happy New Year! And welcome to my 2017 Valentine Card Series! Today is the kickoff of the 8th Annual Cards From The Heart Card Drive benefitting the kids at St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and other children's hospitals as well. You can find all the information about the guidelines, where to mail your cards, and the prizes that are up for grabs on my friend Winter's blog, Winter Wonderland.

This is my 4th year doing a Valentine Card Series to help raise awareness of this awesome Card Drive. It's such a great cause, you guys! Last year they collected 4,707 cards for these incredible kiddos, and let me tell you, that's a whole lot of smiles for kids who could really use a reason. I hope that this year we'll hit that 5,000 mark. The kids deserve it!

There are a couple rules that I go over in the video, that will just insure the safety and happiness of the kids these cards are going to. Namely, they need to be Valentine themed, for any age or gender, fit inside a standard-sized envelope (clear ones will be provided), and have no elements that could be a choking hazard, such as glitter, sequins, brads, enamel dots, rhinestones, etc. Also, please make no mention of the children's illnesses with phrases such as "get well soon" or "sending well wishes," etc. We want to give them a reason NOT to think about being sick for a change. So say, "sending smiles" or simply, "hugs" and sign it with your first name and state (no last names or cities, please). And get your children involved! Kids love getting cards from other kids!

I hope you enjoy the video. All colors and supplies used are there as well. Please click on the YouTube icon to watch it there in HD and don't forget to like, comment, and hit subscribe for more videos. Again, please check out Winter's blog for all the information before you start creating. Let's give these kids the best Valentine's Day ever!

Super Duper In Every Way - 2016 Valentine Series Card #5

Happy Saturday, friends! Today I'm bringing you card #6 in my 2016 Valentine Series on YouTube. I finally inked up my Mama Elephant Tiny Heroes stamp set -- it's so darling, I don't know what took me so long to use it. Probably it was the hair. Hair is not my strong suit when it comes to Copic coloring, since I usually prefer to use critters. But after coloring enough images to make a dozen of these cards, I think I might finally be starting to get the hang of it. :) I shared a few of the tips I discovered with you in the video.

Once again, these cards will be going to the Cards From The Heart Card Drive which benefits the kids at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Click on the link to find out all the info you need to donate cards to this fantastic cause. And stay tuned to the end of the video to see a few more of the cards I created with this super hero theme.

Click on the YouTube icon at the bottom right to watch the video there in HD and please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to let YouTube know you'd like to see more videos from me.



I would also like to enter this card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Create With Critters since I used that cute little pup and kitty. Who says animals can't be heroes too?

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

Consider Yourself Hugged - 2016 Valentine Card Series #3

It's finally Friday! Woohoo! And time for the next installment in my 2016 Valentine Card Series. Today I'm playing with the WPlus9 Wishing You stamp set, along with a sentiment from Happy Mail. And I just had to break out my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens again. I'm having so much fun playing with them.

I'm mass-producing valentines today for the Cards From The Heart Card Drive that benefits the kids at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. I wanted to create a simple layout with minimal supplies that would still look cute, of course, so I could really crank out the cards and bless as many kids as possible. If you haven't looked into this Card Drive, I highly recommend it. It is such a worthy cause.

I hope you enjoy the video! Please click on the YouTube icon at the bottom right if you'd like to watch it there in HD, and please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to let YouTube know you'd like to see more videos from me. 

I did an ombre effect with my shading on the bunnies, starting with the darkest color on the outside edge, and working my way to the light on the insides where they meet. I'd like to enter this into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Ombre Challenge. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Bugs & Kisses - 2016 Valentine Card Series #2

Hi friends! Tonight I'm popping in quick with card #2 in my 2016 Valentine Series. I would have liked to have it up sooner, but I wasn't feeling well last week. Anyway, I wanted to use the Lawn Fawn Bugs & Kisses stamps and dies to create another card for the Cards From The Heart Card Drive. I also used the Simon Says Stamp Tri Square Die and the My Mind's Eye Just Spendid 6x6 paper pad.

I hope you enjoy the video! Please click on the YouTube icon at the bottom right to view the video there in HD. Also, please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos! I so appreciate it. Have a wonderful day!

A Magical Christmas + Winners!

Good morning, crafty friends! How are you all doing this week? Getting ready for tomorrow's trick or treating? I was up late last night painting some finishing touches on my kids indian costumes for school tomorrow, but I did manage to also squeeze out another Christmas card for the Caring Hearts Card Drive benefitting the elderly in nursing homes.

This time I used the new Magical Star stamp set from the Moonbeam Meadow line at Crafter's Companion. Isn't it cute? Polar bears are my favorite, so this adorable set is definitely going to get some use from me!

To bring this scene to life, I colored it with my Spectrum Noirs in shades BG1, BG2, DR3, DR6, DR7, DG3, DG4, LG2, LG3, LY1, LY3, GT1, and GT2. I added some May Arts ribbon and a sprinkle of Pretty Pink Posh sparkling clear sequins to finish it off. Hope you like it!

Moving on, I've got a couple winners to announce! The winner of my Crafter's Companion Birthday Celebration Giveaway was SAMANTHA MANN! I've already contacted Samantha to get her info to get that stamp set out to her.

The winner of my Create A Smile Video Hop Giveaway is THORDIS! Thordis, I will be contacting you shortly for your mailing info and pass that along to Christine at Create A Smile to get you your free stamp set.

Thanks to everyone who entered both giveaways! The comments you guys left were awesome and totally made my day.

2014 Holiday Card Series #1

Good evening, friends! I am super excited to announce that I began my 2014 Holiday Card Series on my YouTube channel today! To kick things off, I started out with my favorite new stamp set from Wplus9, Winter Woodland, and inked up those cute critters using the rock and roll technique with some Memento Luxe inks.

I paired that with the gorgeous new Simple Stories Cozy Christmas 6x6 papers, as well as some polkadot vellum and American Crafts glitter paper. 

All my cards will be going to the Caring Hearts Card Drive benefitting the elderly in nursing homes. I hope you'll consider participating. It's such a great cause. Enjoy the video and have an fantastic weekend!

By the way, this time of year is an awesome time to link up to the Festive Friday Challenge! Be sure to check them out!

You're Grate

Happy Thursday, everybody!

The weekend is almost here.

Earlier in the week I made a card for the

Newton's Nook Inky Paws Challenge #6

And since I still had the Just Say Cheese stamp set

out on my desk, along with the perfect scraps for a second card,

I decided to go ahead and make another one.

I am a total cheese addict, so this set really speaks to my heart!

As soon as I saw these images, I knew they would be perfect 

for masking and stacking and coloring.

This card makes #12 in my 

Loads of Love 2014 Valentine Card Series.

I hope you enjoy the video!

Please like, comment and subscribe!

Just In Queso You Didn't Know

Hey everyone!

I wanted to give you all an update on the

Cards From The Heart Drive benefitting St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Since Winter will be shipping out the cards on January 31st,

I knew time was running out and I went ahead and 

shipped my package out this morning. 

All and all my kids and I made 117 cards!

And we had such a blast doing it. What a privilege to participate.

Since Valentine's Day is still over two weeks away,

I've decided to continue my Loads of Love 2014 Valentine Card Series

and just stockpile the extra cards for next year.

It never hurts to be ahead of the game!

So for today's card I was inspired by the current

Newton's Nook Inky Paws Challenge #6

I love the bright candy colors and since I recently picked up

my very first Newton's Nook stamp set, Just Say Cheese,

it seemed like the perfect opportunity to ink it up.

Also, because queso always means a party, 

I decided the mouse needed a hat, so I drew him a tiny sombrero.

Ole!

I hope you enjoy the video!

Please don't forget to like, comment and subscribe!

XOX

Happy Monday, all!

Tomorrow I'll be mailing my box of cards for the 

Cards For The Heart Drive benefitting St. Jude's.

I hope those dear children feel loved when they open our cards.

If you didn't get a chance to participate this year,

I really encourage you to make a few kid-friendly valentines

over the course of the next year and set them aside.

By the time January rolls around again, you could have a nice stack!

And just think of how much happiness those cards could bring.

So for this card I used the Mulberry Wood "Friend" stamp

from Crafter's Companion and colored him in with my Speccies

in shades BG8, BG9, BG10, EB1, EB2, DR3, DR5, DR6

PP1, PP2, IB1, IB2, IG1, and IG2

on Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock.

I hope you like it!

And I hope the child who gets it loves it too.

Have a great day!

That Extra Special Someone

Happy Saturday, folks! I hope you're enjoying it!

Today I'm here to share yet another Valetine card for the 

Cards From The Heart Drive benefitting St. Jude's kids.

I hope you guys aren't getting tired of these posts yet!

Though there's only a few more days to get them in

 before the January 31st deadline.

For this card I used the Bebunni set "Perfect Couple"

by Crafter's Companion and colored it in with my Spectrum Noirs

in shades: BG1, BG2, PP1, PP2, IB1, IB2, DR3, DR5, and DR6

on Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock.

When I was done, my two little guys and I (big was sick)

colored up 100 more cards that I had pre-cut, scored, folded 

and stamped over the last two days in preparation.

We should have about 120 cards made in all by the time

I add in the ones I've made on my own.

All for such a great cause, it warms my heart.

Well, that's it from me today.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend!

You Make Life Sweeter

Happy Friday, friends!

Today I'm sharing another card in my 

Loads of Love 2014 Valentine Card Series

for the Cards for the Heart Drive benefitting St. Jude's.

I only have a couple more days to get as many cards in 

as I can, since the mailing deadline is January 31st.

I've cut, scored and folded 102 blank cards for my kids

and I to color in this weekend -- after I stamp all the images

and sentiments, that is. :)

I love getting my kids involved in awesome causes like this one,

and I love that my kids love that I get them involved!

It's a special family time when you're doing an act of kindness together.

So here's card #9 in my series, using two stamp sets from Wplus9,

The Birds And The Bees and Heartfelt Mix.

I hope you enjoy!

Please don't forget to like, comment and subscribe! :)

Bee Mine

Hello everyone!

Popping in today to share card #8 in my 

Loads of Love 2014 Valentine Card Series 

for the Cards From The Heart card drive benefitting

the kids at St. Jude's children's hospital.

I used Lawn Fawn's "Bee Mine" stamp set

to create my card and colored it with my Spectrum Noirs,

and added some stickles for extra fun.

I hope you enjoy!

Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe!

Lawnscaping Challenge #74

Welcome to Lawnscaping Challenge #74!

We are being sponsored by the lovely folks

at Lawn Fawn with a free stamp set to our winner!

This challenge is all about being inspired by our

awesome Lawnscaping design team,

so my only dilemma was narrowing down the possibilities.

Ultimately I chose this card by Elise.

I was inspired by her layout, the stamp set she chose,

and the use of two different font sentiments.

Here's my card:

I used Critters On The Farm, Bee Mine,

and Happy Everything and knocked out one

more card for the Cards From The Heart Drive

benefitting the kids at St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

I'm getting quite a nice stack! :)

I hope you all will hop over to the 

Lawnscaping Challenge blog and check out

the other amazing DT "inspired by" projects,

and don't forget to play along!

Have an awesome day!

Heartfelt Wishes

Hello there!

Today I've got another Valentine card for y'all 

for the Cards From The Heart Drive benefitting St. Jude's.

I love this sweet little image in Barkley's "Heartfelt Wishes"

from Crafter's Companion and colored it with my Spectrum Noirs

in shades: DR3, DR5, DR7, BT1, BT2, EB1, EB2, 

BG7, BG8, BG9, IG1, IG2, IG3, PP1, and PP2 on

SN Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock.

I added some sequins from Pretty Pink Posh

and a little pearl pen accents to dress it up.

This card is also for the Crafter's Companion January Challenge,

which is to use hearts on your project.

If you haven't entered yet, you still have close to two weeks

to participate, as the challenge runs through the end of the month.

I hope you'll play along!