Wednesdays With MyGrafico

This week's MyGrafico Challenge is a sketch challenge. And up for grabs is this great set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff perfect for graduation cards (I'll be showcasing my graduation cards later this week).

And here's the sketch:

And my take:

I think the library card is so versatile & couldn't wait to use it. I also used some of my new Basic Grey Basics Kraft paper....LOVE THIS STUFF!! Be sure to hop over to our Ning community to see the fabulous creations by the rest of the design team and join in on the fun!

Today, we're having a Minute To Win It event in my classroom!! Afterwards, some colleagues and I are heading to Buca di Beppo for dinner. I can't wait :)

Wednesday With MyGrafico

It's Wednesday - time for a new MyGrafico Challenge! This week is a sketch challenge:

And here's the fun set that's up for grabs! Perfect for those dino-lovin' kids!

The design team used this set for the sketch and came up with some great cards!! Here's my take:

Fun, don't ya think? Hope to see you join in on the fun :)

Wednesdays With MyGrafico & Mom

Good morning! I had jury duty today, but I was excused when I called to check in last night. Darn it.....I thought I'd get all this work done. Next week is my crazy week at school & then it should be smooth sailing...only 21 work days until summer vacation! Wahooo!!

This week's MyGrafico Challenge is perfect timing with Mother's Day on Sunday! Anyone have special plans. My mom & I will be going to one of our favorite restaurants and spending the rest of the day together.

This week's giveaway is this great set from Sarah Paris.

Just create a card using MyGrafico images and the following sketch & you could win the set for your collection!

And here's the card I made...the image actually comes from the companion set to this set and it's FREE!!

Isn't it pretty!! I shaded the edges of the label with some chalk and popped it up from the My Mind's Eye paper. They're hard to see, but I also added some pearls in the upper right corner.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team came up with over at the MyGrafico Challenge Blog


Details:
Stamps - Mother's Day sentiments (Sarah Paris for MyGrafico)
Paper - kraft, white, green, dp - My Mind's Eye
Ink - Copics
Accessories - chalk, Labels One nesties, satin ribbon (Offray), pearls, dimensionals

Punch Out Crime - Wednesdays With MyGrafico

Hi there! We have a fun challenge for you at the MyGrafico Challenge Blog this week and a chance to win a set from my very favorite designer at MyGrafico, Zenware Designs!!

And here's the set I'm talkin' about:

Just perfect for kids' cards, especially little boys! However....coming from an ex-Wonder Woman wannabe, girls would probably like it too!!

The challenge this week is to use PUNCHES on your card/LO/project along with your MyGrafico image - don't have any MG images, check out the tons of freebies available here.

Here's my card. I was really happy with the coloring of my little batguy...whaddya think?

I used my absolute favorite punch on this card - my corner rounder! I know that sounds silly, but it's definitely one of those punches that I think every cardmaker should have. I thought the circle & pinking circle die cuts gave the card a little extra punch.

The sentiment is embossed on the card....anyone else love how embossing looks, but hate embossing? I really need to get one of those embossing buddies....maybe I'd change my mind a bit.


Details:
Stamps - Superheroes set (MyGrafico); Signature Greetings (PTI)
Ink - Versamark; Copics
Paper - white, yellow (DCWV matstack), dp - Bitty Star Basics (PTI) & Fun In The Sun Summer Matstack (DCWV)
Accessories - black brads, circle & pinking circle Nestabilities, white embossing powder, corner rounder punch, dimensionals

Wednesdays With MyGrafico

It's been awhile since I've been around the blog world....from April until mid-May, I am swamped at school. Last week wasn't the best - our competition went well, but practices didn't go so smoothly. Why do kids have to become middle schoolers? Just a little too much stress atop a mounting list of other stuff to deal with, which leaves me exhausted!

Anywho...today is Wednesday and time for a new MyGrafico challenge!! This week is a sketch challenge and there are TWO PRIZES!!! One is this adorable image from Clip Art & Scrap:

And second is you could become our Guest DT for the month of May!

So all you need to do is create a card using MyGrafico images using the following sketch:

Here's my take:

Sunflowers scream dark red, gold, and black/white gingham to me. I used some of my new Jenni Bowlin Core'dinations paper on this card - isn't it great! Be sure to check out the fabulous creations of the rest of the MyGrafico Design Team.

I'm off for some dinner & then to hop around blogs...thanks for hanging in there with me :)

Wednesday With MyGrafico and Al E. Gator

Hi everyone! Gosh...it's been awhile since I've blogged. School is keeping me busy, and I haven't been in the bloggin' mood :( I'm really pleased with myself though - I submitted 5 items for the recent PaperCrafts Holiday Cards & More call. I typically submit 2 or 3 if I'm lucky, so 5 is pretty good in my book! Plus if these guys don't get picked, I have a headstart on my Christmas cards for next year :)

Alrighty then...onto this week's MyGrafico Challenge. This week, we have a color challenge for you and here's a photo of some blankets from Land of Nod for some inspiration:

The DT created cards using this week's set up for grabs - Baby Animals by LadyBug

And here's what I came up with:

I was even inspired by the diamond design in the blankets and pulled out my Cuttlebug argyle embossing folder to emboss the layer behind Al E. Gator.

See ya later.....

Details:

Stamps - Baby Animals (LadyBug for MyGrafico)

Ink - Copics

Paper - white, Night of Navy (SU!), Dark Chocolate (PTI); dp - Bitty Box Basics (PTI) and Flower Shower and Fun in the Sun matstacks (DCWV)

Accessories - letter stickers (Creative Memories), argyle embossing folder (Cuttlebug), stapler

'Bee' Happy...It's Wednesday With MyGrafico

Good morning! If you haven't guessed already with the move to Wednesdays, we've made some (minor) changes at MyGrafico. Each week, we'll be alternating between sketch challenges and color/element challenges. Our design team has changed a bit too, including a special guest DT - be sure to stop by the Challenge Blog to check it all out.

This week's challenge is a sketch challenge. And here's the sketch created by our very talented DT leader Martha:

It's a great sketch to work with!! The DT worked with this fun set from Chi Chi Memories. It could be yours - just play along with the sketch and an image from MyGrafico. Post a direct link to your card on the Challenge Blog by Tuesday night at 10pm, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday.

Seeing this happy images made me think bright colors...which I realize I use quite often anyway - haha!! And here's what I came up with:

My favorite image was the little bee. I've been seeing a lot of bees lately - both on cards and zooming around all the fruit trees that are blossoming here. I did a little paper piecing on some DCWV cardstock in my stash...I really like their textured blue paper - the perfect cheery sky!

Well I hope you're having a great day! We're having unseasonable warm weather here - mid 80s!! So much better than the crazy amount of snow that fell not too long ago.

Details:

Stamps - Spring Is Here (Chi Chi Memories for MyGrafico); sentiment - Fillable Frames 1 (PTI); clouds - Cheer Up (My Cute Stamps)

Ink - Real Red (SU!); Copics

Paper - white, black, Summer Sun (SU!); dp - Swing Set (The Goods from American Crafts)

Accessories - black embroidery floss

MyGrafico Monday - For The Birds

You're really gonna want to join us for this week's MyGrafico challenge!! The set that's up for grabs is SOOOOOOO ADORABLE!!! Look:

Told ya!! And it's perfect for PAPER PIECING which happens to be this week's MyGrafico Challenge - create a card/project/LO using MyGrafico images and paper piecing. If you don't have any MyGrafico images to work with, head to the freebie section where you'll find lots to choose from :)

The design team has some great ideas with this set, so be sure to check them out over at the challenge blog and on their blogs too! Here's mine:

Can you see why I love this set so much? I already have a ton of ideas :)


Details:
Stamps - Springtime Birds (Cocoa Studio for MyGrafico), sentiment - Flower of the Month: Daffodil (PTI)
Ink - New Leaf (PTI)
Paper - kraft, white; DCWV - (Flower Shower & Green matstacks)
Accessories - flower punch (EK Success), baker's twine (Martha Stewart), button (PTI)

MyGrafico Monday - Good Things Come In Threes

This week's challenge at MyGrafico centers all around the stamp that we're giving away to one lucky participant:

This cute Fairy Tale set inspired the THREE challenge - add three of the same item to your card. "Why?" you ask......well, three is an important number in fairy tales. Think a minute, and I bet you can think of how many things in fairy tales revolve around the number 3......the three bears, three little pigs, etc. 7 is another number commonly found in fairy tales.

So here's my card....perfect for engagement!

The inside reads: "Before you find the prince. Congratulations!" I added three red pearls. Initially, I had three lip prints but I just didn't like how it was looking. I think the single looks much better.

Be sure to check out the challenge blog to see the other fabulous creations created using this set! And join us and you could win the set! All you need to do is create a card with 3 of the same items or follow the Wednesday sketch (or both!!) using a MyGrafico image. Add a direct link to your card/project/LO on the challenge blog by Sunday at 10pm, and the set could be yours!!

Details:

Stamps - Fairy Tale set (MyGrafico)

Ink - Copics

Paper - white, black, Real Red

Accessories - red pearls

MyGrafico Monday - Challenge 40!!

So sorry that I've been MIA since last Monday. Having four student competitions in four weeks atop my normal hectic teaching load totally drained me, and I needed to take some time off of crafting & blogging. While I love blogging, creating, and connecting with all of you, the break felt really good.

But now I'm back....and with BIG news!!! This week's MyGrafico challenge is our 40th! Not only will the winner receive this fabulous set from BlackLeaf Studios, but she'll also be invited to join us as a guest designer!

The challenge this week is to create a VINTAGE card/LO/project and be sure to use MyGrafico images. With so many freebies available & great deals on sets, we can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Here's my take on the challenge (which I'd like to add was a HUGE challenge for me!!):

Love these images, but I'm not a vintage card maker....in fact, I hope that this looks vintage-y :) I added some Tea Dye distress ink, doesn't that make it vintage? In case you're wondering about my image panel, I just turned the Labels One nestie on its side. Looks cool, doesn't it :)

Be sure to head over to the MyGrafico Challenge Blog and check out all the fabulous creations by the design team!



Details:
Stamps - Vintage Chic (BlackLeaf Studios for MyGrafico)
Ink - Copics; Tea Dye distress ink
Paper - Very Vanilla; DCWV
Accessories - ribbon (striped & black); Labels One nestabilities, gold liquid pearls

MyGrafico Monday - In The Navy

It's Monday.

bad news: I have an uber-hectic day at school getting kiddos ready for a computer fair where they'll show off their websites, multimedia presentations, graphic designs, and more.

good news: I have a new challenge for you from MyGrafico!! This week, we'd like to see you create a card with the following color combo: NAVY, RED, and PALE YELLOW(yes, I know this isn't colored pale yellow...you'd wouldn't be able to see it if it was :).

The design team created some fun cards with this terrific set by Sanqunetti Design.

It will go to one lucky random participant from this week's challenges - remember we have challenges on Monday and Wednesday. Play along as often as you like and add a direct link to your card on the MyGrafico Challenge blog.

And here's my take on the challenge:

I love the color combo....probably because I can see myself wearing an outfit with these colors. Haha - I know I'm weird! Just wish I would have used my swiss dots embossing folder on that red layer....I always think of these things after I have the card photographed!!


Details:
Stamps - Blooming Friendship (Sanquetti Design for MyGrafico); sentiment - Autumn Blessings (PTI)
Ink - Paris Dusk (Memento); Copics
Paper - white, Real Red, Night of Navy (SU!)
Accessories - satin ribbon, button, dimensionals

MyGrafico Monday - Try a Trifold

Happy March everyone! I thought I'd post over the weekend, but I took a break from crafting & blogging....and just relaxed! Boy did I need that! I'm feeling super refreshed & ready for the last 14 or so weeks of this school year.

Okay enough about that! On to this week's MyGrafico challenge - trifold cards. Have you ever made any? I haven't - I stick to the same things sometimes with my cards & any fancy folding doesn't really fall across my craft table. I don't know why because my card was super simple to make & I think it will make quite the impression.

This week, the design team used this fun Tea Party set from BlackLeaf.

And here's the card I created:

Just love how you can pull the greeting out of this! The tutorial for this trifold card can be found here on Splitcoast.

Now you should check out the other fabulous trifold creations by the design team and join in on the fun at the MyGrafico Challenge blog. You might walk away with the Tea Party set!


On a side note: I had to laugh a little using the tea set image because my dad and I were arguing on the phone about tea this weekend. He's just started to drink hot tea within the last 6 months; and even better, he's been expanding his horizons beyond the basic Lipton. He drank Twinings tea (or Twinling as my dad called it!) at Cracker Barrel a week or so ago in a purple packet. I looked it up and told him it was Darjeeling...he insisted it wasn't until 10 minutes of the Seinfeld-esque discussion went on & he realized it must be Darjeeling! Guess what I'm looking to get for his birthday on Tuesday!!



Details:
Stamps - Tea Party (BlackLeaf for MyGrafico); Dot Flourishes (Inkadinkado)
Ink - Chocolate Chip (SU!); Copics
Paper - Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla (SU); dp-Rich Razzleberry (SU!); Cherrywood Ln. (Heidi Grace for Fiskars)
Accessories - corner rounder, Round Tab punch (SU!), Boho Blossoms punch (SU!), rhinestone, computer generated sentiment

MyGrafico Monday - Ahoy Mateys!!

Arghhhhh...it's Monday! Actually I don't mind Mondays that much. Thursdays are always the worst day of the week for me - hard to get out of bed & always so much to do! I think part of the reason that I like Mondays is because I can share a new MyGrafico challenge with you.

This week's Monday challenge is to add chipboard to your card/LO/project. The design team's creations featured some fun Pirate images from the set that will go to one lucky winner:

So here's my CHIPs Ahoy Matey card (hee hee!!):

I created that burnt edge look using some distress ink in Walnut Stain....I love that stuff!! Be sure to check out the great ideas the design team came up with for this week's challenge here.

Details:

Stamps - Ho Ho Ho & A Bottle Full of Rum Stamps (Blackleaf for MyGrafico)

Ink - Distress Ink - Walnut Stain & Tea Dye; Copics

Paper - Soft Suede (SU!), white

Accessories - chipboard button, hemp twine, sinamay ribbon

MyGrafico Monday - Go Wild!!

It's Monday...hopefully, I'm back in school!! We were cancelled every day last week due to all the snow...ugh! This week's Monday challenge at MyGrafico is a fun one - incorporate PLAID in your card/LO/project. The design team used this fun camping set by Kelly Medina.

I had fun with this one.....check it out:

You could win this set by participating in the Monday challenge or Wednesday's sketch challenge or both! Remember to post a direct link to your card on the MyGrafico Challenge Blog. Can't wait to see all the plaid cards :)


Details:
Stamps - Camping In The Wild (Kelly Medina for MyGrafico)
Ink - Copics
Paper - kraft, white; My Minds Eye, DCWV, PTI Bitty Boxes
Accessories - circle punch; dimensionals

MyGrafico Monday - A Color Challenge

Good morning!! I'm excited to bring you one of my favorite color combinations as this week's MyGrafico Monday challenge - PINK, BROWN, and OLIVE GREEN. Just perfect for finishing up those Valentines.

This week the design team was asked to come up with creations using Sarah Paris's Keys To My Heart set shown here:

I decided to use one of the sentiments as my focus and created this card:

My ribbon was already curling, so I decided to go with it instead of fight it. I love the whimsical look it gives the card along with the Petal Pink Liquid Pearls I added to the sentiment.

So why don't you join us....create a card with the pink, brown, and olive green color combo and provide us with a link to it on the MyGrafico Challenge blog. You could win this terrific set!



Details:
Stamps - Keys To My Heart (Sarah Paris for MyGrafico)
Ink - none
Paper - white, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette (SU!)
Accessories - border punch (SU!), corner rounder, brown polka dot ribbon, button, baker's twine, Petal Pink Liquid Pearls