Congrats to the Grad

I'm delighted to be hosting at Little Red Wagon this week. In keeping with my Queen-inspired challenges in 2023, I've chosen the hit song, "We Are the Champions". I'm looking for any sort of congratulatory-type project. 

I decided to go with a card as one of our incredible student staff members at work will be graduating at the end of the term. She loves butterflies so I knew I wanted a butterfly as my focal point. I first tried a small cap on the butterfly's head but that really didn't work so decided the butterfly would wear the cap on her wing. Much better! The butterfly, cap and pink mat are all covered in Wink of Stella and it looks quite pretty in real life. And the background floral paper is also embossed with little butterflies. 

The butterfly is from Flora & Fauna stamps (although I think the set might be retired as I can't seem to find it) with all the rest of the stamps (cap and sentiments) from Simon Says Stamp's Grad Party set. Inside, I stamped, "Now go change the world". The black scallop frame is from My Favorite Things. I found a reverse set of frames (with the scallop on the outer edge) but I'm thinking this set must also be retired. The little pink corners are from an EK Success punch. Back when I first started making cards, I had corners on pretty much everything!! It was fun to pull out the dusty punch and use it again. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriends' projects - and then link up one of your own! 

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Hang in There

The delightful Brenda is hosting our newest Little Red Wagon and she wants to see cards that are hard to make. It's not so much that she's looking for a great deal of mastery going into our next-to-impossible feats of crafting skill, but cards (or other paper projects) that are difficult for the very reason we're sending them - sympathy, illness, thinking of you, etc. 

Years ago, I did some guest designing for Your Next Stamp (a Canadian company!) and received a fun stamp and die set called "Scratch Pad". I've always liked this set and thought that the "hang in there" sentiment would be a fun way to cheer up somebody who's otherwise having a difficult time. I love that there's even some little scratch dies that come with the set. The brick background was created with an MFT stencil and the white frame was created with a no-name die from Amazon (with a shoutout of thanks to my DT sister, Shani, for showcasing the die on her blog so I could purchase one too!). I simply tore the black cardstock to create my ripped (scratched!) mat. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to view the rest of the Girlfriends' projects. We hope you'll join this week's challenge too! 

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Be U, Beautiful

It's halfway through March and we're still in full winter here. It continues to snow here and there although temperatures are starting to go above freezing which is always a delight. Spring will be here soon, I hope!

Janice is our fabulous hostess at Little Red Wagon this week and she's asking us to "Bring on the Bling!" Janice is looking for sparkle and glitter, gems and charms, as we create our projects (any sort of card, bookmark, home decor, scrapbook page, journal page, etc.).

I used two types of glitter paper and my MFT "Bold Beautiful" die to create my project. I chose papers that matched a glittery dragonfly embellishment but, when I added it on, I didn't like the look so decided my card was perfect just as it was. I was able to save the dragonfly and its continuing to hibernate until another crafty day. 

I saw the BE U idea ages ago, perhaps on the MFT blog during the release countdown? I'm typically all about proper grammar and spelling (even when texting!) but thought this was fun and decided to break the rules a bit. 

Please head to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriend's glitter and glam. You may want to consider wearing sunglasses!

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Merci

Bonjour! This week, the delightful Shani is our hostess at Little Red Wagon. Shani lives in France and she's chosen the theme "Frenchified" for this week's challenge. Basically, if your creation is inspired by something with a French connection, you're just the person we want to have you join us! Think wine, brie and camembert, escargots, macarons, Marseille soaps, Chanel, Dior or Vuitton, etc. 

I decided to go ultra literal and used Paris and the Eiffel Tower on my card. I've been privileged to visit Paris and other parts of France several times. We usually rent a flat for the full "when in France" experience. Paris is one of my favourite places to visit.

The background for my card was created with an MFT stamp and the Eiffel Tower stamp is from MFT's "In Paris" stamp set. I used some blue, white and red twine (colours of the French flag) and letter dies from My Craft Spot (no longer in business). 

Please head to Little Red Wagon for "l'inspiration française" and then think happy French thoughts as you create for this week's challenge.

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Wishing You Well

Happy March! I can't believe how time is flying. I'm in Toronto this week for meetings and professional development - and will be giving a presentation to my peers at University of Toronto tomorrow. It's busy but exciting!

Doni is our hostess at Little Red Wagon this week and her theme is "Feel Better - get well or encouragement". I made this card for my sister-in-law who is currently being treated for breast cancer (with a very positive prognosis!!). I used a stencil and frame die from MFT, a flower stamp, die and stencil from Altenew and a sentiment from My Craft Spot.

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriends' creations - and then link up your own "Feel Better" project! 

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