Order Me a Tall, NonFat with Extra Stickles.

It's challenge day at Caardvarks! Our sponsor for this challenge is Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker. Check out her products which include some incredibly cute stamps!

The challenge: Create a *new* tall card and upload it to 'Varks via Mr. Linky by midnight Pacific Time on Oct. 31st.

The prize: Scalloped chipboard album, acrylic alphabet stamps, 8x8 Designer Paper Pad "U R My Favorite," 8x8 Designer Paper Pad, "North Pole Nights" and other goodies thrown in for good measure.

For my first card I used a tree cut from the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge on the Cricut. Text papers are so hot right now, so I used this one by Bo Bunny as the background. I inked everything to within an inch of its life with my Tim Holtz foam ink applicator. It has become my right hand these days.

Then I decided to try one more tall card just for fun. That Stretch Your Imagination cartridge is perfect for this challenge! The turkey is just whimsical enough to make me smile. And what self-respecting turkey would come to Thanksgiving dinner without Stickles and pearls? It's a good thing these challenges allow for a little creative insanity. Ahem.

On a bittersweet note, this is my final challenge as a Caardvarks Crew member. For nearly two years I have joined in the fun with some of the most talented cardmakers on the planet - it has been such an honor. It's time for us to step down to allow some returning and some new members to carry the embossing tool torch to light the way for papercrafters. Jen and Nathalia, I thank you for all your hard work with creating challenges and galleries, securing prizes and DT sponsors, and most of all your friendship throughout it all. I'm so glad that we'll stay in touch! Thanks to all the support from the 'Varks fans as well. We couldn't do it without you. ♥

Take a Bow!

Here's our first Caardvarks challenge for October, sponsored by the amazing May Arts ribbon company. The 'Varks crew members were treated to some lovely ribbon samples for this challenge. Thanks, May Arts! ♥

Challenge: Create a *NEW* card using ribbon in a wonderful way!

Deadline: Entries must be linked via Mr. Linky by Oct. 17th at Midnight, PST

Prize: An incredible assortment of May Arts ribbon! (Here's a little peek.)

Here's my first card. I love, LOVED making this card! First of all, can you just STAND how cute that monsta is? I have been inspired to love all things monsta by my creatively-kooky and lovable 'Varks Crew pal, Lauren. I paired the image up with some Making Memories Spook Alley papers and of course the outrageous orange and black pom pom ribbon from May Arts. Isn't it the best for Halloween? If you may recall, I also used it on this set of altered letters.

More details about these letters can be seen by clicking here.

The other ribbon I was treated to is this beautiful crushed textured ribbon with wire. That chocolate brown color looks good enough to eat! I paired it with a simply-designed card of My Mind's Eye paper and rub on plus one simple journaling sheet. I love the cool aqua with the warm brown tones in this card.

For more May Arts ribbon inspiration, check out the RIBBON GALLERY of projects created by the Caardvarks Crew. You'll be glad you did!

Sketch Fest: Saturday

This is it, kids. Today is the final day of SKETCH FEST with Caardvarks. Create your last card using the sketch and upload it to 'Varks using Mr. Linky by 7 AM PST the following day to be included in our prize drawings. Prizes and a Caardvarks DT spot are up for grabs!

Saturday's sketch

Here's my take on Heidi's final sketch. I had fun using a Studio Calico stamp on the Little Yellow Bicycle journaling card. I also rotated the sketch. Be sure to upload your last card for a chance to win!

Sketch Fest: Friday

Only two more days of SKETCH FEST with Caardvarks left! Create your card using the sketch and upload it to 'Varks using Mr. Linky by 7 AM PST the following day to be included in our prize drawings.

Friday's sketch

Here's my take on Heidi's sketch. I love those pins by Making Memories. I hope they keep making them!

Sketch Fest: Thursday

Ready for more SKETCH FEST with Caardvarks? Create your card using the sketch and upload it to 'Varks using Mr. Linky by 7 AM PST the following day to be included in our prize drawings. Did you ever want to work side by side with the 'Varks crew? The grand prize winner is joining our team!

Thursday's sketch

Here's my take on Heidi's sketch. I think this is my favorite one from the whole week!

Sketch Fest: Wednesday

Read for more SKETCH FEST with Caardvarks? Create your card using the sketch and upload it to 'Varks using Mr. Linky by 7 AM PST the following day to be included in our prize drawings. In case you hadn't heard yet, the grand prize is a spot on the Caardvarks crew! Whohoo!

Wednesday's sketch

Here's my take on Heidi's sketch. KNOW THIS is an awesome stamp from Studio Calico.
Go make your card!

Sketch Fest: Tuesday

It's SKETCH FEST with Caardvarks! Create your card using the sketch and upload it to 'Varks using Mr. Linky by 7 AM PST the following day to be included in our prize drawings. In case you hadn't heard yet, the grand prize is a spot on the Caardvarks crew! Whohoo!

Tuesday's sketch

Here's my take on Heidi's sketch. I turned it sideways to accomodate the larger sentiment. What will you make?

Sketch Fest: Monday

It's SKETCH FEST with Caardvarks! Create your card using the sketch and upload it to 'Varks using Mr. Linky by 7 AM PST the following day to be included in our prize drawings. Prizes include Studio Calico kits with the grand prize being a spot on the new Caardvarks Crew term which begins November 1!!

Monday's sketch

Isn't this fun? See you tomorrow!

Sketch Fest: Sunday

It's SKETCH FEST with Caardvarks! Starting today we'll be posting one sketch per day by the fabulously talented Heidi Van Laar for you to use. Studio Calico generously supplies the 'Varks crew with kits for this week of fun. Thank you!

Create your card using the sketch and upload it to 'Varks using Mr. Linky by 7 AM PST the following day to be included in our prize drawings. Prizes include Studio Calico kits with the grand prize being a spot on the new Caardvarks Crew term which begins November 1!!

Sunday's sketch

Here's my card. Where's yours?

GCD Blog Hop: Final Day!

ETA: The hop is now closed. The winners are posted at 'Varks!

Welcome to our final day of of projects made with products from GCD Studios. If you came from Michelle's blog, you are in the right place! If you just wandered onto my blog today, start back at the 'Varks blog to visit all of today's blog posts.

Here are some of the cards I made using GCD's Vintage Boy collection of papers and die cuts.

This card also uses chipboard from their Lustruous Limes pack.

And here are a few cards made with the Bright Skies collection. I also used Majestic Purples chipboard and Rub On Art. The glittery flowers were handcut from paper in the collection.

So get back to hoppin'! Here's the full list of today's Caardvarks DT members and the order of the hop.

Ashley

Lucy

Heidi

Michelle

You are here--> Jolene

Daniela

GCD Studios Blog

Your next stop is at Daniela's blog.

Happy hoppin'!

GCD Blog Hop: Day 2

Welcome to day 2 of our showcase of projects made with products from GCD Studios. Get hoppin' over at the 'Varks blog and be sure to come back tomorrow for our final day of hoppin' fun!

GCD Blog Hop: Day 1

For three inspiration-packed days, the Caardvarks team is splitting up to share some awesome projects made with products from GCD Studios. So get hoppin' over at the 'Varks blog. Be sure to come back the next two days for more projects and hopping fun!

Caardvarks: DRS Designs

The 'Varks are rocking some awesome sketches by DT member (and fabulous designer) Heidi Van Laar this week! Our sponsor is DRS Designs stamp company. Be sure to check out their great selection of image and sentiment stamps. I am particularly fond of their critters! ♥

As always, the 'Varks crew created an entire gallery of projects with DRS Designs stamps. Be sure to stop by and check them out!


Challenge: Create a card using one of Heidi's sketches shown at Caardvarks

Deadline: Uploaded via Mr. Linky by September 14th at Midnight, PST

Prize: DRS Designs blog candy!




For my first card I used the Large Margarita stamp and one of Heidi's sketches turned on its side. I had fun coloring and shading with Prismacolor pencils and Gamcol the cut out the image to layer onto the card. Every good margarita deserves its share of salt, so I added some chunky, glittery goodness to the rim with Icicle Stickles. Cheers!



This card ramps up the cute factor, big time! I used the DRS Sally Snail stamp and did more Gamsol shading. I decided to add some blue gems to the flowers on her shell and add a coat of Glossy Accents.

I also added some wire for her antennae. I love how she turned out! This card and the margarita one both feature papers and ribbon from Die Cuts With a View's All Dressed Up collection.

My final card uses the Birthday Wordsearch stamp. There's also a kiddie version of this stamp available. This stamp comes with a printed list of words to search for printed at the bottom of the stamp. I decided not to include it on this card since it uses some "over the hill" words such as antique, memory loss and senior discount. Since this birthday card was for my mom, I decided that I had better not include them! I chose instead of highlight words such as celebrate, parties and presents. It's a fun way to use one stamp in two very different ways. The bird is made of felt, and the papers are from Bo Bunny.

If you like this sketch challenge, be sure to check back between September 20-27 when the 'Varks will be offering some rapid-fire sketch challenges. See you then!

GCS Studios Blog Hop

Our first blog hop at Caardvarks was such a hit that we're doing it again! Join us on September 15-17 for lots of inspiring projects and of course prizes. See you then!

Caard Hop Winners!!

The winners from our recent Caard Hop are posted in the right

sidebar at Caardvarks. Go see if you won!

And here' s the winner of the RAK I offered:

Southern Cricut said...
Your card is great. I love Halloween. I loved the rest of your blog too. I am glad I found you through this blog hop.
August 18, 2009 2:12 PM


Please email me with your mailing address. Thanks so much for all the sweet comments throughout the hop. Be sure to check back in September. We have not one but TWO special events planned at Caardvarks with lots of prizes!

Varks + myStampBOX: Teamwork!

It's a new challenge day at Caardvarks! After all that blog hopping the last few days, it's time to settle down and make some cards. As you know from my own DT work, myStampBOX makes some AWESOME stamp sets!! For this challenge they are providing the Funky Flowers set of stamps to the winner:


CHALLENGE: Create a card using the colors in MyStamp Box's logo - Black, White, Pink

DEADLINE: August 31st, Midnight PST

Link up your creations back at the 'Varks blog to be eligible to win. Here's what I made for this challenge:

I used the Oval Office sentiments stamps from myStampBOX for this card. I layered a bunch of goodies together to make this card including a Die Cuts With a View scalloped card flat, Maya Road sheer bird, Little Yellow Bicycle fabric brad and Making Memories journaling sheet.

Can't wait to see what you make!

Caard Hop: Day 3

Hello, hoppers! Thanks for joining us for our final blog hop day with Caardvarks & Core'dinations! Participants will be entered in a drawing to win a Super Assortment Package of Core'dinations product (retail value $68.00). One prize package will be given away for each day!

I'll also be drawing a name to win this fun RAK of My Mind's Eye and Core'dinations goodies!


Here's my final card featuring Core'dinations White Wash. I chose a sheet of aqua cardstock with their subtle White Wash finish over the top. I embossed with a snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folder and sanded away the white from the raised areas. (Seeing a theme here?) Embossing folders are my very favorite way to play with Core'dinations in addition to regular sanding and tearing. They have a variety of collections - be sure to check them out! This card also uses the new 'Tis the Season line from Bo Bunny.

If you have landed on my blog from somewhere else, go back to the beginning and read up on all the rules and details. Here's the list of 'Varks DT and where you are in the hop:

Jenyfur

Lauren

Mel

Lori

Tanis

Adela

Kryssi

Nathalia

Jenn B.

Pamela

Stef

Carrie

Ashley

Lucy

Heidi

Michelle

You are here --> Jolene

Daniela

Be sure to check out Daniela Dobson and her fantastic Core'dinations project to finish up our blog hop. Good luck in the prize draw!

But wait...there's more! Recently I made a demo video about Core'dinations cardstock for Scrapbook Express online store. Take a look!

And here's that card I mentioned at the end of the video. It also uses White Wash cardstock from Core'dinations.

All Core'dinations cardstock is 20% off at Scrapbook Express through August. Go check it out!

Just don't forget to visit Daniela's blog to finish up the Caardvarks blog hop. Thanks for hoppin'!