Busy Hands Crafting Blog

My youngest, Drew, wanted a critter bookmark like his brother's , but with a purple owl. Say no more. I made his just like Rob's, including laminating it and adding a tassel. Products Used: Prismacolor Colored Pencils Fall Friends (MFT - retired) All About You Stamp Set Handmade Feather Stamp by Hoffee with a Nuffin Die-namics Fishtail Flags STAX Premium Dye Ink Cubes  (Natural) Extreme Black Ink Neenah 100lb Desert Storm Card Stock Swingline Laminator

My last card of the day (and probably for the weekend) is this cute, little piggy thank you card. I made it for a friend who really helped me out last week. The sentiment was too perfect and I love how blissful the piggy looks. It just fits! Really quick and easy card. Just stamped the images and did some simple coloring. Nothing fancy. Products Used: MFT Sow Much Cuteness (retired) MFT More Essential Sentiments MFT Rain or Shine MFT Blueprints 6 (retired) MFT Black & White Stripes 6x6 Paper Pack MFT Extreme Black Ink Copic Sketch Markers Double Sided Foam Tape Xyron Mega Runner

I have to say -- I'm pretty proud of myself for combining THREE challenges in ONE card! And it wasn't even that difficult! *pats herself on the back* For the sketch , I decided to change the circle into a balloon and use the happy birthday as the diagonal banner. The color part of it was simple and thankfully I had those colors of card stock on hand. Just add confetti and I had the Birthday Project covered, too! Boom! A simple, but festive card that covers all three criteria. Products Used: MFT Balloon STAX Die-namics (retired) MFT Blueprints 5 (retired) MFT Bundle of Baby Clothes Die-namics MFT More Essential Sentiments SSS Free Happy Birthday Die (retired) VersaMark Ink Wow White Embossing Powder   Prestige Card Stock  (Lavender Fields, Wild Wisteria, Coral Crush, Peach Bellini) Double Sided Foam Tape Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue

The sketch for this week was really simple, so I wanted to do something really clean and simple, but with a pop of color. Lucky for me, my Spellbinder's Small Die of the Month  came just in time! First, I ink blended some Distress Ink on the background in a circle where I wanted my squares to be. Then I die cut some squares in two different sizes and glued the smaller ones on top of the larger ones. I placed them with a little space in between them so you could see the blending in the back. Then I die cut out all my flower parts and leaves, arranged them, and glued them down with Ranger Multi Medium Matte. I popped the whole thing up with some foam tape to add some dimension and interest. I then stamped my sentiment with VersaMark Ink, sprinkled on Opaque White Embossing Powder, and heat set it with my heat gun. I think the white pops nicely against the dark purple card stock. I then adhered everything down on to a white card base and then added some enamel dots and shi...

I have had a hard time falling in love with my Prismacolor Colored Pencils. I just was never happy with the blend and just couldn't get the hang of them, it seemed. I have seen several crafters use color pencils on kraft card stock, but I've been hesitant to try, thinking they would just disappoint me once more. Boy, was I wrong. I can say with some certainty that I have finally fallen head over heels! I made this adorable bookmark for Rob's birthday (to go with some new books). He loves foxes and this precious little fox was just too perfect. I laminated it after to protect it and give it some strength and made a matching tassel out of some baker's twine. Products Used: Prismacolor Colored Pencils Fall Friends (MFT - retired) All About You Stamp Set Bold Blooms Stamp Set Die-namics Fishtail Flags STAX Premium Dye Ink Cubes  (Natural) Extreme Black Ink Neenah 100lb Desert Storm Card Stock Swingline Laminator My "faithful" craftin...

Can I get a little personal with you right now? My oldest is turning ten on Wednesday. TEN. I can't handle it. It makes me a little weepy. He's such a great kid and his dad and I have had great pleasure in watching him grow. <3 Here's the colorful birthday card I made him this year, starring his absolute favorite color, BLUE! Products Used: Die-namics Blueprints 27 Whimsy Alpha Stamp Set Penelope's Blossoms Stamp & Die Set (Lawn Fawn - retired) VersaFine Onyx Black Ink VersaMark Ink Prestige Card Stock Patterned Paper (MFT - retired) Enamel Dot Stickers Xyron Mega Runner Double Sided Foam Tape Drew even got in on the card making action! He made me pull out several stamp sets so he could make the perfect card. He was super proud!

I admit it -- I tend to struggle with the color challenges. I prefer a layout to go off of. But I do love these colors! I opted for a feminine, floral thank you card to add to my stash. Products Used: Die-namics Blueprints 5 (retired) Bold Blooms Stamp Set Brushstroke Expressions Stamp Set Premium Dye Ink Cubes  (Peach Bellini, Coral Crush, Lemon Chiffon, In The Buff, Natural) VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Prestige Card Stock  (Peach Bellini, Coral Crush) Neenah Classic Crest 80lb Solar White Xyron Mega Runner Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue

This card took some time, due to all the die cutting and ink blending, but I think it was worth it. I ended up sending this card to our pastor, who has been really sick lately. Products Used: Die-namics Band-Aids Feel Better Stamp Set Die-namics Blueprints 27 Die-namics Blueprints 5 (retired) VersaMark Ink Wow White Embossing Powder   Distress Inks   Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Solar White   Prestige Card Stock  (Cranberry Cocktail, Cherry Crisp) Xyron Mega Runner Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue Ironically, I ended up slicing my fingers open while digging for supplies, thus requiring REAL bandaids in the process. This comes a day after I had to take my oldest son in for stitches after he sliced his leg open. Bubble wrap for everyone!

My MFT order has arrived! SO many cute goodies in this release, I had a hard time picking only what I absolutely wanted/needed/could afford! From left to right: Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings , Saddle Up & Celebrate Stamp Set , Die-namics Cross-Stitch Bookmark , Stencil Grassy Edges , Free With $60 Heart Balloons Die-namics, and a free Balloon Die-namic. Can't wait to put these to good use!

Finally jumping on the MFT cross stitch craze! I love to cross stitch and learned to do it many years ago, but I'm new to doing it on paper and adding it to my cards. I'm hooked. The boys wanted to jump in on the action, too!

I admit it -- I struggled with this one and I'm not 100% happy with it. But it works for the Challenge . I do like the happy, cheery colors, however.

I really love the colors for this Color Challenge ! This card was a bit of a labor of love, but totally worth it.