Day 365 - Musical Monday

Wow, here we are at Day 365.  And it is a bittersweet day for me, as we welcome in the new year, because we will say goodbye to our incredible designer, Gloria Stengel.

Gloria has been with us since the very first day - she is one of the original six, and I do believe that she has helped build this blog to what it is today.  She has been wonderful about commenting on participants' blogs and she's created such amazing cards, and it's difficult to imagine her not a part of the team.  But I have no doubt she'll pop in from time-to-time to hang out with us here. 

So let's get to today's challenge and Gloria's final card as a DT member.  I chose one of my all-time favorite songs to inspire the cards for this challenge.  Here are the lyrics:

"Wind Beneath My Wings"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.


So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.


Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.


It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.


Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.


Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.


Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.


Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.

And here is a gorgeous final card from Gloria:

Gloria, you are the wind beneath my wings....okay, I'm TOTALLY KIDDING, but I do love ya and wish you nothing but the best!!!  I don't want to steal Gloria's thunder, so pop over to her blog to find out (you might need to scroll down a bit) which manufacturer's DT she just joined - woo hoo!!!

Okay 365ers, are you ready for another year of cardmaking?  You know I always try to shake things up a bit, and this year will not be any different.  Remember, we've got a DT call going on - thanks to those of you who have already submitted your applications - and there's still time to send me an email.  Check out the 365 Cards Extra blog for the details.

See ya back here tomorrow for Day 1...

Day 364 - Super Sketchy Sunday

It's Sunday, which means it's time for a sketch....

And the Design Team really came up with some fabulous cards:

Wendi

Rose

Manoli

Sophia

Tesa

And I would like to welcome back Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More!!

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is proud to sponsor this challenge.

Robyn's Fetish  Digital Stamps And More, a division of I Did It Creations, was created and is

owned by Robyn Weinrib.  Robyn offers a wonderful variety of digital stamps and digital papers, designed to meet the needs of all digital paper crafting addicts for every occasion.

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is happy to offer the winner of this challenge 5

digital stamps or  4 digital stamps and 1 paper set of their choice.

One more day until we ring in the new 365 Cards year!!

Day 363 - Faux Framed

You don't have to have an actual frame to create the look on your card.  A pen, a marker, some rhinestones, etc. - any of those things can be used to create your own frame.  And that's the challenge:

Create a "faux" frame on your card, and there's really no limit to how you can do this.  However, for this challenge, you can NOT use an existing frame - you must create it yourself.

Oh, and surprise - you're getting another card from me!  Heidi is also away and I get to step in for another day.  So here ya go:

I created two frames actually, using some glitter pens, and I think you can see right where I put them.  I also had the pleasure of using an image from Guylou to finish up her sponsorship week!

Tomorrow we'll be back with a sketch and a returning sponsor...

Day 362 - Fun With Buttons

Happy Friday, 365ers!!!

I've got a creative challenge for y'all and I get to share a card.  Sophie is on vacation, so I'm stepping in - and I think I'm long overdue for some card sharing around here.

So here are the specifics of the challenge:

Create an embellishment (several, if you wish) that includes at least one button. 

I'm not talking about just adding buttons to your card, but making a whole new embellishment that also has a button on it.

Here's my example:

Here's a close-up of the embellishment:

If you'd like the details, visit my personal blog and read this POST.

I will definitely be making more of these. 

And as for you - no need to replicate mine.  I would sure love to see some other ways of using buttons to create your own embellies, so please share!

Day 361 - I've Got Your Number

We use them on our cards a lot, I think, but they aren't necessarily the focal point of the card.  So here's the challenge...

Use a number (for an age, a date, whatever you'd like), and feature it prominently on your card.

Hannah did just that, and her card is fabulous:

So bright and clean - and I love how the number is incorporated in the sentiment!

4 days left of this 365 Cards year...

Day 360 - Imagine This: Good News

I can't think of any news I'd rather receive than some good news!

And that's the theme of today's challenge.  It's an Imagine This challenge, which means you can use the words on your card, or just let the theme inspire your card. 

Kim really came up with a clever design for this one, check it out:

And a peek at the inside:

Ahhh, if only that were true....

This card is fabulous, though, and should inspire more great cards from those who join in on this challenge.

That digi stamp Kim used is from this week's sponsor, Guylou's Inimitability Digistamps -- just one of several wonderful digis you can choose from.  Be sure to hop on over the shop and see what else she has to offer.

5 more days of this 365 Cards year left...

Day 359 - Tuesday Trio

Okay, it's official - the DT application window is officially open!  Check out the 365 Cards Extra Blog for all the details....

What a great week we had of sketches last week.  I want to extend a great big "THANK YOU" to the design team for creating sketches and beautiful cards to go along with!!

There were several new participants, and we are so glad you join us -- I hope you will continue to jump in whenever you can.  And you never know, you just might find yourself as one of the Spotlight Designers. 

Here they are from last week:

You are welcome to grab the Spotlight Designer badge from the sidebar.

I'm always impressed when participants complete every challenge, and this group got that task accomplished to make up the Weekly Challenge All-Stars:

Paula Bee, Doreen, Carolyn V., Renata, Deni, Marusia, and Linda B.

Way to go and thanks for sharing your talent with us every day!!

Today's challenge is to usethree specific items and/or techniques on your card.  So here is your Tuesday Trio for today:

Blue - Distressing technique - Button

How much of each of these things is up to you, as long as they are included in the card design.

Here is Audrey's example:

It's all there and it's fabulous!

Terrific example, Audrey :-)

This is a good time throw out a reminder that we love to see your wonderful card creations, but if we have to search through several posts or even an individual post to find the right card, we are less likely to comment or consider you for a Spotlight Designer spot.  It's not a problem if you combine a 365 Cards challenge with other challenges, but if you can guide us to the right card we would truly appreciate it!! 

Day 358 - Color Scheme

Can it be?  Are we really in our final days of the 2nd year of 365 Cards??  So many fun challenges and gorgeous cards were shared!

Today we have a Color Scheme challenge for you, and here are the colors:

And here is Gloria's stunning creation:

The ribbon is just the right touch to complete this card!

I'm sad to say that we have a few members of the team who are moving on, and you know what that means....A Design Team Call!  This is my unofficial announcement that we will have at least 3 spots to fill on the team.  Tomorrow I will release the official details on the 365 Cards Extra Blog.

As we enter our 3rd year, we have exciting plans: Blog Hops, Prizes, New Sponsors, Fun Challenges, and more.

More details coming up soon...

Day 357 - Super Sketchy Sunday

It's time for another Sunday Sketch, and here it is:

And the Design Team cards:

Wendi

Manoli

Rose

Tesa

All of these cards are amazing, and yet so different - great work, Ladies!

We have a brand new sponsor this week that I'd like to tell you about...

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Guylou's Inimitability Digistamps

Clicking on the link above will take you to the shop, and some fantastic digi stamps to check out.

One lucky winner will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to the store, so play along all week to earn chances to win that great prize!!

Tomorrow I will share details about our upcoming DT call...

Day 356 - Saturday Sketch

Here's your last sketch for this super fun week, courtesy of Heidi:

And here's her card:

Gorgeous card, and a fantastic job with the stamping!

Tomorrow we'll be back with another Sunday sketch and a new sponsor...

Day 355 - Friday Sketch

Great news - I finally upated Tuesday's post with the winners, and you can check it out HERE!

Unfortunately, being on vacation meant totally and completely forgetting to wish DT member Kim a very happy birthday, and for that I am extremely sorry!!  It seems that I am best at belated birthday wishes, lol.  So Kim, I want to wish you the very best in the coming year!!!

Back to the challenge for today, which is another sketch.  This one is from Sophie:

And her card:

Fun and fabulous right down to the font on the sentiment!

Have you been doing the big countdown?  The 365th day of this blog's year is right around the corner.  That means a whole new year of fun challenges and a DT call coming up soon...

Day 354 - Thursday Sketch

Wow, I am dealing with some serious jet lag!  But, the show must go on...

Here is Hannah's sketch for today:

And take a look at this elegant card:

Really stunning, Hannah!

And that sketch is fab - it kinda looks like a little pocket maybe...

I love a good sketch week - even though we pride ourselves on coming up with many different types of challenges around here, it's nice just to settle in to a variety of sketches.  And that's the great thing about the DT creating these sketches because there should be something for everybody.

A couple more sketches coming up before the week is over...

Day 353 - Wednesday Sketch

I'm writing this post as I sit at the airport ready to head back to the mainland.

We had a lovely vacation in Hawaii!

Today it's Kim's turn to share a sketch and a card, and here they are:

Okay, that is so adorable!! 

Great sketch, Kim - I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with for this one :-)

 I will finally be able to update Tuesday's post with winners from last week, so stay tuned for that info...

Day 352 - Tuesday Sketch

We've got some winners from last week, so this post is officially updated!

Congrats to Becky Helwig

You are the winner of a prize from Digis with Attitude!!

Please contact me here so I can get you all the details.

Here is another wonderful set of Spotlight Designers:

Beautiful work, thank you for sharing these cards with us!

Well done to Linda B. and Paula B. - you are last week's Weekly Challenge All-Stars!!

And now, I would like to share Audrey's sketch and card:

I "Adore" this super cute card!

And Audrey's sketch leaves lots of room for interpretation, so have fun with it and come back again tomorrow for another sketch...

Day 351 - Monday Sketch

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!

Are in the mood for another sketch?

Well, here it comes...

Gloria has provided this wonderful sketch for us today:

And of course she's sharing a gorgeous take on the sketch:

Love the super sweet Valentine theme!

We'll be back tomorrow with another sketch...

Day 350 - Super Sketchy Sunday

Welcome to another super fun and fantastic SEVEN SKETCHES WEEK

Brought to you by your 365 Cards Design Team!!!

Today's sketch was created by Sunday Sketch Design Team member Wendi:

Great sketch, Wendi!

And here are the DT examples:

Wendi

Manoli

Rose

Sophia

Tesa

Wow, gorgeous cards, ladies!!

We'll have a new sketch for you every day this week, so stick around...

Day 349 - Shhhhhhh

This challenge is all about keeping it quiet...

That means to keep the theme subtle and the colors muted. 

Heidi did a beautiful job with her example:

I do believe the sentiment says it all!!

So tomorrow we start a fun week loaded with.....

SKETCHES!

So if you love sketches, then hang with us all week long...

Day 348 - Card Recipe

It's a Card Recipe day, so let's get started with some ingredients...

Ingredients 

5x5 card

1 stamped image (digi or rubber)

3 buttons

2 different ribbons

Patterned paper

Sentiment

And the coolest thing about this type of challenge is that no matter what the ingredients, the finished product is always different from card maker to card maker.

Here's is Sophie's card:

Absolutely precious!

There are so many possibilies with this challenge, but remember that you must stick to only the ingredients above (unless you like to be a rebel, and that's okay, too *wink*).

Day 347 - Thinking in Thirds

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say "Thinking in 3 parts" because I'm not looking for perfect division of the card.  Here are the specifics:

Divide your card into three parts so that none of the embellishments or the sentiment overlaps from one section to another.

If this is confusing at all, it will make sense when you see what Hannah has done:

"Oh Fabulous" is right - what a classy looking card!!

So now that you can see generally how this challenge works, go divide your card into 3 parts and show us what you came up with...

Day 346 - Teen Queen

Hello 365ers - or should I say Aloha?  This post comes to you from the beautiful island of Kauai!!

I'm enjoying a vacation with my family, but the challenges must go on, so here is today's challenge:

Make a card with a teenage girl in mind, and frame the card with some bling (glitter, rhinestones, pearls - whatever sort of girly thing you have on hand).

Kim's is beautiful in blue, check it out:

The addition of the pearls is perfect with this "under the sea" tween image from Digis with Attitude!

Do you have a teen girl in your life?  Here's a great opportunity to make a special card just for her...