Last day of the March Madness Card challenge - an assortment of cards

Well here I am on day 31 at the end of my card a day challenge for March.  It's been a fun month and I've got lots of lovely cards to show for it too, although it has been hard work to get them made, photographed, uploaded and blogged about, and being sick for a couple of days didn't really help, but I made it through!

Looking back at all the cards I did make, I've counted up them all and actually made 54 different cards, and including multiples of the same design, there were over 100 cards, so quite a productive month.  I'll certainly have plenty to take to the Washington International Spring Bazaar on April 17th.

For my last day I've made five new cards.  It started off with a first birthday card, then I added an 18th and 21st birthday cards followed by a sweet sixteen, and finally two quick thank you cards to try out a new rubber stamp!

I hope you've enjoyed following my creativity and I'll start thinking about another challenge for later in the year.

Card Challenge Days 28, 29 & 30 - It sucks being sick!

I guess with the crazy temperature changes this past week it's not suprising that I have caught a cold!  I hate feeling ill and I'm not sure whats worse, the symptoms of my sore throat and throbbing head or the side affects of the cold medication that make me feel like I'm high!

With feeling sick, I've just not had the energy or motivation to make any cards for a couple of days, but today I dragged myself into the craft room and got creating, and before I knew it I had made up two new cards and felt alot happier.

It's the last day of my 31 day challenge tomorrow and I hope to get some more cards made and posted, and then reflect on the past 31 days and all of the cards I've made.  Its also the last day of my giveaway too, so for all of those that have 'liked' my Liz Felgate Crafts facebook page or made a purchase from my Etsy store, I'll be drawing a name to win 10 of my beautiful cards!

Card Challenge Day 27 - Bassets are like potato chips, you can't just have one!

My featured card, or should I say cards for today follow on from yesterdays theme of basset hounds. I wanted to try out all three of my new rubber stamps and so ended up creating about 6 different cards in all.

Just by using the stamps in different ways I can create so much more than three different cards.  I especially like the smaller of the stamps which is just a clear outline of a basset hound as I'm able to stamp it out four times, and then cut out different 'layers' to build up a 3d basset.

I'm sure I'll be making lots more of these fun cards ready for the BROOD Ramble in September.  I attended my first Ramble last year and what an amazing day it was.  There were over 150 basset hounds of all shapes, sizes and ages there, along with their owners, all to raise money for the Basset Rescue of Old Dominion (BROOD).  I'm hoping to take Daisy with me this year when I have another booth there to sell my cards.

Well here are my first creations using Barnie, Oliver and Sebastian the basset hound stamps (well they have to have names too!).

Collection of basset cards

Card Challenge Day 26 - Bassets Rule!

Back in January we added to our family by adopting a rescue dog from the Basset Rescue of Old Dominion (BROOD), in the way of Daisy.  A cute and fun two year old basset hound mix which was going to make the perfect playmate for our border collie cross Jelly!  It was love at first site, for all of us, and so we brought Daisy home.

She's settled in great and made herself at home straight away, taking her position on an armchair like she'd always been meant to sit there.  Shortly after we got her I'd taken her to the vets for a check up and was told that she had tested positive for heartworm. this was very worrying as I knew that heartworm could be very dangerous for dogs.  We started treatment straight away which meant that Daisy had to stay at the vets for 4 days while they gave her treatment to kill the worms and monitor her for any possible side effects.

Thankfully she has now been given the all clear from the vets and shouldn't have any long term effects because of it.  Throughout all of it she's been her playful happy self and we just love her to bits.

BROOD are a fantastic organistaion who help to rehome and take care of hundreds of bassets, they are always looking for fosters and furever homes for their dogs. Check out the available dogs on their website at http://www.brood-va.org/ and see if you can welcome a new dog into your life too.

I've just added some more bassets to our house in the form of some new basset rubber stamps, and so thought I'd try one of them out this morning! so cute!

March Madness Day 25 - Celebrate Adoption days

I've made hundreds of birthday cards over the years, but believe it or not this is the first adoption day card I have made.  I was given the suggestion by a friend and what a great idea it was.  Celebrating the day that a child is brought into a family is a very special occassion.  I'll be taking this card and a couple of other cards around to Jodye later today!

At last the sun is shining although its still a little chilly with reports of snow in the forecast tonight! what is going on with that!

Card Challenge Day 24 - More mothers day Cards

Yesterday I didn't have my camera so wasn't able to take any photos of all the new mothers day cards I made.  I was on a roll and made 24 cards in all im=ncluding some fathers day cards and some happy birthday soldier cards too.  Some days i have so many ideas that I can just keep going....last night it was nearly midnight when I packed my things up and went to bed.

I'm hoping to make some more as the two stores that buy wholesale from me will be needing some and I also know alot of brits living here that need mothers day cards for the UK date in April, and can' always find them in the shops in time.

Lets hope today is as productive!

March Madness Day 23 - Oh La La Mothers day card

Yesterday was such a lovely day which I spent most of in the garden doing some spring cleaning, and then today when I woke up its like winter again outside, all gloomy and cold.  It's a good day to stay in doors and be creative.  I also had a Bride to be calling round to discuss her wedding stationery and she decided on a lovely black and white gatefold design with accents of pink and silver.  Now that will keep me busy making 85 sets of invitations, RSVP cards, Thank you cards and place cards.

Looking through my cardstock, I pulled out some toile look card in black and white and some bright sunny yellow card and envelopes and got creating some pretty Mothers Day cards.  Mothers Day in the UK is in April, so I need to get going on making quite afew for all the Brits I know living out here.

With the offcuts of card I made up some matching gift cards to go with each of the cards.

March Madness Day 22 - Springtime and Support our Troops

Springtime is really here and now there seems to be so much to be done in the garden. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours clearing away some dead plants and leaves to uncover my spring bulbs which were hidden in the debris.  Its lovely to see some fresh green growth back in the borders after what seems like a long winter. It always amazes me how the delicate plants survive the winter with afew feet of heavy snow on top of them.

On a recent trip to Lowes I had to stop myself looking at all the plants as Lowes garden center has the same effect as Michaels does on me and I'll come home with a car full of plants if I'm not supervised!

I think afew more hours of yard work is on the agenda again today, and I've learnt by past experience that a little often goes alot further than a marathon session and not being able to move for a week after!  Looks like its going to be a nice day too, so as the saying goes 'make hay while the sun shines'

As for my card for today I've made up afew more support the troops cards and will be making some birthday cards too for the soldiers etc.  Every day on the news I hear of yet another war breaking out across the globe and it makes you think about all of the lives lost every day.

March Madness Day 21 - God Bless America

I've been working on a collection of cards with a military theme, and thought that some patriotic cards would work well too.  I created 6 cards in the red, white and blue theme.  I used a selection of stickers including some photo stickers and buttons.

I may not be an American, but having lived here for over 10 years now, this is my home and I love living here.

March Madness Day 20 - Easy Rider theme cards

On another beautiful sunny day the roads are full of motorcycles out enjoying the great riding weather.  There's nothing like the feeling of riding on the open road on a motorbike, I just love it. I got my licence back in 2008 and have my own bike too.

My cards today are inspired by motorbikes, and I love the metal look with the Harley color theme of black and orange.

Get on your helmet and go for a ride!

March Madness Day 19 - Baby Girls First Teddy Bear

Today has been a beautiful day and I started it off by taking a new yoga class in town. The class was called 'Rock your core' and it certainly did that!  Feeling refresed and ready to make the most of the beautiful day ahead I picked up my gardening tools and headed outside to work on the front garden.

While doing some weeding, I noticed something move by my foot, and when I looked it turned out to be a snake!  It was only a rat snake, about 12 inches long, but it sure made me careful of where I put my hands after that!

Now I'm back indoors, starting to feel the effects of the yoga and  four hours of gardening, so have sat down to make some cards and come up with this one.

March Madness Day 18 - A special card for a Friends Mum

Today has been a little less hectic than yesterday but still as productive, as I have worked on some new cards, done some painting, been to the gym and out for several walks with my dogs Jelly & Daisy as it's been such a beautiful day.

One of the cards I made today is a special one for a school friends mother who has been through surgery to remove cancer and I wanted to send her a card to brighten her day.  I hope this brings a smile to her face and these flowers are sure to last much longer than fresh ones too.

I've got it all packaged up safely ready to post back to England in the morning.

March Madness Day 17 - One of those crazy busy days!!

Today has been one of those crazy days where I have been running around all day. My day started with a trip to the vets with my dog Daisy for her follow up on the heartworm treatment she had in February. Thankfully her tests came back negative and she was given the thumbs up from the vet! It's a huge relief as heartworm in dogs can be very harmful if not treated so it was a good thing we caught it early.

The rest of the day has included taking photos and video of the Georgetown Prep students out on the Ropes Challenge course (http://www.upwardenterprises.com/) which was fun, and with such beautiful weather, it makes for even better photos.

I even managed to fit in a run at Baker park in Frederick tonight with a friend, which is just what I needed.

So now at almost 10pm I've just finished my card for today! Its a simple one, which was quick to make, but I like it alot.

Let me know what you think!

March Madness Day 12 - Music and Weddings

What a lovely day it was today, still a little chilly first thing but so nice to see the sun and blue skies again after all that rain.

Today I made two new cards, one for a family occassion, the other from a suggestion fro Jodye. One of my neices back in England will be getting married in May and I just got the beautiful invitation in the mail this week, so taking my inspiration from that I made her a lovely card for her wedding day. Her color scheme is a deep purple color, so with that in mind I kept it simple and elegant, with a little bit of bling too.

My second card is a music themed one, suggested by Jodye, and I like the way it turned out. I love the old feel of the music sheet patterned card, with the simple mini card on the front. I wish I could make cards with sound, as this one would be singing 'Happy Birthday' for sure.

Don't forget to put your clocks forward tonight before you go to bed! maybe this means that Spring is officially here and the weather will start to act that way!

March Madness Day 10 - 80's Roller Disco!

I grew up in the 80's, the era of big hair and brightly colored clothing, and listening to Madonna and Duran Duran on my cassette player! oh those were the days.

Afew weeks ago I travelled back to the 80's, for just one night to attend my friend Laura's birthday party. The theme was the 80's and the location was the Hagerstown Roller Rink. I had so much fun creating my costume and had my fingers crossed that I wouldn't be stopped by the Police on the way up to Hagerstown, all dressed up in pink and yellow and my face painted with some wild make up. We all had a great night.

Looking at the photos from that night gave me an idea for a new card, and so the roller skate disco theme card was created! The skates I rented were pretty bright green, although they didn't have pretty pink ribbons for laces, or bling on the wheels....maybe they should!

What was your favourite part of the 80's?

March Madness - Day 8 - Flock of Song Birds

Following the day of rain on Sunday, then snow on Monday, today it's looking a bit more like spring with the sun in the sky and birds chirping in the tree's.

With this in mind I decided to make some bird theme cards for todays part of the challenge, and ended up making four cards! Well one on it's own would be kind of lonely so I made a whole flock of bird cards.

I love using bright colorful card and paper, and when I can use the card for the background and also cut out part of it to make the accent, it's even better. I'm quite nifty using a pair of scissors to cut out shapes and for the really tricky bits, like between the birds tiny feet, I use my trusty knife.

I can just hear these cards chirping with the joys of spring!

Remember, for every purchase from my Etsy store, or 'like' on my Facebook page, you'll be entered into a draw to win 10 of my lovely hand made cards!

www.lizfelgatecrafts.etsy.com

March Madness - Day 5 - An Elephant never forgets!

So here we are on day five of my card making challenge and today I've been up early as I've got a lot to do today. I had a look through my rubber stamp collection and chose a stamp that I brought a while ago but hadn't got around to using yet (much like some items in my closet!!).

I paired the cute stamp with an elepahnt on it with some chinzy floral paper and cardstock in pink and blue, and just love the red ribbon and bow!

Today I'm off to the Frederick basket Company in downtown Frederick, MD which is a fabulous little store that sells amazing items that are assembled into beautiful gift baskets. They also sell my cards there. Today is a special unvieling of a new mural for the store and so all the local artists that are featured in the store are invited to come in. Would be great to see you there if you can make it!

Here's my creation for today! hope you like it!

March Madness - Day one!

Ok, so here is the first of hopefully 31 cards that I'll make during the month of March. This one was made with a pack of robot stickers that I picked up on a recent visit to Michaels, and loved! I teamed them with an assortment of colored paper & card to complement the colors in them.

I love the way its turned out and am now thinking up ideas for more cards. If you have any suggestions or ideas for cards, color schemes etc then throw them my way, it will add to the challenge and may help me as I get near to the end of the month and my brain starts to hurt!

Let me know what you think!