In the Spotlight Challenge!

This was a fun challenge and I think all of us learned a new technique! The Designers have voted and we have our winners!

The FIRST CLASS card goes to:  #1 Kathy Stacy

The IN THE MAILBOX goes to: #2 Debi B, #6 Ellen Parker and #7 Sandy Hentzel

Congratulations! Send me an email to: cardenvydt@gmail.com with First Class Spotlight or Mailbox Spotlight as your subject and I will email you your badge!  Thanks so much for following and joining in on our challenges! ~Sandy

Hello and welcome to our third Monday of the month challenge! This time we want to see IN THE SPOTLIGHT CARDS!  This challenge runs from October 21st to November 3rd.

Please read this description of what a spotlight card is before you link yours to our challenge. Plus, take a look at our Designer's cards to see what one should look like.  If you are still confused, I will post a link to a tutorial video further down in this post.    A spotlight card features an image that is stamped or printed up in black and white while just a spot of it is in color.  The colored portion of the image is highlighted by a circle, oval or square shape to make it stand out from the black and white image.  This is easily accomplished by stamping or printing the image twice, coloring a small portion that you want to spotlight and cutting it out into the spotlight shape and adhering it to the full image on your card.  You could also do this in reverse with the full image in color and the spotlight portion in black in white.

Remember, all cards linked for our challenge must be an A2 size (4.25" x 5.5") only.  NO SQUARE CARDS.

Our designers did a fabulous job with creating cards that are IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

  Danie, D-Dazzled Scraps

Danie put a spotlight on this lovely lady's face and fur collar.  Love the sentiment...coffee,chocolate, men...some things are just better rich!

Debbie, Scrap Enabler 

 Debbie planted a bunch of lovely flowers on her card but spotlighted one lovely bloom for a wonderful happy birthday greeting!

 Denise, Scrappy D's House of Cards

Denise created two lovely spotlight cards and I just couldn't decided which one I liked best, so I'm sharing them both!  She spotlighted the top rose blossoms and the bird in this fabulous birdcage and rose image.

Her second card spotlights the dragonfly and the flower that is in full bloom in this lovely floral garden.

Karen, Calm Creations

Karen's Happy Birthday card features a spotlight around the flower bloom with the butterfly, leaves and background in black and white.

  Kristie, The Best Things in Life are Pink

 Kristie spotlighted a section of the lovely blossoms on her pretty hello card.

 Lisa, Lisa's Scrappy Hideaway

Lisa's unique black and white background was perfect for spotlighting one of the beautiful flowers on her card.

  Marilyn,  Marilyn's Cricut Cards

Marilyn's God Bless You card spotlights the Christ child which makes a dramatic statement on her card.

  Patricia, Thinking of Inking

Patricia's card shows you how you can use the spotlight technique on your Christmas cards.  The lovely black and white scene is so peaceful and the spotlighted cardinal on the mailbox makes the red banner stand out.

  Sandy (Challenge Host), Sandy's Crafty Creations

Of course, it's still October so if you are making Halloween cards like I am, you can spotlight a portion of your spooky card to make that section really stand out like this Jack-o-Lantern man's head!

 Wendi, Scrappy Day in Paradise

Wendi spotlighted a sweet treat on her yummy cupcake card.  The spotlight on the cherry and portion of the frosting really make this card pop.

Now it's your turn. It's really not that hard.  But if you are still confused, watch this tutorial video, just click on the link at Split Coast Stampers:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/spotlighting_technique/

Before linking, please take note of the following rules...

1. No square cards.  All cards entered must be A2 size (4.25" x 5.5")
2. No lumpy, bumpy cards.  Elements on your card need to be relatively flat (no thicker than 1/4")
3. Limit entries to 3 per challenge.
4. Entry must be for the current theme:  In the Spotlight cards

Additional rules can be found under the Challenge Guidelines tab at the top under our blog header.

Now That's Scary! Challenge

Congratulations to our winners for this challenge --That's Scary HALLOWEEN!

First Class Card is #2 Calypso

In the Mailbox Cards are:  #5 Barb Murphy, #13, Carol L., #15 Jen Mitchell, and #21 KOScraps4u

Congratulations Everyone! Please send me an email at: cardenvydt@gmail.com  to claim your badge!


Creak....groan....slither...bump.....scream.....what is it?  It's.....HALLOWEEN!  Now That's Scary!  And that's our theme for our current Cards in Envy Challenge!

Yes, we want to see your most thrilling, scary or fun, fabulous Halloween card...but remember... it must be flat enough to fit in an envelope for mailing with no extra postage AND it must be an A2 card (4.25"x5.5").

Our Designers ramped up their  craftiness to bring you some spooky, ooky, scary, eerie, fun Halloween inspiration...

 Danie, D-Dazzled Scraps

Danie wishes you "A Merry Halloween" but don't let that sweet sentiment fool you!  Creepy Jack-o-Lanterns and a black cat are sure to scare you on a dark Halloween night!

Debbie, Scrap Enabler 

Oooh! Arsenic Poison! If you're not careful, someone might try to put it in your food and that's scary!  Debbi's fabulous card design leads you through a paper maze right to the frightful warning!

 Denise, Scrappy D's House of Cards

Boo! Lurking ghosts! Now that is scary.  Denise's black card with the stark white creates a spooky background for this super scary ghost!

Karen, Calm Creations

Karen's Halloween card warns you...it's plain CREEPY!  Lots of fun and scary halloween images can be found in this card...spiders, bats and a general creepy vibe!

  Kristie, The Best Things in Life are Pink

Kristie's card brings to life a fear for many...SPIDERS!  Cobwebs and the crawly creatures lurk about on this card that says BOO as a warning to keep you away!

 Lisa, Lisa's Scrappy Hideaway

Lisa conjured up a frightful card featuring a crow, tombstone and bat.  Definitely "spooky" while encouraging you to "eat, drink and be scary!"

 Marilyn,  Marilyn's Cricut Cards

Marilyn's haunting scene is full of scary things...cobweb, ghost, tombstone, spooky fence and trees plus a big bright moon that  casts an eerie glow on the entire scene!

  Patricia, Thinking of Inking

Patricia's adorable Halloween black cat wears a scary witch hat and tells you to "Eat, Drink and be Scary".   A fun, cute and "scary" card all in one!

  Sandy (Challenge Host), Sandy's Crafty Creations

Sandy's cards is not for the faint of heart....evoking thoughts of Edgar Allen Poe and other things that go bump in the night-- a ghostly, creepy skull and evil spider! SCARY!!

 Wendi, Scrappy Day in Paradise

Wendi's card concocts a yummy witches brew full of gruesome eyeballs! A fun filled, spooky creation for the younger set, but don't let the cuteness fool you....

Now it's your turn to scare us with your NOW THAT'S SCARY Halloween cards!  Before linking, please take note of the following rules...

1. No square cards.  All cards entered must be A2 size (4.25" x 5.5")
2. No lumpy, bumpy cards.  Elements on your card need to be relatively flat (no thicker than 1/4")
3. Limit entries to 3 per challenge.
4. Entry must be for the current theme:  Halloween (Now That's Scary) cards

Additional rules can be found under the Challenge Guidelines tab at the top under our blog header.

Our Designers will be voting on their favorite cards which will be announced on the Wednesday following the close of the challenge. We will have one FIRST CLASS and three or more IN THE MAILBOX.  Each chosen will receive one of our fun badges for their blog!

A Little Bit RETRO Challenge!

Winners of our Retro Challenge are:

FIRST CLASS - #7 Linda L

IN THE MAILBOX - #1 Kathy Stacy, #3 Carol L and #6 Jackie W

Hello! Welcome to another fun challenge here on Cards in Envy!  We're asking you to go back in time...just a little bit and to create a card that has RETRO vibes!  What is retro?  Well, our definition of retro is..." old fashioned style."  So what might your RETRO card feature?   It could be made with old fashioned colors like those from the 50s, 60s, 70s--think harvest gold and avocado green, or clothing or other items from those past years.  Heck, now retro can even be the 80s and 90s.  You could even make your card to look like how a card might have looked from a certain decade or another idea is to use hippie clothing, the peace sign etc. which is certainly retro too.  Still confused?  Then maybe our Designers' creations can help you out and offer you a bit of inspiration. 

Please remember that our challenge is for A2 (4.25" x 5.5") cards ONLY.  We do not accept entries for square cards AND your card must be relatively FLAT with no lumpy bumpy embellishments, bows etc.  because we want all CARDS IN ENVY to fit in a regular envy for mailing with a single first class stamp!

Danie, D-Dazzled Scraps

Danie created this fabulous fashionable card featuring a very retro image.  Anyone remember when ladies dressed like this?  And the colors, patterns of her papers really add to this fun card!

Debbie, Scrap Enabler

Debbie created a super fun and cute retro card with colors and paper patterns that remind me of fabric and coloring books from when I was a kid (yes, that decade is very retro!)  The adorable image of the cute kids on a seesaw pull all the elements of this retro card together!

 Denise, Scrappy D's House of Cards

Denise went with a country, retro vibe on her card featuring old fashioned kitchen decor favorites with roosters and hens and a little bit of French inspiration. Can you say...Oh, la, la!

Karen, Calm Creations

Karen's retro card is inspired from a picture that used to hang on her Mom's wall during that decade when EVERYTHING was this color! Can you guess when that was?  Even the shapes say "retro."

 Kristie, The Best Things in Life are Pink

Kristie's fabulous card is sending retro love via an old manual typewriter.  I wonder if many of us could still type on that now days?  The lovely floral paper in the background is also reminiscent of a style and days gone by!

 Lisa, Lisa's Scrappy Hideaway

Lisa used an element right off the pages of a retro magazine!  A time when you could get a complete haircutting outfit for only $14.95.  Her paper choices and colors work perfectly for that retro look!

 Marilyn,  Marilyn's Cricut Cards

Marilyn's card brings us a bright and cheerful retro feeling with the adorable toaster and slice of toast. Something I can visualize on a 50s kitchen counter or magazine ad! Love her choice of background papers for this fun card!

  Patricia, Thinking of Inking

Patricia's card shows you what you can do when your inspiration is color.  The patterns of the papers definitely say retro along with that fabulous avocado green!

 Sandy (Challenge Host), Sandy's Crafty Creations

My retro card is inspired by my mother and grandmothers who always wore an apron in the kitchen.  The patterned rose paper reminds me of our living room walls.  Not only did my mother and grandmothers wear aprons but they wore dresses too even when doing housework.  A retro era that I love to remember!

 Wendi, Scrappy Day in Paradise

Oh baby! Nothing says retro better than vinyl!  Vinyl records, of course.  Wendi charms us with her awesome 45 record peeking out from behind a retro patterned paper.

Now it's your turn to share your RETRO card with us!  Please make sure that your card fits with our challenge by reading our guidelines and following our theme.  You could be our FIRST CLASS entry or one of our IN THE MAILBOX entries for this challenge!  Our Designers will be voting on their favorite cards which will be announced on the Wednesday following the close of the challenge. We will have one FIRST CLASS and three or more IN THE MAILBOX.  Each will receive one of our fun badges for their blog!

A few quick reminders regarding our challenge:

1. No square cards.  All cards entered must be A2 size (4.25" x 5.5")
2. No lumpy, bumpy cards.  Elements on your card need to be relatively flat (no thicker than 1/4")
3. Limit entries to 3 per challenge.

Manly Challenge!

Winners of our Manly Challenge are:

FIRST CLASS - #27 Lorraine A.

IN THE MAIL BOX - #10 Linda L, #12 Valerie Light, #16 KOScraps4u, #17 DebiB and #29 Barb Murphy

Congratulations! Please send  an email to: cardenvydt@gmail.com with either First Class Manly or Mail Box Manly (which ever is applicable) in your subject line and I will email you a badge!

Thank you!
Sandy

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It's time to man up! Think manly! Create a card for the BOYS!!  Our challenge theme this time is:   MANLY.  We want to see your fabulous cards that you create  just for the guys in your life.  Share your manly birthday, Christmas, get well, thinking of you, Father's Day or any occasion card..  Remember, that for the Cards in Envy challenge, we only accept A2 cards (4.25" x 5.5") that are relatively flat to fit in a first class envelope for regular first class postage.  That means no lumpy, bumpy thick cards.

You could be our FIRST CLASS Entry or one of our IN THE MAILBOX entries for this challenge!  Our Designers will be voting on their favorite cards which will be announced on the Wednesday following the close of the challenge. We will have one FIRST CLASS and three or more IN THE MAILBOX.  Each will receive one of our fun badges for their blog!

Our Designers have put on their thinking caps and created some fabulous MANLY cards to encourage and inspire you!

Danie, D-Dazzled Scraps

Danie's cute manly card reminds me of the the television show "Home Improvement" and Tim the Toolman! I love the ruggedness of the materials used in this card and the super cute tools cleverly created with foil tape from the hardware store!  

 Debbie, Scrap Enabler

Debbie used some fun manly gears and textures on this birthday card which I'm positive a man would love!  The red and brown colors go together wonderfully on this card with the white embossed/textured area!

 Denise, Scrappy D's House of Cards

Denise's fabulous guy card would be perfect for my hubby who LOVES the ocean and coastline!  I love how Denise colored this great seagull and used Baker's twine to make the rope on the dock post!

Karen, Calm Creations

Karen's card features argyle design papers in bright colors, similar to sweaters men were given for Christmas.  Love the clock and the masculine rope twine on this birthday card!

 Kristie, The Best Things in Life are Pink

Kristie's wonderful lighthouse scene is another card my Hubby would love!  The embossed background is very manly with the blue papers and I love that serene scene too!

Lisa, Lisa's Scrappy Hideaway

Lisa's card is also perfect for my Hubby!  He loves to fish and this is an awesome card for any man who loves fishing!  I love the masculine papers and the fishing lure!

 Marilyn,  Marilyn's Cricut Cards

Marilyn's card takes us back to days gone by but has a very masculine design with the pretty blues and beige colors.  I love the way she did the roadway and the bright blue of the horse and buggy!

 Patricia, Thinking of Inking

Patricia used a fabulous train engine image and embossed it! It really stands out on this card and the blue with the brown is very manly!  Love the addition of the brads to dress it up but keep it manly!

Sandy (Challenge Host), Sandy's Crafty Creations

This is my card for the manly theme, which has no images for fishing or the ocean.  I've had this stamp for a while and wanted to use it and think it was perfect for a card for someone to send to a man.  The next time I use this stamp for a card I will leave it black and white and go for a look like Kristie's lighthouse card above.

Wendi, Scrappy Day in Paradise

I love all the manly elements that Wendi used on her card.  The brown background reminds me of leather and the sentiment is great--perfect for a man or awesome boy!

Now, it's your turn to share your MANLY card creation.  First, a few reminders:

1. No square cards.  All cards entered must be A2 size (4.25" x 5.5")
2. No lumpy, bumpy cards.  Elements on your card need to be relatively flat (no thicker than 1/4")
3. Limit entries to 3 per challenge.

We've had several entries with square cards that have been deleted. Please read our guidelines and the list above before linking your card.  All entries are for A2 cards only,               NO SQUARE CARDS and cards must have flat embellishments. Thank you.

For the Birds Challenge!

9/4/13  WINNERS ANNOUNCED!  Thank you to all who joined in for this challenge!  Our winners are:

FIRST CLASS:   #16 Kathleen Barrett

IN THE MAILBOX:  #1 Sherry H, #2 Kathy Stacy, #6 Lyn T., #9 Seongsook Duncan and #14 Cissy M

Congratulations! Please email me at cardenvydt@gmail.com for you badge!  Please put First Class Birds or Mailbox Birds as applicable in your subject line.  We loved all the birdy cards for this challenge and it was very hard to narrow it down to these 6 favorites!  Again thank you for participating! We'd love to have you join us again!  ~Sandy

Hello, and welcome to a new challenge for this third Monday in August!  Our challenges go live on the first Monday and the third Monday of each month.

Today's challenge is FOR THE BIRDS!  Yep, we want to see cards you create that have a bird or birds on it.  The birds can be on the paper, stamped, pieced etc.  We just want to see BIRDS!  Crows, blue birds, red birds, owls, hummingbirds, chickens,  even storks. As long as they are a bird it qualifies!  Remember, that for the Cards in Envy challenge, we only accept A2 cards (4.25"x5.5") that are relatively flat to fit in a first class envelope for regular postage.  That means no lumpy, bumpy cards.

At the close of this challenge, our Designers will choose their favorite cards from the entries.  We will have one FIRST CLASS winner and three or more IN THE MAILBOX winners as runners-up.  Each will receive one of our fun badges for their blog!

And now, our inspiring FOR THE BIRDS cards created by our fabulous Cards in Envy Designers! Be sure to welcome our newest Designer, Patricia--an awesome addition to our wonderful group of card designers.  We'd also like to invite you to visit their blogs, just click on the blog link by their names.

Danie, D-Dazzled Scraps

Danie created a beautiful multi-colored bird for her card.  I love the bright colors of this fabulous "Thinking of You" card!  The white oval really makes the bird pop off this card and the embossing is a wonderful touch!

 Debbie, Scrap Enabler

Debbie created a beautiful teal green birdie perched on a stunning paper flower and black embossed background!  The flower center is a flat decorative button which keeps the total thickness of this card at under 1/4"--perfect for sending in the mail! I love the two colors of the flower and the cloud background too!

 Denise, Scrappy D's House of Cards

Hooo????  A bunch of owls that's Whoooo!!  Denise's cute and whimsical row of adorable owls is sure to make someone's birthday very happy!  Denise's coloring of these cute birds is amazing!

 Karen, Calm Creations

Karen's card is created with a bright and beautiful patterned paper featuring lots of birdies!  Plus the tiny bird on the flower makes this a very cute "Thank You" card!  Love the brightly colored polka dots too!

 Kristie, The Best Things in Life are Pink

Okay, I'll admit it....I'm not sure what kind of bird this is but he's a cutie!  Love his red bowtie and all the wonderfully coordinated patterned papers Kristie used for the background! Another fun "Thinking of You" card!

Lisa, Lisa's Scrappy Hideaway

Lisa created this adorable "Fun in the Sun", "Happy Sunshine Day" card with these wonderful papers, cute birdies and stitching! This card really makes me smile!

 Marilyn,  Marilyn's Cricut Cards

Marilyn, is our Cricut expert!  She designed this adorable chick (yes, chick's are birds too) who's bringing a happy "Hello" to someone special.  Love the striped background paper with the black!

 Patricia, Thinking of Inking

This is Patricia's first card with us as a Designer and she did fabulous! This bright and also patriotic card is "Sending Love" to someone special.  Love the red bird carrying the letter to the mailbox!

Sandy (Challenge Host), Sandy's Crafty Creations

I went on a "wire" and created this simple card with an inked background and stamped image. These three colors have become one of my favorite ink color combinations.  Makes me think of a pretty sunset or sunrise!

 Wendi, Scrappy Day in Paradise

Wendi's birdie card features a lovely trio on a beautiful pink background! Love Wendi's stitching and distressed edges.  "Enjoy" this lovely card!

Now, it's your turn to share your FOR THE BIRDS card creation.  First, a few reminders:

1. No square cards.  All cards entered must be A2 size (4.25" x 5.5")
2. No lumpy, bumpy cards.  Elements on your card need to be relatively flat (no thicker than 1/4")
3. Limit entries to 3 per challenge.