Graduating Bear - QKR Anything Goes Challenge 243 - DT card

This week the Anything Goes challenge at QKR Stampede has the option of Graduation.  Some years I have had quite a few graduation cards to send - not so many this year.  I think there is a relative graduating from the U. of Minn. so I used dark burgundy and gold for that school.  The image is Graduating Bear, from the QKR Stampede digi store - colored with an aqua pen and water color pencils.  I used a piece of DP for the sentiment, and backed those pieces with black cs.  The background DP is from a pad called Heirloom by DCWV.  A touch of black ribbon, gold mesh, and gold gems complete the card. (Tic-tac-toe /diagonal/ ribbon, bling, colored pemcils.)
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:   Stella Says Sketch
Animal:     Pile it on
Tic-tac-toe  House that Stamps Built
Any:   Angies Digital Stamps 
            Digital Delights 
            Jo's Scrapshack
            Lemon Shortbread
            Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
             Morgan's Artworld
            Pammies Inky Pinkies

Special birthday

A friend asked me to make a card her her sister's 90th birthday - seems like I have done several of these lately.  Must be something about my own age...!!!  I used a stamp that has been collecting dust (not sure it has seen ink before) and I think it will soon be a favorite - I like the black and white look and it lends itself to that.  It is by Fiskars. Watercolor pencils with an aquapen added a bit of color.  The floral embossing is a new (prize) folder by WeR Memory Keepers.  I used some scraps for the stamped panel and the bg as well as the punched butterflies.  A bit of glitter adds sparkle.  The sentiment is by my computer.  What is my favorite tool?  It is certainly my die cut machine - for dies and embossing - I make very few cards without one or the other!
Sketch:   Your Next Stamp
Flowers:   Crafting When we Can
                  Allsorts
                  Morgans Artworld
                  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 
Butterflies:   Pink Gem
Favorite tool:   Simon Says Stamp Monday
Favorite stamp:   Penny Black at Allsorts
Fancy:   Fussy and Fancy
Any:    Lemon Shortbread
             Digital Delights 
Scraps:    Hiding in my Craftroom 

QKR Stampede #204 - Monochromatic - DT entry

I hope your screen is set so that this looks green - especially the DP background, which is a very dark and very light green.  The challenge at QKR Stampede this week is to make a monochromatic creation.  You may enter up to 3 times before 6pm EDT on Thursday- for a chance to win QKR images.  Take a look at the creative gallery by the DT members! I selected this Hobbling Frog and matching sentiment.  Right now I have no recipient in mind, but every once in a while I have a friend with a broken ankle or hip replacement and this would be perfect.  I figure it could go for a guy or a gal!  Some where I heard that green is not a good get well color - but I figured I needed a green froggie!  This fun DP was in a huge tub of material from a yard sale.  I added some gems and a leafy circle die cut.  I have lots of embellishments I like, but these tiny gems are among my favorites - they add some pizzazz but not too much bulk.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:  
Sketch:   Catch the Bug Stella Says Sketch
Colored image:       Live Laugh Stamp
Animal acting human:    Dis Digi Designs
 3 of something:   Morgans Artworld
Use a die:     Crafty Sentiments
                    Paper Shelter.
Wild (frog):   Simon Says Wednesday
 Any:    Classic Design Team
             Digital Delights
             Incy Wincy
              Ispiration Destination
             Crafting by Designs 
             Patties Creations
             DLArt