Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Christmas Birdies

(Please scroll down for the Dude Time Doodles New Release Blog Hop post)



Are you ready for the new AiFactory Challenge?  The theme for is Something Red and you have two weeks to upload your red creation to the AiF challenge blog.  For this challenge, each design team member used this Christmas Birdies image from AiFactory.

I colored this cutie with Copic markers and added a bit of Spica glitter pen to the holly leaves along with a few gems for my berries.  The image was completed using a Pearl Pen (gold) for the chain and Spellbinders (deckled mega rectangles, lg #4) to cut the image out.  I also finished the inside, so all that's left is add a quick message and sign it.  Yea - one more Christmas card completed.

This should be an easy challenge as red is a traditional Christmas color (but you don't have to make a Christmas card if you don't want to).  Also mark you calendars - the AiFactory challenges will be on Wednesdays going forward.  Therefore, you need to get your project uploaded by 12/13/11.  I can't wait to see what you make with my favorite color.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Fanny Ski Bum



Fanny Ski Bum is here to swish in the December New Releases for Dude Time Doodles.  But don't let her fool you; she's really on the bunny slopes and thought the best way for everyone to see her coming (and get out of the way) was by coordinating her outfit and wearing REALLY bright colors!  I think you could easily see Fanny coming down that hill!


As with all our new release blog hops, it goes in a circle.   Hopefully, you came from Linda, but if not, just keep going to visit all the Dude and Dudettes and be sure to leave a comment with everyone.  One of us is the Mystery Hostess and the winner will be chosen from that person's blog.  Also give a big welcome to our newest Dudette - CG.


Now it's time to head on over to Michelle to see what great creation she's come up with.  In case you get lost along the way, here are the links to help you along.



CG  
Anne  (you're here)



Copics used: RV63, RV66    E00, E01, R20    BG53, BG45, BG49    BV11, BV13    R29    RV63, RV66, Y06, Y08, RV99


Monday, November 28, 2011

Wrapped with Love



Are you ready for a sketch challenge?  That's what we've got for you from the Digi Makeover Challenge this week.  The Color Kid, Gift Wrapper from Paper Makeup Stamps' November digi release, was my inspiration for this challenge and she's colored with Copic markers and cut out with Spellbinder's (Large Labels #4).  The scalloped card base as well as the background paper was die cut using Lifestyle Crafts Scalloped Squares (#10, #11).  Smooch Pearlized ink (siren) was used on the heart in the sentiment, which comes with the image.


You'll definitely want to see what the rest of the Digi Makeup Artists came up with for you today, so be sure to visit them too (blog addresses are on my sidebar).

The Rules
- You must use a digital image on your entry
(hey, it is a digi challenge after all)
- The challenge will be every Monday
- A winner will be selected every week by random.org
- The winner will get to choose any 3 digi images from PMS as their prize. If the winner used a PMS image on their entry, they'll get 2 bonus images (for a total of 5!)
- You may enter as many times as you want, there is no limit; however, you may not link back to old posts (prior to the challenge post)
- You may combine our challenge with any other challenge you like
- Please post a link directly to your individual blog post usingInLinkz (the blue frog) so we can find and admire your creation!



Copics used: B91, B93, B95   R35, R37, R39, R89    E00, E21, E31    E25, E27, E29    T4, T5, T6    Y28, Y21    Y02, Y04, Y06, Y08    E33, E99, E19    E40


Friday, November 25, 2011

Holiday Topiary

(Please scroll down for the new Stamping with the Dragon challenge post)


Welcome to Challenge #34 for Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  The theme is Christmas and I had a very hard time deciding which image I wanted to use from her store.  I finally decided to use the Holly Topiary because I had a flash of creativity when I saw it - to make the topiary rounded, just like it would be in real life.  In order to do that, I printed the image several times (at first I thought I would cut out each individual leaf).  Thankfully, I had a better idea.  After coloring and cutting out the entire top portion (as opposed to individual leaves), I used one of my old fondant cake decorating tools to round the entire piece from the underside.  It curled just the way I envisioned.  Don't you love it when a plan comes together?  Now to adhere it to the original image without messing it up.  Out came my tallest pop dots, but it still wasn't tall enough for me.  So I added a second layer of pop dots - just what I was looking for.


The image is colored with Copic markers with touches of Spica glitter pens on the holly berries and cut with Grand Labels Four (#1, 2) from Spellbinders and attached to Echo Park papers.  The image looked so good all by itself, that I didn't want to add anything else to it.  Hope you think so too.

This Christmas challenge will run for three weeks, so you'll have plenty of time to upload your creations to Pattie's Creations challenge blog.  Then get ready for a fun blog hop starting Dec 16.  Check out all the awesome creations from the rest of the design team too.

(For those of you who happened to see this post early, sorry.  Blogger issue - more likely a senior moment issue.  I selected the wrong date :0. )

Copics used: R29    YG41, YG45    E25, E27    E07, E08, E09    Y11, Y15, Y26

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Patches


It's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon and here are the details:


SPONSOR: STAMP FAIRY

Theme: Anything goes - Christmas

Prize : $10 gift certificate

stampfairy_minibanner.png


Everyone on the design team was given Patches to play with and let me tell you, every one of us came up with something different.  You'll definitely want to check them all out.

All the papers that I used to create my card are from Echo Park, but not all are from the same collection.  After printing and coloring Patches with Copic markers and glossy accents on the ornament, I fussy cut him out so I could adhere him on my Spellbinder's ornament.   I also used just a touch of Smooch pearlized ink (gold lame) for the ornament top.   As some of you know, I don't like to throw anything out.  The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is a perfect example.  It's actually the name of the paper collection on the tag that everyone cuts off at the bottom of each sheet.  It was the perfect size, so I cut it out and pop dotted it onto my ornament.  I used a brad to attach the ornament to my velvet ribbon and let it hang naturally (so it can swing just like a real ornament.  At least it won't break if it hits the ground.).  For the inside of the card, I cut out a smaller Spellbinder's ornament to add a written note.

Now it's your turn to get busy and upload your Christmas creation to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog.  What better way to get those Christmas cards ready before the last minute.

Copics used: YG67   E07, E08, E09    R24, R27, R29

Happy Turkey Day



Wishing everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving
 and for those who don't celebrate Thanksgiving today, have a Happy Thursday!


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Christmas Church



Since I had the week off from a couple of my design teams, I've had more of a chance to play around and participate in some other challenges.  Today's card is actually made from a rubber stamp (it's been awhile since I've used any) from Rubber Cottage and the sentiment is a rubber stamp from Memory Box.

I stamped my image in white onto black paper and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  One other thing I did was dip my finger in some white embossing powder and lightly sprinkle it over  the black to simulate snow falling.  After cutting out my snowflakes with a Creative Memories punch, I also heat embossed them with a mixture I created consisting of clear embossing powder and glitter.  It's really hard to tell in the photo, but they really shimmer and sparkle in the light.  This is a close up of one so you can get the idea.  The green branches are my touch of color and are from the Branches punch by Martha Stewart.  The image is cut using Labels Ten from Spellbinders and adhered to a piece of black chipboard, also cut with Labels Ten.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges: Stampendous (use chipboard); Stampy Land Challenge (colored ink only); Oldie But A Goodie (rubber stamp - Let It Snow); Mark's Finest Papers (black, white, one other color); Totally Paper Crafts (black & white); Cooking It Up with Katie (punch, ink, emboss); Really Reasonable Ribbon (CAS, Christmas, ribbon).





Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Christmas Stocking





I must say right off the bat that this card was a labor of love, but I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  This Vintage Christmas Stocking from Pattie's Creations could be embellished and brought to life in lots of ways, but I chose to paper piece the entire thing.  It wasn't hard, just a bit time consuming - making sure I was gluing the correct (small) piece to the proper area.

After all my pieces were in place, I added Perfect Pearls to each intersection and real jingle bells.  I also pop dotted it from the background.  I tried to add a few other embellishments to it, but I decided that everything else detracted from the image, which is gorgeous even in black and white.


I did use a couple of Copic markers to color the holly leaves in (G16, G19, G28) and added ruby colored gems for the berries.  Be sure to check back Friday for the next Pattie's Creations Challenge.  It's going to be a fun one (and easy).

I'm entering this into the following challenges:
Stamps R Us (Bling it on); Bunny Zoe's Crafts (Anything Christmas with Pearls); Phindy's Place (Christmas cards); Paper Creations Ink (Christmas theme)

Monday, November 21, 2011

Moody Girls for Reading


Monday, Monday and that means it's time for a new Digi Makeover Challenge.  The challenge this week is a color challenge:



The rules are pretty simple and are in detail at the challenge blog, but the main ones are that you must use a digi, you need to follow the challenge as stated, and you should have fun.  You don't have to use a Paper Makeup Stamps digi, but you get extra prizes if you do.


Since one of my other favorite things to do (besides making cards) is to read, I choose the Moody for Reading digi image for this color challenge.  Wonder what book she's reading today?  She's colored with Copic markers with touches of Smooch Pearlized ink on her jacket and hat and Spica glitter pens for accents.


You have one week (until Sunday, 11/27) to upload your color creation to the  Digi Makeover Challenge.  Don't forget to see all the other awesome creations by the Digi Makeup Artists (they are on the blog, or you can see the individual blog addresses on my sidebar).




Thursday, November 17, 2011

Cracked Glass - Lily


Today I wanted to share with you not only a beautiful and versatile image called Lily Sympathy from Stamping Dragons Designs, but also a tutorial on a technique I read about a couple years ago called the cracked glass technique.  (I'm sure if you Google it, you can come up with all kinds of You Tube videos as well.)  First off, let me say that I think this image is good for all occasions, not just as a sympathy card.  That's why I didn't put a sympathy sentiment with it.

The items you will need to complete this technique are a colored image of your choice, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), VersaMark, heat tool, and a freezer.

Here is my lily after coloring it with Copic markers.  The background was made by first applying a pink shade and then lightly going over that with a lavender shade.  I wanted parts of the pink to peak through.

After you've colored your image and you are happy with it, the next step is to apply the VersaMark to your image.  Make sure it is fully covered.  Next, begin applying the ultra thick embossing powder all over.  (You will eventually apply three layers of the UTEE.)  Once it's covered, you are ready to heat it.  The easiest way I found to do this was to place the UTEE covered image in a shoe box top.  That way, you can easily heat it up without having to touch any part of it.  Using your heat tool, thoroughly heat the embossing powder until it's completely melted.  While it's still HOT, pour a second coat of UTEE over it.  (I had left the image in my box top when I poured the second coat over it.  Once its completely covered again with UTEE, you can take the time to put the excess UTEE back in the container.)  Reheat again until it's completely melted. While it's still HOT, pour the UTEE over it for a third coat and heat completely.

 It should look like smooth glass at this point, as seen here in the photo on the left.  If you like this look, you can stop right here and  begin assembling your card.

To continue to the next step, just place this in your freezer for about five minutes.  Don't worry if it curls; you want it to and it should look something like the photo on the right.









Take it in your hands and start to straighten the image back out by bending it slightly backwards.  It will start to crack where you are bending it.  If it doesn't start cracking (you'll definitely hear it popping), just put it back in the freezer for a couple more minutes.  It should resemble this:



If you don't like the way it turned out, don't worry.  You can fix it by reheating it and melting the UTEE all over again.  Put it back in the freezer and try again.  One final step you could do, but I chose not to, is to slightly distress it by using a sponge dauber and a vintage brown ink to highlight the cracks more.  Rub the excess ink off with a cloth.  Again, I chose not to do this because I was happy with the results without the distressing.  Here is a close up of the assembled card.

For my assembly, first I mounted my image on black cardstock.  I created my background using a Cheery Lynn Designs lattice frame die and Core'dinations papers, which I sanded to bring out the peach.  The purple strip along the side was created by blending in two different shades of Paper Soft Colors to bring out the lavender in my image.  The scalloped border along the right side was created using the Grand 12" scallop Border by Spellbinders.  The peach base is the other side of the Core'dinations paper.

I also want to let you know you still have time to enter the current challenge (the theme is "food for thoughts") going on at Stamping with the Dragon.  You have until next Thursday to upload your project.  Don't forget to check out what the rest of the design team has created for you this week (you can find their blog addresses on my side bar).

I hope you like this technique and will try it soon.  I would love to hear back from you, letting me know what you think of it.

Copics used: YG11, YG13, YG13    YR0000, YR000, YR00, FY1    R27, R29, Y08, RV000, RV00, BV000, BV00


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Fanny Thanks


Welcome to the Wednesday Inspiration Challenge from Dude Time Doodles.  Our sponsor this week is Graphicat Designs and the winner will receive a Sushi sentiment set.  Here's our inspiration board:

Now, if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, you can also get inspiration from the colors, the sentiments, the animals; whatever inspires you from this picture.

I've chosen holidays and am using Fanny Thanks to create a mini album (from a Maya Road chipboard album I've had for quite a while)  for all those fun holiday photos that revolve around eating (you know, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter).  All the papers are Graphic 45 (Domestic Goddess) and everything is paper pieced except for Fanny's hair, skin and the turkey, which are colored with Copic markers.  The oval frame is from Cheery Lynn Designs.  The rose was created with G-45 paper and the Rose Creations dies from Spellbinders.

You'll have one week to upload your creation based on the Inspiration board to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog. Be sure to visit the rest of the Dudes/Dudettes to see their take on this challenge.

Copics used: E00, E01, E11, R20    E34, E35, E37, colorless blender    BG0000, BG000, BG10, B0000, B01, T3    V000, V01

Monday, November 14, 2011

Autumn Flowers


This week's challenge from the Digi Makeover Challenge is to make your own digi background.


I used a couple different images from the Color It Autumn digi set from Paper Makeup Stamps to make the background, changing the size as needed.  The sentiment was a Freebie Friday from Paper Makeup Stamps.  After combining the two images on my computer and printing it out, I also highlighted the sentiment with a Spica glitter pen so it would stand out more.

In addition to creating a digi background, I also created my mat using the Burble/Cheesecloth embossing plate from Cheery Lynn Designs.  After running it through my machine, I distressed it with Broken Twigs Distress Ink.  I added a leaf embellishment and paper floss for a touch of color.  Here's a quick tip on wrapping your ribbon or twine around the card without it going over the back: punch a small hole in the card's fold at the top and thread your twine through and tie it like you normally would.

Now it's your turn.  You have until 11/20/11 to upload your creation to the Digi Makeover Challenge blog.  (You can see the rules there too.)  Don't forget to check out all the other great examples from the rest of the design team.




Friday, November 11, 2011

Kick Up Your Heels...

(please scroll down for today's Stamping With the Dragon challenge post)




... and Have a Happy Birthday.  


Today's challenge at Pattie's Creations is to create a project celebrating either a Birthday or Thanksgiving.  Since both Pattie and Sandi's birthdays are this month, I created a side step birthday card for them using the Vintage Wedding Dress with Lace Top and Western Boots from Pattie's Esty store.  Hope y'all both have a wonderful birthday!


You'll have two weeks, until 11/24/11, to upload your project to the link at Pattie's Creations challenge blog.  While you're visiting the blog, don't forget to check out the other wonderful creations from the design team and leave us some love (we all love to receive comments letting us know what you think of our work).


Copics used: Dress: BG05, BG07 BG09   YR30, Y000, E51   Boots: BG05, YR30, YR31, E35, E37

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Cake Makes Everything Better!


Happy Friday everyone (OK, Thursday evening since the dt posts challenges to go live England time).  So that means it's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon.  The theme of our challenge is FOOD and our sponsor is none other than Bugaboo Stamps.

For my card today, I tried out Paper Soft Colors by Viva Decor to create my background as well as inking in the sentiment.  I must say, they blend really well - it just took a little longer than Distress Inks to get the look I was going for.  Just worked with it a tad bit longer is all, but I do like them.  They are oil based, so the instructions say to let dry for about 30 minutes and you do need a designated sponge with each color.  I tried a few different types of sponges and think I like a sponge dauber the best (although I haven't tried the sponge recommended by Viva Decor since I wanted to see if I could use what I already have on hand before buying something else).  I feel that I have better control over it than when I used a cosmetic sponge or the Ranger Ink Blending Tool and foam pads.

A couple quick details about the card: the image is colored with Copic markers; the sentiment is cut with Scrap-Mart's Label 1 die (#4) and is from Create with TLC; the left edge was cut with Memory Box's Sanibel Border.  On a side note, the purples in the image match the background really well, but turned out bluish in the photos.

You'll have until 11/24/11 to upload your FOOD creation to the Stamping with the Dragon Challenge Blog.  Can't wait to see what types of food you come up with.  While visiting the challenge blog, be sure to check out all the other great creations we made for you - they are a real treat.

Copics used: E00, E01, E11    Y11, Y00, R01, R81, R27    FV2    Y35, Y38    C0, C1, C2    BV13




Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Duck - Snowball Warrior

(outside)

You better not pout....or the Snowball Warrior will have to take some action and believe me, his aim is spot on!

 
(inside)

It's the second Wednesday of the month and that means it's time for the Guest Design Team Challenge and a freebie from Dude Time Doodles.  Head straight over to the Dude Time Doodles Challenge Blog to pick up your own Snowball Warrior, use him for something fun and creative, and upload him for your chance to be a gdt.  You won't be disappointed!




For my card, I used the out of the box technique and a new Sizzix Framelits (Scallop Oval) to cut out this cutie.  I was going for a night sky and used Copic markers for the sky and for the image.  Liquid applique was used to give the snow balls dimension and to make the snow flakes.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC and I added a couple snowflake stickers where the brads go.


On the inside, I created the second part of the sentiment on my computer, cut it out with Lifestyle Crafts Nested Scallop Ovals #3 and shaded with a Copic marker.  The snowflake border is from Memory Box and I embossed both the border as well as the stack of snow balls on the inside of the card with glittery embossing powder that I made myself.  (I combined glitter with a jar of clear embossing powder and I love the effect.)  You can see it really well on the close up of the snowballs, but I couldn't capture a good picture of the snow flake border (but it looks just like the snow balls - lots of sparkle).

Be sure to visit the other design team members, as well as our guest designer for this month, cg, and see their takes on this fierce warrior.  You have until next Tuesday to upload your creation to the DTD Challenge Blog.