Sunday, July 31, 2011

Emperor's Swan


This gorgeous Emperor's Swan die is from Cheery Lynn Designs and I had so much fun playing with it that I've made two different versions for you today.  


The first one was made with a fun patterned paper (oranges and pinks) and I used the entire die - the frame as well as the swan itself.  I backed it with a piece of solid cardstock in a darker shade of orange so the die cut would really stand out.  Next I used my Scor-Tape from Scor-Pal (love this stuff) to adhere the lace on the back side of the panel.  The card base and sentiment are from My Mind's Eye. Glossy Accents was added to the word "Unique" so that it would be a bit more shiny and dimensional.  I added brads and adhered it in a curved position, for a more "unique" look.  Here's a close up (plus you can see a glimpse of the inside where I adhered a Lacey Oval (#5) die cut in the same shade as the front of the card for a personal message).




For the second card, I went with a more formal look.  The card base was cut using a Sizzix die (Card, A2 Gate Fold with Flower Silhouette).  On the front of this card, I incorporated the Italian Flourish doily die from Cheery Lynn Designs along with the inserts from the Japanese Lace and Flourish Frame.  The Italian Flourish is cut out of vellum paper and the black paper used throughout this card is Malmero Perle.  It has sparkles embedded throughout the paper on both sides and looks very cool in person. The metal charm, which says "peace", is attached with brads.  I added a bit of black ribbon and a small flower in the center of the bow to finish the front. 



I carried the ribbon to the inside of the card as well.  Now you can see the peaceful swan in all her glory.  The swan is cut out of silver metallic paper and is adhered to a Petite Scalloped Oval, large from Spellbinders (#6) cut out of the Malmero Perle.  The bottom has two more of the inserts from the Japanese Lace and Flourish Frame.  Although I wanted the subtle look of the same paper on paper, I wanted it to pop just a little, so only the center is adhered to the base.



Here's a closer look at the Emperor's Swan.  You can catch glimpses of the sparkle embedded in the black paper.



Enjoy!


Friday, July 29, 2011

Rupert's Party Time


Today's image,  Rupert's Party, is from Stamping Dragon Designs and he's all ready to sing Happy Birthday to You.  This is my first attempt at trying to create translucent balloons.  I'm pretty happy with the results, but practice always makes better (perfect isn't in my vocabulary).  What do you think?

After coloring Rupert with Copic markers, I fussy cut him out and adhered him to Echo Park's For the Record papers.  The label was cut using Memory Box Primo Labels die and the sentiment is a sticker I had in my stash.

Don't forget to head on over to the Stamping with the Dragon blog to enter the current challenge and check out what the other design team members have created for you today.  We all appreciate any lovin' comments you leave for us.

Copics used: Y11, Y13, R81, R83, R85, BV00, BV01, BV02    G24, G05, G07    YR00, YR01, YR02, YR30, YR31, YR24    YR09, BG11, BG32

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

DTD New Release Blog Hop



Yea!  It's time for Dude Time Doodles New Releases, and are they fun!  This card is from one best friend to another.  On the front, I used Made with Love (which came out last month I believe).  I played around with the formatting on my computer (one of the great thing about digital images) so that parts of the letters fade in and out a bit.  I also added lots of bling by using Creative Inspirations paints (Pink Highlights) all over the heart and the buttons.  Glossy Accents were used around the edge of the heart and the main wording so that they would be more dimensional and shiny.  Added a bit of ribbon and voila - a wonderful card for your BFF.


So, are you wondering what the gift was? Well, the answer is on the inside of the card.   Muttley DooDoo (a new release) gave her BFF the very best present she could think of.  She went outside in the grass instead of in the house!




Grand Labels Eleven (#3) by Spellbinders was used to create this shaped card from Muttley and I used my Copic markers to color the images.  The patterned cardstock is from Heidi Grace Designs that I purchased at my local craft store.


As always, the blog hop has no starting point; you just keep going until you've gone full circle and hit all the wonderful creations the Dudettes have made for your viewing pleasure.  Be sure to leave some love everywhere you stop as one of us is the Mystery Hostess.  One person who comments on the Mystery Hostess' post will be the winner.  Now it's time to head on over to see what Janet has created for you.


Here's the list in case you get lost along the way.




Don't forget to mark you calendars for Aug 24 and our first birthday celebration with a Scavenger Crawl.

Copic markers: E43, E44, E47   E25, E27, E17   R11, R81, R83


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Serenity





Today I have a (very) CAS card for you and I only used dies - no Copics, can you believe it?  The frame is from Cheery Lynn Designs (Japanese Lace & Flourish frame) and it is gorgeous.  (I just ordered some for the first time and I definitely need/want more.)  I combined this with Spellbinder's Fancy Tag Two die and a metal charm from Blue Moon Beads that I picked up at my local craft store.


One of the really cool things that didn't get captured too well is the black paper.  It's called Malmero Perle and is iridescent (like Cryogen papers).   There are sparkles embedded throughout the paper on both sides.  The base is Core'dinations paper.


Hope your day is clean and simple too - ie: relaxing!




Saturday, July 23, 2011

Anniversary Scavenger Crawl coming soon


Anniversary Scavenger Crawl


Bonibleaux Designs and Dude Time Doodles are turning ONE!!

We will be celebrating with some fun events and lots of prizes.

Please save the date...

August 24th

for our first annual Scavenger Crawl.



Thursday, July 21, 2011

Crafting Scarlette







Today's challenge theme at Stamping with the Dragon is a Recipe 3 patterned papers, 3 embellishments, and 1 border.  The sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps and the prize is 7 digis from their store (winner's choice).  


We were given quite a number of choices and I finally decided on Crafting Scarlette.  She's all ready to join here crafting friends and scrap and make cards till she drops.  Scarlette even uses Copic markers - how cool is that? 

The patterned papers are from the Mod Retro Stack by DCWV, the three embellishments were created using my Epiphany Crafts Shape StudioTool Round 14 with their epoxy bubble caps and the border is the Border Carnivale die from Cheery Lynn Designs.  If you haven't tried these dies, you really should!   Scarlette is colored with Copic markers and her dress, apron, shoes, and scrappy bag are all paper pieced.  I used Spellbinder's Deckled Rectangles Small (#4,5) to cut out the image and the mats and I distressed the background with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.  The sentiment is actually one of the papers in the Mod Retro Stack that I cut down to make my card base.

You have until August 4th to upload your Recipe project to the Stamping with the Dragon blog.  Visit all the other design team members to see their recipes too - you're sure to find some creative recipes you can "borrow" :-) .

Copics used: E000, E00, E01, R20, R29    T2, T3, B28, RV19, YR04, Y13    E37, E33    YR18    C3, C4    NO, N3

Reach for the Moon


The challenge at AiFactory this week is Layer It Up (use multiple layers on your project) and I've used the Rainbow Set from the store.  There were so many good choices that it was hard for me to decide which image to use.  I finally decided on the Feeling Cloudy image.  I printed it several times, both on cardstock and patterned paper so I could create my layers.

The background was created using Distress Stains (you can see the tutorial I did using these fun stains here.)  I fussy cut out the image and paper pieced the moon and circles behind the cloud.  I pop dotted the moon and then pop dotted the cloud for lots of layers.  Here's a better view of the layers.  I added a bit of Creative Inspirations Paints (White Frost) to the cloud for added bling.  The sentiment is a sticker I had in my stash, as is the patterned paper.



You have one week (until 7/27) to upload your Layer It Up project at AiFactory.  You can participate as many times as you like, but each one needs to be a new project (no back linking).  It would be great if you used an AiF image, but you aren't required to.  Be sure to visit the other team members to see what they've created too.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Shamus


color / photo inspiration



Today is the day for the Inspiration Challenge at Dude Time Doodles and here is your color/inspiration board.




Shamus Shamrock was begging me to choose him for this challenge.  He wanted everyone to know that leprechauns do wear colors other than green!  He's all decked out, ready to go partying (that is his favorite hobby after-all).  He even found a gold shamrock to bring with him.

Instead of making a card, I created a little notebook so Shamus could be the life of the party, no matter where he went.  The closure for the notebook was created using paper floss and buttons on the front and backside.  (It wasn't really necessary to add this, but I thought it looked good.)  Shamus is colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  The papers are from Scenic Route that I've had for a long time.  I used a portion of the Stripes Label embossing folder from Quikutz for the small panel behind Shamus and the notebook border punch (how appropriate) from EK Success for the bottom.  I added some Creative Inspirations Paints (gold) for the shamrock and the buckles for some added bling.

Don't hesitate too long - the party might be over before you get your project uploaded over at DTD (you have until next Tuesday, July 26).  Use the inspiration board above and remember, the project has to be for a Dude!  Go see what the other Dudettes have come up for you too.

Copics used: R20, E00, E21, E31    R05, R14, R17, R46    G20, G24, G28    YR00, YR01, YR02, YR0000    E31, E35, E37    R11, R30, RV11    BG000 



Monday, July 18, 2011

39th Birthday, Again!


Even though it isn't my mom's birthday, this sentiment could have been made just for her.  She always tells everyone that she's 39 and holding! This sentiment is a digital image from Bonibleaux Designs and is part of the Gladys Salt set. 


This XL cupcake is a rubber stamp from Stampendous that I stamped on Cryogen paper and colored with Copic markers.  I fussy cut out the entire image and then cut between the layers of frosting so I could pop dot certain portions.  I added a few "sprinkles" with my Pearl Pen by Viva Decor.


Here is a close up so you get a better view of the frosting layers and how wonderfully iridescent that paper is.


Happy Birthday to all of you still turning 39!

Ingredients:
Copics used: R85, Y08, B28
papers: Cryogen iridescent; TPC Studio; Doodlebugs; Basic Grey
other: Pearl Pen; cording; flowers; button; paper floss


Two Projects Published!


YEA!  I'm so thrilled to have two more projects published at Scrapbook News and Review magazine.  The first one is an acrylic card titled "Rose" and the second is "Let's Go to the Beach". As part of the conditions of being published, they can't appear on my blog for thirty days.  So, you'll have to wait a little while to see them here; or you can head on over to SNR and subscribe to the magazine.  This latest edition came out last night.


Friday, July 15, 2011

Uncle Peregrine


Uncle Perry is Rupert's favorite uncle and he's stopping by to say hi. You can find him and all the other dragons in the family at Stamping Dragon Designs.


Spellbinder's Grand Labels Eleven (#6) was used to cut out the card base (and then folded in half) and Wonky Rectangles (#1, 2, 3) was used for the accent pieces.  To give the card base a bit more interest, I ran it through the Grand Caliber with the Retro Circles embossing folder by Sizzix.  I added a little Shimmerz paint to Perry's horns and Copic markers were used to color him in.  I put a little colorless blender on a piece of cloth and ran it over his belly for a faded look.  (Instead of him turning grey like the rest of us, Perry's coloring begins to fade as he gets older.)


You still have time to participate in the Favorite Embellishment challenge going on now at Stamping with the Dragon.


Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends!




Copics used: BV0000, BV00, BV01, BV04, BV08    YR000   colorless blender



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Soccer anyone?





Do you love soccer (or football as they say in some countries)?  If so, then you definitely want to head over to Dude Time Doodle's challenge blog and pick up the soccer dude and the soccer ball.  They are the freebies this week for the Guest Design Team member challenge.  You have until next Tuesday to upload your favorite soccer dude and have a chance to be a Dudette for a month.

I created something a little different for my soccer dude - a 3d/pop-up type of project.   I wanted him to look like he was getting ready to score, so that's what I set out to do.  The goal net was created using Cheery Lynn Designs Lattice Circle die and the grass is cut from a die-namic die by MFT (My Favorite Things).  I combined the soccer dude and the ball into one image (wonderful thing about digital images), colored it with Copic markers, and fussy cut the whole thing out.  Then I created a small triangular shape to adhere behind his foot and the soccer ball so he would be standing up.  The grass was easy to make it stand up - I used my Scor-Pal to score a line close to the bottom edge, added a little adhesive, and voila.

Here is a closer view of my soccer dude getting ready to score the winning goal!



Be sure to visit all the other Dudettes to see what they've created for you too.

Copics used: N3, N6, N9   E00, E01, E11   B32, B34, B37    YR15, YR16, YR18    BG0000, BG01, BG05    YR20, YR31, YR23

Monday, July 11, 2011

Distress Stains - do ya need 'em?


The answer is no, but the better question is: are you going to want 'em?  The answer is a resounding YES (at least for me :-). )  For this tutorial on Distress Stains, I experimented on vellum, plain cardstock and semi-glossy pre-printed cardstock.  (I'll have another post where I used the Distress Stains on other things, including chipboard and rubber stamps.)  The Stains have worked wonderfully on everything I've tried.

They are so fun and easy to use.  First up is a digital image from AiFactory, a butterfly from the Flourishes and Butterfly collection,  printed and embossed on vellum paper.  As you can see below, I used a small paint brush and began painting.  There are several ways to get the Stain out of the bottle, but the two methods I tried were to dab some onto my nonstick craft sheet (works great) and pick up the color with my paint brush.  The other (easier) way is to take the stain directly from the sponge applicator on top (be sure to get it primed first).  With this method, there are no worries about dabbing out too much on the craft mat (although you can wipe up any excess with paper and get really cool effects that way too.)



 After competing my butterfly, I wanted to make a coordinating background paper.  I used plain Georgia Pacific cardstock and just dabbed and rubbed (OK, smeared) my three color choices around.  I was going for a sky effect, so I combined Broken China, Faded Jeans, and Weathered Wood.  If you let one layer dry a bit and add a second layer, it will deepen the color.  Next, I spritzed it with a little bit of water, which softens the colors, and Smooch Spritz (Vanilla Shimmer).  I used the Wonky Rectangles (#6) from Spellbinders to cut out the portion I wanted.  

I had some pre-printed card bases in my stash that were a perfect size for my card, except it wasn't the right color of blue.  So I used my same three colors to see how it would affect it.  Again, they worked like a charm.  I was a bit worried that it would hid the white polka dots, but as you can see, it enhanced them.  On the right is where I've applied the stains and the left is the original color.

To complete the card, I fussy cut out the vellum butterfly and adhered it to the Distress Stained background piece I created.  I loved the way the wings curled when I was cutting out the image and wanted to have that same effect of the final card.  In order to accomplish this, I applied a strip of Scor-Tape by Scor-Pal only to the center (the body) of the butterfly.  The Scor-Tape doesn't show through the vellum.  This stuff is strong enough to hold most anything, but you can tear it with your fingers (very cool stuff!).  I adhered this panel to a piece of patterned paper from my stash and applied to my newly created card base.   Enamel Accents were added in the corners for the finishing touches.  Here's a close up of the butterfly and you can see how the Smooch Spritz added just a touch of shimmer to the background paper:

Currently there are 12 of the Distress ink colors available in Distress Stains.  Personally, I'm looking forward to the day they release all the other colors too.  As I mentioned earlier, these Stains are so much fun to use and so easy.  Another trick I tried was to heavily spritz the cardstock with water and let the inks run and blend together even more.  I'm definitely going to be using these a lot!  Hope this information helps you decide whether or not you want to try Distress Stains.

Edited:  I just found out that Ranger is releasing the remaining 24 colors plus Picket Fence at CHA next week.  How exciting!

Ingredients:
Distress Stains ( Broken China, Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood, Dusty Concord, Wild Honey, Fired Brick, Spun Sugar); Smooch Spritz (Vanilla Shimmer); Spellbinders (Wonky Rectangles #6); Enamel Accents; papers: Creative Memories (patterned paper), TPC Studio (card base), Georgia Pacific



Saturday, July 9, 2011

Recovering Workaholic



Fin Fisher has a confession:  he's a recovering workaholic!  But as any -aholic knows, you have to work hard at staying on the wagon and Fin is doing his best to stay there.  He's at his favorite place,  is tormenting the poor worms half to death, and is trying to hook one without actually having to get up from his resting place.

Bonibleaux Designs, home of Fin Fisher and the rest of the Dude Time Doodles, is sponsoring Card Patterns starting today and we used the following sketch:

sketch123

My sentiment is by Create with TLC and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect for Fin and this sketch challenge.  All the images are colored with Copic markers, plus I added a bit of Creative Inspirations Paint here and there.  One of the places was on the edge of the largest (and most scared) worm.  Here's a better look at where I added a touch of "Pink Highlights" to his side.  I also added "Sunshine" to the sun, a MFT die-nanic and "White Frost" to the smallest cloud (all the clouds are a die from MFT as well).

The Worms at the bottom were cut out with a circle punch.  I wanted to have these elements dangling down from the main element, so I added some wire to attach them.. The same wire is used for the fishing line and hook as well as the hanger for this little wall hanging.

Before I sponged my background with Distress Inks (Frayed Burlap, Vintage Photo, Tumbled Glass, & Broken China), I masked the entire image with Colorless Art Masking Fluid.   This product is so much easier to use than having to stamp or print your image twice and then cut out one to place on top of the other, especially when you have really small or thin areas.  I do have a couple tips for using it though.  The first one is one I recently read on someone else's blog (I'm sorry I don't remember where - but thank you) was to dip your brush into a bottle of kids' bubbles (the kind you used to play with as a kid where you dipped a wand into the bubble juice and blew out lots of bubbles) before you begin applying the mask.  This makes cleaning the brush afterwards a breeze.  My second tip is one I learned from trial and error.  You will want to apply the mask before you color your image.  Once the mask is dry and you begin to rub it off, it also takes away some of the vibrancy of your colors, making them a bit dull looking.

Head on over to Card Patterns and enter their sketch challenge that begins today for your chance to win a gift certificate to Dude Time Doodles.  While you're there, be sure to check out what the other Dudettes have done with the sketch too.

I'm also entering this into the Creative Inspirations paint Summer Vacation challenge going on now.

Copics Used:E40, E41, E42, YR 61, YR65, YR68    YR31, YR21, YR24    YG93, YG97, C3    E23, E25    E55, B00    E00, E21, E31, R20

Friday, July 8, 2011

Santa's Jolly Smile



It's time for Stamping with the Dragon's new challenge and the theme is Christmas in July.  Our sponsor is MELJEN'S DESIGN and the winner will receive four digi images from Meljen's store.  I chose Santa's Jolly Smile for my image.4528533_orig.gif
Meljen's Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and 
illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical rubber and digital images inspired by her kids and family. Meljen's Designs has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Monday, and a Guest Designer each month at the Meljen's Designs Blog. Please visit the Meljen's Designs line of stamps at the WHIMSY STAMPS STORE to browse and enjoy 
Melissa's wonderful images!


Here's what the card looks like when it's opened.  The square in the center is for a little message to your recipient.  All the papers are from Echo Park's Christmas collection.




Santa is colored with Copic markers and Creative Inspirations Paints was used on his beard, cheeks, and the bell on his hat.  Spellbinder's Classic Square Large (#6) was used to die cut all the squares.  Here's a closer look at Santa's Jolly Smile.


You have until July 21 to upload your Christmas in July project to the Stamping with the Dragon blog.  Be sure to check out all the other design team member's projects too. 


Ingredients: 
Copic markers: ROOOO, RV11, RV13, RV14    E00, E01, R20    Y28    YG61, YG63, YG67    R27, R37    BG000, BG01, BG02
Creative Inspiration Paints: White Frost, Gold, Pink Highlights
Spellbinders: Classic Squares LG #6
paper: Echo Park 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Ella at Peace

I have two posts for you today.  So be sure to keep scrolling down to see the other one.  Thanks :-)



The theme for the AiFactory challenge this week is Double Time (use two of something on your project).  My image is Ella at Peace and I did two different Doubles: the embellishments on either side of Ella and the two rows of patterned paper behind her.

Ella is colored with Copic markers and the mat was created with a product called Magic Matter Disk Set that I've had since I began scrapbooking eons ago. (To be honest, I wasn't sure they still made it.)  It was  designed to make mats for your photos, but I use it quite often to make mats for my images that I fussy cut out.  The embellishments on either side of Ella were created using my Epiphany Craft's Shape Studio Tool Round 14 and bubble caps.  The patterned paper is from Echo Park's For the Record collection.

You have until next Wednesday, July 13 to upload your Double Time projects to the AiFactory Challenge Blog.  As always, you are welcome to enter as many times as you like as long as you make a new entry each time.  No back linking please.  You don't have to use an AIF image but we certainly would love it if you did.  You can find some great ones in our store.  While you are there, be sure to visit the other design team members and see what they've created for you too.

Copics Used: E00, E01, E11, R20    BG23, BG32, BG34, BG45, R22, R43    Y02, Y04, Y06, Y08, R20, R43    YG11, YG61    E13, E15, E17    B0000