Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year


Rupert from Stamping Dragon Designs is here to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

He's colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  The background is a new die from Die-Versions and can be used in a variety of ways.  I thought it was perfect for Rupert's countdown to 2012!  After cutting out the collage, I sprayed it with Smooch Spritz (gingersnap) for lots of added shimmer and sparkle.

Hope all of you have a safe and happy new year.  See you back here in 2012.

Copics used: R35, R37, R39, V17    E51, E53, Y26, Y27
Spica glitter pens: lavender, gold, pitch black

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Apron


This was a fun card to make, although it was hard to photograph well.  I used a Dreamweaver's stencil and ran it through my Big Shot to emboss the cardstock.  I left the stencil taped to the cardstock and used Pan Pastels to color the image - greens fading to blues.  After taking the stencil off, I ran a paper towel through the Pan Pastel and swiped it across the paper to shade the background.

Since the card base is black, I also wanted to do something on the inside so I could write a message.  I used the same papers and cut them out with LifeStyle Crafts dies and added a piece of the same silk ribbon to the inside that is on the front.






Sunday, December 25, 2011

JOY



I wish you and your family Peace, Love, Joy this Christmas season.  May we keep them in our hearts all year long.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


Saturday, December 24, 2011

With You a Merry Chrithmus







I am pleased to bring you the final freebie from Bonibleaux Designs and Dude Time Doodles.  The image is called "With You a Merry Chrithmus" and features one of the Hillbilly gang. He's available for a short time only for free on the challenge blog.  After that, he will be available in the store.  So add him to your collection while you can.

As you can see, he found his Christmas present early, imbibed too much, then opened his wife's present of pink bubble bath and, as they say, the rest is history.  I just hope he didn't use all of her bubbles, or he really will be in hot water!

I printed the image twice so I cut fussy cut it out and added pop dots to the wash tub and the bottom of the moonshine jug for added dimension.  The background is colored with chalk and I added glossy accents to a few of the bubbles.  The tree is an older die (Christmas Tree #2) from Sizzix and the papers are all Echo Park.  Spellbinders dies (Grand Labels Eleven #4) were used to make the card base and the inside mat (Labels Eleven #6).  For the inside, I cropped the image and enlarged the moonshine jug and printed it twice and colored these, as well as the main image, with Copics.  The sentiment is cut with a micro font die from Die-Versions.

This image will be available at Dude Time Doodles for a few hours starting sometime today.  If it's not there when you first check, be sure to check back a bit later so you can grab him for yourself.  Once the opportunity to get him for free passes, you can still grab him from the store.

Copics used: R81, R83    E00, E21, E31, R20    N2, N4    R000, R11, R17, R22    E30, E33 B,93, B95    C2, C3, C4, C7, W3, W5    E25, E27, E29, E31

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Let It Snow with Rupert




This is the last challenge of the year for Stamping with the Dragon as everyone gets the last week off to celebrate the holidays with their families.  Stamping Dragon Designs is the sponsor and the theme is Let It Snow.  Show us your projects that has anything dealing with snow.  It's also a bittersweet post for me as this will also be my last official post as one of the design team members.  But you'll still see Rupert and all his friends here from time to time because he's the cutest dragon ever!

The image I chose is Snowfight and Rupert is having a blast playing in the snow and having a snowball fight.  Maybe Jiggy and Penny have ganged up on him.  Rupert is colored with Copic markers and I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the head and pop dot it for more dimension.  I also used a Snow Writer for the snow and snow balls.  Both the sentiment and background papers are from Create with TLC. The card base was cut with my Spellbinder's Grand Ovals #3 (assumes #1 is the smallest die in the set) and I added snowflake ribbon all along the back of the card.  The sentiment is a Tim Holtz rubber stamp from Stampers Anonymous.  The background was created with a large backgrounder stamp (manufacturer unknown).

Just a quick reminder that you still have a short amount of time (till 7pm EST tomorrow, 12/23) to apply for this wonderful design team.  You'll be working with a great bunch of women and who wouldn't love more images with Rupert.  You can read all the details here.

Be sure to visit the rest of the design team to see what snowy creations they've come up with too.  So get busy and upload your project with snow to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog.

Copics used: R24, R29    BG11, BG15, BG18

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Abner


It's the third Wednesday of the month (my how time flies) and that means it's time for the Inspiration Challenge from Dude Time Doodles.  

Now I must admit, that my inspiration isn't exactly a movie, but a classic cartoon: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  I've chosen Abner Abominable from Bonibleaux Designs as he reminds me of the Abominable Snowman from the cartoon (but after he had his tooth pulled!).

I tried to recreate the look of the inside of Abner's cave by using Tim Holtz's Kraft Glassine paper and designing an easel card.  I added a touch of Perfect Pearl (mint) to the "walls" for a bit of shimmer.  Abner is ready for the party to start and is already showing his Christmas spirit by hanging Christmas lights all around.  The sentiment is an older rubber stamp from Unity.  Abner is colored with Copic markers and the cave wall was created with the Creative Book Pages die from Spellbinders.
Now it's your turn to be inspired.  Be sure to visit the rest of the design team for added inspiration. Can't wait to see what you come up with.  Just remember, it must be for a Dude and upload your creation at Dude Time Doodles challenge blog.

(I also want to give you a little heads up - you'll want to check back on Saturday, 12/24, to see if Santa left you a Christmas Eve gift at the Dude Time Doodles blog.)

Copics used: E21, COO, C1, C2, Y0000, Y000, R00, R01, YG91, YG93, YG97

Monday, December 19, 2011

Duncan



The new Digi Makeover Challenge  #16 begins today and for those of you still making Christmas cards (me included), this one should be pretty easy.  It's a color challenge, and although the colors (dark green, light green, red, silver) are fairly traditional for Christmas, your card doesn't have to be a Christmas card.


I chose Duncan from Paper Makeup Stamps for this challenge because everyone loves getting cookies, especially at Christmas time.  Duncan's about to deliver some sugar cookies hot from the oven to his monster pals.  He's colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  The cookies have a touch of Rock Candy Distress Stickles on them so they instantly became sugar cookies with extra sugar on top (yum).  The tree, cut from glossy paper, is a die (Christmas Tree #2) from Sizzix that I've had for a number of years and I used Distress Stains to color it.  The silver background paper with the snowflakes is actually Christmas wrapping paper that I had.  (I love using non traditional stuff on my cards, don't you?)  The only draw back to using this shiny silver paper is that it was difficult for me to photograph it well.  It does look very nice in person, if I do say so myself :-) .

The rules are pretty simple, mainly you have to use a digi, and are posted on the Digi Makeover Challenge blog.  While you're there, be sure to check out what the other team members have created for your inspiration.  You have one week to upload your color creation to the challenge  blog.

Copics used: YG03, YG07, YG97    R14, R17, R37    E33, E35, E37    E81, E51
Distress Stains: Forest Moss, Pine Needle, Peeled Paint

Friday, December 16, 2011

Pattie's Creations Winter Fun Blog Hop

(For the Stamping with the Dragon post, please scroll down.)


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I'm so excited that Pattie's Creations is having a Winter Fun Blog Hop.  So get warm and cozy and start hopping. 




We have several sponsors PLUS some of our DT are offering a prize.  To view all the great prizes, visit Pattie's Creations Design Challenge blog. 

 In order to qualify to win you MUST:

1.  Join/Follow ALL blogs in this hop.

2.  Leave a comment with an email so we can reach you if you are a winner.  Plus, mention that you have joined this blog.

3.  Click the Facebook button at the bottom of the post to share this Hop on your FB page.  (Not all of the DT have FB buttons.)


I decided to use Ice Skater Pattieboop for the winter hop from Pattie's store as she's enjoying a fun winter activity.  The image is colored with Copic markers and I added glossy accents to the ice so it's quite shiny.  Liquid applique was added to the mountain tops and PanPastels were used to create the sky.  As you can see, I didn't make a card this time; it's more of an easel so it could be left on the recipient's desk top.  The sentiment is a rubber stamp from Serendipity and is stamped with Distress Inks (Broken China) and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.


Now for the Blog hop order.  You should have come from Pattie; if not, just start at the beginning (PCDC) and hop your way along.  Your next stop on this fun adventure is Ashley.  Don't forget to follow the blog hop rules for your chance to win some fabulous prizes and make sure you check each blog's requirements, as some DT might require additional information.

The Hop will end at 1 P.M. (Central Standard Time) on Sunday, December 18th, and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, December 20th sometime in the afternoon.  Our DT will have their own winners posted on their blogs!

Anne (that's me)


Good luck, stay warm, and enjoy this winter adventure!

Copics used: BOOOO, BOOO, BOO    E00, E21, E31    E07, E09, E18    YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99, YG63, YG67, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7    BV000, BV01, BV02, BV04, BV17

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Yoo Hoo Presents



Who wouldn't want to get presents from this cute little guy?  Yoo Hoo Presents from Stamping Dragon Designs is all decked out in his Santa hat and is ready to start handing out the goodies he brought.  Hope you get what you wanted.

Copic markers were used to color this image, liquid applique was used on the hat, and Smooch Pearlized inks were used for the ornaments.  The paper is from Echo Park.

There's still time to enter the current challenge (Bling It Christmas) going on at Stamping with the Dragon and be sure to visit the rest of the team to see what they've come up with too.

Couple of other bits of information for you:
  ~ head on over to Stamping Dragon Designs as Janette is doing the 12 Days of Giveaways and giving away one free thing each day for 12 days.
  ~ there is a 40% off sale of EVERYTHING at the Stamping Dragons Designs store, so go shopping!
  ~ a design team call is going on now.  Head on over to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog for all the details.  You'll be able to pick up a free image of Rupert and then apply by 12/23/11.  Good luck to all who submit their application.  This is a great team to be on.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Season's Greetings


The new AiFactory Challenge is here and the theme is Christmas (easy, easy). For this challenge, each design team member was given the Season's Greeting Christmas Graphic clipart to play with from AiFactory.

Clip art makes completing cards super quick and easy.  But just because you are using pre-colored images doesn't mean you can't add a little something to make it your own.  And that's exactly what I did.  I combined five of the images and printed several of them twice so I could pop dot them for added dimension.  I also added Spica glitter pens to each of the images for added bling.  The background was colored a light cream color from Paper Soft Colors (although it's hard to see it in the photo).  I added a quick sticker to the inside and finished another Christmas card in record time.


Be sure to visit all the design team members to see what they did with this clipart.  Don't forget, you have two weeks to upload your Christmas project to AiFactory Challenge blog.


Also wanted to remind you that there is a design team call going on right now.  You can find all the details HERE.  I'm sad to say that this will be my final posting as an official team member, as I will be stepping down at the end of the term.  But you'll still see some of the wonderful AiF images here from time to time.  Be sure to check out the dt call and don't be afraid to enter.  Good luck to everyone applying.


Monday, December 12, 2011

Color Kid - Snowflake


The Digi Makeover Challenge is challenging you to include paper piecing on your project.  I created two tags using Paper Makeup Stamps' digital image of  Color Kid Snowflake.



I printed the image several times - twice on plain cardstock and then on the different patterned papers I wanted to use for her outfit.  Both images are colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out after assembly.  I added glossy accents to the shoes for a patent leather look.

For the tag, I used a version of the Sanded Color Block technique (you can see it on my post here and find the instructions here.)  This time around, I didn't color block though.  The sentiments are cut with the Primo Labels die by Memory Box.  The sentiment on the left comes with this Color Kid  image and the sentiment on the right comes with the Hayden Fairy digital download.

The Digi Makeover Challenge rules are pretty simple:  you must use a digital image and follow the challenge as outlined.  For specific details, visit the challenge blog.  While you're there, be sure to check out all the other wonderful creations by the design team.  Now it's your turn to do some paper piecing and upload it using the link at the Digi Makeover Challenge.  You have one week (till 12/18) to upload your project.

Oh, one final note: Paper Makeup Stamps is having a sale on all their rubber stamps as PMS is going ALL DIGI!  You can find out all the details on the home page.

I'm entering this into the following challenges: Ooh La La (anything but a card); iCopic (Holidays)

Copics used: E33, R05, R59    E00, E11, E13, R20    B12    E59, E77   R29, RV99    E30, colorless blender    N5, N7, 100
Distress Stains: Tumbled Glass, Broken China
Distress Ink: Iced Spruce

Friday, December 9, 2011

Sanded Color Block technique



Edited:  My card won the challenge

I had a little time today to play with my rubber stamps, plus I wanted to participate in the Blockheads Paper Arts technique challenge blog hop which ends Saturday.  The technique is the Sanded Color Block with Distress Stains technique and you can find the directions here.

It's a pretty easy technique to do, but my thumbs wouldn't allow me to place as much pressure as I would have liked on the bone folder to burnish the image into the glossy paper.  The embossing was easier to see before I stamped my final image.  Next time I think I'll use a smaller, or partial, image.  Always learning :-) .


You can see the embossing better in the second photo.  Both the image (Just Believe) and the ticket stub (Odds and Ends) are from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous and the embossing folder was Snow Flurries from Sizzix/Tim Holtz.  The Distress Stains used were Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire,  Fired Brick, Wild Honey, Dusty Concord.

I'll have another project coming up Monday where I used the same sanding/embossing technique (but I didn't color block) and the results are a little cleared since the image doesn't cover the entire area.

You still have a little bit of time to participate.  Here's the link for the blog hop:

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cheery Lights Mailbox


It's time for another fun challenge from Stamping with the Dragon.  Our sponsor is Meljen's Designs and the theme is Bling it Christmas.  We want you to show us your Christmas Bling.  The winner will receive four images from Meljen's store.


MDblinkie.gif


I chose the Cheery Lights Mailbox  to create a fun winter/Christmas card.  Since the theme is Bling it Christmas, I chose a slightly different way to show lots of bling:  I used Creative Inspirations paints and Twinkling H2O's.  Both have so much bling and sparkle in person and are so fun to use.  I also used a Snow Writer (thanks Tammy) for the snow and added bits of glitter to it while it was still wet.


Here's a close-up so you can see what I'm talking about.  If you follow my blog, you know that I describe Creative Inspirations paints as "bling in a bottle" and it's so true!  And Twinkling H2O's live up to their name - they really do twinkle.

The background was created by using a Cheery Lynn Designs die.  I've found that I can emboss with these dies by using my embossing plate and mat with my Grand Calibur machine.  How fun is that? Two for the price of one.  I don't know if this works with other die manufacturers, but luckily, these have not cut my embossing mat when I run them through.  (What a great discovery.)

I also wanted to remind everyone that Stamping with the Dragon is having a Design Team call.  You can read all about it HERE, plus you get a free Stamping Dragon Designs image to work with.  You have until 12/23/11 to submit your application.  Good luck to all (and don't be afraid to submit your work).

Now it's your turn to show us your Bling for Christmas.  You have two weeks to upload your creation to the Stamping with the Dragon blog.  Can't wait to see all your shiny  Christmas bling.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Holiday Spirit(s)


It's time for the first Wednesday Dude Time Doodles challenge and it's a fun one.  The theme is to show us your holiday spirit.

Well, what better way to show your spirit than with spirits?  Santa loves stopping at our house because he gets something other than milk and cookies to help fortify his trip around the globe.  I chose to make a Christmas tag with a portion of the O' Christmas Tree image to make sure Santa knows he can carry the rest of the bottle with him.

As you can see from the close up of the tag, I colored it with Copic markers and Spica Glitter pens.  This angle really shows off the glitter you get with these pens (love them).


You'll have one week to show the Dude and Dudettes your Christmas spirit and I can't wait to see what you create.  Just remember, your creation must be for a Dude.  You don't have to use Bonibleaux Designs digital images, but it makes us extremely happy when you do.  Don't forget to check out what the rest of the design team came up with for you this week.

Glitterbabe's is our wonderful sponsor for this challenge.  The prize will be two free images from Glitterbabe's store, three if the winning participant uses a Glitterbabe image.




Copics used: G40, G82     E40     Spica pens: red, gold, lemon, olive


Monday, December 5, 2011

Moody for Coffee


Since today is Monday, that means it's time for the new Digi Makeover Challenge and this week's challenge is one of my favorite things to do: fussy cutting.


Moody for Coffee from Paper Makeup Stamps was a perfect choice for fussy cutting. As usual, she's colored with Copic markers.  The background was created with a Dreamweaver's stencil that I've had for a long time and Paper Soft Colors.  First, I ran the stencil and cardstock through my Big Shot to emboss the image.  (I didn't know you could do this and was just playing around.  Yea - a happy accident.)  Next, I used Magenta Paper Soft Colors and pounced the raised area (keeping the stencil in place) and finally, went over the entire area with the same color. 


I then matted this onto an orange piece of cardstock which I embossed with a Sizzix Texture Plate (Mummy Stripes).  I must say, this is so vibrant and looks great in person.  I added several gems to complete the card.


Now it's your turn to show us your fussy cutting.  You have until Sunday evening (12/11/11) to upload your project.  Just a quick reminder about the rules:  it has to be a digi and you need to follow the theme (in this case, fussy cutting).  For more detailed explanation of the rules, please visit the Digi Makeover Challenge blog.  While you're there, be sure to check out all the other wonderful design team creations too.

Copics used: YR15, YR16, E23, E25    E00, E01, E11, R20, R14    BG0000, BG01, BG05    YR20, YR31, YR23    YG05, YG07, BG32, BG34, BG05, BG07, G21, G24, Y15, Y18, YR04, YR07, YG01, YG21, Y32, Y38, BG70, BG72, BG75, YR16, YR18, BG11, BG15, YG65, YR68, BG45, BG49, Y15, Y18