Monday, January 30, 2012

Caliope




It's Monday and that means it's time for a new challenge from Paper Makeup Stamps' Digi Makeover Challenge.  The challenge for this week is Valentine's.


I've chosen Caliope from Paper Makeup Stamps because I loved his little heart he was holding and the sentiment is from the Sending You Love digi set.  He's colored with Copic markers and then fussy cut out.  the heart is a mixture of Shimmerz paint (angel wing) and Stickles (Christmas Red) combined together on my non stick craft sheet and painted on.  I love how it sparkles and shimmers.  The sentiment is cut using a Fancy Tag One die from Spellbinders.

The rules are very simple - mainly use a digi image and follow this week's theme.  You could win extra stuff if you use a Paper Makeup Stamps digi image, but it isn't required.  You have one week to upload your Valentine's creation to the Digi Makeover Challenge blog.  Be sure to visit the other Digi Makeup Artists and see what they've got for you too.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Hello Cupcake


The new challenge for Pattie's Creations is embossing.  It's you to you whether you choose to dry emboss or to heat emboss, but you must use a digi or rubber stamp.  (The rest of the rules are posted on the blog for more clarification).

I've chosen the cupcake image from Pattie's Esty store and printed it out on Cryogen text weight paper (it's a lighter weight than cardstock) and colored with Copic markers.  I love using the Cryogen papers because they are iridescent and have a wonderful shimmer to them.

For the background, I chose dry embossing.  First I cut out more Cryogen paper with Spellbinder's Label Ten (#5) and then used the Cathedral Lace Frame die from Cheery Lynn Designs to dry emboss the paper.  I've found that I can use the Cheery Lynn dies, along with their embossing pad, and emboss the design as well as cut it out.  It's sort of like two for the price of one.   I must tell you their embossing plates are fantastic too.  Since I wanted the detail to stand out more, I reached for my Paper Soft Colors (Lilac) and used a dauber to apply the color.  It gives it a nice subtle look to the dry embossing.  Next, I pop dotted the fussy cut image onto the background.  For the sentiment, I stamped the birthday message (The Rubber Cafe) directly onto the ribbon.  I also added some Creative Inspirations paints (light purple) to the mat and card base for added sparkle.

You have two weeks (until 2/9/12) to show us your embossing skills and upload them to the Pattie's Creations Design Challenge blog.  Be sure to check out all the other team members creations too.

I'm also entering this card in the Cheery Lynn Designs (dry embossing) challenge.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Syd Sadsack



Are you ready for the Dude Time Doodles New Release Blog Hop?  After a month off to enjoy the holidays,  there are some great dude images coming your way.  The newest images will be available in the store after 10:00 am EST.

I've chosen Syd Sadsack and let me tell you - he's a manly man who isn't afraid to show his emotions and apologize when he know he is in the wrong!  He's colored with Copic markers and the sentiment is from Create with TLC, also colored with Copics.

As for the fold of this card, I have no idea what it's called or even if it existed before.  I hinged the image itself to a square base and backed the image (because the markers showed through) with coordinating paper.  You lift up the image and underneath is a space to write your message.  I think it looks really cool in person and not your usual card.  It had to be something special since Syd is so sad.  Now he could be sorry because he lost the big game or because he forgot your birthday or......

 You should have arrived here from Dude Time Doodles, but don't worry if you didn't.  Our New Release Blog Hop is circular - just keep going around until you hit each of the Dudettes and Dude.  Be sure to leave a comment with each of us because one of the team members is the Mystery Hostess and one lucky comment-er will be the lucky winner.

Next up is Michelle.  If you get lost or somehow Blogger is acting up, here's the list of Dude and Dudettes:


Anne (me)


Have fun, enjoy the new Dudes, and don't forget to leave a comment with each of us.  We always love getting comments.

Copics used: Y13, Y19, Y38    E00, E21, E02    B000, B01    G03, G05, G09, G29    Y15, Y18, Y19    W4, W6, W7    E37, E19, E35    B000, B00, Y06


Monday, January 23, 2012

Winter Blues



Can you believe it's the 20th challenge for the Digi Makeover Challenge team?  Seems like we just started. :-).  This week's challenge is Winter Blues, so get out your shades of blues.  


I chose Cosette from Paper Makeup Stamps to show off my Winter Blues.  As usual, she's colored with Copic markers but I used some different combinations than I usually do (mainly on her skin tone and her hair).  Her fairy wings are iridescently sparkly as a result of combining Shimmerz paint (Angel Wings) with Stickles (Waterfall).  I mixed them on my non stick craft sheet and painted the mixture onto the wings with a small brush.  I added a touch of Spica glitter pens in the tucks of the coat as well.

The flower is from a Marianne Designs die that incorporated ribbon into the design.  I coordinated the ribbon with my image by using Distress Stains (Faded Jeans, Tumbled Glass) on white ribbon to get the color I wanted.  I also added a bit of Copic marker to the center of the flower for more depth.

Now it's your turn to show us your Winter Blues.  You'll have one week to upload your project at the Digi Makeover Challenge.  The rules are posted on the blog, but the main ones are that you must use a digi and you need to follow this week's theme.  Pretty easy!  you won't want to miss what the rest of the team made for your inspiration either.  So go get started.

Copics used: B12, B14, B16, B24, B28    C5, C6    YR12, YR14, YR18    E41, E42    E00, E21, E02    E15, E18, E59, E49

Friday, January 20, 2012

You & Me

(front of card with pop up doors closed)

I don't know about you, but I love trying new techniques to see whether or not I like them.  This is the first time I have ever tried stenciling and embossing paste and I had so much fun with it.  I didn't want to stop.  Putting on the embossing paste is just like icing a cake.  Who knew that 12 1/2 years of being a cake decorating instructor would come in handy when trying to make a card?  It's so easy.

For the front of the card, I stenciled the heart with the basic embossing paste and then fussy cut around the edges.  Next I decided I wanted to add color, so I got out my alcohol inks and went to town.  I liked it, but thought it needed more - so out came some Creative Inspirations paint (Pink Highlights) to give it a bit of sparkle.  Even after all this, the image kept "telling" me to cut out the negative spaces (I had been ignoring this through all the other experimenting).  Finally, that's what I did and loved the results.

(Front of card with pop up doors opened)


(inside of card)
While playing around, I also stenciled and embossed the You and Me multiple times onto red vellum and was going to make a background sheet.  I also added a touch of Metallic FX to the wording by dipping my stipple brush into the powder and using a circular motion to apply.

While deciding how to put together the card, I came across my Lifestyle Crafts pop up door die and knew I wanted to incorporate this too.  After maneuvering the pieces all around, I decided to cut the center out of the inside of the pop up door, place the vellum behind this so it would hint at the image on the inside, which is a rubber stamp from Inkadinkado and is cut out with Spellbinder's eyelet square.  I also painted the ribbon with the Creative Inspirations paint to coordinate with the heart and add some bling to the inside of the card.  I think I might give this to my husband for Valentine's Day, although it would be a good anniversary card too.

If you haven't tried stenciling and embossing paste, you definitely should.  The only negative I saw was that you have to be patient and let it dry. :-).  I think normal drying time is about an hour, but life happened and my experimenting sat on my desk for several weeks.  (At least I knew it was completely dry.)  This is definitely something I want to do more of, so expect to see it again soon.  Next time, I want to try metal leafing or glitter or inks....

I'm entering this card in the following challenges: Dreamweavers (Valentines), Crafty Creations (Valentines), and The Artistic Stamper (vintage).

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Only As Old As You Remember


Are you ready to play some Bingo?  That's what the inspiration challenge from Dude Time Doodles is this month.  This challenge is sponsored by Pattie's Creations and the winner will receive two images.  To complete my Bingo card, I went straight down on the right: Twine - Shaped Card - Ribbon.


Meet Gladys Salt from Bonibleaux Designs.  She certainly can be stern looking but she's trying to tell the recipient of this card to have a happy 39th birthday (again).  The image is colored with Copic markers and touches of Glossy Accents were used on her glasses and necklace.  My use of ribbon isn't the conventional bow: since the ribbon was only 1/8" thick, I decided to make some ribbon roses for Gladys' earrings.

If you don't know how to make a ribbon rose, it's really easy.  Just take a glue dot and start by placing the ribbon in the center and begin going around in a circle as you twist and turn the ribbon until you've gone completely around the glue dot.  Tuck the end behind the glue dot.  That's all there is to it.  Since this ribbon was so narrow, I made a small knot at the beginning of the ribbon and used that for my center.

I hand stitched pink/white twine around the outside edge of the card shape, completing my Bingo card.  I also added twine and ribbon to the inside as well.  I left plenty of room at the bottom to add my personal message to the recipient.  The sentiment and card shape are  cut with Spellbinder's dies.

Now it's your turn to play BINGO.  Which row or column will you choose?  You have one week to upload your project using the Mr. Linky button at Dude Time Doodles.  Can't wait to see what you do.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Dudettes and Dude created for you today too.

I'm also entering this into the Creative Inspirations paints (birthdays) challenge.

Monday, January 16, 2012

A Fairy Nice Day


Today's challenge from the Digi Makeover Challenge is to use a fairy on your project. Meet Shelby, one of the fairy silhouettes from Paper Makeup Stamps.



My CAS card is pretty self explanatory - I used various textured white cardstock (all from my stash) and the black/white ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I spritzed the corrugated circle with a bit of Smooch Spritz for a shimmery effect. The image is cut with a Spellbinders die.  Sometimes a card like this is harder for me that one where I color everything - but I want to expand my horizons and try other things.

Now it's your turn to use a fairy on your project.  The rules are really simple: you must use a digi image and follow the theme of the week.  For details, you can always read them at the Digi Makeover Challenge.  Don't forget to visit the other Digi Makeup Artists and see which fairies they used.

I'm also entering this in the Crafty Bloggers Network (monochromatic) challenge.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Gardener Pattiboop



After a nice long holiday break, we are all ready to begin the new challenge (#35) from Pattie's Creations.  The new challenge is to make a card with Fancy Folds.  It can be anything from an easel card, side-step card, gate fold, etc.

I used Gardener Pattiboop from the store and sort of designed my own fold, loosely based on a Joy fold card.  Above is the card folded and below is the card open.  In order to create the right "fold" I used the Victorian Picket Fence die from Cheery Lynn Designs and adhered it to the back patterned paper panel (before adhering that to the base). On the inside left panel, I stamped my message "How are Things Growing".



The image is colored with Copic markers and cut out with the Large Label (#5) Spellbinders die.

Now it's your turn to show us your fancy folds.  I'm excited to see what you come up with.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team came up with - you won't be disappointed.  The challenge rules are posted on Pattie's Creations Design Challenge blog and you'll have two weeks to upload your project.  So get busy and have have fun trying something you may not do all the time.

I'm also entering this fancy fold card in iCopic's (the blues) challenge.



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Count Vladimir



Head right over to Dude Time Doodles and grab Count Vladimir (he's a freebie), create a project, and upload it for your chance to be a DTD guest dt.  You'll have one week to upload your project.

For my card, I chose to do the "out of the box" technique so it would look like he's really handing his sweetheart the bouquet of flowers (which are covered with a combination of Lemon and Sunshine Yellow Flower Soft and pop dotted).  Spellbinders die was used to die cut the Count out and Copic markers were used to color the image.  I also added touches of glitter here and there.

Be sure to check out what the other Dude and Dudettes did with the Count.  And don't forget, you only have one week to strut your stuff.

I'm also entering this card in the Crafty Cardmakers challenge (no added florals) and Blockheads' challenge (Out of the Box technique blog hop).


Monday, January 9, 2012

BooBoo Monster


It's Monday and that means a new challenge is up for the Digi Makeover Challenge.  This week's challenge is to make a Get Well card.



I chose BooBoo Monster from Paper Makeup Stamps (although he isn't currently listed under the digi stamps, I'm sure he will be there soon).  He's colored with Copic markers and all the band-aids are colored with the fluorescent colors.  These particular colors were chosen because, when my son was little, he loved to use the fluorescent band-aids.  So I thought they might make this poor guy feel better too.  For the tears, I added Micro Marbles and the sentiment is written on an actual band-aid.

You have one week to upload your Get Well card to the Digi Makeover Challenge.  The rules are pretty simple and are listed on the blog, but the main thing is to use a digi and follow the current theme.  Don't forget to visit the other Digi Makeup Artists and see what they've come up with too.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Babe Watcher












HAPPY 2012!  Since it's the first Wednesday in January, that means it's time for a new challenge from Dude Time Doodles.  It's an easy one to get you back in the crafting groove:  ANYTHING GOES.



For those of you who are stuck in lots of snow and cold and ice, I created my Babe Watcher easel card scene just for you.  Can't you just feel the warm ocean breeze while you're relaxing on the sand and soaking in the rays?  (At least you can image it before you have to go shovel more snow.)

Mr. Hunk was printed several times so I could add lots of dimension to his well toned and tanned body and Copic markers were used to show off this fine physique.  I sprayed white cardstock with Smooch Spritz (gingersnap) to make the sun (a MFT die), the stickers are from Creative Memories (that I've had for a long time) and the sentiment (cut with Spellbinders) was stamped with Studio G peg stamps I found in the $1.00 bin at a local craft chain.  I also added touches of chalk in various areas to give more depth.

Now you have one week to join in on the fun and upload your project to Dude Time Doodles.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Copics used:  E21, E15    N7, N9, N3, N4    R24, R27, R29, R89    Y35, Y38,    E35, E39, W3    YR20, YR21, YR23, E33

Monday, January 2, 2012

Francesca




Happy 2012! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a happy and fun New Year.  This is Francesca from Paper Makeup Stamps and she's already to begin the new year with a martini and dancing.  She's also ushering in the Digi Makeover Challenge for this week and it's a sketch challenge.


I tried a new technique for the background of the card and it's super easy and fun to do.  I read about the idea here (thanks Stacey!).  I changed up her directions just slightly, but the basics are the same.  I inked up an older background rubber stamp (from Cornish Heritage Farms) with Versamark and stamped it onto glossy paper.  Next, I chose Various reinkers (Copic refills) in the same colors that I used for Francesca's dress and pounced and swirled (tumbled glass technique) until I was happy with it.  The Versamark acts as a resist and stays white.  If you look closely, you can see bits of the tiny flowers and vines peeking through here and there.  It's very subtle, but such a fun way to make your own backgrounds.  I did the same technique on the borders, but it's especially hard to capture it on the photo in the lighter pink.  The borders are a Heartfelt Creations die (made by Spellbinders) that has two different cuts on either edge and I just alternated which edge went where.

You have one week to show us your take on the sketch.  All the rules are at the Digi Makeover Challenge blog, but the main one is that you must use a digital image.  While you're there, be sure to check out what the other Digi Makeover Artists have created for you.

Copics used: YR21, YR23, YR 24    BG000    R81, R83, R85, R99    E43, E34