Monday, October 31, 2011

Moody Girl Rocks!




It's Monday, so that means it's time for a new challenge at Paper Makeup Stamps: Digi Makeover.  This week's challenge is a sketch and I followed it pretty closely.  




I chose one of the Moody Girls - Moody for Rock from Paper Makeup Stamps and colored her with Copic markers with Smooch pearlized ink (Illuminate) for highlights.  Distress Inks (Worn Lipstick) was used on the edge and to stipple in the background.  All of the papers are from Doodlebug Designs, Inc. and the pink paper is die cut using Memory Box's Piestra Tile die.  I accented portions of the orange and pink papers with Viva Decor Pearl Pens.  The sentiment is a rubber stamp from Unity Stamps that I've had for quite a while.


Be sure to check out all the other great creations from the Digi Makeover design team.  You have until Sunday, 11/6/11 to upload your sketch project.


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 using InLinkz (the blue frog) so we can find and admire your creation!

Copics used: YR04, YR07, YR09    BG11, BG13, BG32, BG34, E35, E37, E39, R46    E00, E01, E11    G000, G17, G29    Y21, Y32, Y28, FRV1, E15, E19    FY1, FYR1, FV2, FYG1, FV2, FBG2

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Boo-Hoo-licious Blog Hop

(outside)

(inside of easel card)


Welcome to the Boo-Hoo-Licious Blog Hop.  Hopefully, you came from Sandi, if not you can start here at Liz's blog.  She's our host of this fantastic blog hop.


For today's easel card, I used a digital image from Bonibleaux Designs and printed him out several times so I could add lots of dimension (as you can see in the photo on the left).  Eyegor is colored with Copic markers with touches of a Spica glitter pen for accents (melon).


The mat is cut with the Baroque die from Sizzix and all the papers are from Memory Box.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC and thought it would be perfect since Eyegor is perched on top of a pumpkin.


When you open the inside of the easel card, you find out why he's perched on top of the pumpkin!  This really cool spider web is a rubber stamp (manufacturer unknown) that was stamped with Creative Inspirations paint (Winter Frost).  It looks just like a translucent spider web in real life.  I really love the way this turned out - if I do say so myself :-). 



Now it's time for you to hop on over to see what Tahi has created for you.  In case you get lost, here is a list of all the blog hop participants. 

Liz 
Deb 
Anne  (me)
Leslie  

Also, a special thanks to all the sponsors: 


Please check back with Liz's blog to see what the sponsors are donating and the Grand Prize.  In order to win, you must become a follower of everyone on the blog hop and leave a comment at each of their blogs.  Liz will use random.org to choose the winners. 



Good luck to everyone and Happy Halloween!

Copics used: YR04, YR07, YR09, Y17, Y18, Y38, G17, G29, W1    YG41, G02    E11, E13, E15    C5, C7, C9, B29    N0, N2, N4

Friday, October 28, 2011

Indian Princess


Please scroll down for my Stamping with the Dragon challenge post


Are you ready for a new Pattie's Creations challenge?  The theme for challenge #32 is Halloween or Autumn colors.  I chose Indian Princess Pattiboop from Pattie's Esty shop and used fall colors.  Copics were used to color the image.

After die cutting the image with a Spellbinders large deckled rectangle (#5), the background was created by sponging Distress Inks (Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door, Gathering Twig) onto the cardstock (after masking the image).  I was going for a sunset look and that got me to thinking about Native American Dream Catchers.  So I decided to make my own version using the Mega Italian Flourish die from Cherry Lynn Designs.  I added a couple feathers that were in my sash and some ribbon and I'm all ready to catch some wonderful dreams.


Now it's your turn to add your favorite Halloween or Autumn colored projects to the link at Pattie's Creations.  Be sure to check out the rules (there are a few changes) and see what the rest of the design team has come up with.  I'm sure they will get you inspired.


The challenge begins now and ends Thursday, 11/10/11 at 1pm Central Standard Time.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.


Copics used: E00, E01, R20   E31, E35, E07, E09   R35, R46  T5, T7, T9
Don't forget, you still have time to enjoy the sale that's going on at Pattie's Esty shop. The sale ends 10/31 at 12pm.  Use the code ALLIE at checkout to receive your 20% off.



Thursday, October 27, 2011

Jiggy Leaves





It's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon and the theme is Fun Things to do in the Fall.  Our sponsor is Stamping Dragon Designs and the winner will get to choose four images of your choice.  For this challenge, the design team will be showcasing digital images from one of the October Grab Bags.  So when you visit the store, be sure to check out all the grab bags, as they are on sale for $3.00 (normally $9.00).  I've chosen Jiggy Leaves because kids young and old love jumping and playing in a pile of leaves.


Jiggy is colored with Copic markers and his wings, horns and nails are accented with Smooch pearlized ink (Illuminate).  The sentiment is also colored with Copics and is from Create with TLC.  I chose some fabric that's in my ever-growing stash for the background because the colors matched perfectly and a bit of suede ribbon for accents.  The card base was cut with a Sizzix die.


Head on over to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog and see what the rest of the design team has in store for you - you won't be disappointed.  Then start creating.  You have until 11/10/11 to upload your creation.


Copics used: R14, Y38, G17    R14, Y38    E81, E43, E55, E40    E31, E33    B0000    C0

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Bountiful Blessings


Can you believe it's time for the November New Releases from Dude Time Doodles?  The time is definitely flying.  I've chosen Bountiful Blessings for you and colored him with Copic markers.  (All the images will be available in the store at 10am EST.)  The image is cut with Spellbinders dies and the sentiment is from Create with TLC.

If you've participated in our blog hops before, you know that there is no beginning or ending, you just keep going in a circle until you've seen all the fun projects.  Hopefully, you came from Linda, but if not, just keep hopping until you get back to me.  Be sure to leave comments at each blog because one of us is the Mystery Host and one person who comments on that person's blog will win.

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.


Anne (me)
Lynn 
Dawn 
Ruth 
DTD 




Monday, October 24, 2011

Argus and Teddy


Time for a color challenge from Paper Makeup Stamps' Digi Makeover Challenge.  I incorporated all the colors, plus purple.  Seems like I've been on a purple kick lately.






Argus is colored with Copic markers and buttons were added for eyes to his extremely well-loved teddy bear.  (Even though he's not  in the digi section, just send a quick note.  Most of the images can be purchased in the digital format.)  I added hand stitching to both the outside and inside of the card because poor teddy looks like he could use a little more thread here and there.


Now it's your turn to show us your colorful creations.  Be sure to check out the other dt members projects too.  All the blog addresses are on my side bar, or head on over to the Digi Makeover Challenge blog.  


I'm also entering this card in the green and purple challenge at Digi Doodle Shop.








Copics used: YG11, YG13, YG17    E33, E35, E37    FV2    R02    C1     YR02, YG0000 YG00

Friday, October 21, 2011

Sam the Vamp



Sam the Vamp 2 is one of the new releases for Halloween from Stamping Dragon Designs.  The background on this easel card was created using PanPastels and Sam is colored with Copic markers.  This was a pretty quick and easy easel card to make.  I added a touch of Glossy Accent to the glasses and to the bat highlighted by the moon.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but it gives it a more dimensional look.


You still have several days (until 10/27) to enter in the current challenge at Stamping with the Dragon.  Don't forget to visit the other team members and see what they've come up for you today.




Copics used: YR02, YR04, YR07, YR09    E00, E01, E11    N3, N4, N8    FV2, V99

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ahoy Matey Matt



Dude Time Doodles Inspiration Challenge is here and we're still thinking pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.   Here's a look at the inspiration board:


I decided Ahoy Matey Matt was the perfect spokesperson for this challenge and he's all dolled up in his pinkest finery to show his support.  Creative Inspirations paints were used to highlight his gold earring, silver and gold sword, and his silver mug.  Copic markers were used to color in the rest of the image.  Spellbinders Labels Two was used to cut out the image.  You can really see the shimmer from the CI paints on this photo:


You can also see the brads here well too.  As pink isn't one of my favorite colors, I don't have a lot of pink embellishments laying around.  So I decided to make my own.  I colored an ivory brad with a pink Copic marker and then embossed it with glittery embossing powder.  I think they turned out pretty good.  Don't you?

Now it's your turn to show us your pinks and browns or whatever else inspires you from the inspiration board.  Don't forget to visit the other design team members to see what inspired them; maybe it will inspire you too.  You have one week to upload your projects to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Spot - Lighting

  


Today's challenge at Paper Makeup Stamps' Digi Makeover Challenge it to spot light a portion of your card.  I chose this image from the Guilty Pleasures - Food and Wine Set and my sentiment is from the Little Moments Sentiment Digi Set.


There are several different ways to spot light a portion of your card, but I decided to color in one area and color the rest of the image in sepia tones (I got the idea for sepia tones from Pat.  She did a fantastic job.)  Although this is my first try at it, I'm pretty pleased with the results.  Here are a few tutorials for those not familiar with this technique:
   http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/spotlighting_technique/
   http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=11704
   http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2010/09/technique-thursday.html

The background was created by embossing my paper with  Cheery Lynn Designs Lattice Circle Frame die.  It's designed as a die that you cut with, but I think it did a pretty good job of just embossing.  the border is the Sanibel border from Memory Box.  The label was created using the new Frames & Sprigs die cut/stamp combo from Sizzix/Hero Arts.  I cut the sentiment out using the smaller label die and adhered it to the larger stamped and die cut piece.

Be sure to check out all the other spotlighted creations that the rest of the design team has created for you.  You have one week to upload your project to the Digi Makeover Challenge.  The rules are posted on the blog, but are very simple.  I can't wait to see what you spotlight.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Witch Pattiboop



(If you are looking for the Stamping with the Dragon challenge, please scroll down.)


I'm so excited because today is the debut of the new design team members for Pattie's Creations.  This is Witch Pattiboop with Cauldron.  Pattiboop is always fun to use, and this image is no exception.  Challenge #31's theme is Halloween.


The image was colored with Copic markers and cut out using Spellbinders Grand Scallop Square (#3, assumes the smallest die is #1).  The background was created with chalk and the sentiment is from Create with TLC.  I also added a few gems for the bubbles of the witchy brew and Glossy Accents on the bat.

You will have two weeks to upload your Halloween creation to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  The challenge starts now and ends Thursday, Oct 27th at 5 pm Central Standard Time.  The challenge rules are posted here and remember, if you use an image from Pattie's Creations, you will get an extra entry to win!  Stop over at Pattie's Etsy Store to see all her images.  There are Freebies located on the challenge blog too (so you don't have an excuse not to get entered twice into the challenge).

Be sure to visit all the new design team members and see what they've created for you today too.  &You'll find their blog addresses on my side bar under Design Team Members.

I'm also entering this card in this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Halloween or Goth).

Copics used: YR23, YR24, E37, E29    YR04, YR07, YR09, V12, V15, V17    G02, YG41    Y02, Y04, Y06, YR07, YR09   E08, E19    N4, N5, N7, N8    Y19, Y26    E25, E27, E29    E00, E01, E11, R20

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Yoo Hoo's Crib



The challenge this week from Stamping with the Dragon is Buttons and Bows and our sponsor is Stamp Fairy.  This is a young company owned and illustrated by Gerta Burghardt and  every Friday, Stamp Fairy offers at least one free digi for download, so be sure to stop by.  The images for this week's challenge are supplied by Stamping Dragon Designs.  The prize is a $10 gift certificate for Stamp Fairy.
stampfairy_minibanner.png

I'm using Yoo Hoo's Crib from Stamping Dragon Designs today.  He's colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  I added three small buttons at the top of the crib to replicate that you could change out the fabric easily.  Here's a good shot where you can see all the sparkle that the Smooch (Illuminate) gives the ribbon.  The papers are all from my stash and I added a large bow.  Pretty simple and straightforward.

You have two weeks to upload your Buttons & Bow project to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog.  You won't want to miss what the other design team members have in store for you today - lots of great inspiration.


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Eyegor


Eyegor is tickled pink that he was chosen as the spokes person from his area to remind everyone about Breast Cancer Awareness month.  He wants you to keep an eye out and look for any changes in your breasts.  There are other signs of breast cancer besides finding lumps.  You can read about some of the signs here.

Eyegor is a freebie at Dude Time Doodles this week.  Go grab him, color him up and enter the DTD Guest DT challenge.  It's a great way to showcase your projects and be a part of a fantastic team (at least for a month :-)  ). You have until next Tuesday, 10/18 to upload your Eyegors.  Please have some pink somewhere as we continue to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Copic markers were used to color him and Creative Inspirations paint (Pink Highlights) was painted on his wings for an iridescent look.  You can catch a bit of glimmer in the close up.  I also pop dotted him above my handmade background for more dimension.  The background was created by first running it through a Sizzix embossing folder (Cracked), colored with Distress Stains (Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet, and Worn Lipstick), and as a final step, spritzed with a mixture of Perfect Pearl and water.  The sentiment was cut with a Spellbinder's die (Fancy Tags Three).  Viva Decor Pearl pen was added for dimension to the tag.

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges: Mark's Finest Papers (no designer paper), Link Up For Pink, Simon Says Stamp and Show (things with wings), Cards for Men (make us laugh) and Lexi's Creations (pink).




Monday, October 10, 2011

High Five


This week's challenge at the Digi Makeover Challenge is Anything But a Card and I used one of the Paper Makeup Stamps Color Kid - High Five to showcase a reward for a job well done.






After coloring this cutie with Copic markers and fussy cutting her out, I created a belly band to go around my chocolate bar.   The sentiment, which comes with the image, was die cut with Memory Box's Primo Labels.  The mats that are adhered to the belly band were created using Sizzix's Baroque die and Mini Baroque Movers and Shapers insert.



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 using InLinkz (the blue frog) so we can find and admire your creation!


Don't forget to check out the other great creations from the design team.  A list is on my side bar under "Design Teams".


Copics used: YR20, YR12, E97, E99    R14, R17, R29, Y04, Y06, Y08    YR21, YR24    E00, E01, E11, R20    B23, FV2, BV08, YR04, YR07    Y23, W00

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Help Stamp Out Theives!



This was a letter written by Mo from Digital Pencil Too, who creates wonderful images.  She has had a hugh problem with theft of her images.  Her letter to one of the thieves is so well written, that I wanted to share it with you.  Please don't take "free" images from anyone other than the artist themselves.  And don't download anyone's completed project and claim it as your own!  Otherwise, this fantastic industry will be gone.


Letter to a Crafter.

I don't normally use my blog for this type of thing, but I've had a very rough couple of days dealing with major copyright violations and I wanted to share the letter I wrote to one of the parties -- who DID by the way, email me an apology and take down the images she was sharing online.

Dear Crafter,

First of all, I do not think you're a horrible person, and I really do appreciate you writing to me.  I wanted to give you a chance to respond -- which is why I didn't simply put up your name and let people "at you."  So I have shown I CARE about you -- even after people cried to know your name -- but do you care about me?

NONE of us can sit here drawing for hours and hours every day to put new stamp images up if we are not being paid a livable wage.  If you can't buy a stamp -- why in heaven's name would you think that gives you the moral right to steal it from me?

I am a single mum.  I adopted two special needs (from abused homes) children as a single mother, and have raised them all by myself without asking anyone for anything.  I couldn't work in a regular job because my kids had difficulty in regular school for many years . . . so besides trying to heal them emotionally, I had to home-school them AND try to earn enough money to keep a roof over our heads.  For YEARS I slept on a couch in the living room because I couldn't afford a place with real beds for all three of us and I wanted my kids to be the ones to have the beds. Six years ago I almost died because I waited too long to go to the hospital because I couldn't afford health insurance.  I am still under thousands and thousands of dollars in hospital bills because of that.  My youngest is 19 now -- and both kids are just out on their own . . . but my own mum is blind, has lung disease and severe arthritis so now I need to take care of her. 

The only reason I'm telling you this is because I want you to understand that EVERYONE has their sad stories.  In all these years I have never taken anything that wasn't mine.  I would never say, hey, I can't afford to buy this music CD, so I'll go ask my friends if they can burn a copy for me.  If I can't afford something I want -- I save up for it or I go without.  I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to do something simple like take my kids to see a movie but simply couldn't.  Stamps are a luxury -- not a need.  If you (or someone else) can't afford them -- you can't simply steal them. (And my images are NOT expensive.  They are $3 US no matter where you live in the world because all of them are available through my digital shop.)

And here's the BIGGEST thing.  Every moment that my images are up on a site like yours, people are downloading them freely.  And those people who download them freely think, "Hey, it was just FREE" so they pass them along to OTHER people freely and pretty soon NO ONE needs to buy them anymore because they're available for FREE!  Magnolia now has people like you taking their images and scanning them in.  Here is the history of Magnolia:

1: Magnolia does popular stamps everyone loves.
2: For years people buy them and Magnolia thrives as a business
3: The Internet happens.
4: Crafters enjoy the Internet and become skilled at using computers.
5: Craft forums and Blogs become popular and crafters from all over the world meet and interact.
6: Large swap groups are formed in forums everywhere, sometimes with hundreds of participants each.  People mail each other stacks of stamped images.
7. People start using printed images they have found on the internet -- mostly clip art.
8. Digital stamp companies run by solo artists start springing up.
9. Someone gets the idea to scan in their Magnolia images to make THOSE into digis they can share easily.
10. Others see the scanned in Magnolia images and scan theirs in too.
11.People start emailing each other  "OOOh -- I don't have those ones!!" and scanned images exchange hands.  10s of images multiply into 100s and then 1000s.
12. SOME people decide to compile these thousands of Magnolia images on CDs and sell the collections on Ebay.  Other people decide to BUY these Magnolia CDs.
13. Magnolia's profits DIP because a growing number of people are getting hold of the pirated "digi" Magnolias and don't need to buy the rubber.
14. Magnolia decides it's not worth it to put out new stamps, and there is one more company who needs to find a different product.

We're at about number 13 right now -- Magnolia is a member of my group "Stamp Out" and I happen to know they are confused, worried and not sure what to do about the theft besides GIVE UP.  If this can happen to a long established company like Magnolia -- how quickly do you think it can happen to a small company like mine, or Lily of the Valley, or the Greeting Farm or Stamping Bella, Stampavie or any other.  I don't think people realize most of us are small businesses barely skating by.  This GROWING theft by crafters who care more that they have "this cute stamp too" than that the artist can feed their child -- is KILLING stamp companies.

I am one who will fight to the end to protect my art -- and the art of all my friends.  I will be retaining a lawyer soon, because this is just going too far and in the future someone is going to need to be made an example of.

So to wrap this up, Crafter.  I do believe a person can be redeemed.  I'm hoping you're a person like that.  I will believe your apology is sincere if you not only stop giving (AND RECEIVING) stolen images yourself -- but if you take my letter to heart and help spread the word this is wrong, wrong, wrong.  It worries me that you say you have gotten my images from Photobucket but didn't give me the information to have them taken down.

Please let me know that you have understood my huge frustration is not just with you - but with all who are being "nice" by sharing when in fact you are making artists struggle (even more) to put food on their tables.

xoMo