Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Father Flanagan



In honor of 2012 being a Leap Year and the fact that it's time for our blog hop,  Dude Time Doodles is having a New Release Blog Leap!  It's a fun one, with four new images.   As this only happens once every four years, Father Flanagan is allowing himself a smoke and a toast to your well being.  He's always willing to send you cheers, but he only smokes on Feb 29  :-) .

My inspiration for the design was a bar that I frequented during college called Old Church.  It was truly an older church that, after many different variations, became a bar.  Therefore, the Cathedral Lace Frame (I just used the frame portion of the die) from Cheery Lynn Designs, was quite fitting for the surroundings.  The "bar" was cut with an EK Success border punch and embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder (wood grain) and the raised portions accented with Distress Inks (Aged Mahogany).  In order for it to resemble an actual bar, I decided an easel card would be best, as well as pop dotting the entire image away from the background.  The sentiment is from Raindrop Echo.

You should have arrived here at Anne-Made from Ruth, but don't stress if you didn't.  The Dude Time Doodles blog hop is a circular hop - no beginning or end.  Just keep going until you have visited all of the Dude and Dudettes.  Be sure to leave a comment with each one of us as one of the design team members is the Mystery Host/Hostess and the winner will be chosen from that person's comments.  Now it's time to head on over to Dawn.  Here's a quick list of all the stops.


CG 
Anne (me)
Dawn 
Mags 


I'm also entering this in the Cheery Lynn challenge (lots of layers).

Copics used: V15, V17, V28    BV25, BV29, N9    E00, E01, E11, BV000    T0, T2    E13, E17    Y04, R14, E50, E21    G20, G24, G28, N8

Luck o'the Irish



I created a gift/treat bag (Sizzix) to fill with yummy goodies for St. Patrick's Day, using several different techniques, for the iCopic challenge (anything but a card).  The first technique I wanted to try is called Glittered Copics, where you use your Copic markers to tint glitter.  (You can find the video tutorial here.)  I began by taping the umbrella stencil from Dreamweavers to white cardstock and using a glue pad to apply glue to the exposed area.  I didn't want to glitter the entire card as was done in the tutorial; just the umbrella.  Next I liberally applied PK Glitz glitter (white pearl) to the glue, burnished it in with my fingertip, and then colored with my Copics.  This was a really fun technique and I definitely want to try it again.

I decided to add a black mat so the glittered umbrella would pop better.  The background for the umbrella was created by using several layers of the Canadian Kaleidoscope and the Canadian Kaleidoscope Angel Wings dies from Cheery Lynn.  The sentiment is cut with Spellbinders and for the background, I used a technique called Chalk Attraction (you can find out more about it here) with a shamrock rubber stamp.  I also used this same rubber stamp to create coordinating tissue paper. 
Once I had written my sentiment, I wanted it to be 

shiner, so I applied Versamark over the entire die cut and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Lastly, I added some shamrock ribbon to complete the project.

I think I bake some shamrock cookies to fill this cute treat bag.

In addition to the iCopic challenge, I'm entering this in the Dreamweavers (go green or go Bragh) challenge, the Cheery Lynn (lots of layers) challenge, and Sweet Stamps (St. Patrick's Day) challenge.

Copics used: YG05, YG09, YG67. G17

Monday, February 27, 2012

Later Sk8ter




It time for the Digi Makeover Challenge #25 and this week's challenge is a sketch.




Skater Cat, a digi from Paper Makeup Stamps was my inspiration for this challenge.  The image is colored with Copic markers and the skate board is painted with a mixture of Shimmerz paint (angel wings) and Stickles (Waterfall).  Spellbinders dies (Postage Stamps) was used to create the backing mats.  The sentiment is part of the Little Words Digi Sentiment set, also from PMS.


Head on over to the Digi Makeover Challenge and upload your project using the linky button.  Be sure to see what the rest of the design team came up with too.  You have one week, and don't forget, you have to use a digi and follow this week's theme to be eligible to win.  If you use a Paper Makeup Stamps image, the prize will be larger.  There are lots of great images to choose from.


Copics used: RV52    YR21, YR23, YR24, YR27    R35, R46, R59, W9    BG70, BG72

Friday, February 24, 2012

Vintage Mannequin with Hat






The theme for today's challenge at Pattie's Creations is Vintage. I wanted to create something a bit different for this challenge, so I altered a cigar box.  I took pages from a very old book and decoupaged them to cover the entire box. The "stamps" all around the box are from a sheet of Graphic 45 paper that I cut up.  I wanted to replicate the feel of an old travel trunk covered with images from all the far away places visited.  The image, Vintage Mannequin with Hat from Pattie's Esty store, is colored with Copic markers.  I printed the image twice and fussy cut both out as I wanted to partially pop dot the mannequin head and hat from the table (as you can see in this photo).


I also created several roses with the Rose Creations dies from Spellbinders and added them to the corner.















You have two weeks to upload your Vintage creations to Pattie's Creations challenge blog.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for you too.

Other ingredients: Copics (E30, R29, R20, YR30    R05, R08, R89    YG05, YG07, YR21, YR23, YR24);  Spica Glitter pen (gold); Spellbinder's Label Eight #4; Distress Ink (tea dye); Smooch Spritz (limolicious)

Monday, February 20, 2012

Like Branches on a Tree



The Digi Makeover Challenge #24 is to use word art as your focal point.


I've chosen Like Branches on a Tree  from Paper Makeup Stamps as my inspiration for this.  After printing out this digi sentiment and cutting it with a Spellbinder's dies, I airbrushed Twiggy Tree (a die from Memory Box) onto the background using Copic markers (B21, B24)Eclipse tape was used for my mask so the pressure from the airbrushing wouldn't blow it around (the branches are too thin to adhere temporary tape to).  The frame, which is pop dotted for a bit of dimension, is embossed with a Cheery Lynn Designs embossing plate and the roses are also a Spellbinder's die.

The rules are simple - you must use a digi image and follow this week's theme.  You don't have to use a Paper Makeup Stamps image, but your prize will be bigger if you do and you are chosen the winner.  Since there are over 100 word art sentiments at Paper Makeup Stamps, I'm sure you could find some that you like. :-)

You have one week to upload your word art to the Digi Makeover Challenge site.  Be sure to check out all the other Word Art creations the design team has come up with for added inspiration.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Lucky Strike



It's that time of the month.  Of course I mean Dude Time Doodles Inspiration Challenge.  Here is the inspiration board plus an added little twist - use dies or punches (die cutting machines qualify too).  Our sponsor is Stamp by Step and the winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to the store.


Lucky Strike, a Bonibleaux Designs digital image from the Dude Time Doodles store, wanted to play in this challenge.  Since we needed to use dies (one of my favorite things to do on a card), I decided to create a scene with different dies.  After coloring Lucky with Copic markers and fussy cutting him out, he's standing on a pitcher's mound created with Spellbinders Deckled Ovals.  His background was created using Spellbinder's Wonky Rectangles and the sun and the cloud are die-namics from My Favorite Things.

The patterned paper behind the scene is actually a page from an old book that I inked up with my Distress Stains to coordinate with the image. The card base is from Core'dinations.

Now it's your turn to be inspired.  You don't have to use a Dude Time Doodles image, but we really appreciate it when you do and remember, it's got to be for a dude.  You have one week to upload your creation to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog.  Be sure to check out the awesome creations from the rest of the Dude and Dudettes.

Copics used: YR00, YR01, YR02, YR14    BG01, BG02, BG09    E11, E13, E15    E35, E39    E40, E41

Monday, February 13, 2012

Retail Therapy Gift Tag


This week's challenge from the Digi Makeover Challenge is to use only a portion of an image.






I went a step further and used a portion of a couple different images from the Retail Therapy set, plus one of the sentiments from the set from Paper Makeup Stamps.  The images are cut using the Peony die  from Spellbinders.  Instead of making a card, I made a gift card holder tag and distressed it with Distress Inks (Victorian Velvet, Spun Sugar, Brushed Corduroy) and Smooch Spritz (vanilla shimmer).  The other thing I did a bit differently on the images is to shade the background so the white of the uncolored image would really pop.  I wasn't really sure if this would work, but I'm happy with the way they turned out.  The images are attached to the tag with brads, so they can move around. 


Now it's your turn.  You'll have one week to upload your cropped digi image to the Digi Makeover Challenge blog.  The rules are listed on the blog, but are very simple: you must use a digi image and follow the theme of the week.  If you use a Paper Makeup Stamp, the winner will receive a larger prize.


Copics used: R81, R83, R85, R89




Saturday, February 11, 2012

I {heart} U





I had a little time to make a card for fun and I decided to make one more Valentine's card before V-Day.  This was a really quick and easy card.  Meet Automation, Love Robot, a digi from Paper Makeup Stamps.  He's colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  One of the things I really like about fussy cutting is that thinner pieces tend to curl on their own without having to put pop dots under them.  That was definitely the case with his arms.  It gives the card a very dimensional look to it.

The heart behind this cutie was created using Word and cutting it out.  Although you don't really see it from this angle, I also applied Versamark over the entire heart and then clear embossed it.  In person, it's very shiny.  Since this will be for a teen boy, this is a very CAS type of card.  On the inside, I stamped Happy Valentine's Day all over as a background for the hand written note.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Allie's Fish Kissing


It's time for a new challenge from Pattie's Creations and the theme is Valentine's and Love.


I decided to make a non traditional Valentine's card using Allie's Fish Kissing from Pattie's Esty store. I colored the bowl with Copic markers and paper pieced the water.  For the fish, I airbrushed them with Copics and then went over the images with Spica glitter pens (the photo on the right shows how glittery and shimmery these pens really are).  The air bubbles are Liquid Pearls (white opal).


This shaped card is cut using Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frame 7 (#17, 21) and the papers are from Echo Park's Splash collection.  The sentiment is something I came up with and is written on one of the Pastry Labels from Memory Box.


You'll have two weeks to upload your Valentine's and Love creation to Pattie's Creations blog.  The rules are listed on the blog and you can use either a rubber stamp or digital image.  Be sure to see what the rest of the design team has for you as well.


Copics used: YR 04, YR09, YR16, YR18, YR21    G03, G17, G28. YG07, YG09, YG13, YG17    E55, E57, E59    BG000, BG10, BG15
Spica glitter pens: peach, lemon, buttermilk, orange, gold, sand



Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Zeke Zorro



Zeke Zorro is the Freebie this week from Dude Time Doodles.  Now I have to tell you, Zeke is a much better lover than fighter, but he'll fight to defend his girl's honor (and he's always wins) when he has to.


Zeke is colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out so he could be encircled by stars (Nellie Snellen die).  The background mat was created by embossing a Cherry Lynn die and distressing with Distress Inks (Dusty Concord).  I love using their dies to emboss with almost as much as using them to cut.  Then I spritzed  it with water and Smooch Spritz (Vanilla Shimmer).  I offset this on the base red cardstock for a bit of added interest, added my sentiment (stickers from Creative Memories that I've had for a long time), a bit of twine, and I now have a fun masculine card. 


You will have one week to grab Zeke for your very own and create something with him.  Be sure to visit the rest of the design team for more great ideas using Zeke.  


I'm entering this is the following challenges: iCopic (hearts); Mark's Finest Papers (sprays); Stampendous (texture).


Copics used: E00, E01, E11    BV25, BV29    E23, E25, E27    R35, R37, R39, R89    C2, C3, C4    BV00, BV01, BV02

Monday, February 6, 2012

Billy and Bianca



Today's challenge from the Digi Makeover Challenge team is to use Paper Makeup Stamp colors: pink and gray.



I've chose Billy and Bianca from Paper Makeup Stamps to showcase these two colors.  They are colored with Copic markers on cryogen paper and cut with Labels Five (#6) die from Spellbinders.   I sewed my sentiment with my new Sew Easy (love) and embroidery floss.  This is a very fun tool to use and there are quite a number of different patterns.


Now it's your turn to show us your pink and gray creations.  You'll have one week to upload them to the Digi Makeover Challenge blog using the Mr. Linky button.  Be sure to visit the rest of the team to see what they've got for you too.


I'm also entering this in the Creative Inspirations paint challenge (love).

Copics used: T2, T3, T5, T7    RV52    RV02, RV04, RV09    FV2, FV1, FYR 1,   E50, RV00    B91, B93, B05, B97, B99
Spica pens: pink, lipstick, orange, lavender, lemon




Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Match_Made_In_Heaven.com


Fanny Online has decided to try out an Internet dating service and this guy (you have to check out Tammy's card) has tweaked her interest.  Here's Fanny's response:

"Dear Tall, Dark, and Handsome......everything you posted in your profile is EVERYTHING I'm looking for.....  Except that I really have a thing for balding, slightly paunchy, tattooed guys.  Call me crazy, I know.  But maybe we could still get together......."

As this is the first Wednesday of the month, that means there is a new challenge at Dude Time Doodles. You need to use a touch of red (in honor of Valentine's Day) on your project.



The image is colored with Copic markers and touches of Spica glitter pen. This shaped card is from the Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frames 7 (#14, 16, 21, 22 - assumes the smallest number is the smallest die in the set).  I added a bit of twine, some heart stickers and gems for the thought bubble and my card's all ready.

Now it's your turn to use a touch of red.  How much or little is up to you.  Don't forget to check out the rest of the team's creations and upload your project to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog by next Tuesday.

Copics used: Y13, Y18, V17, V25    YR20, YR21, YR23, YR24, YR14, YR07    E00, E21    YG21, YG23, Y18, Y00    V91, V93, V05  R17, R46    E53, E43
Spica: lavender, clear, lipstick