Happy New (s)

I know it's not New Years, but it is time for a celebration!  This card is one of my submission entries to the Die-Versions design team.  And I'm over the moon excited to announce that I was chosen as one of the inaugural four Die-Version Dynamos.  So be prepared to see lots more new dies and coming soon, a brand new Die-Versions blog.  In the meantime, check out the DV Facebook page to see all the latest and greatest.  Tomorrow is the new release of a bunch of new dies and I can't wait to see them.


This is one of their Solo Sentiments, New Years Collage, and I die cut it twice in different colored card stock so I could give it a shadow effect.  I also added Glossy Accents and PK Glitz glitter (Crystal) to the words Happy New Year.  When I was about half way through, I realized I could have used some of my Stickles : -).

Fortunately, they allowed you to use other dies for your submission projects if you didn't have a lot of Die-Versions dies .  So my bow is a new (to me) die from Lil' Inker Designs.  I recently purchased the large bow die and will definitely be getting the small bow die in the future.  I have lots of ideas for this one.

Thanks for sharing my excitement with me.

Red, White, and Blue

Today's challenge at Pattie's Creations is to use Red, White, and Blue.   I chose the Quilt with Stars from Pattie's Esty store. (This is one that I requested her to make because I thought stars would be perfect for July 4th.)  There is also a couple of heart quilts in the store too, plus LOTS more.  Be sure to go see all of Pattie's wonderful images.

After coloring the image with Copic markers and fussy cutting it out, I got the idea of hanging the quilt on a clothes line so it would be ready in time for all the celebrations and cook-outs that will be going on.  This is probably one of the most clean and simple cards that I have made, but once I hung it up on the "clothes line", the image really popped and I decided that any other embellishments would have distracted from the quilt.  (My original thoughts were to add some butterflies and maybe a bit of grass and sky).

You have two weeks to upload your Red, White, and Blue project to Pattie's Creation Design Challenge.  I can't wait to see what you come up with and don't forget to visit the rest of the team for more great inspiration.

ChooChoo Charlie

All aboard......it's time for the Dude Time Doodles New Release Blog Hop.  Choo Choo Charlie will help guide your way along the hop (and he'll be available in the store by 10am EST).  I have to say that Charlie is near and dear to my heart as he was my suggestion for a new image.  I love trains and always have.  My mom tells a story of when I was two and she had to take me to see the local train come through the town that my grandmother lived in every time we went to visit.  Any chance I get, I still love riding trains, especially old steam trains.

Charlie is colored in Copics and fussy cut out.  The railroad sign is clip art that I printed and cut out with a Spellbinders die (Grand Circles #2).  The train track on the side is an older Sizzix Decorative Strip that I've had for quite a while.  The background was created using a stippling brush and Distress Inks (Salty Ocean, Pumice Stone, Tea Dye).

The New Release Blog Hop is a circular hop, meaning there is no correct beginning.  Just continue going around until you've visited all the Dude/Dudettes.  Be sure to leave a comment with each of us as one of us is the Mystery Host.  Your next stop is Ruth.  Here's the complete blog hop list, just in case.

CG

Charlene

Dawn

Kevin

Tammy

Sharon

Anne (me)

Ruth

Nancy

Dude Time Doodles

Copics used: E23, E15, E47   E50, E51, E53   Y00, Y08   YR12, E15, E37   E13, E15, E17, N5   BG93, BG96, BG99, T0, N6, Y28    C2, C3, C6, R05, R08, R59

Hi

The latest challenge from the Digi Makeover Challenge is Anything Goes.

Color Kid - High Five  from Paper Makeup Stamps is the image I chose for this easy challenge.  She's colored in Copic markers and the shaped card was cut using Spellbinder's Grand Circles #1.  The sentiment is an older Sizzix alpha die set (Curlie Girlie).  Dainty Dots border from MFT round out the design.

Head on over and upload your project for the Anything Goes challenge.  Be sure to see what the rest of the design team has created for you too.

Will You Marry Me?

Time for a new Inspirational Challenge from Dude Time Doodles.  The theme this week is Weddings/Anniversaries.

Will - You Marry Me? is doing the honors this week and he's popping the question on a swing card, one of the new flip it dies from Sizzix.  And here's the flip side of Will.  He can't believe his luck, so he's planning something spectacular!  I used a Nellie Snellen die (Eastern Rectangle) to cut out my computer generated sentiment.

After die cutting the card base, I ran it through the Mystic M-Bossibilites folder from Spellbinders.  I have to tell you, these are pretty amazing.  I couldn't believe the detail I got and it's pretty easy to see it in the photo too.  I'll definitely be purchasing more of these!

Will is colored with Copic markers and the image was printed twice so I could add pop dots under the jewelry box and his hand.  The "diamond" on the ring is a Swarovski crystal that I received as a gift from someone in Germany.  It looks like it could be the real thing.  Glossy Accents were added to his tears of joy and chalk was used for the background.

Now it's your turn to create something for a wedding or anniversary.  Remember, it must be for a Dude.  You have one week to upload your project and be in the running for the prize sponsored by Pattie's Creations.  You can enter as may times as you wish, as long as you don't back link and each one is created for a guy in mind.  Head on over to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog  to upload your card and while you're there, be sure to check out what the rest of the Dude and Dudettes have made to help inspire you.

Copics used: E50, E51, E93, BV20    C4, C5, C7    N5, N7, N9    BG000, BG01, BG05    T2, T4, T7, T8, T9

Moody for Dragonflies

Today's challenge from the Digi Makeup Challenge is Things with Wings.

Moody for Dragonflies from Paper Makeup Stamps, fit the theme perfectly with all those dragonflies flitting about.  And before you start thinking it, I didn't forget to color parts of her in.  I chose to do a variation of the spotlighting technique (where you highlight a certain portion of the image).  She's colored with Copic markers and the wings of the dragonflies are also painted with a touch of Smooch pearilized pigment ink (iridescent).

Now it's your turn to show us Things with Wings.  You have one week to upload your creation to the Digi Makeover Challenge blog.  While you're there, don't forget to see what the rest of the team created for you.

Copics used: E50, E51, E93, BV20    R81, R83, R85   BV31    BG0000, BG10, YG11, BG11,  BG13

Patriotic Pete

Dude Time Doodles is being featured in Papers and Pixels e-zine, which was released yesterday (6/15).  I'm so happy to say that my tag was one of the cards published in the article.   This cutie is being offered as a freebie for 30 days to subscribers of the e-zine.  Papers and Pixels is very reasonable (only $1.50 per issue) and is loaded with lots of great stuff.  Go check it out for yourself and see.  Once you subscribe to the magazine, you will see the code used to acquire this image through the DTD store.

The tag was created using the Sizzix tag die and DSE digital paper.  First, I distressed the edges of the tag with Distress Inks (Gathered Twigs, Brushed Corduroy).  I also printed the image multiple times so I could add quite a bit of dimension.  He's pop dotted off the tag base, his body is pop dotted away from the flag, and his hat is pop dotted off his head (for a total of three layers).

My star "buttons" were created with a Creative Memories punch that I added holes to the center and threaded paper floss through each one.  They are colored with Copics, as is the twill ribbon at the bottom.  The twill ribbon at the top of the tag was colored with Distress Stains (Antique Linen) and then a Copic on top of that, cut in half, and threaded through the opening.  I also pulled a few of the threads for a more distressed look as well.

Copics used: R35, R46, R59, B26, B37    E00, E01, E11, E13, R20    YR12, YR09, E97    YR21, Y21    YG93, YG97, C3    B91, B95, B97    E49, E41, E40, B21

Sea Horse

Are you ready for a monochromatic challenge?   Because that's the challenge from Pattie's Creations this time.  Now just because it's monochromatic doesn't mean that it has to be dull.  You use several shades of one color and I chose this bright orange/cantaloupe for my Sea Horse.  This image was one of the freebie images available each month at Pattie's Creations.  Pattie also has something similar (Sea Horse Love) at her Esty shop.

After coloring the image with Copic markers, I cut it out using the Spellbinder's Grand Large Labels (#1) and attached gems using my Imaginisce I-Rock tool (which has been collecting dust because I always forget about it).  The squares on the right were punched from scrap paper that I had underneath a bottle cap I was air brushing for another project.  I thought the design looked cool, so I incorporated/recycled it into this project.  The sentiment at the bottom is a Memory Box die and I cut it from the same Core'dinations paper as the card base to complete the monochromatic look.

Now it's time for you to create a monochromatic masterpiece and upload it to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge blog within the next two weeks.  Don't forget to check out all the other monochromatic creations by the rest of the design team.

Copics used: YR02, YR12, YR15, YR21, YR65, T1

Rules of Engagement

 Johnny on the Spot is this week's freebie from Dude Time Doodles and what a versatile image this is.  Be sure to visit the rest of the team to see all the fun and different creations.

I couldn't think of anything more fitting for this image than the Embossed Toilet Paper technique, which is my background.  It's a really easy technique to do and doesn't require a machine to emboss the toilet paper.  I did change up the directions a little though.  I let it dry overnight as suggested, but the next day it was still slightly damp, although well embossed.  So I opened the embossing folder and let it air dry.  The result was lots of dimension and waves, as you can see in the photo on the right.  I loved the way it looked, so I applied my adhesive so it would continue to look that way.

I also printed out the image several times to add lots of dimension to the toilet as well.  I sponged Distress Ink around the edges of the image as well as highlighting the embossing on the toilet paper.  The sentiment is computer generated and cut out with a Creative Memories tag punch.  Washi tape, which is all the rage right now was used to create by "ribbons" going through the hole punches and for a border on the bottom of my project.  So it's official: I'm addicted to Washi tape.  It's so fun to use and removable too.

Johnny on the Spot is a freebie for this week only.  Go grab it while you can and create something fun with it.  You have one week to upload your project to the Dude Time Doodles Challenge blog.  Not only do you get the freebie, the winner will also be a guest designer for Dude Time Doodles.  And believe me, we have lots of fun.

One other note, anyone can now upload their DTD creations to the Dude Time Doodles Facebook page.  We would love to see lots of your DTD creations on our page, and there may be some future prizes to be had over there as well.

I'm entering this in the following challenges: Blockheads Stamps (hand made embossed toilet paper); Dream Valley (for that special guy); Great Impressions (die cuts/punches); Simon Says (anything goes).

Art of Living

It's Monday again and that means it's time for a new Digi Makeover Challenge.  This week we are challenging you to use Spots and Dots.

I've chosen the Art of Living, one of the Word Art designs from Paper Makeup Stamps and colored it in my Gimp program (similar to Paint.net, but for Macs).  Everything has spots and dots in it, although some are quite small.  Behind this word art, I layered some digital paper from DSE and printed it all out.  Next I printed the paper by itself as I wanted to pop dot the first layer onto the second layer.  After cutting out the image, I applied Versamark all over and clear embossing power and heat embossed it for a very shiny look.  The corners are punched with a Martha Stewart punch (Cherish) for a few more spots, as are the corners of my card base.  Added a bit of twine as a finishing touch.

Now we want to see your Spots and Dots.  You have one week to upload your project to the Digi Makeover Challenge.

I'm entering this in the following challenges: Mark's Finest Paper (black/white with splash of color); Simon Says (anything goes).

Hog Heaven

Ride Like the Wind Rocky is showing off his latest Big Boy Toy for the Dude Time Doodles' Boys and their Toys challenge this week.

I've designed an A10 card (approximately 9 1/4" x 4") so I could create a scene with Rocky cruisin' down the scenic back roads that go all over the country.  He'll choose Route 66 over a freeway any day of the week.

The image is colored with Copics and fussy cut out.  (He's a bit sunburned :0).   I stippled the background with Distress Inks (Faded Jeans and Stormy Sky).  Love that quick and easy way to create a background.  Quite a number of dies were used for this (and I had to stop myself from adding even more).  The road stripes are from the negative spaces from cutting out the fence.  Both the tree (except for the base of the tree) and Rocky (except for the bottom of the wheels) are pop dotted for more dimension.

Here's the quick breakdown of dies I used:
Cheery Lynn Designs: Mini Flourish One (exhaust from motorcycle), Victorian Picket Fence
Die-Versions: Mister Micro (sentiments)
Memory Box: Twiggy Tree, Flower Mound canopy
My Favorite Things (MFT): grass

Be sure to visit the rest of the Dude/Dudettes to see what they've created for you too.  You have one week to upload your creation to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog.  The rules are posted on the challenge cite, but are pretty simple: it must be for a guy and follow the theme.

I'm entering this in the following challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs (make it manly); Sweet Stamps (for dad); Great Impressions (dies cuts/punches).

So Sweet!

The Digi Makeover Challenge for this fine Monday is Tic-Tac-Toe and I went straight down the left side (bling, die cut, paper pierce) for the win.

This delicious looking cake is part of the So Sweet Set from Paper Makeup Stamps.  It's pretty obvious where the bling and paper piecing are, but what about the die-cut?  Well, it's the actual envelope - a Sizzix Mover and Shaper called Pocket Envelope and it's so cute!  Today, I've used it as a gift card holder.

The papers are from Creative Memories that I've had for years.  I added Glossy Accents to the icing, since everyone knows that a strawberry/confectioner's sugar glaze is shiny (and yummy).  The sparkles on the cake pedestal were added with a Spica glitter pen (clear) and Copics were used to color the cake pedestal.

Now it's your turn to make a winning combination of tic-tac-toe and upload it to the Digi Makeover Challenge before next Monday's new challenge.

Dad's New Project

It's that time again - time for a new challenge from Pattie's Creations and we're challenging you to come up with something for Father's Day or Guy project.

I chose the Volkswagon Beetle 1 from Pattie's Esty store for my card, as this guy is always looking for something new to get his hands dirty and greasy with.  Nothing better than restoring a vintage (ok, maybe the 60's isn't vintage, but I'm pretty sure it is) car so he can go cruisin' down the highway or back roads.

Now it's your turn to create something for Fathers Day or a Dad card.  You have two weeks to upload your creation.  Be sure t visit the rest of the team to see what they've come up with for your inspiration too.

Copics used: B93, B95, B97, B99    Y11, BG10, BG0000, YR31    BV25, BV29    YR23, YR68    C2, C3, C4    W2, W3    E00, E02, E08, E13, E19