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.

Christmas Birdies

(Please scroll down for the Dude Time Doodles New Release Blog Hop post)

Are you ready for the new AiFactory Challenge?  The theme for is Something Red and you have two weeks to upload your red creation to the AiF challenge blog.  For this challenge, each design team member used this Christmas Birdies image from AiFactory.

I colored this cutie with Copic markers and added a bit of Spica glitter pen to the holly leaves along with a few gems for my berries.  The image was completed using a Pearl Pen (gold) for the chain and Spellbinders (deckled mega rectangles, lg #4) to cut the image out.  I also finished the inside, so all that's left is add a quick message and sign it.  Yea - one more Christmas card completed.

This should be an easy challenge as red is a traditional Christmas color (but you don't have to make a Christmas card if you don't want to).  Also mark you calendars - the AiFactory challenges will be on Wednesdays going forward.  Therefore, you need to get your project uploaded by 12/13/11.  I can't wait to see what you make with my favorite color.

Autumn Fairy

Welcome to the newest AiFactory challenge.  This cute image and theme was chosen by design team member Ika.  The theme is Autumn, if you didn't guess.  The image is Nice Thoughts Your Way and she's colored with Copic markers, touches of Smooch pearlized ink (Grape Soda), Spica glitter pens (melon, lavendar, lemon) and the background was created using chalks.


As a reminder for the rules:  to be eligible to win the $5 gift certificate to the store, you MUST USE an aigraphics image.  Be sure to check for freebies at the store too and you can download the image I used at the challenge blog for a short time.  No backlinking, but you may combine with as many challenges as you like.  You'll have until Wednesday, Nov 16 to upload your autumn creation using the link button on the challenge site.  Enter as many times as you like, but you must create a new project each time.


Thanks Ika for a great image to color.  Be sure to check out all the other creations by our design team too.


Copics used: YR21, YR24    YG03, YG06, YG13    BV13, BV17    BV01, BV11, BV13, BV17    E00, E01, E11, R20    YR07, YR68, YR09    E97, E99, E37    V91, V93, V95

Best Friends Forever

It's time for a new challenge at AiFactory and it's my turn as dt member to choose the image and theme.  I chose this cutie, Best Friends Forever, because my dog and cat truly are best friends.  They play and sleep with each other and miss each other when one isn't home.  This image will be free to the first ten people who want to download it.  After that, it's available for purchase in the store.  Remember, if you want a chance to win, you need to use an AiFactory image.  It can be this one or any AiFactory image.  The theme is, you guessed it, FRIENDSHIP.


I used Copic markers to color in the image and chalk to create the background.  (It's hard to tell in the photo, but I've made clouds and a sun.)  The butterfly border is a die from Memory Box called Butterfly Delights.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC.


You have two weeks to upload your AiFactory image depicting Friendship to the AiFactory challenge blog.   I can't wait to see your friendship projects.  Don't forget to check out the other design team members creations while you're at it.  You won't be disappointed.

Fairy - AiFactory

The theme for this bi-weekly AiFactory challenge is Tri-Color (use any three colors on your project).  The design team is using Little Fairy holding empty card and this image will be free to the first 10 people who want to download it.  After that, it's available for purchase in the store.  You can use ANY AiFactory image for this challenge for a chance to win.


I must say that this was a hard challenge for me because I usually use 3 or 4 Copic markers per color for my shading.  For this card I only used Y11, BG02, and E01.  I did use some of the colorless blender to get highlights in her hair and I combined Y11 and BG02 on the wings.


I fussy cut out the image and pop dotted it onto patterned paper cut with Spellbinders Wonky Rectangles (#5).  I then pop dotted this layer onto the second sheet of patterned paper, added some ribbon and attached to the base.  Pretty simple card, overall.


You have two weeks to upload your Tri-Color project onto our new site.  Remember, you can use any AiFactory image for this challenge.  Be sure to check out what the other design team members (see my side bar for the list of dt members) created for you too.  And a special thanks goes to Petra for choosing the theme and image for this challenge.  It will be my turn to choose for the next one....so stay tuned.

Ella Teacher

We have a new challenge for you at AiFactory and it goes from 9/8 - 9/22.  The theme is BACK TO SCHOOL/TEACHERS.  This is Ella Teacher and she's colored with Copic markers with touches of Distress Stickles (Spun Sugar) in the bubbles.  Spellbinders Labels Five die was used to cut out the image.


The weekly challenge image will be offered for free for a limited time as you need it to play along with the challenge.  After the limited time, you will need to purchase it at the store.  The winner of the challenge will either receive a $5 gift certificate or three images to be chosen by us (it works out the same either way).


You have two weeks to upload your back to school themed project to our new site.  Be sure to check out what the other team members came up with too.

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN FOR MY SECOND POST OF THE DAY.

What's Cooking?

Something new and exciting is cooking over at AiFactory - we want to introduce you to our new site and all the great fun that you can find there.  So, welcome to our Blog Hop.  The hop runs from Friday September 2nd until Sunday September 4th.  The winners will be announced on the new site on September 6th.  

Our new site has challenges, tutorials, a glaaery, freebies, and more.  We are so excited to have you participate and join us!  Each DT member will showcase a different AIF image; one that is a favorite to work with.  Complete the blog hop and leave a comment on each of the DT blogs, plus the new site, for a chance to win one of 5 great prizes!  We have digital images, gift certificates to our store, and yummy scrapbooking products to give away!

Here is your blog hop order:

Petra

Ika

Shelley

Tammy

Anne (me)

Aifgraphics site

Make sure that you leave a comment on each DT blog as one of the 5 prizes will be a random winner from one of the blogs.  Even the DT members don't know which one it will be! Once you have completed the hop, leave us a comment on the new site letting us know what you think of the new site and anything you might like to see in the future, images, tutorials etc.

You should have arrived here from Tammy; if not, just check the hop order above to get you on the right track.  Now for a bit about my card.  I chose the Cooking Fun set for your viewing pleasure and I used the Smooshing technique and Creative Inspirations paints to get this effect.  If you don't know what the Smooshing technique is - it's quite simple.  I used three different paints (Sunshine, Sage, and Light Purple) and poured a little of each onto my non-stick craft mat.  Next, spritz the paint puddles with water and smoosh your paper around, getting it thoroughly saturated with color.  If you're happy with it, let it air dry or use a heat gun.  I had more paint on it than I wanted so I took a paper towel and dabbed off the excess (plus the paper towel left a really cool impression in the paint).  Unfortunately, the camera doesn't capture how shimmery and sparkly these paints are in person.  I added Liquid Pearls to the bottom scallops and colored the heart and the edges of the hot pot holders with a Copic marker (YG18).  Added a few gems, brads and ribbon and my card is all ready.

Your last stop on the blog hop is our new site; so head on over to AiFGraphics and don't forget to leave comments everywhere you stop.  You may be one of the lucky winners, but you can't win if you don't leave comments.

Good Luck to all!

Be sure to scroll down for my SDD challenge post for today.

Other ingredients:

papers (Graphic 45, Bazzill, Creative Memories, My Mind's Eye); brads; Rubber Cafe gems; ribbon

Hot Air Balloons

AiFactory is revamping the blog site; so we have a fun, month-long challenge for you while all the behind-the-scene stuff is done.  The theme is ANYTHING GOES and the challenge will run from August 4th until September 1st.


I chose the Up, Up, & Away digital image for your inspiration.  For anyone who has ever been to a hot air balloon festival, you know there's always more than one balloon.  So I added a second balloon to my scene.  I printed the image multiple times on both white and solid cardstock and then fussy cut out all the different parts.  Believe it or not, Copics were used very little on this project (only for shading).   Instead, I spritzed several shades of Smooch Spritz on the balloons and Shimmer Spritz on the clouds.  Here's an alternate view so hopefully you can see the shimmer that each product gave to the card, plus all the dimension.  

This will be the last challenge for some of the AiF design team members.  I've enjoyed working with all of ya'll and I'm sure I'll be seeing you in blogland.  So, be sure to visit all the other team members and see what they've come up with for you.


Now it's your turn to take the Anything Goes challenge at AiFactory.  Remember, this is a month-long challenge this month (from 8/4 - 9/1).  Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.


Other ingredients: Copics 0 B00, B000, YR04, YR07; patterned paper: My Mind's Eye

Reach for the Moon

The challenge at AiFactory this week is Layer It Up (use multiple layers on your project) and I've used the Rainbow Set from the store.  There were so many good choices that it was hard for me to decide which image to use.  I finally decided on the Feeling Cloudy image.  I printed it several times, both on cardstock and patterned paper so I could create my layers.

The background was created using Distress Stains (you can see the tutorial I did using these fun stains here.)  I fussy cut out the image and paper pieced the moon and circles behind the cloud.  I pop dotted the moon and then pop dotted the cloud for lots of layers.  Here's a better view of the layers.  I added a bit of Creative Inspirations Paints (White Frost) to the cloud for added bling.  The sentiment is a sticker I had in my stash, as is the patterned paper.

You have one week (until 7/27) to upload your Layer It Up project at AiFactory.  You can participate as many times as you like, but each one needs to be a new project (no back linking).  It would be great if you used an AiF image, but you aren't required to.  Be sure to visit the other team members to see what they've created too.

Distress Stains - do ya need 'em?

The answer is no, but the better question is: are you going to want 'em?  The answer is a resounding YES (at least for me :-). )  For this tutorial on Distress Stains, I experimented on vellum, plain cardstock and semi-glossy pre-printed cardstock.  (I'll have another post where I used the Distress Stains on other things, including chipboard and rubber stamps.)  The Stains have worked wonderfully on everything I've tried.

They are so fun and easy to use.  First up is a digital image from AiFactory, a butterfly from the Flourishes and Butterfly collection,  printed and embossed on vellum paper.  As you can see below, I used a small paint brush and began painting.  There are several ways to get the Stain out of the bottle, but the two methods I tried were to dab some onto my nonstick craft sheet (works great) and pick up the color with my paint brush.  The other (easier) way is to take the stain directly from the sponge applicator on top (be sure to get it primed first).  With this method, there are no worries about dabbing out too much on the craft mat (although you can wipe up any excess with paper and get really cool effects that way too.)

 After competing my butterfly, I wanted to make a coordinating background paper.  I used plain Georgia Pacific cardstock and just dabbed and rubbed (OK, smeared) my three color choices around.  I was going for a sky effect, so I combined Broken China, Faded Jeans, and Weathered Wood.  If you let one layer dry a bit and add a second layer, it will deepen the color.  Next, I spritzed it with a little bit of water, which softens the colors, and Smooch Spritz (Vanilla Shimmer).  I used the Wonky Rectangles (#6) from Spellbinders to cut out the portion I wanted.  

I had some pre-printed card bases in my stash that were a perfect size for my card, except it wasn't the right color of blue.  So I used my same three colors to see how it would affect it.  Again, they worked like a charm.  I was a bit worried that it would hid the white polka dots, but as you can see, it enhanced them.  On the right is where I've applied the stains and the left is the original color.

To complete the card, I fussy cut out the vellum butterfly and adhered it to the Distress Stained background piece I created.  I loved the way the wings curled when I was cutting out the image and wanted to have that same effect of the final card.  In order to accomplish this, I applied a strip of Scor-Tape by Scor-Pal only to the center (the body) of the butterfly.  The Scor-Tape doesn't show through the vellum.  This stuff is strong enough to hold most anything, but you can tear it with your fingers (very cool stuff!).  I adhered this panel to a piece of patterned paper from my stash and applied to my newly created card base.   Enamel Accents were added in the corners for the finishing touches.  Here's a close up of the butterfly and you can see how the Smooch Spritz added just a touch of shimmer to the background paper:

Currently there are 12 of the Distress ink colors available in Distress Stains.  Personally, I'm looking forward to the day they release all the other colors too.  As I mentioned earlier, these Stains are so much fun to use and so easy.  Another trick I tried was to heavily spritz the cardstock with water and let the inks run and blend together even more.  I'm definitely going to be using these a lot!  Hope this information helps you decide whether or not you want to try Distress Stains.

Edited:  I just found out that Ranger is releasing the remaining 24 colors plus Picket Fence at CHA next week.  How exciting!

Ingredients:
Distress Stains ( Broken China, Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood, Dusty Concord, Wild Honey, Fired Brick, Spun Sugar); Smooch Spritz (Vanilla Shimmer); Spellbinders (Wonky Rectangles #6); Enamel Accents; papers: Creative Memories (patterned paper), TPC Studio (card base), Georgia Pacific

Ella at Peace

I have two posts for you today.  So be sure to keep scrolling down to see the other one.  Thanks :-)

The theme for the AiFactory challenge this week is Double Time (use two of something on your project).  My image is Ella at Peace and I did two different Doubles: the embellishments on either side of Ella and the two rows of patterned paper behind her.

Ella is colored with Copic markers and the mat was created with a product called Magic Matter Disk Set that I've had since I began scrapbooking eons ago. (To be honest, I wasn't sure they still made it.)  It was  designed to make mats for your photos, but I use it quite often to make mats for my images that I fussy cut out.  The embellishments on either side of Ella were created using my Epiphany Craft's Shape Studio Tool Round 14 and bubble caps.  The patterned paper is from Echo Park's For the Record collection.

You have until next Wednesday, July 13 to upload your Double Time projects to the AiFactory Challenge Blog.  As always, you are welcome to enter as many times as you like as long as you make a new entry each time.  No back linking please.  You don't have to use an AIF image but we certainly would love it if you did.  You can find some great ones in our store.  While you are there, be sure to visit the other design team members and see what they've created for you too.

Copics Used: E00, E01, E11, R20    BG23, BG32, BG34, BG45, R22, R43    Y02, Y04, Y06, Y08, R20, R43    YG11, YG61    E13, E15, E17    B0000

Locomotive

The challenge this week at AiFactory is to use your favorite embellishment.  You can find this cute Toy Train clipart at the AiFactory Store.  I love anything to do with trains, and this would make a cute card for any train enthusiast.  The track is an older decorative strip from Sizzix. 


Most people think of ribbon or buttons or flowers when they think of embellishments, and although I do use those types of embellishments, they aren't my favorite.  Can you guess what mine is by looking at the photo?  Here's a hint:  I used it 8 times.  Give up?  I LOVE to fussy cut and pop dot portions of an image.  I also used another favorite - Glossy Accents (on the bolts on the engine).  


You have until July 6th to show us your favorite embellishment.  Be sure to visit the other design team members and see what their favorite embellishment is too.  If you like what you see, don't forget to leave us some love - we all appreciate comments.  I would love to know what your favorite embellishment is.

Summer Fun - AiF style

(outside)

Summer is definitely here!  That's going to be your challenge this week at AiFactory - Summer Fun.   For a fun change of pace, I made a pop-up card using Sizzix's scallop circle 3-D pop-up die. A Sizzix Decorative Strip (Trees, Palm) and an older Sizzix small die (Sun #2) was used to create my popped up scene.

I chose one of the images form the Surf's Up Ready for Swim Dudes clip art set and printed him twice.  I fussy cut the image out and the boy twice so I could pop dot him.   Glossy Accents was added to the inner tube and the boy's sun glasses and I painted some Smooch (Sundance) pearlized ink on his swim trunks.  

Here's a closeup of the boy:

You have one week to upload your summer fun projects to the AiFactory Challenge Blog.  While you're visiting the challenge blog, be sure to see what other summer fun projects the other design team members made for you.

Under the Sea

NEW week, NEW challenge at AiFactory.    The NEW challenge is to use something NEW on your project!  Don't forget to tell us what it is!  You have until 11:59EST on Wednesday June 15th.   No back linking will be accepted but you are welcome to combine with other challenges.  We would really love for you to use one of our images although it is not a requirement.  Do check out all the great stuff we have in our store.  


The design team is using the NEW Mermaid digital stamp collection for your inspiration.  I combined four of the images from the set to make my project.  I also flipped a couple of them (another great thing about digital stamps - you can flip, re size, place them in front or behind each other).  I also colored my images with Twinkling H2O's for an iridescent look.  After coloring, I fussy cut the images out so I could use some handmade mulberry paper for the background.


To complete the project, Spellbinder's Grand Labels One (#4,6) were used to cut out the mulberry paper and to make my frame.  I pop dotted the frame so it would look a bit like an aquarium.  


Here's a different angle, so you can see all the dimension and all the shimmer.  Plus, I didn't adhere every part of the image.  As I was fussy cutting the sea weed, it curled a little.  I liked that look and thought the best way to capture it was to only adhere a small portion of each piece.

Be sure to see the other design team member's inspirations.  They are really cool and hopefully will give you some great ideas.

Most Distressing

That's the challenge this week at AiFactory: Distressing.  I decided to take a slightly different approach to the word and used my Distress Inks to distress my background papers.  Sponge your favorite colors onto the blank cardstock until you're happy with the results and then spritz with water.  You can heat set it or let it air dry - pretty simple and a pretty easy distressing technique.  (Just to be on the safe side :-), I also used my distressing tool and distressed the edges of my distressed background paper.)

I used a couple different images from this Cute Birds and Bugs Clip art set.  For the inside of the card, I flipped the image.  I added a bit of Smooch ink, some Spica glitter pens, and Smooch Spritz for a bit of added glimmer.

You have one week to upload your (most) distressing project.  Be sure to go see what the other design team members have distressed for you too.  Have fun with this cool challenge.  I can't wait to see what/how you distress.


Ingredients:
Smooch: Siren    
Smooch Spritz: Vanilla Shimmer    
Spica: black, buttermilk, red    
Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Barn Door, Tumbled Glass

Favorite Little Pill

AiFactory's Monster Cuties are used to introduce today's challenge on the AiFactory challenge blog.    The theme is Boys will be Boys, so you can make any boy oriented project.   I tell my son that he's such a pill sometimes (jokingly of course), that as soon as I saw the pill, I knew that's what I was going to use.

After printing the clip art, I cut it out and pop dotted it for added dimension.  I created the sentiment on my computer and added glitter to the edges.  I also added glitter to the background paper cut with Spellbinder's Curved Mega Rectangles (#5).  The party hat and presents complete the party theme. They are cardstock stickers from Creative Memories that I've had in my stash for quite awhile.

You have one week to upload your boy inspired project to the challenge blog.  Be sure to check out all the other wonderful creations our design team has made for you today.

Other ingredients: Spellbinders Curved Mega Rectangles (#5); glitter; Glossy Accents; Creative Memories stickers; papers: DCWV and Creative Memories

Birds of a Feather

This Little Birdie (Set I) is one of the Latest Releases at AiFactory and I decided to incorporate two of the digital images into today's project.  The theme of this week's challenge is Nature Walk; Things You Would See in Nature and you have until next Wednesday night to upload your creation to the AiFactory challenge blog.

I used the "out of the box" technique to cut out my sentiment and image with Spellbinders Labels Ten (#6).  Copic markers were used to color the little birdie and I highlighted the word "life" with a black Spica glitter pen. 

Be sure to head on over to the challenge blog to see what all the other design team members have in store for you as well. 

Copics used:RV55,RV66, RV63    Y15, Y18, Y19, Y35    BG01, BG02, BG05, BG09
Other ingredients: Spellbinders Label Ten (#6); Martha Stewart border punch, papers: Graphic 45, Heidi Grace Designs

Flower - AiFactory

The challenge this week at the AiFactory challenge blog is Mother's Day and I chose to work with this flower image from AiFactory.  I must say right off the bat.....I love how this turned out!  It's a very simple design, but for whatever reason, I'm really happy with it.

Copics were used to color this image and the center was highlighted with a Spica glitter pen.  The background layer, from Scenic Route, was cut with Labels Fourteen (#5) from Spellbinders and adhered to my card base (which was spritzed with Vanilla Shimmer from Smooch Spritz).

You have until May 11 to upload your project on the challenge blog.  While there, be sure to check out what the other design team members created for your viewing pleasure.

Copics used: G03, G07, G09    YR61, YR65, YR68, YR09

Other ingredients: Spica glitter pen; Spellbinders Labels Fourteen (#5); brads; Smooch Spritz (Vanilla Shimmer); papers: Scenic Route, Creative Memories

Butterfly Flourish

The challenge this week at AiFactory is Anything Goes.  I've used one of the butterflies from the Flourish Clusters set found at the store.  As you can tell, I enlarged the image quite a bit to make it the dominant (only) thing you see.  I colored the butterfly with my Copic markers and added a bit of black Spica glitter pen to certain areas.  I also pop dotted the wings for more dimension.  

Here is a close up view.

The card base was cut with Spellbinder's Grand Scallop Circles and a Lacey Circle die was used to cut the patterned paper behind the butterfly.  I also added Enamel Accents for a little bit of subtle bling.

You have one week to upload your creation to our challenge blog.  Be sure to visit all the other team members to see what they've come up with too.

Copics Used: Y17, YR68, YR09, R27
Other ingredients: Spellbinder's Grand Scallop Circle (#2), Lacey Circle (#5); Enamel Accents; Black Spica pen