Camera Life

For today's card, I've combined two new stamp sets from Sparkle N Sprinkle: the Camera Life stamp set and the Journal Mixed Media stamp set.

To start off, the background was created by swiping some metallic (Pewter) Pan Pastels randomly over some dark blue cardstock.  Then I inked up the circles from the Journal Mixed Media set with white pigment ink and randomly stamped across the entire background.  Immediately after completing the stamping, I covered the area with Starfire glitter.  Since pigment ink takes longer to dry than other types of ink, the glitter stuck to the ink.  (You could have achieved a similar look by heat embossing some Stickum Powder and adding the Starfire glitter.  I wanted some of the white pigment ink to show through, so I decided to try this method instead.)  I also used a spray fixative to make sure the glitter stayed on permanently.

I created the "polaroid" frame by die cutting a square out of the center of cardstock.  There are dies out there that do the same thing, but I don't own any of them.  Plus this way, I can created whatever size frame I want.  Once the frame was cut, I covered it with VersaMark and then heat set it with Shasta Puff embossing powder.  This gives it an off-white look and adds a bit of texture to the frame.

The camera inside the frame was stamped with VersaMark and then heat embossed with Tequila Sunrise embossing powder.  I fussy cut the image out and added a few highlights with a marker and Glossy Accents to the heart in the center.

The Emboss Resist technique was used for the sentiment tag.  Start off by stamping the circles from the Journal Mixed Media set with VersaMark and heat set using Clear embossing powder.  Next add Distress Inks over the background until you are happy with the results.  Take a paper towel or cloth and rub any excess ink from the embossed portion.  I then stamped the sentiment, part of the Camera Life stamp set, with Staz On ink.  The "ribbon" on the tag is a digital element from DSE that I've had for ages.

Distress Emboss the edges of the card base using more Tequila Sunrise embossing powder, adhere the layers, and you're all set to go.  This could be a card front, or part of a scrapbook layout.  Love that versatility.

You Are Here

Sparkle N Sprinkle has come out with a fun mixed media rubber stamp set called Travel Mixed Media.

To start off, I stamped the map with VersaMark and then heat set it with Blackened Bronze, one of the new mixed media embossing powders.  If you look closely, it leaves a soft black halo around the entire image.  I was ok with it for this project as it automatically aged the white cardstock for me.  The halo effect looks more dramatic in the photos.  In person, it's much more subtle.

The rest of the elements, including the patterned paper, are digital elements from DSE (Digital Scrapbook Experts) that I've had for quite some time.  I printed them out and then fussy cut around each piece.  I applied glue from a Sakura glue pen around the edges of two of the elements and the word "vacation" and then added Gypsy Red velvet glitter to the glue.  The lens of the camera has Opaline embossing powder heat set on it and the car was covered in glossy accents for a more dimensional  look.  The yellow netting behind the map is part of a recycled vegetable bag and the brown cardstock was crimped, using a crimper.  If you're like me, this is one of those tools that you probably have hidden somewhere and forget to use it.  It's fun to bring those things out every now and then and play with them.

My Friend

This week's challenge from the Digi Makeover Challenge group from Paper Makeup Stamps is a 3-2-1 recipe.  Use 3 of something, 2 of something, and 1 of something and you need to tell us what those are.

For my card, I chose some digi word art from Paper Makeup Stamps.  My recipe is 3 pieces of patterned papers, 2 staples, and 1 ribbon.  Pretty simple and quick.

We can't wait to see what you do with the recipe.  Just remember, you need to use a digi and follow this week's theme.  Be sure and visit the rest of the team to see what they cooked up with this recipe too.  Please give a warm welcome to this week's guest designer, Dawn, as well as our newest design team member, Ruza!

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

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).

Bowlegged Cowboy

The first Wednesday challenge from Dude Time Doodles will tickle your funny bone.  It's all about jokes.  Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is Pattie's Creations and she will be giving the winner two images from .

I went about this challenge a bit backwards (I think) because I researched jokes on the Internet, found one I liked, and then found the perfect Bonibleaux Designs image, Deputy Dave, to go with the joke.  "Why did the bowlegged cowboy get fired?     Because he couldn't keep his calves together!"  

The image is colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  The background paper and yee-haw "ribbon" are from DSE and I applied Distress Stickles (frayed burlap) around the outside edge and then brushed it inward for a more distressed look.  Everyone knows that a good cowboy needs a lasso to help round up those calves he keeps loosing.  The sentiment was created on the computer and outlined with Spica glitter pens and the card base was cut out using a Lifestyles Crafts die.

Now it's your turn to make us laugh.  You have one week to upload your creation to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog using the link button.  Don't forget to see what the other Dude/Dudettes have come up with for your laughing pleasure.

Copics used: E55, E97, E99    E11, E13, E15    B21, B26    R14, R39    T3, T4, T7

Too Cute For Words

It's Monday and that means it's time for a new Digi Makeover Challenge.  This week, we are playing a game of Tic Tac Toe.

I decided to go right down the middle for the win, using circles (card base), sparkle (PK Glitz Glitter and Perfect Pearls) and silhouette (Baby Jamie) from Paper Makeup Stamps.


I created a circular card using Spellbinders Grand Circles and outlined the edge of the card with PK Glitz (crystal) glitter.  The sentiment is from DSE, a digital scrapbooking company.  For added sparkle, I combined Perfect Pearls (biscotti and pewter) with my water brush and created a pearlized paint.  I used pewter to add sparkle to the silhouette and biscotti for the wings.


Head on over to the Digi Makeover Challenge to upload your tic tac toe project.  Remember, you must use a digi.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has created for you too.