Fish Bowl

Today I'd like to share a shaped card using the Coral Reef exclusive die from Cheapo Dies.

When I saw this die, I thought of an aquarium.  So that's what I decided to to and create.  I found some clip art and created a template.  I fussy cut the template out of white cardstock and then colored the background with various Distress Inks and Distress Oxides (Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Faded Jeans, Brushed Corduroy).  Goosebumps Texture Spray by Tsukineko was used to create the bubbles in the water.

Oftentimes, I treat a die cut as if it were a stamped image and proceed from there.  Today's die cut was no exception.  It was die cut from white cardstock and colored with Copic markers and colored pencils. 

A Spectrum Noir Sparkle marker gives each of the fish a shimmery look.

Be sure to visit the Cheapo Dies Blog for more inspiration from the rest of the team.

Celebrate {pop up and cut out}

Pop-up

I've got two cards to share with you today.  Both are "Celebrate" cards using the new Celebrate Pop-up die and Celebrate Cut Out die from Die-Versions and are pretty self explanatory.  

The pop up uses festive patterned paper with Zva Creatives crystals.  Glossy Accents was added to the letters to make the pop even more.

Cut out

For the second card, I positioned the cut out die three different times on the patterned cardstock.  Copic markers were used to color each of the letters and Goosebumps Texture spray was added for a bit of texture.  I used the  Distress Embossing technique for the edges (Distress Ink - Fired Brick and Clear embossing powder).  A solid background was adhered behind the front panel to make the words stand out even better.

Santa's Sleigh

Santa's Sleigh is one of the new dies from Die-Versions this month and I've used him a couple different ways.  For the first card, he's flying off to his next location and was silhouetted by the moon.  Santa is colored with Copic markers and the white portions of his outfit are covered with Snow White flock from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The bag of toys is really a piece of fabric, although it's hard to tell in the photo and Santa's Sleigh is all blinged out with some chunky silver glitter that I've had for a long while.  The trees in the foreground are actually the Tiny Tree from the Die-Versions Halloween release (pretty versatile die) and are covered with Goosebumps Texture Spray.  The background was created with PanPastels.

The second way I used this die was to make a tag.  I embossed the tag with Sizzix's Evergreen embossing folder and then randomly covered it with several Distress Inks.  I spritzed the die cut with Perfect Pearls mists (Perfect Pearl) and added a quick sticker sentiment from Creative Memories (that I've had for a long time).

For lots more inspiration, be sure to visit the Die-Versions blog.

Sandy Beaches

I can't believe how quickly August has flown by!  Since it's the last week of August, that means it's time for the August New Release Blog Hop from Dude Time Doodles!  Three new dudes are joining the line up this month and will be available at the DTD store by 10am EST.

Although it's hard to tell, this card has four different layers for lots of dimension.  There is the base layer with the sun and sky, which was colored with Pan Pastels, then the head and feet, next is the sandy beach along with the bucket and shovel (which were sprayed with Goosebumps Texture Spray to simulate sand) , and finally, the sea shell and star fish.  Since there is so much depth, I decided a Clean and Simple card would be best.

As many of you know the New Release Blog Hop is circular.  You most likely came from Charlene, but if not, don't worry and just keep going until you've gone full circle.  Be sure to leave comments with each of us as one of us is the Mystery Host.  The winner will be chosen from that person's comments - so spread the love everywhere.  Your next stop will be Ruth.

Here's the complete line up:

Sharon

Tammy

Mags

Nancy

Dawn

Charlene

Anne

Ruth

Kevin

Janet, our guest designer

Dude Time Doodles

Have fun, be inspired, and don't forget to leave each of us a comment as you never know which of us is the Mystery Host this month.

Ladybug, ladybug

The challenge for Pattie's Creations is Anything But a Card....so I made a bookmark using the Ladybug Family image from Pattie's Esty store.

This was so fun and really easy to make.  After printing the image and cutting it out with Spellbinders, I colored the ladybugs with Copic markers and then created a mask for each one.  Next, I applied Viva Decor's Paper Soft Colors (light moss green, moss green) with a sponge dauber to simulate grass and the generously sprayed the whole thing with Goosebumps Texture Spray.  After removing the masks, the ladybugs didn't pop quite enough for me, so I added Glossy Accents to each of their bodies (which dried nice and rounded) and Enamel Accents to their trail of dots.  The tab at the top of the bookmark is another Spellbinder's die, Creative Page Tabs.  I wish you could feel all the texture on this bookmark.  It doesn't feel like paper at all; it's really hard to describe, but it's really cool.

Now, lets see what you come up with for this.  Be sure to see what the rest of the design team came up with to inspire you too.  You have two weeks to upload your creation to the Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.

Copics used: R35, R46, R59, BV29

Just Because

I thought I would share something that I haven't done too much of lately: a layout.  Why, you ask?  Just Because!

This design is so versatile in so many ways.  For one thing, it's a great way to use your scraps that are piling up.  You can mix and match your papers or go with a monochromatic theme, or what ever strikes your fancy.  Another thing about this design is that you can use a vertical or horizontal photo or multiple photos.  And this design works well for both girls and guys.

The steps to make this layout are pretty simple.  The hardest part was deciding which scraps I wanted to use and what my color scheme was going to be.  The title of the layout was created with a Stampendous rubber stamp that I inked with Festive Berries Distress Ink and heat embossed.  A Spellbinders' scalloped die was then used to cut it out.  On a piece of scrap paper, I sketched the placement of my rays and where the title was going to go.  This became my pattern pieces to cut out the designer papers.  After everything is cut, I began the assembly process.

I actually worked from the bottom up and layered my pieces in a block design.  I added a bit of texture to the solid cardstock (the panel to the left of the photo) with Goosebumps Texture Spray.  For more pizzazz,  I masked off the rest of the layout and applied VersaMark and clear embossing powder to the sun burst rays at the top of the layout, giving them a very shiny appearance.  As a final touch to the rays, add a bit of faux stitching.

I matted the photo so it would stand out more, adhered my title, and began adding the embellishments.  The tab and sentiment are computer generated and cut out; the circle border is a My Favorite Things die (Dainty Dots border); and a bit of Washi tape (My Mind's Eye) is the final touch.

Heads Up People!

I'm here to give you a "Heads Up" on how you can become a guest designer for Dude Time Doodles and get a free image in the process!  Head on over to the DTD challenge blog, pick up Mo Stooge, get those creative juices flowing, and then link it up at the DTD challenge blog.  You have until May 15th, so get started.  (If for some unfathomable reason, you don't make it over to the DTD challenge blog to pick up Mo, he's available at the Dude Time Doodles store.

I created my sentiment on the computer and colored both it and Mo with Copics.  I also fussy cut out the image so I could pop dot it in the circle.  I sprayed Goosebumps Texture Spray on the side piece for a fun look.  The photo on the right catches the light enough that you can see it.  Although I've had this product for quite a while (at least a year), I've never used it.  It's quite fun and I want to see what other ideas/uses I can come up with for this product.

So, now that you've been given a 'Heads Up", go get started.  I can't wait to see what you create with Mo.  Be sure to visit the rest of the Dude and Dudettes - they've got some great ideas too!

One more fun note, since this is the guest designer challenge.  I want to welcome three new Dudettes to our team - Sharon, Mags, and Charlene.  All three were guest designers first.  So don't hesitate to pick up Mo and enter our challenge.  You never know where it will lead.......  Just sayin'.