Confidential

Welcome to the joint Die-Versions/Operation Write Home Blog Hop.  The OWH folks and the DV Dynamos are teaming up to bring you lots of fantastic projects using the Die-Versions New Release dies, which feature a new set of dies that will be an OWH fundraiser product.  There will also be blog candy given away to random commenters (so don't forget to leave some lovin' as you hop along.)  Details can be found on the OWH Start-off Blog Hop post.

If you are not familiar with Operation Write Home, their mission is to support our armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as "AnyHero" cards of gratitude to encourage them. You can find more information for newcomers at: http://operationwritehome.org/welcome/.  For those of you who are familiar with OWH, but want a refresher on their guidelines (like don't use glitter for the safety of our troops), you can check out their guidelines page, here.

When I first saw the Confidential Express Edge, it immediately made me think of those Top Secret files I'd seen in spy movies.  So my thought process went from there.  I started off by creating this file folder using a WR Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board.  (There are several You Tube videos showing how to make your own.  They are very easy and addictive to make :-). )  The cardstock base (front and back) was printed from some digi papers that I've had for a long time.  After die cutting the Express Edge, I distressed the edges with Distress Ink (Old Paper, Aged Mahogany).

inside

Since it was a file folder, you know there is always some loose papers on the inside.  This is where I created my sentiment, using the Torn Notebook Edge Straight die for the paper's edge, the Miss You Express Edge (cut in half), the Short Stop font (coordinates with the Express Edges) and the Gatsby font for my "beary".  The inside edges of the file folder are also distressed with Distress Inks.

This sweet little bear is a digi from Hambo Stamps and was colored with Copic markers.  Some Spica glitter pens were used to enhance his medals.  I printed it a couple of times so I could pop dot several areas for added dimension. 

Your next stop on the hop is Samantha, but in case there are some hick-ups, here's the official blog hop list with links:

1. OWH Stars & Stamps  http://operationwritehome.org/owh-die-versions-bloghop/

2. Sandy http://sandyallnock.com/owh-die-versions-bloghop/

3. Loris http://loriskreations.blogspot.com/2014/03/die-versions-design-team-and-operation.html

4. Kristie http://eponinekc.blogspot.com/2014/03/operation-write-home-die-versions-blog.html

5. Archana http://craftcave.blogspot.com/2014/03/operation-wright-home-blog-hop.html

6. Paula http://www.paulaposts.blogspot.com/2014/03/owh-die-versions-blog-hop.html

7. Lisa http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/2014/03/die-versions-operation-write-home-blog.html

8. Marlene http://marlenescubbyholecreations.blogspot.com/2014/03/die-version-sunshine.html

9. Mary http://madebymarymoisan.blogspot.com/2014/03/welcome.html

10. Donna http://donnainksla.com/?p=1143

11. Irit http://iritshalom.blogspot.co.il/2014/03/die-versions-and-owh-blog-hop.html

12. Marianne http://diaryofascrapbooker.blogspot.com/2014/03/operation-write-home-fundraiser-bloghop.html

13. Patti http://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2014/03/operation-write-home-die-versions-blog.html

14. Nancy http://brujahrose.blogspot.com/2014/03/owh-die-versions-bloghop.html

15. Anne http://www.annemade-anne.blogspot.com/2014/03/confidential.html

16. Samantha http://august1686.blogspot.com/2014/03/owh-die-versions-blog-hop.html

17. Emilia http://few-favourite-things.blogspot.nl/2014/03/die-versions-operation-write-home-blog.html

18. Julie http://www.handmadebyjulie.com/?p=3861

19. Nicole http://www.scrapsandstamps.com/2014/03/miss-your-face-card-owh-die-versions-joint-blog-hop.html

20. Die-Versions Blog http://www.die-versions-blog.com/2014/03/die-versionsoperation-write-home-blog.html

Thanks for joining us on this hop and I hope it's given you lots of great ideas and inspiration.  Don't forget to leave each of us a comment for a chance to win some blog candy.  

Hockey Anyone?

The theme this month for the Die-Versions new release is Sports and today I'm showcasing the cute Hockey Stick Sweet Petites.  Who better to introduce them to you than this cute little digi image from Hambo Stamps?  He's been colored with Copic markers.

I first die cut the Hockey Sticks out of chipboard and then plain copy paper.  I colored the copy paper die cuts with Copics to resemble the hockey stick in the image and then I glued them on top of the chipboard die cuts.  This gives them lots of added dimension and makes a great embellishment at the same time.

Head on over to the Die-Versions Blog and the DV Facebook page for more great projects.

Dream

Wee Henrietta Bookworm is a digital image from Hambo Stamps that I had a bit of free time to play with today.  It's been a while since I was able to participate in the Hambo Hoedown (Hambo's weekly challenge), but this week was the week.  The challenge this week is paper piercing.  Not only did I paper pierce the four corners and the flower centers in the "wallpaper", I also paper pierced the sentiment "Dream".

Henrietta is colored with Copics and fussy cut out.  Creative Inspiration paints (gold, pink highlights) were added to the chair and her shoe strings.  The M-Bossibilities embossing folder (Mystic) reminded me of wallpaper, so I created a reading nook for her to read in her big, comfy chair.  The rug is a Lifestyles Crafts die and the wood floor is actually a piece of thin wood veneer that came in a cigar box.

Copics used: YG06, YG07, YG17, G48    B21, B23, B26, B60    BV00, BV02, BV04    E00, E01, E11, E13    E41, E43    R37, R39, RV99, FV1, FY1, FYR1, B32, B34, BG34, BG13, BV01, BV04, BV07    E08, E19, E29

You Ol' Rooster

Can you believe it's already the third Wednesday of May?  Well, it is and that means it's time for the Inspirational Challenge from Dude Time Doodles.  It's an easy one - birthdays.  Who doesn't need a few extra birthday cards on hand?

Chick Saunders, a Bonibleaux Designs image, was the inspiration for my birthday card.  He definitely reminds me of "the Colonel" from Kentucky way, so his drink of choice on his birthday (and pretty much any other time) is Kentucky bourbon.

I've used the Emboss Resist technique for the chicken wire, a rubber stamp from Art Impressions.  After heat embossing the image, I stippled Distress Inks to create my background.  Chick is colored with Copic markers (a very pale violet for shadows mainly) and fussy cut out.  After I put all the pieces together, I thought it was still missing something.  So I got out one of my chicken rubber stamps from Hambo Stamps, and used a second generation impression (stamp on scratch paper first to get off most of the ink and then stamp it where you want it for a lighter outline) to go behind the chicken wire and colored with Copics.  The beauty of the embossing is that the outline of the chicken rubbed off on the embossed portion.  I printed to sentiment on my computer, printed it out, cut it out with the Sizzix Tattered Banners, and distressed it with Brushed Corduroy.

Now, it's your turn to get those birthday cards ready to go.  You can enter as many times as you wish, but no back linking, and remember it must be for a DUDE.  Pretty easy, don't ya' think?  Head on over to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog and link up your creations with the InLinkz button.  While you're there, be sure to check out what the rest of the Dude and Dudettes have come up with for some pretty fun (and funny) birthday inspiration.

I'm also entering this in the following challenges: Blockhead's (emboss resist); Crafty Catz (birthday); Little Claire's Designs (male theme).

Congrats!

Graduation season is upon us.  I normally don't pay that much attention to it, but since I have a graduating senior,  this year was different.  That means that a lot of our friends kids are graduating this year as well; therefore lots of Anne-Made cards :-).     (You'll get to see a few of them here.)


This cutie is a digital image from Hambo Stamps (they also have girl graduates too) that is colored with Copic markers.  I fussy cut him out and layered him.  I distressed the Swiss Dot paper with Antique Linen to give it a bit more color (other than green).

I got a little carried away with the inside, using more green and a decorative strip die cut from Sizzix that I've had for ages.  The sentiment and inside stamps are clear stamps that I had, but I don't know the manufacturer.


Congrats to all the 2011 graduates!



Copics used: G16, G17, G19, G28    E41   W5, W7, S8    R20, E00, E01, E11    E29

More Please!

Hambo Stamps is doing it's eighth Hambo Hoedown this week.  If you participated last week, you would have gotten Coffee Girl free this week (or you can buy it).  If you participate this week, you get a free image for next week's hoedown...you get the idea.  I don't always have time to participate, but I try when I can because their images are so fun and versatile.

I printed the image twice since I wanted to pop dot the top of the coffee cup and the sentiment.  (You can see the dimensions better in the next photos.)  I colored both the sentiment and the image with Copic markers and I also used quite a few Spellbinders dies for this project (Standard Circles large #6, Ribbon Tag Trio 2, Lotus Pendant).

Smooch Spritzs (I just grabbed colors several colors to combine) were used to spray the cardstock that I cut the Lotus Pendant out of and the seam binding ribbon used on the sentiment.  It's so easy to tint your own seam binding ribbon or twill (Just spritz with water to get it moist, drop in a plastic baggie and spritz on the color(s) you want. Wrinkle it up to get it all saturated, then either let air dry or use your heat tool.)

Copics used: E30, E33, E29, R05, R08,RV29    Y11, Y13, Y15    R20, E00, E01

Celebrate

It's all about celebrating with sparkle and glitz for this week's Hambo Hoedown challenge (and a chance to be a guest designer) and all about the sketch (and a chance to be on their design team) at Cards for Men.

My celebratory mouse is a digital image from Hambo Stamps and he has lots of sparkle and glitz.  The balloons and all the dots are purple Stickles; the purple triangles are spritzed with Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Frost) by Tsukinko; Smooch (illuminate) pearlized top coat was added to the mouse's ears, nose, and tail;  Liquid Pearls was used for the balloon reflections and the scarf fringe; and a Spica glitter pen was used to highlight the sentiment.  (I didn't realize I had so much to choose from when given the chance to add sparkle  :-). )  The sentiment is actually part of the patterned paper that I cut with Spellbinder's Deckled Mega Rectangles, small and pop dotted for more dimension. 

Copics used: R39, R59, RV99    R81, R000    Y32, Y35, Y38    N0, N2

Football anyone?

Hambo Stamps definitely has a lot of cute images - both rubber and digital.  This is Football Girl and she and her teddy are getting ready to play some footballllllllllllll.....  She's not intimidated by anything and she knows: Girls Can Do Anything Boys Can Do, Only Better!

Copics were used to color in the image and the sentiment was computer generated.  I also added hand stitched circles to give it a little extra punch.

Copics used: YR61,YR65, YR68   E35, E37   RV11, E15, E19, E37    YG23, YG13   E00, E01, E11    G17, G29    E97,E74    C2, C4, C7

Pelican Beach

This adorable fisher is for the Hambo Stamps Hoedown Challenge this week: A Trip to the Beach.  You have until tonight at 10pm CST to link up your creation.  (I've had mine colored for several days, but just now getting around to finishing him up.)

I colored this guy with Copic markers and cut the image out with the Spellbinder's large deckled rectangles (#4).  Added a few stickers from Creative Memories that I've had in my stash for quite a while, and matted him on kraft paper.  The background paper is actually the "catch-all" paper from spraying all different colors and manufacturers of the glitter/glimmer mists.  I liked it and the colors reminded me of a dusky sky - lots of blues and purples and golds.

Copics used: E41, E43    B93, B95, B97   E53, E33    YG0000, YG00, YG01, YR65    B00

I've got my eyes on you

True Love - monster style.  This cutie pie is a digital image from Hambo Stamps and the challenge this week is to use this image plus add an additional heart (or another Hambo image if you didn't participate in the challenge last week).  Before printing, I reversed one image so I could have a boy and a girl monster (notice the pearl earrings and bracelet?), each holding a heart.  (I got the idea from Tammy - thanks!).  Flower Soft (Bright Pink) was used to give the hearts more contrast. I also cut out the sentiment using the Nested Hearts (#1) from Spellbinders, embossed it, and then highlighted the embossing with Distress inks and a glitter pen.  Copic markers are used to color the images.

The heart paper clips are made using the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool Round 14 and heart stickers.  Then I attached these to jumbo paper clips that I colored with my Copic marker (R39).  These are so fun and easy to make.  Here is a close-up of the paper clips.  (Epiphany Crafts also has a heart shaped tool, but since I don't own it, I improvised.)

You still have a few days to play along with Hambo Stamps Hoedown Challenge this week.  Have fun!

Copics used: BG15, BG32, BG34, BG45, BG49, Y06, Y08, Y11, colorless blender     C1.   Other ingredients: Mrs. Grossman's heart stickers, Distress Ink (Spun Sugar), pop dots 

Wee Henry Hockey

Henry love playing hockey.  Good thing he lives where it's cold so he can skate on his pond any time he wants (at least in the winter).  Wee Henry Hockey is a digital image from Hambo Stamps and is colored with Copic markers.  I fussy cut him out so he could actually be on the ice (which is covered with Stickles (icicles).

The snowbanks are pieces of torn paper edged with Distress ink that are strategically placed around the pond and the background paper is from My Mind's Eye.

Copics used: R35, R37, R39, RV99, Y06, Y18    T6, T7, T9    E53, E55, E57, E99    C2, C4, W1, E70, E71    B93, B95    N4, N6, N7    E50, E51, E53, R20   

SO last year

These cute bouncing bunnies are digital images from Hambo Stamps and they are so fun.  I didn't want the sentiment to be what you typically think of when you see this image - so I enlisted the help of my family.  My son came up with "Pogo sticks are SO last season" and I thought it was perfect and so unexpected!

The image was printed several times, using different sizes, and colored all with (lots of) Copic markers and fussy cut out.  I also applied Spun Sugar Distress Stickles to all the ears and noses.

I designed a mini stadium type base so the bunnies would be at different heights on the card.  I used my Scor-Pal to score this 12" x  5 1/4" cardstock and I scored the paper (going from left to right) at 3/4", 1 1/2", 2 1/2", 3 1/2" 4 3/4", 5 1/2", and 8 1/2" to make my stadium.  The cardstock is by My Mind's Eye and the final touch was the pearl dots using a Viva Decor Pearl Pen. 

Here's a closer look at the details:

This was such a fun card to make and there are so many sentiments that will go with this image.  I have another really fun Hambo Stamps image to share with you soon.

Copics used: RV00, RV02    W1, W3, W5, E40, RV0000    E00, E97, E77, E79, E0000    N9, N10, YR0000, RV000    E41, E31, E13, E51, E0000    V0000, V01, V12, B02, B06    BG11, BG13, BG32, RV11, RV19    Y04, Y06, Y08, Y15, YR07, YR09    R83, R85, E13, E15    E25, E27, R05, R08    C2, C4, BV00, BV01, E0000    G03, G05, FYG2, FV2, B79    spica glitter pens

My Fur-Ever Home

I designed this card with several challenges in mind.  What first made me think of this is over at Stamping Vacation: a Special Month Challenge.  Since I already had these images,  I chose the  "Adopt a Shelter Dog".  You have until Nov 9 to participate in this challenge.  The second challenge is at Hambo Stamps, and that is where these digital images came from.  Hambo Stamps is offering a very generous prize for the winner.  You have until Oct 31 to participate in this challenge.  The third is the Blade Master challenge over at Challenge Masters where the challenge is to stamp any two images of your choice and cut them out by hand, then apply them to a layout or card.

Copic markers were used to color all three images.  I cut out the images and pop dotted the dog dish in front of the doghouse. I used my Scor-Pal to "emboss" the patterned paper.  The sentiment is colored in with a red glitter pen. Everything is layered onto kraft cardstock.

Here is a close-up:

When you decide you want/need a new furry family member, please think of adopting a dog or cat from a shelter.  Rescue animals are the best!

You've got my heart

For this card, I used the same hot air balloon from Hambo Stamps as this card.  However, I copied the image, enlarged it to several different sizes, and then fussy cut each one out.  Copic markers were used to color all the images and the I {heart} U on the orange balloon was made using the colorless blender. 

The background was made using Memento inks and a homemade cloud template.  I had the sentiment in my stash and I added a couple of heart brads for the finishing touch.  I also pop dotted several balloons different heights to resemble a hot air balloon festival.  Every year Albuquerque, NM has one and it is spectacular!!

Here is a close up so you can see the dimension.

Up, Up, and Away....

..... in my beautiful balloon. 

This is a card I made based on the monthly Hogs & Sketches challenge at Hambo Stamps.  If you haven't visited them yet, you definitely should.  They have great rubber and digital images, plus lots of other goodies as well.  You still have till the end of the month to participate in this challenge (you don't have to use Hambo stamps this month either, but you'll probably want to get some because they are so fun and not your typical type of images.)

For this card, I decided to use their hot air balloon stamp and stamped the image on both plain cardstock (to color with my Copics - FV2, FYR1, FRV1, E35, and E37) and on the yellow circle.  I then fussy cut out my colored image and pop dotted it for a dimensional look.  I chose yellow for my circle because I decided it could either represent the sun or the moon.

The cloud background was made using a homemade cloud template and Distress inks and the patterned star paper is from Creative Memories that I had in my stash.  The first layer is mounted on black cardstock and   four orange brads were placed in the corners.  Before adhering this layer onto the second set of patterned/solid paper, I used my Scor-Pal to emboss the edges of both pieces so they wouldn't look so plain.  The final step is to mount these layers onto a larger square of black cardstock.

Imagine

Wee Henrietta Bookwork is a digital stamp from Hambo Stamps.  (If you haven't checked out their rubber and digital stamps yet, you should because they have some really fun stuff.)  After printing out Henrietta, I colored her with Copic markers and then cut out the image.  She was then layered on top of my rug and my "patterned" background.

The "rug" is a Labels Ten by Spellbinders and I stamped the word "imagine" (by KI Memories) because you can let your imagination go far and wide when you read a good book.  The background was run through my Big Kick using the Damask embossing folder by Tim Holtz.  The books in the background are actually clip art from my computer that I re-sized to fit my card.  I did use a clear glitter pen on some of the book bindings, but the light didn't reflect that well  in this photo.  The final step was to layer onto black cardstock, which I decided to forgo the usual rectangle shape for this card.

Hey Daddy-O

Wee Henry Bongo is a free digital download image by Hambo Stamps.  I made this card for my hubby, since he loves to play music.  After printing the image out, I used Copic markers to color him in.  This was an easy card to make because the rest of it is layering onto different papers (four layers here).  He says this is one of his favorites (and no, he doesn't say that about all my cards : ) ).

If you like to use digital stamps, Stamp Something challenge blog is having a digital challenge this week.

Under the Sea

I used a variety of techniques to create this 6 x 6 card.  The background was made by using Distress inks and the sponged background technique.  Blues for the water and browns for the ocean floor.

Before I sponged my background, I stamped my fish image, made by Impression Obsession, onto watercolor paper and colored him in using Peerless Transparent Water Colors.  These are very vibrant and bright and I loved working with them.  Next, I used an embossing pen and clear embossing powder to emboss the entire image and then heat set it.  This way, you can wipe off the ink that gets onto your colored image. (Next time, I'll use a Versamark clear embossing pen instead of the Zig embossing pens I had.  They left a faint green tint on everything. They could have been old and that's why it did this because the packaging says they were supposed to be clear.)

The little crab in the bottom left corner is from Hambo Stamps that I colored with Copic markers and then cut out.  He is pretty small and you need to have patience to cut around each of his little legs. (My original plan was for him to have a buddy, but I didn't have quite enough patience for that.)  I pop dotted him for added height.  The starfish and shell were embellishments that I have had for a while.  I used Copic markers and a Spica Glitter pen to bring out their details.

This was layered onto a tan piece of Core'dinations cardstock that I sanded down some so it would look more like sand.  It's hard to tell that in the photo, but it looks cool in person.

Cool Cat

With the temperatures already reaching 95+,  keep{in}g cool seems like a wonderful idea.  This is a digital stamp from Hambo Stamps.  Copic markers were used to color the image.   I used the colorless blender to get the textured effect on the float.

I also put Glossy Accents on the sunglasses (because all sunglasses should be reflective, right?).  On the four corners, I altered square brads by cutting off the prongs with Tim Holtz scissors and then used the Tim Holtz texture hammer to flatten them out.  I adhered them in a diamond pattern with glue dots.  The clear sticker is from Creative Memories.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

I am so excited and I wanted to share the news!  My card was the Grand Prize Winner of the May Hogs and Sketches Challenge #8 at Hambo Stamps.

This was the sketch that our cards had to follow.  I used the fish leaping out of the water for the circular elements of the sketch.

You can go HERE to see the details of how I made this card.

Thanks for letting me share my news!