Bring in the Clowns

Birthdays are the theme for the 104th challenge at Pattie's Creations, as both Pattie and Sandi have birthdays this month.  Happy Birthday to you both!

I've colored the Clown with Balloons from Pattie's Etsy shop with Copic markers and added Sun Dazzle flock from Sparkle N Sprinkle to the end of the clown hat.  The background was created using Pan Pastels and a bit of doodling was added around the edges.

Glossy Accents covers the shoes (Green Iris glitter was sprinkled in the wet glue) and to the birthday balloons.

Head on over to see what the rest of the crew has created to celebrate birthdays.

Kokopelli Sun

Today's challenge at Pattie's Creations is to use Autumn Colors in your image.  When I think of autumn colors, I automatically think of oranges, yellows, and reds, so when I was browsing Pattie's Etsy shop, I knew the Kokopelli Sun would be a great image to use showcase those colors.

I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the Kokopelli person and adhere him on top of the main image.  I didn't add adhesive to his "hair", so it would give a touch more dimension to that part of the image.  The zig zag of his clothing and his horn were heat embossed using Sparkle N Sprinkle's Poolside embossing powder.

The entire image was colored with Copic markers and I added some white highlights with some Copic opaque white paint.  The first yellow panel was dry embossed using the Spellbinders "Valor" embossing folder and the mat behind the image was die cut using a Spellbinders die (Large Octagon).  All of the edges are distressed using Distress Inks and the Distressed Embossing technique was added to the card base edges, using Mustard Seed and Clear embossing powder.

A few gems on the corners and a another bit of blue (in the form of ribbon) are the finishing touches.  Be sure to visit the Pattie's Creations Design Challenge to see what the rest of the team has created for you.

Vintage Tea Cup

Today marks the 100th Challenge at Pattie's Creations and we are going Vintage.  I've created a vintage looking card using Pattie's Vintage Tea Cup from her Etsy Store.

I started out by creating the background with Distress Inks (Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet, Vintage Photo, Old Paper).  I smooshed the ink pad down on my craft sheet, spritzed them with water, and ran the white cardstock through the inks until I was happy with the results.  Quick and easy :-).

Whenever I think of vintage china, I always think of gold rimmed pieces.  I added VersaMark pen around the edges of the china and heat set using Gold Detail embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle to replicate this idea.  I also added Green Nugget glitter and Daisy glitter to the tea cup as well.

Added a touch of lace, found some cardstock that reminded me of old fashioned wallpaper, and voila - a nice note card for someone.

Be sure to head on over and participate in our 100th Challenge at Pattie's Creations and while you're there, check out what the rest of the team has created.

Bookworm

Altered or Recycled is the theme for toady's new challenge beginning at Pattie's Creations.  The theme is a fun one, plus it's good for the environment.  I guess I did a combination of both:  I recycled this old container that used to house drink mixes in little tubs and I altered it using Pattie's Mr. Bookworm with Apple image.

Here is what the container looked like before it's transformation.  I started out by coloring the image with Copic markers and fussy cutting him out.  I also added a touch of glitter to his nose.

I've had the patterned cardstock for quite a while and though it would be perfect for my newly decorated pencil holder.  A little Washi tape finishes it off nicely.

You have two weeks to upload your Altered or Recycled project to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  Can't wait to see what you recycle and/or alter.

For the Birds!

Time for a new challenge at Pattie's Creations.  As you can probably guess from my titile, the theme for the next two weeks is: For the Birds!  You're image must have one or more birds on it.  For this fun challenge, I've used Flamingos and you can find it in Pattie's Etsy Shop.

 The image is colored with Copic markers and highlighted with.....what else but glitter :-).  The flamingos have Mauvelous glitter by Sparkle N Sprinkle and the water ripples are highlighted with Waterfall glitter.  I also added Glossy Accents to the lily pads for a shiny look.

The sentiment was die cut from black cardstock that I spritzed with Smooch Spritz (Silver Foil) before cutting the letters.  The Gatsby font from Die-Versions was used to create the sentiment.  The Smooch Spritz gives the letters a bit of subtle shimmer.

The big pink bow is a die from Lil' Inkers Designs.  I started off by adhering double adhesive tape to cardstock, die cutting the image, and then adding more Mauvelous glitter to the exposed adhesive.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has created for this fun For the Birds! challenge.

Pops Rocks

Today is the start of a new challenge over at Pattie's Creations.  Create either a Father's Day themed project or a Wedding theme - your choice.  You can find images at Pattie's ETSY store for either choice.

As you can tell, I decided to make an easel card for Father's Day using Pattie's Cowboy Dreams image, which is colored with Copic markers.  The background started out as white cardstock that I added embossing paste to using the Crafters Workshop mini chicken wire stencil.  Once the paste was dry, I began adding (lots) of Distress Stains until I was happy with the color.  (It took a while.)

I also tried a very popular technique of sprinkling embossing powder onto cardstock and heat setting it (most people use Frantage powders.)  I didn't have any of those, but have lots of Sparkle N Sprinkle embossing powders, so that's what I used.  I sprinkled both their new (coming soon) Copper Flame mixed media embossing powder and Magic Speckle embossing powder onto the side of the cardstock and heat set it from underneath.

Both sentiments were die cut from Die-Versions fonts - the larger one on the front of the easel card is Saloon Door and the message revealed when the card is open is the Little Lizzie font.  The music notes are also from Die-Versions (Harmony Wee Petites).  The bow tie is a Memory Box die (Family Ties).

You have two weeks to upload your Fathers'Day or Wedding project to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  We look forward to seeing what you come up with.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has created as well.

Dogwood Blossoms

Appropriately the theme for this week's Pattie's Creations challenge is Easter.  I associate Dogwood blossoms with Easter time because they were always blooming right about that time when I was growing up.  So for this Easter challenge, I've chosen the Dogwood Branch digi as the focal point of my card.

I've colored the image with Copic markers and added Sparkle N Sprinkle's Sunny Daze glitter to the flower centers.  The sentiment is one I created on my computer and printed on vellum.  Since ink on vellum stays wet longer, I covered it with Clear embossing powder and heat set it.

Pearls were added to the corners of the sentiment (which also hides the glue dot on the back) and a bit of twisted ribbon is layered between the main panel and the Lacey Dots border (from Die-Versions).  I adhered the ribbon with 1/8" piece of double sided tape.  Since it is twisted, bits of the adhesive were left uncovered here and there.  A great way to cover up the sticky areas is to cover it with a semi-transparent glitter.  I covered it with Cloud Nine velvet glitter, which is a micro fine glitter.  It gives it just a hint of sparkle too.


I created the handmade dogwood blossom after viewing this video tutorial.  I improvised a bit since I don't own a balloon punch, but I do own several sizes of balloon dies from Lifestyle Crafts  :-).   (Bet you never would have guessed it was made from a balloon shape.)  I painted Twinkling H2Os over each petal and allowed to dry before assembling.  The center of the blossom is covered with Art Glitter Gala Glitz (gold) and the leaf is a Spellbinders die (Foliage).

You have two weeks to upload your Easter project to the PCDC Blog.  Be sure and visit the rest of the team to see what they've created for you as well.

Happy Easter!

Strawberries in Clay Pot

Hey everyone!  Today I'm sharing a card using the Pattie's Creations digi image Strawberries in a Clay Pot.  The challenge for the next two weeks is Anything Goes.  Since everyone needs lots of birthday cards, this is what I created.  Plus I incorporated a new technique for me as well.

To start off, I colored the image with Copic markers, fussy cut it out, and added Glossy Accents to the berries so they would be more dimensional.  After my background was completed, I only ran adhesive up the center of the image so the strawberry vines would have dimension and be lifted off the background.

For the background, I began by applying embossing paste through a The Crafters Workshop mini stencil (mini harlequin).  Immediately after taking the stencil off, I covered it with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Blissful Blue Sparkle N Soft flock.  Since I didn't want to ruin the design, I lightly pressed the flock into the paste, but not too hard.  Then I let it dry completely.  When I shook off the excess flock, there was a light layer that stuck to the embossing paste - just what I wanted.  I wanted to have a couple areas with heavier amounts of flock, so I took my heat gun and heated up a few of the diamonds and then rubbed more flock into them.  The diamonds were heated enough to let the flock adhere to them, but not so hot that they changed shape.

Next I die cut this with the Sizzix Cameo Frame die.  I didn't want to leave the background white, so I spritzed the entire thing with Tsukineko Walnut Inks (Terra Cotta and Cornflower).  Since the embossing paste acts as a resist, I was able to take a paper towel and blot off all the excess ink from the flocked areas.

I added a couple corner dies from MFT (Four Corners) and added my sentiment, which was die cut from a Memory Box die (Primo Labels).  I added Glossy Accents over the sentiment as well.

Party Dress

Time for a new challenge from Pattie's Creations.  The theme is: Spots or Dots - must have dots somewhere on your creation.

I've chosen the Pattiboop Party Dress from Pattie's Etsy store and colored it with Copic markers.  I added dots to the dress with Copic Opaque White pigment and Bubble Gum glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle to the neckline and to the ruffle.  Plus, there are dots in my background and card base.  The floral oval was die cut from the Spellbinders Lacey Ovals die and I added a small bow at the top.

Now it's your turn.  We want to see all your spots or dots.  You have two weeks to enter this challenge.  Be sure to visit the rest of the team to see what they've created for you this week too.

Ballet Slippers

This is my first post for Pattie's Creations Design Challenge since being back with the team.  (Thanks again Pattie for asking me!) The challenge lasts for two weeks and the theme is For the Girls (creations for a female child).  After visiting Pattie's Etsy Store, I decided to use the Ballet Slippers.

After printing the digi and fussy cutting it out, I decided that since most little girls love sparkle, that lots of glitter had to be used.  The shoes are covered with Bubblegum glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle and colored with Copic markers.  I intensionally made the photo above slightly darker so you could see all the shimmer and sparkle of the glitter.

I die cut the Lacey Oval out of vellum and the edges of larger oval (Grand Ovals) was highlighted with more Bubblegum glitter.

For the next layer, I repeated the digi quite a number of times to create a unique mat.  These smaller ballet slippers are also colored with Copics.  The card base edges are also covered with glitter.  You can never have too much glitter, can you? :-). 

Now it's your turn to create something for a little girl and link up your creations at Pattie's Creations.  Don't forget to check out what the rest of the team has created for you as well.  

New Teams to play with!

I'm excited to announce that I will be on two more teams in 2014, Pattie's Creations and Time 4 Scrap!

Some of you may recall that I've been on Pattie's design team before.  I was so honored when Pattie emailed and asked me to join her group again, that I said yes right away.  This time around there will be two teams: Team Allie and Team Pattieboop (I'm on this one) with a challenge every two weeks.  My first challenge will be January 24th.

Lady Ann asked me to join her team in 2013, but things were a bit too hectic at the time.  I asked her to think of me for the next go round.  Well, when that came around, I was in the process of moving from Alabama to Tennessee and Lady Ann was so gracious in accommodating my schedule.  I'm so happy to say that I'm officially beginning in January with a bunch of new ladies.  There are challenges every two weeks with some inspiration projects in between.  My first project will be on January 4th.

Please check the Page Tab above, "Design Teams", for links to all the design team members for each of the design teams I'm on.

Happy Cake

Challenge #68 from Pattie's Creations is to use red, white, and blue in your projects.  I created my Happy Cake card from one of the freebies that Pattie gives out on the first Friday of the month, but there are lots of fantastic images to choose from in Pattie's Etsy store!

I designed this card so that it opens on point, giving it a different look than a plain square.  On each side of the square (before turning it on point), I die cut the word "Happy" from one of Die-Versions new Express Edge dies and added glossy accents to each of the letters.  The cupcake itself is covered with Cloud Nine glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle and then colored with Distress Markers.  The backdrop is several pieces of Washi tape.

What are you going to create using red, white, and blue?  You have two weeks to upload your project to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.

Starting with the next challenge, there will be three new designers to replace some of us old-timers (like me).   Welcome Nancy, Valou, and Kelly!  I look forward to seeing all the great creations of this new team.  I also want to send a quick thank you to Pattie and Sandi to let you know how much I've enjoyed being a part of the PCDC team for the past year and a half.

Happy Mother's Day

Please click here for the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop post (or continue scrolling down)

The theme for this week's challenge from Pattie's Creations is Mother's Day, since we celebrate Moms in the US on Sunday.  For my Mother's Day card, I've chosen the Roses in a Milk Bottle from Pattie's Etsy store.  I printed the image three times.  Once for the main image, one to pop dot the roses, and one to make a mask for my (very) subtle background.

Spellbinders Grand Ovals die was used to cut the main image out. Once this was done, I fussy cut out the mask and temporarily adhered it on top of the main image so I could sponge my Mini Chunky Chevron template pattern from Companion's Workshop onto the background with chalk inks.  It's pretty subtle in person (which is what I wanted), but not as subtle as it is in the photo.

Once that was completed, both the entire image, as well as my additional rose blossoms, was colored with Copic markers.  I added Orchid Rose and Frosted Carmine glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle to the outlines of the rose petals for an extra bit of bling.  I also created a glittery border with double sided tape and the Orchid Rose glitter.  Moms deserve all the sparkle they can get!

Now it's your turn to create a Mother's Day card and upload it to the Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  You have two weeks and you double your chances of winning if you use a Pattie's Creations image.  Full details are listed on the PCDC blog.

Thinking of You

Today's Challenge #66 from Pattie's Creations is Anything But A Card.  This image is Thinking of You and can be found in Pattie's Etsy store.

I printed the image twice so I could pop dot the daisy and the butterfly and then colored it with Copic markers.  I also added a bit of sparkle with Spica glitter pens.

I also want to remind you of the 30% off sale going on now at Pattie's Etsy store.  It goes until April 30.  Be sure to use the code PATTIEBOOP1 (in CAPS) at checkout.  The store has a brand new feature where you can now download your images as soon as the payment has been processed!  No more waiting!  Yea!

Be sure to visit the rest of the team to see what they've created for you as well.

Sea You

Every now and then it's fun to do a monochromatic card as well as something that's not a dt requirement.  And that's what I've done for today.  I've used a Pattie's Creations image and colored it with copic markers.  The background is a M-Bossiblities embossing folder from Spellbinders that I die cut with the Lifestyle Crafts nesting die.  Create a bit of depth by going over the raised postions with some Distress Inks and your blending tool.

Add a few Liquid Pearls for the air bubbles to add a little dimension and a simple sentiment and you've completed another card for when you need it.