Happy New Year

Rupert from Stamping Dragon Designs is here to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

He's colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  The background is a new die from Die-Versions and can be used in a variety of ways.  I thought it was perfect for Rupert's countdown to 2012!  After cutting out the collage, I sprayed it with Smooch Spritz (gingersnap) for lots of added shimmer and sparkle.

Hope all of you have a safe and happy new year.  See you back here in 2012.

Copics used: R35, R37, R39, V17    E51, E53, Y26, Y27
Spica glitter pens: lavender, gold, pitch black

Let It Snow with Rupert

This is the last challenge of the year for Stamping with the Dragon as everyone gets the last week off to celebrate the holidays with their families.  Stamping Dragon Designs is the sponsor and the theme is Let It Snow.  Show us your projects that has anything dealing with snow.  It's also a bittersweet post for me as this will also be my last official post as one of the design team members.  But you'll still see Rupert and all his friends here from time to time because he's the cutest dragon ever!

The image I chose is Snowfight and Rupert is having a blast playing in the snow and having a snowball fight.  Maybe Jiggy and Penny have ganged up on him.  Rupert is colored with Copic markers and I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the head and pop dot it for more dimension.  I also used a Snow Writer for the snow and snow balls.  Both the sentiment and background papers are from Create with TLC. The card base was cut with my Spellbinder's Grand Ovals #3 (assumes #1 is the smallest die in the set) and I added snowflake ribbon all along the back of the card.  The sentiment is a Tim Holtz rubber stamp from Stampers Anonymous.  The background was created with a large backgrounder stamp (manufacturer unknown).

Just a quick reminder that you still have a short amount of time (till 7pm EST tomorrow, 12/23) to apply for this wonderful design team.  You'll be working with a great bunch of women and who wouldn't love more images with Rupert.  You can read all the details here.

Be sure to visit the rest of the design team to see what snowy creations they've come up with too.  So get busy and upload your project with snow to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog.

Copics used: R24, R29    BG11, BG15, BG18

Yoo Hoo Presents

Who wouldn't want to get presents from this cute little guy?  Yoo Hoo Presents from Stamping Dragon Designs is all decked out in his Santa hat and is ready to start handing out the goodies he brought.  Hope you get what you wanted.

Copic markers were used to color this image, liquid applique was used on the hat, and Smooch Pearlized inks were used for the ornaments.  The paper is from Echo Park.

There's still time to enter the current challenge (Bling It Christmas) going on at Stamping with the Dragon and be sure to visit the rest of the team to see what they've come up with too.

Couple of other bits of information for you:
  ~ head on over to Stamping Dragon Designs as Janette is doing the 12 Days of Giveaways and giving away one free thing each day for 12 days.
  ~ there is a 40% off sale of EVERYTHING at the Stamping Dragons Designs store, so go shopping!
  ~ a design team call is going on now.  Head on over to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog for all the details.  You'll be able to pick up a free image of Rupert and then apply by 12/23/11.  Good luck to all who submit their application.  This is a great team to be on.

Cheery Lights Mailbox

It's time for another fun challenge from Stamping with the Dragon.  Our sponsor is Meljen's Designs and the theme is Bling it Christmas.  We want you to show us your Christmas Bling.  The winner will receive four images from Meljen's store.

I chose the Cheery Lights Mailbox  to create a fun winter/Christmas card.  Since the theme is Bling it Christmas, I chose a slightly different way to show lots of bling:  I used Creative Inspirations paints and Twinkling H2O's.  Both have so much bling and sparkle in person and are so fun to use.  I also used a Snow Writer (thanks Tammy) for the snow and added bits of glitter to it while it was still wet.

Here's a close-up so you can see what I'm talking about.  If you follow my blog, you know that I describe Creative Inspirations paints as "bling in a bottle" and it's so true!  And Twinkling H2O's live up to their name - they really do twinkle.

The background was created by using a Cheery Lynn Designs die.  I've found that I can emboss with these dies by using my embossing plate and mat with my Grand Calibur machine.  How fun is that? Two for the price of one.  I don't know if this works with other die manufacturers, but luckily, these have not cut my embossing mat when I run them through.  (What a great discovery.)

I also wanted to remind everyone that Stamping with the Dragon is having a Design Team call.  You can read all about it HERE, plus you get a free Stamping Dragon Designs image to work with.  You have until 12/23/11 to submit your application.  Good luck to all (and don't be afraid to submit your work).

Now it's your turn to show us your Bling for Christmas.  You have two weeks to upload your creation to the Stamping with the Dragon blog.  Can't wait to see all your shiny  Christmas bling.

Christmas Window

For this week's Stamping with the Dragon  inspiration, I incorporated three different images from Stamping Dragon Designs: Christmas Window, Oh Christmas Tree, and Christmas 1 Sentiment pack into my design.  One of the things I really love about digital images is the ability to re-size them as needed and that's exactly what I did with the Christmas tree.  I needed it pretty small so the cats (and you) could see it through the window.  The "wall" behind the tree was created using my new Paper Soft Colors (I'm really liking them to create backgrounds).  

As you can tell from these photos, I printed the image a couple different times and fussy cut out the cats, the garland, and the frame separately so I could add lots of dimension to it.  I really wanted it to look like a window frame where the cats are sitting on the window sill looking in at all the wonderful Christmas decorations.

The sentiment is part of a set and is die cut with Spellbinders and distressed with a bit of Distress Inks. The papers are by Echo Park and Making Memories.

You still have a week to enter the Anything Christmas challenge going on now at Stamping with the Dragon.  Don't forget to see the rest of the design team's creations too.

Also, Stamping with the Dragon is having a Design Team call. Head to the challenge blog for all the details.

Patches

It's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon and here are the details:

SPONSOR: STAMP FAIRY

Theme: Anything goes - Christmas

Prize : $10 gift certificate

Everyone on the design team was given Patches to play with and let me tell you, every one of us came up with something different.  You'll definitely want to check them all out.

All the papers that I used to create my card are from Echo Park, but not all are from the same collection.  After printing and coloring Patches with Copic markers and glossy accents on the ornament, I fussy cut him out so I could adhere him on my Spellbinder's ornament.   I also used just a touch of Smooch pearlized ink (gold lame) for the ornament top.   As some of you know, I don't like to throw anything out.  The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is a perfect example.  It's actually the name of the paper collection on the tag that everyone cuts off at the bottom of each sheet.  It was the perfect size, so I cut it out and pop dotted it onto my ornament.  I used a brad to attach the ornament to my velvet ribbon and let it hang naturally (so it can swing just like a real ornament.  At least it won't break if it hits the ground.).  For the inside of the card, I cut out a smaller Spellbinder's ornament to add a written note.

Now it's your turn to get busy and upload your Christmas creation to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog.  What better way to get those Christmas cards ready before the last minute.

Copics used: YG67   E07, E08, E09    R24, R27, R29

Cracked Glass - Lily

Today I wanted to share with you not only a beautiful and versatile image called Lily Sympathy from Stamping Dragons Designs, but also a tutorial on a technique I read about a couple years ago called the cracked glass technique.  (I'm sure if you Google it, you can come up with all kinds of You Tube videos as well.)  First off, let me say that I think this image is good for all occasions, not just as a sympathy card.  That's why I didn't put a sympathy sentiment with it.

The items you will need to complete this technique are a colored image of your choice, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), VersaMark, heat tool, and a freezer.

Here is my lily after coloring it with Copic markers.  The background was made by first applying a pink shade and then lightly going over that with a lavender shade.  I wanted parts of the pink to peak through.

After you've colored your image and you are happy with it, the next step is to apply the VersaMark to your image.  Make sure it is fully covered.  Next, begin applying the ultra thick embossing powder all over.  (You will eventually apply three layers of the UTEE.)  Once it's covered, you are ready to heat it.  The easiest way I found to do this was to place the UTEE covered image in a shoe box top.  That way, you can easily heat it up without having to touch any part of it.  Using your heat tool, thoroughly heat the embossing powder until it's completely melted.  While it's still HOT, pour a second coat of UTEE over it.  (I had left the image in my box top when I poured the second coat over it.  Once its completely covered again with UTEE, you can take the time to put the excess UTEE back in the container.)  Reheat again until it's completely melted. While it's still HOT, pour the UTEE over it for a third coat and heat completely.

 It should look like smooth glass at this point, as seen here in the photo on the left.  If you like this look, you can stop right here and  begin assembling your card.

To continue to the next step, just place this in your freezer for about five minutes.  Don't worry if it curls; you want it to and it should look something like the photo on the right.

Take it in your hands and start to straighten the image back out by bending it slightly backwards.  It will start to crack where you are bending it.  If it doesn't start cracking (you'll definitely hear it popping), just put it back in the freezer for a couple more minutes.  It should resemble this:

If you don't like the way it turned out, don't worry.  You can fix it by reheating it and melting the UTEE all over again.  Put it back in the freezer and try again.  One final step you could do, but I chose not to, is to slightly distress it by using a sponge dauber and a vintage brown ink to highlight the cracks more.  Rub the excess ink off with a cloth.  Again, I chose not to do this because I was happy with the results without the distressing.  Here is a close up of the assembled card.

For my assembly, first I mounted my image on black cardstock.  I created my background using a Cheery Lynn Designs lattice frame die and Core'dinations papers, which I sanded to bring out the peach.  The purple strip along the side was created by blending in two different shades of Paper Soft Colors to bring out the lavender in my image.  The scalloped border along the right side was created using the Grand 12" scallop Border by Spellbinders.  The peach base is the other side of the Core'dinations paper.

I also want to let you know you still have time to enter the current challenge (the theme is "food for thoughts") going on at Stamping with the Dragon.  You have until next Thursday to upload your project.  Don't forget to check out what the rest of the design team has created for you this week (you can find their blog addresses on my side bar).

I hope you like this technique and will try it soon.  I would love to hear back from you, letting me know what you think of it.

Copics used: YG11, YG13, YG13    YR0000, YR000, YR00, FY1    R27, R29, Y08, RV000, RV00, BV000, BV00

Cake Makes Everything Better!

Happy Friday everyone (OK, Thursday evening since the dt posts challenges to go live England time).  So that means it's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon.  The theme of our challenge is FOOD and our sponsor is none other than Bugaboo Stamps.

For my card today, I tried out Paper Soft Colors by Viva Decor to create my background as well as inking in the sentiment.  I must say, they blend really well - it just took a little longer than Distress Inks to get the look I was going for.  Just worked with it a tad bit longer is all, but I do like them.  They are oil based, so the instructions say to let dry for about 30 minutes and you do need a designated sponge with each color.  I tried a few different types of sponges and think I like a sponge dauber the best (although I haven't tried the sponge recommended by Viva Decor since I wanted to see if I could use what I already have on hand before buying something else).  I feel that I have better control over it than when I used a cosmetic sponge or the Ranger Ink Blending Tool and foam pads.

A couple quick details about the card: the image is colored with Copic markers; the sentiment is cut with Scrap-Mart's Label 1 die (#4) and is from Create with TLC; the left edge was cut with Memory Box's Sanibel Border.  On a side note, the purples in the image match the background really well, but turned out bluish in the photos.

You'll have until 11/24/11 to upload your FOOD creation to the Stamping with the Dragon Challenge Blog.  Can't wait to see what types of food you come up with.  While visiting the challenge blog, be sure to check out all the other great creations we made for you - they are a real treat.

Copics used: E00, E01, E11    Y11, Y00, R01, R81, R27    FV2    Y35, Y38    C0, C1, C2    BV13

Autumn Leaves

Today I'm featuring the Autumn Leaves, Decoupage from Stamping Dragon Designs.   This is a set of pre-colored leaves that you print, cut out, and layer on top of one another.  I printed the design out twice, so I could frame the place card I made.  I added a touch of Wild Honey Distress Inks to the image so it wouldn't be so bright and a bit of Chocolate Spica glitter pen to the leaf veins for sparkle.  The vellum sentiment is one that I've had in my stash for a long time.  The base of the place card was embossed with a Cheery Lynn Designs double sided embossing plate.  This is the first embossing plate I've purchased from them, but it definitely won't be the last.  The impression it makes in the paper is amazing!  I definitely want to play with these a lot more.

Don't forget you still have time to join in on the current challenge (fun things to do in the fall) going on at Stamping with the Dragon.  It ends Nov 10th.  Visit the other DT members too and see what they've got for you today as well.

Jiggy Leaves

It's time for a new challenge at Stamping with the Dragon and the theme is Fun Things to do in the Fall.  Our sponsor is Stamping Dragon Designs and the winner will get to choose four images of your choice.  For this challenge, the design team will be showcasing digital images from one of the October Grab Bags.  So when you visit the store, be sure to check out all the grab bags, as they are on sale for $3.00 (normally $9.00).  I've chosen Jiggy Leaves because kids young and old love jumping and playing in a pile of leaves.


Jiggy is colored with Copic markers and his wings, horns and nails are accented with Smooch pearlized ink (Illuminate).  The sentiment is also colored with Copics and is from Create with TLC.  I chose some fabric that's in my ever-growing stash for the background because the colors matched perfectly and a bit of suede ribbon for accents.  The card base was cut with a Sizzix die.


Head on over to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog and see what the rest of the design team has in store for you - you won't be disappointed.  Then start creating.  You have until 11/10/11 to upload your creation.


Copics used: R14, Y38, G17    R14, Y38    E81, E43, E55, E40    E31, E33    B0000    C0

Sam the Vamp

Sam the Vamp 2 is one of the new releases for Halloween from Stamping Dragon Designs.  The background on this easel card was created using PanPastels and Sam is colored with Copic markers.  This was a pretty quick and easy easel card to make.  I added a touch of Glossy Accent to the glasses and to the bat highlighted by the moon.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but it gives it a more dimensional look.


You still have several days (until 10/27) to enter in the current challenge at Stamping with the Dragon.  Don't forget to visit the other team members and see what they've come up for you today.




Copics used: YR02, YR04, YR07, YR09    E00, E01, E11    N3, N4, N8    FV2, V99

Yoo Hoo's Crib

The challenge this week from Stamping with the Dragon is Buttons and Bows and our sponsor is Stamp Fairy.  This is a young company owned and illustrated by Gerta Burghardt and  every Friday, Stamp Fairy offers at least one free digi for download, so be sure to stop by.  The images for this week's challenge are supplied by Stamping Dragon Designs.  The prize is a $10 gift certificate for Stamp Fairy.

I'm using Yoo Hoo's Crib from Stamping Dragon Designs today.  He's colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  I added three small buttons at the top of the crib to replicate that you could change out the fabric easily.  Here's a good shot where you can see all the sparkle that the Smooch (Illuminate) gives the ribbon.  The papers are all from my stash and I added a large bow.  Pretty simple and straightforward.

You have two weeks to upload your Buttons & Bow project to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog.  You won't want to miss what the other design team members have in store for you today - lots of great inspiration.

SDD - Pyramage

Today I'm showcasing one of the new products from Stamping Dragon Designs called Tractor & Trailer Pyramage.  It's a sheet of pre-colored images that you cut out and stack on top of one another to create a layered/decoupaged whole.  It's a lot of fun to do as well as quick and easy.  Basically you cut, pop dot, add embellishments and you're done.  This particular sheet has both square and oval shapes and I decided to combine them instead of having one that was all squares and one that was all ovals - now you could do that too.


Here is a second one using Hilly.

You still have a week to enter the Fall Colors challenge going on right now at Stamping with the Dragon.  The winner will receive four images from Meljen's Designs.  Pop on over and see what the other design team members have done for you today too.  You can find their blog addresses on my side bar under "Design Team Members".

Happy Fall

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!  The sponsor this week for the Stamping with the Dragon challenge is Meljen's Designs and the theme is Fall Colors.  The winner will receive four images from the store.

I chose Happy Fall and printed the image twice so I could pop dot the circular sentiment that goes around the image itself.  I also fussy cut a second leaf to adhere is slightly off center from the base leaf to give it more dimension.  The pumpkin and leaf are colored with Copic markers and the edges are inked with Distress Inks (Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold).  I added crochet thread inked with Bundled Sage Distress Ink to the pumpkin swirls for a bit of color as well.  The final embellishment is Enamel Accents between each of the words.  The shaped card base is cut with Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Circles (#4) from digital papers designed by Create with TLC.  You can see all the different layers in the photo to the right.

Now it's your turn to show us your Fall Colors.  Head on over to the Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog and upload your creation before October 13.  Be sure to see what the other design team members have to share with you too and welcome our three newest members to the design team - Cheryl, Carly, and Caroline.  This will also be Tammy's last post as a SDD dt member, so be sure to stop by and wish her success with her future endeavors.


Copics used: Y32, Y35, Y38, BG 93, BG96, BG99, YR04, YR07, YR68    YR21, YR07, YR09, R14, R35

Washing Day

It's Washing Day (Stamping Dragon Designs image) for Yoo Hoo and his paper pieced quilt will be all nice and fresh smelling after drying in the sun.  I pop dotted the bottom edge so it looks like it's blowing in the cool breeze.  The patterned paper is from Basic Grey and the buttons were made with Epiphany Craft's button studio tool.


You still have a week to join the current Stamping with the Dragon challenge.  Visit the other design team members and see what they have to inspire you today too.




Copics used: G03, G05, G07    Y02, Y08, B14    B00, B12, B21, B41, B34, B66, B95    E08, E09    C1, C2, C4, Y00, Y11

Jiggy & Teddy

Stamping with the Dragon has a new challenge:  SHOW US YOUR 3D OR DECOUPAGE PROJECTS!!!  It doesn't have to be a card but, it must either have a 3D effect or Decoupaged.  The winner of this challenge will win 4 images of their choice from  Stamping Dragon Designs.  SDD also has new products in the store, including new Decoupage sheets.  I chose Jiggy's Teddy Decoupage and let me tell you, if you like playing with scissors, you're going to love these new sheets.  Basically, you cut out the base and the different layers and pop dot them together. Easy peasy and fun to do!


Although these images are pre-colored, I just had to add a little something-something to call it my own.   I added Spica glitter pens (chocolate and peach) to highlight certain areas of Teddy's body and bow and  Jiggy was blinged up by combining Distress Stickles (Wild Honey) with Shimmerz paint (Angel Wings) and painting this mixture on his wings and horns.


Next I cut out a Sizzix French Fry box and adhered my image to the front.  Now I can add a little present to the inside.  One more trick I used was to add a bit of shimmer and sparkle to my tissue paper.  It was originally plain white, so I spritzed it with Pirate's Plunder Gold, a spritz by Moon Shadows for more pizazz.


Head on over to Stamping with the Dragon challenge blog to upload your favorite image.  While you're there, don't forget to see what all the other design team members have created for you too.