Fairy Wish {Lavinia World Challenges #2}

I love working with the Lavinia stamps from Lavinia World and I'm so happy to share with you my project for the second Lavinia World Challenges.  

The stamp I'm showcasing today is the Fairy Wish stamp. To begin, I used a John Next Door die set (Oakham Lattice) and die cut the center circle from white cardstock.  I then stamped the Fairy Wish image onto the cardstock with VersaFine black ink and heat set with Clear embossing powder.  Then I added Nuvo glitter (Sparkle Dust) to the fairy wings.  I love how the glitter looks green since the wings were black.  (If they had been a light color, then the wings would have looked more iridescent.) A pink glitter was also added to each of the flower blossoms.

 Using the same Oakham die set, I die cut the rest of the mat surrounding the image from a pale pink cardstock..

For the background mat, I used a Sue Wilson die set (Spanish Collection-Cordoba) and die cut it in a medium shade of pink.  This die is actually a rectangle.  So, in order to convert it to a square, I used my paper cutter and cut down the center of the die cut.  Then I added a strip of bright pink cardstock in the center and adhered each half to the strip.

A few more dots of pink glitter in the corners finish up the card nicely.

Now we hope you can come play with us at the Lavinia World Challenges.  This bi-weekly challenge ends June 17.  If you use a Lavinia stamp in your project, your chances of winning a fabulous $15 gift certificate to Lavinia World are doubled😍.

Be sure to Like Lavinia World on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram (LaviniaWorldStore).  Don't forget to tag us so we can see what you've created and comment on it.



Until next time.....

Earth Day

Today, we're celebrating Earth Day over at Time4Scrap.  The sponsors for this challenge are Delicious Doodles and Dilly Beans.  I've used Tula's Heart from Dilly Beans.

I started off by dry embossing a tag with the Enchanted embossing folder by Spellbinders and then adding a bit of color with pearlescent chalks.  The image was colored with Copic markers and then fussy cut.  I also used an exacto knife to cut out the bottom portion of the heart, so I could slip it on top of my world globe (by Die-Versions).

The sentiment was cut out of an old magazine (talk about recycling) sort of like a "Ransom" letter would be cut from various letters.  A Simon Says Stamps die banner was used to add dimension to the bottom part of the sentiment.

As there were 5 Saturdays in the month of March, you'll only have one week to upload your Earth Day creations to the Time4Scrap Challenge.

Winter Cardinal

 A Winter's Cardinal from Sparkle N Sprinkle is one of the five new rubber stamp sets debuting this month.

I started out by coloring him with Copic markers and then using the Nesting Scallop Oval by Lifestyle Crafts.  The background is chalked in for a soft looking sky.  A VersaMarker ink pen was used to apply ink to the pine needles, which were then heat embossed with Pine embossing powder.

This cute file folder was created using the WR Memory Keepers Envelope Punch board.  You can view a You Tube video here, although a friend talked me through how to make one.  I used the Distress Embossing Technique on the edges of the file folder and the edges of the card base by applying VersaMark and Gold Tinsel embossing powder.

I wanted to place my sentiment on the inside of the file folder, but thought it was a bit plain.  So, I stamped the new Crystal Medallion into the center with Memento Danube Blue ink and then stamped the sentiment on top of this with VersaMark and heat set it with White Detail embossing powder.

A bit of twine and a pine cone shaped button are the finishing touches to this beautiful cardinal.  You can also visit my SNS Art Gallery page for more detailed instructions.

Happiness

December is already here and that's the beginning of a whole bunch of things....including the new Creative Challenge from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  This month we have a new sketch for you.

I've used the Bamboo Floral Vase from the Sparkle N Sprinkle Leaf Robe set.  After cutting it out with the Lacey Oval die from Spellbinders, I then added several different types of flocking and Sparkle N Soft flock.  Dark Chocolate flock was adhered to a few of the branches, Sparkle N Soft Sapphire Silk highlights the lacy openings border as well as the vase.  Sparkling Sands was adhered to the bamboo stems.  A light coat of pink chalk was applied to the background.  The papers are from the Graphic 45 Bird Song collection - perfect for this stamp set.  For more details, you can visit the SNS Gallery (search under my name and everything will pop up).

Be sure to visit the Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenges blog to see what the other SNS designers have created for you as well as enter your take of the sketch.  You could win some fantastic products from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

At the Beach

closed

Did you think this was going to be a summer card, based on the title?  Nope, it's a Christmas card!  It's also a flip (swing) card.

flipped open

This is a pretty fun and easy card to make, especially when you have the Sizzix die to cut out the base.  There are also lots of tutorials on how to score and cut your own as well.  (Here's one I found at Splitcoast Stampers.)

The card is composed of images from the Christmas Flamingo set by Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The sentiment was stamped using a glue pad and then covered in Tiger Orange Velvet Glitter (micro fine glitter and oh so cool).  I also used Tear-ific tape and the Tiger Orange glitter to make a shimmery and sparkly border around the edges.

When you flip open the card, this fun snow/sand woman is revealed.  She's colored with Copic markers and the hat band and star fish are covered with Tiger Orange glitter.  Instead of a carrot for a nose, I decided it should be an ice cream cone (you know,  the ones that have the pointy ends).  So I covered her nose with Sparkle N Soft flock (Sparkling Sands).  This is flock with a bit of added glitter for more bling.  If you haven't tried flock, you really should try some of theirs (both regular flock and the glittery flock).  And for those of you that have tried it and really didn't like it (like me, before SNS), I really encourage you to try the Sparkle N Sprinkle flock.  It's different than the other ones I had tried and it looks and feels so soft.  I love using it almost as much as I love using the SNS glitter.  (I wouldn't say this if I didn't mean it and I wouldn't have applied to be on the team if I didn't like their products!)  Be sure to check out the SNS Art Gallery for lots more inspiration and fun ways these products have been used.  (A fantastic example of how the flock looks close up can be found here, at Cammy's blog.  It looks so fussy and warm!)  Here's a bit more detailed instructions for my flip card.

So there you have it.  A fun and not so typical Christmas card!  Hope this inspires you too.

Will You Marry Me?

Time for a new Inspirational Challenge from Dude Time Doodles.  The theme this week is Weddings/Anniversaries.

Will - You Marry Me? is doing the honors this week and he's popping the question on a swing card, one of the new flip it dies from Sizzix.  And here's the flip side of Will.  He can't believe his luck, so he's planning something spectacular!  I used a Nellie Snellen die (Eastern Rectangle) to cut out my computer generated sentiment.

After die cutting the card base, I ran it through the Mystic M-Bossibilites folder from Spellbinders.  I have to tell you, these are pretty amazing.  I couldn't believe the detail I got and it's pretty easy to see it in the photo too.  I'll definitely be purchasing more of these!

Will is colored with Copic markers and the image was printed twice so I could add pop dots under the jewelry box and his hand.  The "diamond" on the ring is a Swarovski crystal that I received as a gift from someone in Germany.  It looks like it could be the real thing.  Glossy Accents were added to his tears of joy and chalk was used for the background.

Now it's your turn to create something for a wedding or anniversary.  Remember, it must be for a Dude.  You have one week to upload your project and be in the running for the prize sponsored by Pattie's Creations.  You can enter as may times as you wish, as long as you don't back link and each one is created for a guy in mind.  Head on over to the Dude Time Doodles challenge blog  to upload your card and while you're there, be sure to check out what the rest of the Dude and Dudettes have made to help inspire you.

Copics used: E50, E51, E93, BV20    C4, C5, C7    N5, N7, N9    BG000, BG01, BG05    T2, T4, T7, T8, T9

Belly Up to the Bar....

Father Flanagan and Guinness Gwen have bellied up to the bar to discuss the latest news - some sad, some happy.  Both are images from Bonibleaux Designs that I've combined into one card.  The sad news is that one of the founding Dudettes for Dude Time Doodles, Cleota, is stepping down as Sr. DT Coordinator and Sponsor Coordinator.  The good news (at least I'm really happy about it) is that I'm taking over her responsibilities.   We'll miss having Cleota around all the time, but know she'll pop in from time to time.  So let's raise our glasses and give a toast.

Chomp

Challenge #28 from the Digi Makeover Challenge team is from an Inspirational photo: spring colors

I thought Chomps, from Paper Makeup Stamps, was just the cutest thing eating a flower.   I've been seeing a number of white on white projects lately and that's what I decided to do for this spring card.

After coloring Chomps with Copics, I fussy cut him out and adhered him to my first layer.  This was actually a piece of junk mail that I had received a few days earlier.  (For once, something useful.)  The background was plain cream, so I added clouds and a sky with chalks.  This is matted onto a piece of white copy paper spritzed with Smooch Spritz (vanilla ice), which looks very shimmery behind Chomps. The green strip is distressed with Paper Soft Colors (lime green) and the brads are colored with Copics to match the pink flower Chomps is eating.  The base cardstock is embossed with leaves, although they are difficult to see.

Head on over to the Digi Makeover Challenge blog to enter your photo inspired project.  Don't forget, you must use a digi and follow this week's theme.  Check out the rest of the design team's creations for lots more inspiration.

I'm entering this in the following challenge: Mark's Finest Papers (CAS).


Copics used: YR00, YR01, YR02, YR07    YG0000, YG01,  R24, R37, R89    YG03, YG45    RV04, RV09, Y02, Y06, G17    B05
Smooch: Gold Lame, Illuminate

Luck o'the Irish

I created a gift/treat bag (Sizzix) to fill with yummy goodies for St. Patrick's Day, using several different techniques, for the iCopic challenge (anything but a card).  The first technique I wanted to try is called Glittered Copics, where you use your Copic markers to tint glitter.  (You can find the video tutorial here.)  I began by taping the umbrella stencil from Dreamweavers to white cardstock and using a glue pad to apply glue to the exposed area.  I didn't want to glitter the entire card as was done in the tutorial; just the umbrella.  Next I liberally applied PK Glitz glitter (white pearl) to the glue, burnished it in with my fingertip, and then colored with my Copics.  This was a really fun technique and I definitely want to try it again.

I decided to add a black mat so the glittered umbrella would pop better.  The background for the umbrella was created by using several layers of the Canadian Kaleidoscope and the Canadian Kaleidoscope Angel Wings dies from Cheery Lynn.  The sentiment is cut with Spellbinders and for the background, I used a technique called Chalk Attraction (you can find out more about it here) with a shamrock rubber stamp.  I also used this same rubber stamp to create coordinating tissue paper. 

Once I had written my sentiment, I wanted it to be 

shiner, so I applied Versamark over the entire die cut and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Lastly, I added some shamrock ribbon to complete the project.

I think I bake some shamrock cookies to fill this cute treat bag.

In addition to the iCopic challenge, I'm entering this in the Dreamweavers (go green or go Bragh) challenge, the Cheery Lynn (lots of layers) challenge, and Sweet Stamps (St. Patrick's Day) challenge.

Copics used: YG05, YG09, YG67. G17

Babe Watcher

HAPPY 2012!  Since it's the first Wednesday in January, that means it's time for a new challenge from Dude Time Doodles.  It's an easy one to get you back in the crafting groove:  ANYTHING GOES.

For those of you who are stuck in lots of snow and cold and ice, I created my Babe Watcher easel card scene just for you.  Can't you just feel the warm ocean breeze while you're relaxing on the sand and soaking in the rays?  (At least you can image it before you have to go shovel more snow.)

Mr. Hunk was printed several times so I could add lots of dimension to his well toned and tanned body and Copic markers were used to show off this fine physique.  I sprayed white cardstock with Smooch Spritz (gingersnap) to make the sun (a MFT die), the stickers are from Creative Memories (that I've had for a long time) and the sentiment (cut with Spellbinders) was stamped with Studio G peg stamps I found in the $1.00 bin at a local craft chain.  I also added touches of chalk in various areas to give more depth.

Now you have one week to join in on the fun and upload your project to Dude Time Doodles.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Copics used:  E21, E15    N7, N9, N3, N4    R24, R27, R29, R89    Y35, Y38,    E35, E39, W3    YR20, YR21, YR23, E33

With You a Merry Chrithmus

I am pleased to bring you the final freebie from Bonibleaux Designs and Dude Time Doodles.  The image is called "With You a Merry Chrithmus" and features one of the Hillbilly gang. He's available for a short time only for free on the challenge blog.  After that, he will be available in the store.  So add him to your collection while you can.

As you can see, he found his Christmas present early, imbibed too much, then opened his wife's present of pink bubble bath and, as they say, the rest is history.  I just hope he didn't use all of her bubbles, or he really will be in hot water!

I printed the image twice so I cut fussy cut it out and added pop dots to the wash tub and the bottom of the moonshine jug for added dimension.  The background is colored with chalk and I added glossy accents to a few of the bubbles.  The tree is an older die (Christmas Tree #2) from Sizzix and the papers are all Echo Park.  Spellbinders dies (Grand Labels Eleven #4) were used to make the card base and the inside mat (Labels Eleven #6).  For the inside, I cropped the image and enlarged the moonshine jug and printed it twice and colored these, as well as the main image, with Copics.  The sentiment is cut with a micro font die from Die-Versions.

This image will be available at Dude Time Doodles for a few hours starting sometime today.  If it's not there when you first check, be sure to check back a bit later so you can grab him for yourself.  Once the opportunity to get him for free passes, you can still grab him from the store.

Copics used: R81, R83    E00, E21, E31, R20    N2, N4    R000, R11, R17, R22    E30, E33 B,93, B95    C2, C3, C4, C7, W3, W5    E25, E27, E29, E31

Autumn Fairy

Welcome to the newest AiFactory challenge.  This cute image and theme was chosen by design team member Ika.  The theme is Autumn, if you didn't guess.  The image is Nice Thoughts Your Way and she's colored with Copic markers, touches of Smooch pearlized ink (Grape Soda), Spica glitter pens (melon, lavendar, lemon) and the background was created using chalks.


As a reminder for the rules:  to be eligible to win the $5 gift certificate to the store, you MUST USE an aigraphics image.  Be sure to check for freebies at the store too and you can download the image I used at the challenge blog for a short time.  No backlinking, but you may combine with as many challenges as you like.  You'll have until Wednesday, Nov 16 to upload your autumn creation using the link button on the challenge site.  Enter as many times as you like, but you must create a new project each time.


Thanks Ika for a great image to color.  Be sure to check out all the other creations by our design team too.


Copics used: YR21, YR24    YG03, YG06, YG13    BV13, BV17    BV01, BV11, BV13, BV17    E00, E01, E11, R20    YR07, YR68, YR09    E97, E99, E37    V91, V93, V95

Witch Pattiboop

(If you are looking for the Stamping with the Dragon challenge, please scroll down.)


I'm so excited because today is the debut of the new design team members for Pattie's Creations.  This is Witch Pattiboop with Cauldron.  Pattiboop is always fun to use, and this image is no exception.  Challenge #31's theme is Halloween.

The image was colored with Copic markers and cut out using Spellbinders Grand Scallop Square (#3, assumes the smallest die is #1).  The background was created with chalk and the sentiment is from Create with TLC.  I also added a few gems for the bubbles of the witchy brew and Glossy Accents on the bat.

You will have two weeks to upload your Halloween creation to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  The challenge starts now and ends Thursday, Oct 27th at 5 pm Central Standard Time.  The challenge rules are posted here and remember, if you use an image from Pattie's Creations, you will get an extra entry to win!  Stop over at Pattie's Etsy Store to see all her images.  There are Freebies located on the challenge blog too (so you don't have an excuse not to get entered twice into the challenge).

Be sure to visit all the new design team members and see what they've created for you today too.  &You'll find their blog addresses on my side bar under Design Team Members.

I'm also entering this card in this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Halloween or Goth).

Copics used: YR23, YR24, E37, E29    YR04, YR07, YR09, V12, V15, V17    G02, YG41    Y02, Y04, Y06, YR07, YR09   E08, E19    N4, N5, N7, N8    Y19, Y26    E25, E27, E29    E00, E01, E11, R20

Best Friends Forever

It's time for a new challenge at AiFactory and it's my turn as dt member to choose the image and theme.  I chose this cutie, Best Friends Forever, because my dog and cat truly are best friends.  They play and sleep with each other and miss each other when one isn't home.  This image will be free to the first ten people who want to download it.  After that, it's available for purchase in the store.  Remember, if you want a chance to win, you need to use an AiFactory image.  It can be this one or any AiFactory image.  The theme is, you guessed it, FRIENDSHIP.


I used Copic markers to color in the image and chalk to create the background.  (It's hard to tell in the photo, but I've made clouds and a sun.)  The butterfly border is a die from Memory Box called Butterfly Delights.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC.


You have two weeks to upload your AiFactory image depicting Friendship to the AiFactory challenge blog.   I can't wait to see your friendship projects.  Don't forget to check out the other design team members creations while you're at it.  You won't be disappointed.

Let's Go to the Beach

This week's challenge at Stamping with the Dragon is Summer Fun and what can be better than going to the beach?  The twist this week is to use this sketch:

As you can see, I just flipped it.  The sketch is from Maya and you can find this sketch here.  I used the Summer Fun image from Stamping Dragon Designs and tweaked it just a little.  Instead of a circle, I decided I wanted an oval - that's the beauty of digital stamps.  And for another change - I didn't use Copics; I used chalks and a couple Zig markers to color this image in.  Chalks are great to use because you can erase your mistakes (it's hard staying in the lines when you're using a little round ball and tweezers :-)  ).  I also used a Martha Stewart punch that I found at my local craft store called Cherish on my matting an strip of paper and some Glossy Accents on the beach ball.  The sentiment is a sticker from Creative Memories that I've had for quite a while.


You have two weeks to upload your Summer Fun project at Stamping with the Dragon.  Be sure to see all the other Summer Fun projects the rest of the design team has for you too.

This card was published in the July, 2011 issue of Scrapbook, News and Review magazine.