Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Penny Black Bubbly Stamp Set


Did you enjoy the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend blog hop as much as I did?  I hope so!

I made this card using the Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch #71 from Sunday, May 29, 2011.  I used a cute Penny Black pup from the "Bubbly" acrylic stamp set I have.  


He's colored with Copic markers E50, E31, E17, RV10, C3, B21, B23.  The blue panel was colored and air brushed with Copic makers B21 & B23.  The footprints are from the Canine Capers Stampin' Up! set.  The "thinking of You" sentiment is from a Papertrey Ink stamp set and I used their ric rac die too.  

I'm not sure who the Khaki colored cardstock is made by, it was in my scrap drawer that I've been working on cleaning out.  The other cardstock colors are Via Vellum Black & Neenah Solar White.

Challenges:
Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch Challenge #71
Digital Tuesday - Animal Friends

Monday, May 30, 2011

OWH MEMORIAL DAY BLOG HOP CANDY WINNER!


Happy Memorial Day 2011

I'd like to announce the winner of my blog candy from our Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend blog hop-
Congratulations Charlene, it's you!
Katknit said...
What fun ..... hop, hop, hop. Wow, I loved the card you shared for this "blog hop". It's very nice with the design, the stamps and coloring, and the paper you used!!! It is a great card. Your coloring on the stamp is awesome!!!! Thanks for sharing. I have become a follower and want to say thank you for the "blog candy". Thanks for supporting OWH. Charlene
A big thank you to everyone who visited my blog over the weekend, I had an amazing 621 visitors and 127 comments.  Another milestone reached was my 70,000th visitor around 2:00 PM Saturday - thanks again!

K 'n K Designs Valentine Kolar


My card today is for our Stamps R Us challenge that starts today, the theme is "Pets R Us".  Our sponsor for this challenge is Katlyn at K 'n K Designs.

I chose to use Valentine Kolar for my card, I thought he'd make a wonderful "love you" or "miss you" card for Operation Write Home.  

Kolar is colored with Copic markers E44, E43, E42, E41, B93, R81, R83, R85, R89.  My layout is C.A.S.E.d from Debbie Olsen.  I used patterned papers from a Basic Grey Bittersweet pad and and old Stampin' Up! paper pad along with Nut Brown and Neenah Solar White cardstock.  Spellbinders oval and large scalloped oval dies and a little crochet thread tied in a bow.  The sentiment was a $1 stamp from my favorite craft store in Lake Havasu City.

I hope you'll join in on our Pets R Us challenge!

Thanks for visiting my blog today-

Challenges:
Stamps R Us - Pets R Us
Alphabet Challenge - "D" Is For Dogs
Crafty Ho's - Twine
The Crazy Challenge - Pets

Stamp Fairy Indendence Bear


Happy Memorial Day!

My card today is my last as May's guest designer for Stamp Fairy.  It's been a super busy month with design team assignments and our kids are out of school now, I'm kind of looking forward to June and life slowing down just a little.  I'm not sure if that's even possible!

This card was so fun to make, the Stamp Fairy challenge blog has a sketch for us this week.  I don't usually make square cards because most of my cards go to Operation Write Home and they like A2 sized cards.  I think I'll use this one for an Any Hero card since it won't have to travel quite as far as the others. 


I colored my Independence Bear with Copic markers B97, B95, B93, B91, C6, C3, R29, R27, R24, E44, E43, E42, E41.  before I printed this image I added a sentiment directly below it because the sketch called for a long narrow panel.  This sentiment is digital Word Art from Elegant Word Art by Bethany.  I used my Spellbinders Circles dies for the circles under the stars.  The stars are from an old favorite punch of mine.  I can't believe I said "old favorite punch" - I'm NOT a fan of punches, I tend to break them.  The cardstock colors I used are Neenah Solar White & Red Linen, Carnival Navy & Kraft, the ribbon is last years from Michaels and I used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Challenges:
Stamp Fairy - Sketch
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Teddy Bears
Scrapalicious - Memorial Day
Simon Says Stamp - Stars & Stripes
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Anything Goes

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog Hop 2011


Welcome to our annual Operation Write Home Memorial Day blog hop!  If you've arrived here from Leslierahyes's blog you're on the right track.  If not and you'd like to start at the beginning click the banner above and it will take you there!
For my card today I used a Hannah Lynn image called Ocean Rose.  She's colored with Copic markers W9, W7, W5, W3, R29, R27, R24, R22, R20, YG67, YG63, YG61, G28, G24, G20, B41, B23, B21, B0000, E000, E00, E02, C0 C00 with a very simple layout to show her off to her best advantage.  The "miss you" sentiment is by Handmade by Paula, I changed the color to match my color scheme.  I also added a fancy photo corner by Quickutz.  The cardstock I used is Neenah Solar White & Red Linen and Via Vellum Kraft.

I have blog candy to offer, I've filled a medium sized flat rate Priority Mail box full of cardstock, stamps and other card making goodies for one lucky person.  Leave a comment & I'll draw a number and announce the winner Monday, May 30, 2011 right here.

Your next stop on our hop is Yvonne, enjoy!


Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Challenges:
Make It Monday With Kraft Outlet - Clean & Simple
Woodware USA - Anything Goes 
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes 
For Fun Challenges - Patriotic Colors 
My Mum's Craft Shop - Favorite Colors 
Stamp Insanity - Red, White & Blue 
Outlawz Copic Challenge - Anything Goes 
Fairy Knoll - Memorial Day 

Bug A Boo Stamps Watermelon Peeker


We have a new challenge starting today at Catch The Bug, the theme is bright colors with Flower Soft!  I made my card up and was about to post it in our design team gallery and noticed it said "Flower Soft", oh...  so luckily I had some green flower soft to add to the leaves.  I wasn't as prepared for this challenge as I thought.  

I had a lot of fun making my card despite leaving off the Flower Soft at first.  I have a new package of Spellbinders Labels 4 Grand dies that I've been playing with.  


I put them on my Scor-Pal and added the 12 inch ruler on top to show the "grand" size of them.  Here's another picture with the regular Labels 4 set inside them.


That's a lot of dies!  I don't have the Grand Calibur yet but it's I did order it and I'm patiently waiting...

I used one of the Grand Labels 4 dies to cut my card body, then embossed it with a 5 X 7 Cuttlebug embossing folder.  My image is called Watermelon Peeker and she's colored with Copic markers RV09, RV04, RV02, YR24, YR21, Y21, R20, T5, B21, B23, YG67, YG63, YG61, E11, E00, E000.  

My card layout was just trying to follow the shape of the card body.  I also used Spellbinders Circles, Scalloped Circles, Pinking Circles, Tags & one more Grand Labels 4 die along with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The cardstock colors are Papertrey Ink Raspberry Fizz, Via Vellum Leaf Grean & Sunflower as well as Neenah Solar White.  The sentiment is new from Create With TLC.  

Here's my card before the Flower Soft...


I hope you'll pop over to the Catch The Bug challenge blog to see our design team creations and play along in our challenge!

Thanks for visiting today~

Challenges:
Catch The Bug - Bright Colors, Flower Soft
Card Cupids - Bold & Bright
Digital Tuesday - Add Some Texture
Crafting For All Seasons - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - Here Comes Summer
The Sisterhood Of Crafters - Buttons
Stampavie & More - Pink
Ai Factory - Girly Girl Pretty In Pink
Simply Scrapping Crafts Copic Challenge - Summer Activity
Inspire Me Friday's - Anything Goes
Totally Papercrafts - Pink & Girlie
One Stop Craft Challenge - Buttons & Bows

Friday, May 27, 2011

Clear Dollar Stamps Sweet Stuff


I have two cards to share with you today that I made with the Clear Dollar Stamps Sweet Stuff digital stamp set.  They are very similar as I was struggling with sketch challenge #58 from Operation Write Home and had to try again.  

I used the purple gum drops from the Sweet Stuff digital stamp set in the pre-colored version.  The three squares are one inch in diameter so I thought something pre-colored would work well.

  For my second card I also wanted some patterned paper to go with the gum drops so I used each of the colored gum drops in the set, re sizing them and copying and pasting them to make my own designer paper.  I added the sentiment onto my designer paper and I think it got a little busy.  I'll add my supply lists and a photo of the Sweet Stuff digital stamp set for you below.


Supply List card 1:

Stamps/Images:   Clear Dollar Stamps Sweet Stuff digital stamp set
Cardstock/Papers:  Via Vellum Black, Via Linen Violet, Mohawk Bright White, Neenah Red Linen, Via Vellum Leaf Green
Inks/Markers: HP OfficeJet 6000
Techniques:  digital stamping

Supply List card 2:
Stamps/Images:   Clear Dollar Stamps Sweet Stuff digital stamp set
Cardstock/Papers:  Via Vellum Black, Via Linen Violet, Mohawk Bright White, Neenah Red Linen, patterned paper made using the digital images in the stamp set.
Inks/Markers: HP OfficeJet 6000
Techniques:  digital stamping


Thanks for visiting today!

Challenges: 
Truly Scrumptious - Anything Goes

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Bug A Boo Stamps Rottweiler Pup


My card today is for  Oldie But Goodie Thursday at Bug A Boo Stamps Catch The Bug!  I used one of Jodie's Rottweiler Pups and colored him with Copic markers E44, E43, E42, E25, E27 and cut him out with a Spellbinders circle die.  My layout is Splitcoast Stampers SC#306.  I've used this sketch several times and really like the way it turns out.  

My cardstock colors are Via Vellum Black, Neenah Solar White & Desert Sand & Neenah Haviland Blue Linen.  I used a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder as well as a Fiskars embossing plate, black half pearls and some paper piercing.  The sentiment is a clear stamp by Papertrey Ink. & the ovals were made with Stampin' Up! punches.

I hope you'll stop by our Catch The Bug challenge blog and see all the wonderful cards our design team made!

Thanks for visiting today!

Challenges:
I Did It Creations - Anything Goes
Ladybug Crafts - Animals 
Party Time Tuesdays - Animals 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Copic Colorless Blender Techniques


I took some time today to play with a new (to me) technique I've wanted to try.  I watched a video recently on how to do a bleaching technique with Copic Blending Solution, stamps, markers, air brush, etc.

The card above is my finished product, the Spellbinders Labels 14 is where I used this technique.  Instead of pulling out my air brush I used BG13 & BG15 markers.  I was in a hurry, I needed to clean up and fix dinner for my family.  It's a little streaked but I like the overall effect.


Here's a picture of the right way to do the technique.  Air brush with your markers BG13, BG18, BG72 onto a sheet of card stock.  Spritz your stamp with Copic Colorless Blender and stamp on the air brushed card stock.  I held my stamp down longer than I would have if I were using ink.  Be sure to clean off your stamp after each time you use it for a clean impression.  

One of the reasons I brought out my air brush system today is I was working on finishing my card and couldn't find a matching button to go on the tag I'd made.  Do you ever have that happen?  I used a small piece of foam tape to hold my button down to the paper I air brush on and sprayed it with several coats of BG13 and let it dry.  This works so much nicer than using a marker to color the button and dries much quicker too.  Another thing I tried today was using the BG13 marker to outline the edge of the Spellbinders tag, I went over it several times to make it darker.  I like the way it looks and think I'll try to remember to do this more often.

The stamps I used are actually rubber and acrylic stamps.  The dragon fly is by Stampendous, the flourish is by Kaiser Craft & the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  The dragon fly is colored with Copic markers BG13, BG15, BG18, BG23, V15, V17, T5, T3.  My layout was to accommodate the largest Spellbinders Labels 14 die, I also used a Spellbinders Oval and tag die.  The white panel is embossed with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder and I added straight lines in the center with my Scor-Pal.  

I hope you enjoyed my mini tutorial and are maybe inspired to try this Copic technique yourself.

We also have a new challenge starting today at Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps, our theme is "Try A New Technique".  There are lots of great tutorials on the OWH Stars & Stamps blog for your inspiration too.  I hope you'll join in and play along in our challenge there.

One last thing today-  I want to THANK YOU for visiting my blog.  Monday, May 23rd was the 4th Anniversary of starting my blog.  I did some homework Tuesday and found that I've had 34,026 visitors in the last 12 months and about 11,000 each year before that.  Which means my blog has really taken off in the last year, wow!  So... thanks for visiting and leaving encouraging comments, it means a lot to me.

Challenges:
Mad For Markers - Coloring Embellishments
The Outlawz - Copic Colorless Blender Technique
Tellen's Place - Anything Goes
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Color My World
Make It Monday's - Anything Goes
The Spotlight Challenge - Try Something New
A Spoon Full Of Sugar - Things With Wings
Crazy Amigo Challenge - Insects

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Doodle Pantry Merciful & Good


My card today is from a tutorial I saw at Stamp T.V. that I wanted to try using a Spellbinder Fancy Tags die.  One of Laurie's beautiful sentiments came to my mind for this technique, it's from a Doodle Pantry set called Merciful & Good.  I also used the Baby Plaid Dot digital paper from Doodle Pantry.  You cut three Spellbinders Fancy Tag dies and cut them in half to add them to your circle for a really nice pendant.  

Supplies used were Spellbinders Circles dies and one of the Fancy Tags dies as well as an EK Success mini flower punch and some white half pearls.  What a fun way to dress up a card!  

Challenges:
The Outlawz, Greetings Challenge - Sentiment Only
The Spotlight Challenge - Try Something New 
Sweet Stamps - Medallions 

Monday, May 23, 2011

My Review of Paper - Color Copy 98 110 lb Cover C/1S Bright White Finish 8.5 x 11 Paper 250 per Package

Originally submitted at The Paper Mill Store .com

Paper - Color Copy 98 110 lb Cover C/1S Bright White Finish 8.5 x 11 Paper 250 per Package

Mohawk Color Copy Bright White 110lb cov
By Jan from Parker, AZ on 5/26/2011
5out of 5
I LOVE this cover paper! I make a lot of hand made greeting cards for Operation Write Home and use this cover stock for my greeting card bases, it has nice body to it and prints exceptionally well.

I also use this cover stock for all my pre-colored digital images, it takes the ink jet printer ink beautifully. All around it's a nice quality cover stock for crafters.
http://jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/
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Tags: Using Product, Made with Product

Stamp Fairy Betsy


I had so much fun making my card today!
It's for the "It's My Party" challenge that starts today at Stamp Fairy.  

I printed Betsy on Neenah Solar White 80 lb. cardstock and set her aside.  Next I printed a small piece of Cow print digital paper by Sassy Designs and my sentiment from Create With TLC on a sheet of Mohawk Bright White.  

Betsy is colored with Copic markers T5, T3, T1, C2, C1, C0, 100, YG67, YG63, YG61, E25, E99, B0000 and I used the tip to tip method for her nose with R20 & R000.  The sky background was created with B000 a little shading under the clouds with C0 and a Q tip dipped in Isopropyl Alcohol. 

I cut out the balloons with an old Quickutz die and the tag is by Spellbinders.  I needed (wanted) black cord for the balloons so I used my Copic 100 marker to color the white crochet thread I have.  Attached the balloons to the tag and put it on my card.

My other cardstock colors are Via Vellum Black & Stampin' Up! Blush Blossom.  The layout is Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch #22 slightly modified to work with the elements of my card.


I hope you'll think about joining the fun at Stamp Fairy's challenge blog too!

I need to announce my blog candy winner from the weekend blog hop today too!  Congratulations Becky from Blogless In Utah, you've won my blog candy!!!

Challenges:
Stamp Fairy - It's My Party
C.R.A.F.T. - Happy Birthday
Charisma Cardz - Birthdays In Pink
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Use A Digi
Elephantastic - Birthday Party
Shannon's Sentiments - Birthday Theme

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Designed 2 Delight Summer Days Bear


Another Designed 2 Delight progressive challenge card today.  This cute bear digital image is called Summer Days and is a freebie if you played in last weeks challenge at Designed 2 Delight.  That's what makes it a progressive challenge, if you play each week you get a new image for the next challenge.

This little bear just seemed to be "thinking of you" so that's the Papertrey Ink sentiment I used from the Take Three Spring set.  I also used a Cuttlebug embossing folder that had clocks and gears to represent the time passing spent thinking of you. I know, I know, I think too much :)

The image is colored with Copic markers E79, E77, E74, E71, E70, YG67, YG63, YG61, YG11, BG0000, Y21, Y23, C6, C3, C0, R20.  I added a little texture to the bears fur using my blender pen dotting it on, kinda looks like a skin condition to me...  

I used Alcohol and a Q tip on the bottom grassy area, then a Q tip with YG11 dropped onto it and smoothed it on the paper.  I added a few drops at a time of BG0000 ink refill to a Q tip for the sky and left a little white area for clouds.  They have just a little C0 smudged on the under sides.  I was really happy I was able to keep the ink on the inside of the Spellbinders Labels 4 die. 

The papers are Via Vellum Sunflower, Neenah Solar White and Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate.  A little Stampin' Up! organdy ribbon and a clean and simple layout.  This cutie is going in my Operation Write Home box.  Have a blessed day!

Challenges:
Designed 2 Delight - Progressive Challenge
Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Summer Fun
If The Shoe Fits - Clean & Simple
Pile It On - Use A Bear

My Review of Paper - Via Vellum 80 lb Cover 30% Recycled Sunflower Vellum Finish 8.5 x 11 Paper 250 per Package

Originally submitted at The Paper Mill Store .com

Paper - Via Vellum 80 lb Cover 30% Recycled Sunflower Vellum Finish 8.5 x 11 Paper 250 per Package

Via Vellum Sunflower 89lb cover
By Jan from Parker, AZ on 5/26/2011
5out of 5
I'm a card maker and love Via Vellum cover weight papers. They have nice textures and are nice quality papers. I was somewhat disappointed in the color, I was expecting it to be darker. I see the color as a challenge to use it more often :) in my projects - only a minor setback. I suppose I should order those swatch books!
http://jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/
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Tags: Using Product, Made with Product

Saturday, May 21, 2011

My Review of Paper - CLASSIC CREST 80 lb Cover Solar White Smooth Finish 8.5 x 11 Paper 250 per Package


#1 Choice For Copic Markers
By Jan from Parker, AZ on 5/26/2011
5out of 5
I use Neenah Classic Crest Solar White for all my Copic marker image coloring projects. My laser printer is loaded with Solar White and ready to print. It's a nice smooth cover stock to use with Copic markers. I have minimal bleeding out of the printed or stamped lines and smooth blending of my colors. I think it's the best for Copic markers.
http://jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/
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Tags: Made with Product, Using Product
http://jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/
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Tags: Made with Product, Using Product

Hannah Lynn Strawberry Surf


Hi!  If you are here for the Love Our Heroes Blog Hop please scroll down to the next post -

I had to do one more post today, there's a challenge at iCopic for blond hair and it was the perfect opportunity to color one of my printed Hannah Lynn digital images and make a card!

This beauty is a digital image called Strawberry Surf by Hannah Lynn and she came from the Crafts & Me online store.  She's colored with Copic markers YG67, YG63, YG61, YG11, B23, B21, B69, B66, B60, BG10, BG0000, BV01, BV000, BV0000, R14, R17, R20, E99, E53, E29, E25, E11, E00, E000 and if you like her hair color YR24, YR21, Y23, Y21.  

My layout was out of necessity because the image is fairly large, cardstock colors are Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist, Stampin' Up! Garden Green, Neenah Solar White & Discount Cardstock's Cobalt.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder that reminded me of bubbles because she's a mermaid and a new Spellbinders set called Floral Doily Accents.  A couple of my crafty friends and I took a road trip to Lake Havasu City the other day and I acquired a few more Spellbinders die sets, it was fun!
Challenges:
iCopic - blond hair
A Spoon Full Of Sugar - Anything Goes
Claudia & Co. - Girls Birthday
Clear It Out Tuesdays - Colors
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
By The Cute & Girly - Anything Goes
Emerald Fairie Garden - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges - Dig Out The Old To Use With The New
Kenny K's Krafty Girls - Die Cuts & Punches
Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Summer Fun
Whimsie Wednesday - Card For A Teen
Creative Card Crew - Cute & Girly
Divas By Design - For The Girls
Auds Sentiments - No Sentiment
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes
Inspire Me Friday's - Anything Goes

Friday, May 20, 2011

We Love Our Hero's Blog Hop

Welcome to our We Love Our Hero's blog hop, if you've arrived here from Melanie's blog you're on the right path, if not and you'd like to start at the beginning click here.

Happy Armed Forces Day-

This is a blog hop to support and direct your attention to Operation Write Home . In addition to cardmakers all over the country making cards for service persons to send home to their families, OWH has what they call ‘Hero Mail’. My cards today would be considered Hero Mail, I've included a personal note to ‘Any Hero’ on the inside. They're called Hero’s because Operation Write Home covers all branches of military service. Hero mail is given out to those who might not get a lot of mail, or just passed around to enjoy news from home.  Here's a link to  more info  about Any Hero Mail below.


I've had the privilege of being Operation Write Home's Midweek Throwdown challenge coordinator on the Stars & Stamps blog for a year now and absolutely LOVE being part of OWH.  We just received and shipped our one millionth card Thursday, May 12th. We are looking forward to making and sending a million more too!


Here's a link to the Millionth Card Video and a link to Seongsook's blog so you can get a close up of that card.  I hope you'll come join us on the Stars & Stamps blog for all our fun challenges, tutorials, occasional Saturday Seminars & featured cardmaker segments.


 I made two Hero cards using the same layout today, I thought this first one was kind of busy so I wanted to try a second digital paper pack I had.  This is from a digital scrapbooking kit called Freedom Ain't Free I found online at Summertime Designs.


My second card uses the Independence digital paper pack by Sassy Designs, it's a little easier to see the design elements on this card.  The inspiration for my cards today came from Debbie Olsen.

I also have blog candy for one lucky person, I've filled a medium size flat rate Priority Mail box with assorted cardstock, stamps and embellishments just for you!  To enter for the blog candy please leave a comment I will draw a random winner Monday, May 23rd and post it here. You might want to leave me your e mail if you don't have a blog I can click back & contact you at. 

Your next stop on our blog hop is Gina at California Scrappin'

Challenges: 
Frosted Designs - Patriotic theme
Digital Tuesday - Seeing Stars 
Stamp Scrap & Doodle - Military Theme 

Clear Dollar Stamps Praying Bird


I'm really happy with the way my card turned out today!  
The yellow, black and white color combination is nice and bright and works well with this 2007 sketch  layout #111 from Splitcoast Stampers.

The Clearly Inspired #28 challenge starts today at Clearly iStamp, that was the reason for my card and I thought it would be a nice one to tuck into my Operation Write Home box.  My cute bird & sentiment is a digital stamp set by Clear Dollar Stamps called Praying Bird.  To enter and read all about the Clearly Inspired challenge please click here.  I hope you'll be inspired and join us!

I have a supply list for my card today for you below:

Stamps/Images: Clear Dollar Stamps Praying Bird
Cardstock/Papers: Via Vellum Black, Neenah Solar White, Via Vellum Lemon Yellow
Inks/Markers: HP OfficeJet 6000, HP LaserJet 1102
Accents/Tools: Spellbinders rectangle & scalloped rectangle dies, black half pearls, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Copic markers Y13,k Y15, Y17 YG11, YG13, E42, E43
Techniques: digital stamping


Challenges:
Clearly iStamp - Critters
House Of Gilli - Black, White & One Other Color 
Copic Creations - Yellow 
Truly Scrumptious - Anything Goes 
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Embossing

Doodle Pantry Quirky Dog New Release


My card today is for the Doodle Pantry Stock The Pantry challenge!  I used Doodle Pantry's newest release Quirky Dog in the pre-colored version as well as the digital papers that come in this cute set.


Here's a picture of everything that comes in the new Quirky Dog digital stamp set.
A great deal for just $3.00!

Here are a few details about the Stock The Pantry challenges -

This challenge starts on the 20th of every month and is open for 10 days. You must use a Doodle Pantry image and occasionally there is  a theme  other than simply using a Doodle Pantry image.
THREE winners are chosen and each receive ONE Doodle Pantry image of their choice valued $3 or less, winners are announced on the 1st of each month on the Doodle Pantry Blog. 

I hope you'll join in the fun with us!

Challenges:
Doodle Pantry Stock The Pantry - Use Doodle Pantry Image
Crafts & Me - Anything Goes, Kraft Optional 
AI Factory - Boys Will Be Boys 
Crafty Sentiments - Childrens Cards

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Wax Fruit Company Golfer


I've taken a few mental health days to mass produce more cards for my Operation Write Home box.  Our deadline for Father's Day cards is this Saturday, May 21st and that's been my goal for this box to be shipped.  Thank heaven for Priority Mail if I ship today it will arrive at Sandy's by Saturday!


Don't worry the bow on the box is just to hold it open.


It's almost full!

I found this image at the Wax Fruit Company and though it would make a wonderful Father's Day card and be fun to mass produce.  Golf makes me think of argyle so I had to go in search of Argyle digital papers and really scored at Sassy Designs, 80 cents a paper pack right now!  I know my card says Happy Birthday but the ones for OWH say Happy Father's Day.  

I used Copic markers to color the image T1, C3, C2, C1, C00, E44, E43, E42, E41, YG11, BG0000, BG000, BG01, BG05.  The layout is from a sketch but I didn't use the entire sketch because of the unusual shape of this image.  That's one of the things that drew me to this image, it's different shape.  The aqua cardstock is from Ellen Hutson's online store.

I also saw a neat card on Facebook recently by Andrea Walford that I C.A.S.E.d to use up my digital designer paper scraps.  
I found these to be slightly addicting...


Challenges:
Cardmadfairy's - For The Boys
Corrosive Challenge - Birthday's 
Creative Stamp Friends - My Favorite Color (BG13) 
Stamping Vacation - For A Golfer 
On His Wings - Color Throwdown 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Clear Dollar Stamps Blog Hop Winners

AND THE WINNERS ARE...
From Jan's blog, She's Gone Stampin', our first winner is Shelly Schmidt,My Creative Rumblings.

From Christi's Blog, our second winner is Vikki Jo, Vikki Jo's Corner

Each winner must email Lori (lori@cleardollarstamps.com) to claim their prize of a $10 gift certificate for clear or digital stamps from the CDS store.

Congratulations Shelly & Vikki Jo!

Designed 2 Delight Skater Boy


I used Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge #118 for my card layout today, I think it was from 2007.  I have a couple of old sketch books I found recently that have some great stuff in them!

My card is for the Designed 2 Delight progressive challenge that they have each week, this cute image was in my e mail last Friday morning.  To find out more about the challenge click on the link under challenges at the end of my blog post.

I colored the cute skater boy with Copic markers B99, B97, B95, B93, B91, YR04, YR07, YR09, YR31, E34, E35, G07, C0, R20, E000, E00, E11, E53, T5, T3, T2, T1.  The other products I used are the Cuttlebug Diamond plate embossing folder, large silver eyelets, Orange Grossgrain ribbon and the sentiment is from the Papertrey Ink Signature Greetings stamp set.  The cardstock colors I used are Stampin' Up! Only Orange & Basic Grey, Papertrey Ink Enchanted Evening and Neenah Solar White. 

Challenges:
Designed 2 Delight - Progressive Challenge
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Ladybug Crafts - Orange
Tip Top Tuesday - For The Kids
Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Summer Fun
Creative Belli - Starts With an "S" - Skateboard
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Boys, Boys, Boys!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Musical Maisy by Di's Digi Downloads


I have a fun card to share with you today that I made as a sample for our Stamps R Us Going Digital challenge that started Monday.  Our sponsor is Di's Digi Downloads, WOW does she ever have some cute images!  This little girls name is Maisy and I colored her with Copic markers B26, B24, B23, B21, C8, C6, C3, C1, C0, Coo, R27, R24, BG0000, YG11.  

Before I colored her I added in the grass and sky with clouds.  The card layout was Splitcoast Stampers SC#331 but it transformed itself into something a little different.  Here's the sketch that my card doesn't look like.


I think the problem I was having is my image is too big which is pretty normal for me.  

I used a Cuttlebug & Sizzix embossing folders and my cardstock colors are Via Vellum Brick & Black, Papertrey Ink Enchanted Evening, Stampin' Up! More Mustard and my image is printed on Neenah Solar White using an HP LaserJet printer.  

I hope you'll be inspired by Di's cute image and visit our Stamps R Us challenge blog and join us for our Going Digital challenge this next two weeks!

Challenges:
Stamps R Us - Going Digital
Card Cupids - No Patterned Papers
Craft Your Passion - Cutie Patooties
Crafty Cardmakers - Embossing
Magical Monday - Embossing

Monday, May 16, 2011

Stamp Fairy Indendence Bear


My card is for the newest challenge that starts today at the Stamp Fairy challenge blog, our theme this week is to use three embellishments. 

For my card I chose to use one of Gerda's Independence Bears.  Would you believe she told me she knew I was going to find the Independence Bears and want to use them?  She knows me too well already!  I colored this cute image with Copic markers thinking I wanted a "blue jean" bear.  Copic markers B99, B97, B95, B93, B91, R39, R27, R24, Y18, Y15, C2, C1, C0, C00. 

My layout is kind of out of necessity because I wanted to incorporate red, white & blue and use that last sheet of Stampin' Up! Summer Sun.  The frame I made for around my Independence Bear is a digital image from Whimsy Stamps that I recolored in my Publisher program and printed, the sentiment is also a digital by Create With TLC that I recolored to match the navy blue.  The frame is cut out using Spellbinders Labels 3 and circle die.  For the three embellishments I had stars in mind.  I cut three red stars with my Spellbinders die and added buttons to them to make my own embellishments.

I hope you'll join us at the Stamp Fairy challenge blog to see all the cards our design team has made and enter into our latest challenge!

Challenges:
Stamp Fairy - Use 3 embellishments 
Happily Ever Crafter - We Salute You

ABC Monday - Copic Coloring Book


Today is ABC Monday at Bug A Boo Stamps Catch The Bug and it's my turn to show you my "Anything But A Card" project!

I wanted to share my Copic coloring book that I put together using Bind It All covers, pages and my Bind It All.  I've been adding to it for about a year now so you may have seen the front cover before today.  I used a couple of Bug A Boo Stamps Toppers to decorate the cover of my coloring book and the fonts are computer generated and everything is colored with Copic markers.


This is one of my first entries in my coloring book, way back before I really knew what I was doing coloring so disregard my coloring directions pictured here!  (April 2010?) This is also one of the first Bug A Boo Stamps images I bought. It was before I was on their design team, I was new to digital images and loved this little bug in the jar.  I still do!


This is the page next to the ladybug in a jar also before I knew any coloring techniques.  


In this layout I've learned how to color and was practicing hair colors.  (January 2011?) One of the reasons for making a book like this was to be able to record what Copic markers I've used for specific hair, skin, clothing, etc. colors and also techniques I've learned.


The last page I'm going to share with you today is Itchy by Bug A Boo Stamps.  I really like the brown color combination and wanted to be able to remember what it was when it's time to use it again.  You can find all the images I've used today at the Bug A Boo Stamps online store here.

I hope you enjoyed my Anything But A Card project for Bug A Boo Stamps today!  I'll be showing more peeks into my coloring book in the future - this one is almost full & it's almost time to make myself a new one.
Challenges:
Creative Cowgirls - Anything Goes
Scrappy Frogs - Anything Goes