Thursday, February 27, 2014

A Bit of Vintage Ice


Today I'm sharing a card that I made while visiting my friend for one of our Wednesday playdates. This card uses stamps and dies by JustRite, and I actually had quite a lot of fun coloring them up and then inking over them. I used Copic markers for the initial coloring and then Tim Holtz distressing ink was applied over the top for a vintage look. The "Vanilla" sign has a matching Justrite die to cut it out as does the "Sweet Birthday." The ice cream, however, does not have a matching die, so I hand cut it. You cannot tell from the full view of the card, but I actually stamped the ice cream three times and colored two full versions and an extra "top" or ice cream. I layered them with foam dots. You can see it better in this next photo.


Before putting the last layer of the ice cream on the cone, I took my ball stylis and went all over the back of the image, rounding out the image somewhat. I was careful to put my foam just to the middle of the images so that they do not show. I also lifted the two signs slightly with foam dots.

I do not remember what pad the paper comes from as it belonged to my friend. I did use a taupe card base, and I cut the corner piece out of the solid taupe color and then added three small gems. This is quite a lovely card IRL, and even the Hubs liked it -- which totally surprised me as it isn't his usual taste. 

It is fun, every now and then, to change things up a bit and try different techniques, and these stamps and dies from JustRite were loads of fun with which to have a go.


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Brand New Sketches




Tuesday Morning Sketches #238

Good Morning friends!  Happy Tuesday.  We're definitely excited to bring on some new sketches for you. Looking back at 2013 was a lot of fun but now it's time to look forward and see if we can inspire you in new ways..

This week our challenge is sponsored by Yours and Mine Paper Crafts, and here is a little information for you about Yours and Mine..



Hello! My name is Mei and I have been card-making since 2009, my tremendous love for it has inspired me to open up my very own online store! Yours or Mine Paper Crafts is a place where you can purchase supplies to create your own projects, or view my gallery for inspiration! All the brands and products we carry are items I have personally used for my own projects and I feel they would be awesome products that you will like as well. It’s my pleasure to sponsor this week’s challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches and as a bonus, use discount code TAKE20 for 20% off my store until the closing date of this challenge.



Here's the sketch we'll be working with...


I've used a Krista Smith Saturated Canary image for my card this week. I've colored it with Copic markers after printing it to X-Press It brand card. I've used a white card base, some older DP and blue card (for matting). I've used three sparkly brads at the top of my card, and some bits of scrap ribbon from my stash. I've used a Marianne oval die (CR1204) to cut the piece behind my image.Last of all, I added three small blue and white roses by Wild Orchid Crafts. There is plenty of room to the right of the image to add a sentiment when I'm ready to use this card. Great sketch, eh?

Please join us this week in the challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches. We always enjoy seeing the beautiful work that our participants make each week. You inspire us with your wonderful creativity using our sketches. 



Sunday, February 23, 2014

Splish-splashing Away





With the end of February fast approaching, I wanted to share another card using the adorable February release images from Imagine That - Digies by Kris, This little guy is from the Rainy Day Fun set which comes with both line drawings for you to color and already colored images, along with nice sentiments.

I printed the line drawing onto X-Press It brand card and colored it with my Copic markers. I paper pieced the top of the umbrella with the fun dotty paper from the same DP pad that I used for the rest of the card. I used the sentiment from the kit, printing it off and matting it with card.

I just luv this little image as he is perfect for those little boy/male cards that are often hard to do. So many cute images for girls/females and so few for the men in our lives. For those of you who do prefer a little girl, you will also find an adorable female version of this image.

For other wonderful inspiration cards and a look at more of Kris' adorable images, visit the blog  and see the wonderful cards the DT have made. Remember, too, there will be new images released the first of March, and you are NOT going to want to miss seeing them. I've gotten a sneak peek, and they are absolutely WONDERFUL!

Challenges:

Friday, February 21, 2014

Fairy New Release


We have a new release at Sami's Stamps, and I know you all are going to just swoon when you see the adorable fairies Sami has created for us. She has combined her fairies with whimsical mushrooms.  In fact, they are so cute that I won't keep you waiting any longer. Here is the entire release:


I used Little Flower Fairy for my card. I colored her with Copic markers after printing her onto X-Press It brand card. Again, I have used DPs from the Recollections pad called Habitat. After coloring my image, I cut it using the Spellbinder Decorative Labels 28 die. Before removing the cut from the die, I lightly inked it using Colorbox Heliotrope ink. My lavendar ribbon is tied in a double bow, and my flowers are from Recollections and Wild Orchid Crafts. The sentiment is from LOTV, and the scalloped circle mat is cut with a Marianne die. The four little pearls are by Recollections.

Do take a few minutes to stop by the Sami Stamps blog and see the wonderful work of the rest of the DT. All are beautiful creations.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Last Blast from the Past


Happy Tuesday everyone. This week is the last of the design team's favorite sketches from 2013. I hope you've enjoyed using them as much as we have. This week's sketch was Melissa's choice from  20 August 2013:


Another great classic, right? There were so many great sketches last year, but stick around because there are going to be equally great ones for 2014. 

This week's challenge is sponsored by Stichy Bear's Digi Outlet who is generously providing our winner with a $10 shopping voucher.


We would love for you to join us this week. Just use the sketch to create your card and then link it to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog. Have a great week.

Challenges:
  • Eureka Stamps - W, 3E, F - Animal Friends
  • Bloggers W, JFF – Two or More Patterned Papers
  • Brown Sugar – W, E2 - No. 81 - Use a Die Cut or a Punch

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Welcome Little Man


My husband's niece delivered an adorable baby boy on Valentine's Day, so I thought I'd share this sweet card using one of the images from the February release at Imagine That - Digis by Kris. Doesn't that image just make you want to say, "Awwww"? The image set can be found in the digi store here. At only $3.75, it is quite a BARGAIN as you get two images, sentiments, colored images and b&w line images, all for that low price!

I've used DCWV blue card for my card base, and the DPs are from a DCWV 12x12 baby pad. The solid yellow matting paper is also from that stack. I colored my image with Copic markers except for the blanket which I paper pieced, The square die frame for the image is cut with a QuicKutz die, and the circles for the sentiment is a Nellie Snellin die. The round circle is punched. The yellow ribbon is Offray and is tied in a double bow.

Remember the challenge for this month, too. You can find the details here. You have until 28 February to enter for a chance to win a fantastic image set of your choice. We'd love to have you!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tuesday Morning Sketches #236


Hello friends. We have another look to the past sketch for you today. I believe this is our next to last one before we start brand new 2014 sketches with you. Today's sketch came from way back, February 12th, so almost a full year ago. However, it is a classic and a favorite among the DT members. Kris, our newest member, picked this one:


In addition, this week is a TWIST week, so we would like you to add lace and pearls to this sketch to be eligible for our weekly prize. Our sponsor is a delightful designer from the UK, Wendy Burns, and her company is called "All Dressed Up." Wendy hails from Nottingham, a delightful little town that I've been to, and it is approprite that lace is one of our requirements because Nottingham was once known for its beautiful lace (among other things). Sadly, the lace factory has closed down, but was still going when I was there, so I treasure my Nottingham lace doilies even more now.

Anyway, I have used a freebie from the ADU blog called "Cute Just Got Cuter." I colored the little pup a light tan and then fussy cut him. All of the designer papers are from one 6 x 6" pad by My Mind's Eye. My scalloped square is cut with a QuicKutz die. My ecru lace is from Jolee's Boutique; my brown ribbon from Offray, and my pearls are from Recollections.

Drop by the Tuesday Morning Sketch blog and have a look at the beautiful cards the other DT members have made using Wendy's images. Then, head for your crafty space and create your entry with our wonderful sketch AND the twist ingredients. We'd love to see what you do!


Challenges:
Craft-room challenges-Ribbons and Lace 
Inky Chicks-Cute Stamp

Friday, February 7, 2014

Imagine That!


A couple of weeks ago,I had the honor of being contacted by Kris from Imagine That! Designs by Kris and asked to be on her design team. I was honored that Kris liked my work, so I agreed to join her team. I've used some of Kris' images before. This image is from her new February release and is called "Poppy." If you purchase this image, you will receive it in both line drawing and colored format. I have used the line drawing and colored it myself.

I printed the image off onto X-Press It brand card (my go-to card for Copic coloring, as you've probably surmised if you follow my blog). I used Copic markers RV21, R35, RV29 and R59 to color my crimson poppy. I used YG67, YG63, YG61 and YG03 for my leaves. Poppy flowers can also be orange or yellow, so you have an option, if you use the line drawing, to change the colors to suit you. The pre-colored image is also red (I think of the red poppy on Veteran's Day and Canadian Memory Day), so if you don't want to color your own, you can use that one.

My card base is crimson red card. I've layered a scrap of DP that I had in my stash with a black mat. I cut the black die piece using the Spellbinder's Opulent Ovals (S5-160) die, and in order to get my image piece the correct size, I laid the opulent oval die over my image and traced around the inside of the oval. I then hand cut and layered it atop of the black piece. I finished the card off with two pearls (Recollections) and a computer generated sentiment which I matted with the crimson card.

I do hope you will stop by the Imagine That! store and see all of the new February release image. If flowers aren't your "thing," there are some very sweet girl, boy and baby images. Still, browse through ALL the images, not just February's. You are sure to be delighted with Kris' designs.

Love Struck

I have a new DT Project to show you all for the new Release at Sami Stamps - And this is also the start of a new challenge -

 


And Here is the new Release:


The challenge this month is to add glitter. We want some sparkle on your card (and since photos don't always show the sparkle, would you please tell us in your linked blog where you've added the glitter?). Here is my card


I used "On My Mind" (which, by the way, is one of the month's specially priced images). I printed the image onto X-Press It Card and colored with Copic markers. Now, here is an example of the glitter not always showing in the photos. I added glitter to the colored roses on the image and also to the paper roses on the bottom of the card (a generous amount). It looks vry pretty IRL!

My card base is red, and I cut two pieces using Spellbinder's Timeless Rectangle dies (S5-158). One in white and one in red. I then placed the second die over my image and traced around the inside of it for my image. The roses are by Recollections, and the leaves are punched using a Martha Stewart punch.

Please visit Sami's blog and have a look at the other DT samples of this adorable release. They are all, as usual, fantastic!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Tuesday Morning Love


Good day, dear friends. Today we are continuing our blast from the past sketches as we work our way through the DT member's favorite sketches. This week Jessie picked the sketch which originally appeared 25 June 2013, and here it is:


We also have a fantabulous prize this week -- $20 worth of Close to My Heart products from CTMH Independent Demonstrator Pattie Rowe. In addition, Pattie is offering other incentives, so you will want to check the TMS Blog and Pattie's blog for more details.

Pattie generously provided the DT with an acrylic stamp, CTMH papers and embellishments for this challenge. My stamp is "Dotted Heart," and my papers are from "Babycakes."  The two gems in the right corner (which you cannot see real well) are antique metal looking and are quite pretty.

After matting my dotty paper with green card (from my own stash of CTMH paper), I mounted it to a white card base. The strip across is made with a piece of the Babycakes card (orange) matted with the green. The heart circle die (Spellbinder) is cut from the matching gray card in the Babycakes set. (I know it looks green in my photo -- must really do something about my photos -- but it is the gray that goes with the dotty paper.)

I paper pieced my image using the papers from the Babycakes set. The heart is stamped and then fussy cut using the matching yellow. The words are all fussy cut from the orange (except for the letter O which I colored with Copic markers to give the saying some depth). I finished my card off with those two metal gems as I wanted a masculine look/feel to this card, and they were perfect, and I computer generated my sentiment using Lucida Calligraphy font. I matted the sentiment with green and then orange.

Thank you for stopping by today. Now, run over to the Tuesday Morning Challenge Blog and have a look at the other DT projects. Then get busy using our versatile sketch and join us this week in our challenge.