And They Lived Happily Ever After

For this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches, our sponsor is Digital Delights! I have used the image called "Booky Worm." 


Here is my card, please come and join us at Tuesday Morning Sketches for this challenge:

This is our sketch for this week:

As I usually do, I printed my image onto to X-Press It brand card and colored it with Copic markers. My base card is green, and my DP is a piece of scrap that I found in my scrap bag. I used a Spellbinder die (Resplendent Rectangles) for the decorative purple piece under the image. I used Spellbinder's oval die to cut my image. The orange fishtail banner on the side is also from a piece of scrap from my scrap bag. My brads are black (glittery). The flowers are from my stash.

For more inspiration visit the rest of the Design Teams' blogs and have a look at their beautiful creations. Below are direct links to each blog.

Angela

Bonnie

Debbie

Jessi 

Kris

Melissa

In the Zone

I have a friend with whom I get together about twice a month. We'd get together more often, but she lives 64 miles from me (which equates to about 1.5 hrs. travel time). I've mentioned my friend before so you know that we craft or go shopping (usually for crafting supplies) or out to eat, etc. when we get together. Sometimes we even let our Hubs join us for the eating and shopping, but NEVER for the crafting -- they are on their own when we get into the zone (smile). Since my friend does not like to drive, I make the trek to her house. 

The last time I visited, I took a sheet of Magnolia images that I had colored up at some time but never made into cards. As many of you know, I prefer the coloring over the actual card construction, so I often print off a sheet (or several) or use up scrap pieces of X-Press It by inking up random stamps which I will then color whenever time permits (or I'm in the mood). Sadly, I'm not doing enough coloring lately, and I feel I'm losing some of my coloring skills. Anyway, that's neither here nor there (sounds like a personal problem - LOL). I made this card using one of the images I took to my friend's house.

The card base is orange with a single layer of DP. The die cut is from a Spellbinder die that belongs to my girlfriend. While I have a lot of the same dies that she has, I don't have this one so I am unable to give you the number or name. I cut the die from blue card (matching the blue in the background paper) and then I cut my image using the middle die from the same Spellbinder set. The flower on the corner is made from three white material flowers (may be Prima) which we sprayed with homemade orange mist (using acrylic paint and water). The three flowers, once dry, were put together with an orange brad. There are three leaves on each side of the flower. The two larger ones (on each side) were cut with a die, and the smaller one (each side) were cut using a Martha Stewart punch.

Simple, but colorful, the inside of this card contains a verse about hoping one's dreams come true and having a happy birthday. I think little yoga Tilda is cute, but I discovered it is a difficult image to match to a sentiment. Took me the longest of time to figure out what type sentiment to use and for which occasion. 

So, now that I've totally sent all of you into shock with a posting out of the clear blue (and not even for a DT commitment), I need to issue a warning. We are having some remodeling done to our house. We've got extra noise, people, equipment, etc. which is going to last for approximately 6-8 weeks -- not always conducive to the creative process. We are also starting to get product from the garden. I've got cucumbers right now that need to be pickled (or given away), but we also had green beans that had to be canned, so those took priority. Tomorrow the new water heater gets installed which is going to be an all day project because new water pipes have to be run from the main line to the house. Lastly, I have to get laundry for my grandson (who lives with us) done so that he can pack and be ready to leave Wed. for a month out of town. You notice I've not really stated any consequences to this hectic schedule -- don't want to put any self fulfilling possibilities out there -- but I'm just saying, you know, if you miss hearing from me on a regular basis (LOL). . . . . . . . .

Oopsy!

I made this card for Imagine That - Images by Kris, and I just found out today that I failed to get it posted to my blog. I posted it to the IT blog so that Kris could snag it, but evidently I had a brain lapse after that.  I'm so sorry. This was a super image for those girl grads many of us had at the beginning of June (I also colored up the boy image, but guess I didn't get that one posted, either. I apologize to both you followers and to Kris. I have no excuse -- just not focused is all!)

This image is part of a wonderful set that can be found HERE in the web-store. I have colored it with Copic markers after printing it on X-Press It card. I then cut the image into a squarish shape and matted it with navy blue card. The card base is white and the designer papers are from a 6x6" pad by My Mind's Eye.

While I'm at it, let me remind you that Kris has a wonderful new challenge set for July that will be available. If you have participated in the June challenge using the June set, you will get the July set automatically. If you've not yet participated in our progressive challenge, then July will be a great time to get started. Won't tell what the theme of the July set is, but you are going to LUV it!

Carousel and Flowers

Hello dear followers. It is Tuesday, so time for another great sketch for you to use. This one is really super and quite versatile! Here it is:

Pretty, isn't it? Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry, and my image is Carousel Horse 4 which can be found HERE. Isn't that a lovely image? There are several different carousel animal images, so if you like carousels, as I do, then you are going to love the images at Doodle Pantry. 

I printed the pre-colored image from the Doodle Pantry set three times. (I actually printed it four times, but ended up only using three.). I cut the first image into the oval shape found on our sketch. I then fussy cut the entire horse and layered it on top of the first image. Last, I fussy cut the head, tail and saddle portion and layered it to the top of the image.

I kind of got carried away with my flowers and used too many (in my opinion). However, once glued on, those lovlies aren't coming off without tearing up the card, so I've left them. I did add a single red flower and some green leaves to the lower right (under the front hooves) to balance the card a little (didn't take another picture afterwards, so please take my word that it does look a bit better).

I used a Spellbinder border die at the bottom of my card. Little frustrated with myself because I have a lovely Joy Crafts (Noor) die that is the shape of the scallop on the sketch. I didn't remember my lovely die until after I'd completed my projects -- sadly I think that means I own too many tools and supplies and don't remember what all I have -- not good, eh? Anyway, the Spellbinder border is a pretty one and fits with the rest of the card, so I'm not going to "sweat the small stuff (smile)."

We'd love for you to join us this week. As always, the DT have done lovely inspiration cards for you, so do please stop by the blog and leave a little love for them. Then, use our sketch and share your wonderful talents with us.

I Hope You Dance

Several years ago, my Granddaughter took dance. Sadly, she only took the one year despite enjoying it very much. Because of school, other commitments and schedule conflicts, she just could not continue to fit dance into her busy life. However, I was very proud of her, and she did wonderfully well at her one and only recital. When Kris came out with two sets of dance images (tap and ballet), they reminded me of my Granddaughter, so I decided to color up the tap in red and black (the colors my granddaughter wore). 

I printed the image onto X-Press It card and colored with my Copic markers. My Granddaughter did not have a hat, but she did have feathers in her headpiece. The theme of the recital was "History of Dance," and Claire's tap routine was somewhat roaring 20's flapper/jazz. The girls each had long strands of "pearls" which were used as part of the routine. About 20 seconds into the dance (the first movement almost), the girls were to raise the beads above their heads, then bring them back down. Alas, Claire's beads caught in her headpiece and went flying across the stage when she lowered her arms. I am proud to report that Claire did NOT miss a beat. She finished the performance as if she still had her beads, doing all the appropriate movements with her "imaginary" necklace -- a true "professional" from the get go!

If you have a little dancer in your family (or know one), you will definitely want to check out Kris's images. You can find the images featured this week at the blog (HERE) or in the online store (HERE).

Thanks for stopping by. 

Make it Masculine

This week, we not only have a great sketch for you, but we have an added TWIST in that you must make your card masculine. Team member Debbie Foster has provided this week's sketch, AND she has also provided this week's prize. Thank you, Debbie, for your generosity. Here is the sketch:

And here is a picture of the great prize Debbie is offering:

If you haven't yet given alcohol inks a try, this is a great opportunity for you. 

My card this week is rather simple. I've used browns and oranges for the masculine appeal and have used a little image from hAnglar and Stanglar which I colored with my Copic markers. After putting the various layers together on the card, I fussy cut my image and adhered him to the top of the last layer. The sentiment is computer generated. 

I hope you will have time to join in our challenge this week. In the mean time, drop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and have a look at the great samples the DT have provided for you.

Cat In a Box

I think most of you who have followed me for a while know that I am an animal lover especially partial to the felines, so I always love it when one of my designers use kitties in their releases. Sami's new release features three adorable Persian fur-babies, and you can find them, along with beautiful samples, HERE!

For my DT project, I have placed my little kitty inside a pop-up box filled with grass and flowers. These pop-up box cards are quite popular right now. They fold flat to fit inside a regular size envelop and then pop-up to create the stand-up box card. My base box was cut from white card, and the sides and flaps were decorated with designer paper. My kitty is printed onto X-Press It brand card and "colored" with Copic markers. I say colored, but for white images, that simply means coloring the areas that would have shadows (under the neck, beside the legs, etc.). I used C00 to C2 for the shading. The ears and nose are E92 and E000.

The "grass" stems were cut using Impression Obsession die DIE060-I. The flowers inside the box are by Jolee. The butterflies are Martha Stewart punches, and the pearl "bodies" of the butterflies are Recollection pearls. The flowers on the back flap of the box are from Wild Orchid Crafts. The sentiment "Happy Birthday" is cut using Elizabeth Craft die 717. 

Sami is offering a new freebie, and today starts a new monthly challenge (use stripes), so do stop by the Sami Stamps blog and check out all the news.

Before I close, I'd like to share a picture of my real feline fur-baby. This is Annie Olivia. She is the only kitty baby I have left, having recently lost my 15 years old kitty. Annie is not allowed outside by herself, but when time (and weather) permit, I will take her out for a little while. She is real good about staying right with me, too. This photo was taken just a few weeks ago.

Digital Freebies

Hi friends. I know we all like freebies, so I want to take a few minutes to tell you how you can get some wonderful free digital images to add to your library. Imagine That - Digies by Kris has two different ways for you to add to your collection of images without spending a single dime. Yep, I said two ways. The first way is to become a follower on FaceBook of the Imagine That page. Every Thursday, Kris generously share an image in what she is calling "Throwback Thursday." The image on my card above was one of our recent Throwback Thursday shares. You simply click and save -- easy-peasy for us digital lovers.

The second way is to join our Progressive Challenge. This is how that works:

CHALLENGE DETAILS:

1. Make a card or other project using one of the main digis from this month's set (Poolside Penguins) and post to your blog or gallery 
2. Your blog post or gallery description must link back to our challenge or our blog
3. Link up to this post using our Inlinkz widget at the end of this post, by 11:59 p.m. (PST) on June 30.

You can play along by either purchasing this set in the store, OR if you spend $10 (in one order) this month, you can let Kris know in the "Note to Seller" part when checking out that you'd like the Poolside Penguins set and she'll email it to you.  Everyone who plays this month using Poolside Penguins will receive next month's set FREE! Then, use next month's free set to create another card for July and get Aug's set for free. Continue playing each month, and you will continue to receive free sets. How easy is that?

Tuesday Morning Sketches and Bugaboo

We have one of our regular sponsors with us this week, Bugaboo!  Yay!  As always, generous Jodie is offering 7 digis as the prize.

So here's the sketch we are playing with. 

 I love this sketch!  It is a lot more versatile than you may think. That heart can be switched to different shapes (as on my card and several other of the DT cards). You'll want to stop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to have a look at all the fab, fun cards the team has made.

My image is featuring - Guy Super by our sponsor, Bugagoo. I've colored the image with my Copic markers after printing it off onto X-Press It brand card. My card, itself, is white base, navy matting and white dp with red hearts. The red band across the card was punched with a E.K. Success punch from red card. I chose that punch because it reminded me of bunting, My star was cut from a piece out of my scrap bag. I made it large (it hangs slightly off the card) so as not to lose the star shape once placing my image on top. The image is oval rather than circular because of the shape of the image. I've also matted it with navy.

My sentiment was computer generated by me. It reads, "Our Super Guy; eat your heart out Lois Lane." This card would be appropriate for Father's Day, but my plans are to use it for my Grandson's birthday card. He will be 16 this month, and he is a fan of all the super heroes.

I hope you can participate this week in our challenge. We'd love to see what you do with our sketch.