Crafty Creations Challenges # 288

We have a Photo Inspiration for the next two weeks at Crafty Creations Challenges.  Our Sponsor is Stitchy Bear Stamps and I got to pick an image to work with.  I couldn't resist "Drivers Ed" ~ isn't she just adorable?

I used Copics to color the image ~ I'm really trying to learn "shading & highlighting." It does help to have the correct pens (like an 000, 01, 03, 05, etc). I'm slowly adding to my Copic collection, so maybe I'll enjoy coloring more down the road.  My coloring is far from perfect but then we all have to start somewhere {smile}

I colored a few white flowers with a re-inker spritzer and added a handmade crystal bead spray ~ afterall, this woman just looks like she needed a little bling.

I carried the sketch to the inside and I've cut a white circle to go in the pale blue scallop. I'm just not sure if I want a sentiment on the front or on the inside . . . or even what that sentiment will be . . . so I thought I'd wait to glue it down until I decide.  I think this image requires a sassy sentiment, don't you?

You have two weeks to join along so get out your crafting supplies and show us your creations. Any crafty item can be entered (not just cards).  We love to see what you create.

Stop by Crafty Creations Challenges to see what the other DT members created for your inspiration.

The Photo Inspiration:

Think colors, dandelions, circle cards, scallops, layers of squares or rectangles, wish... Surprise us!

Christmas Card Challenges # 21 ~ Anything Goes

Quick post today . . . and yes, I'm late posting my card. But great excuses. Yesterday was our Community's first ever Mystery Dinner Theatre (cooked by one club, served by another club and the play was by a third club). Lots of fun but a very busy day for me ~ I was involved ~ and a late night.

And, since this weekend is the Leesburg BikeFest and we live close by, we left early with another couple for breakfast out and a day at BikeFest.  Lots of fun, lots of bikes, but a bit warm for me (close to 90 degrees) walking around.  However, the bike ride there and back was great ! 

So, here's my card for this week's Christmas Card Challenge~Anything Goes. I'm really trying to learn this CAS cardmaking technique from our Team Leader, Alanna. She does it SO well.

I heat embossed the sentiment with silver embossing powder. It looks great in person and looks so nice with my silver, textured snowflake~I only glued it in the center so the "arms" would have dimension.  I used a black cardstock base to set off the burgundy-rust and silver colors.

Please stop by the Christmas Card Challenges site to see what the others created this week. Better yet, get out your crafting supplies and join along.

Using Baker's Twine

Just like glitter (see this post here), I have more Baker's Twine that I could ever possibly use in my lifetime.   So I came up with an idea to use "some" of it (like the glitter, this embellishment does not use that much twine, unless I make 500 of these little guys . . . out of each color lol).

How about another Photo Tutorial?  Two in one week, you say??  What has gotten into her??

So, grab your craft supplies and let's get started.

Supplies needed:

Baker's Twine~any color

Metal Paper Clip (I used the smaller size, but any size would work)

Scissors

Cardstock~I used a 1" x 2-1/2" scrap piece

Step One:

Wrap the Baker's Twine around the cardstock (I wrapped 7 times, but it's up to you, depending on how thin or thick you want your "tassel") 

Step 2:

Open the larger end of the paper clip a bit and slide it under the Baker's Twine. Then close the end back up.

Note: I suppose you don't have to "open-close" the end; I just found it easier for me. 

 Step 3:

I placed the paper clip on the long end of the cardstock for the next step mainly because I didn't have 3 hands, which would have helped. The ideal would be to create/have a little "holding" pin/nail/bar/doohickey thing, but I didn't.

Step 4:

Cut a piece of Baker's Twine about 10" long and fold in half. 

Step 5:

Wrap the above piece around the "tassel" area and tie a knot as close to the end of the paper clip as possible. 

Step 6:

Cut the looped tassel ends and the ends of your "knot" even. Fluff (I used the 4 strands from the "knot" as part of the tassel). 

I was going to use these tassels on a different card, then I remembered Doodle Pantry has the perfect set for my purple and orange tassels ~ Cheer Spirit. 

I created the background paper by placing different sized pompoms in Word (the benefit of working with png files).  The sentiments are computer generated.

The inside of the card finishes the sentiment.

Remember, Doodle Pantry's creator Laurie is having 10 days of Inspiration and Gifts. If you missed the first 7 days, you can go back and comment on each day's post, since you have until April 14th to complete all your commenting.

10 DAYS OF INSPIRATION AND PRIZES 

• There will be a total of 10 posts from April 2 thru April 11 showcasing a matching card and glass magnet that I have made
• Each inspiration post (total of 10) will bring you the opportunity to comment for a chance to win a $5.00 coupon to spend at doodlepantry.com
• You may comment ONCE on each days inspiration post
• There will be ONE WINNER selected from each days inspiration post
• You will have until April 14 to comment on EACH day inspiration post
• There will be a LINKY on the LAST POST where you can add your name/email to be entered to win a GRAND PRIZE of clear polymer stamps (picture of stamps in the prize will be posted on April 11)
• All the posts $5.00 coupon winners and the Grand Prize winner are selected by random and announced on April 15
• YOU MUST CHECK BACK to see if you are a winner
• If there are unclaimed prizes on April 19, they will be redrawn and reposted
• Unclaimed prizes after April 25 are forfeited

Be sure to comment on every Inspiration post for a great chance to win!

Click here

Digital Stamps for Backgrounds

If you follow my blog you know how much I love working with digital images.  Today I'm sharing a card I made using a digital image as the background.

I've loved the Asian Garden COLOR Plus set by Doodle Pantry but I wasn't sure how I wanted to use the images. . . until today. 

I softened the pre-colored image that was going to be used for the background. Then I printed a second image in the original colors so I could fussy cut the leaves and pop them up.  I also went over the tree leaves, branches, rocks and bridge supports with Copics (YG61, E000, E00 and YR00)

The sentiment was a freebie from Create with TLC.  This card is going to a special friend who could really use a few extra miracles right now, but her healing will take time; hence, I thought the sentiment was perfect.

On a side note: now is a great time to stop by the Doodle Pantry blog. Laurie is having :

10 DAYS OF INSPIRATION AND PRIZES 

• There will be a total of 10 posts from April 2 thru April 11 showcasing a matching card and glass magnet that I have made
• Each inspiration post (total of 10) will bring you the opportunity to comment for a chance to win a $5.00 coupon to spend at doodlepantry.com
• You may comment ONCE on each days inspiration post
• There will be ONE WINNER selected from each days inspiration post
• You will have until April 14 to comment on EACH day inspiration post
• There will be a LINKY on the LAST POST where you can add your name/email to be entered to win a GRAND PRIZE of clear polymer stamps (picture of stamps in the prize will be posted on April 11)
• All the posts $5.00 coupon winners and the Grand Prize winner are selected by random and announced on April 15
• YOU MUST CHECK BACK to see if you are a winner
• If there are unclaimed prizes on April 19, they will be redrawn and reposted
• Unclaimed prizes after April 25 are forfeited

Be sure to comment on every Inspiration post for a great chance to win!

Click here

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!
Hallelujah ! He is Risen !
Easter is very special to me.  It's the time I celebrate that Christ not only died for me but that He also arose from the dead and will one day raise me up to be with Him for eternity. What a comfort knowing that when my earthly life is over, my heavenly life will begin.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~

It may seem a bit strange to post a Christmas Card on Easter, but it's Sunday and that means a new challenge at Christmas Card Challenges.  This week we have a:

Color Challenge ~ Polar Hues

Note: In case you're wondering, I used the 4th & 5th colors in the Polar Hues color chart.

I saw a fun technique on the CardMaker Blog this past week and thought I'd give it a try.  I certainly have plenty of glitter (side note to everyone . . . this uses a lot less glitter than I thought it would, so I won't be reducing my stash any time soon).

I actually took step-by-step pictures, so this is my first photo tutorial~and there are lots of pictures.  So, grab your craft supplies and follow along.

Supplies needed:

Decorative Die & Die-Cutting Machine

Clear Packing Tape

Glitter (Fine works better than Coarse)

Craft Mat
Printer Paper or "Glitter Catcher"

Step 1:  

Die cut your image
(I used Spellbinders Medallion One~I thought it looked like a stained glass window~and shimmer ivory cardstock)

 Step 2:

One the back side of your piece, place clear packing tape over the die cut image so the sticky side is facing the front side. Press it down firmly (this is where your Craft Mat comes in handy~so it doesn't stick to your table . . . or paper)

Note: the packing tape didn't cover the entire cutout area, so I lined up a second piece to cover the remaining area.

Step 3:

Turn your piece over and sprinkle glitter all over the "taped" area.  It's probably best to do this on top of a piece of paper or tray so you don't get glitter all over your table.

Step 4:

Now, cover the glitter with cardstock/paper/etc and press and rub.  Then press and rub some more.  I used a craft spoon without a cover piece to do this part; it helped to be able to see what I was doing so I could be sure to get glitter stuck into all the little nooks and crannies.

Below: with paper over the glitter. This way is a bit less messy, but I did like the above method so I could "squish" the glitter into all the areas.

When you've got as much glitter stuck to the die cut image as you can, then turn it over, tap and remove all the excess glitter.  I liked this look so much that I did a second one using a gold/copper glitter.

Step 5~Sentiment:

I recently bought a "second-hand" stamp (for only $1, who could resist, right?).  I knew I wanted a simple sentiment on the front and the sentiment on this stamp fit the bill. So I masked off the image with tape and inked up the sentiment. I used Color Box Royal Blue Pigment Ink and clear embossing powder.

Note: Remember to remove the tape before stamping.  In my excitement, I forgot to do this the first time . . . I guess I was still in awe of the way the glittery die-cut came out.  **See the smudge at the bottom of the sentiment in the first photo?  Fortunately my second try came out perfect.

Step 6:

Finish your card or project.  Yup, it's that easy. You now have a beautiful piece to add to your card or scrapbook page . . . and it's only limited to the colors of glitter you have available.


Please stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other Design Team members created this week.  Even though Christmas feels sssoooo far away, it will be here before you know it, so it's best to get started now.

Design Team members and their blog links:
Alanna    Carol    Donna     Gail    Heather-me     Jessica     JoAnn     Lisa

Justine     Margo     Marsha     Monica     Shirley Anne     Tenia

I'm entering this card in the Whimsy Inspiration Challenge: #81-Add a Die Cut

Doodle Pantry: AIMPDC #4

Happy April.  For my northern friends, hopefully the warm weather will head your way soon.  For the rest of us . . . well, we always enjoy fairly nice weather (sorry to rub it in).

Since it's a new month, that means a new 

Ants in My Pantry Digital Challenge 

at  Doodle Pantry.  

It's Anything Goes as long as you use digital images~anyone's digital images.  And, it's not just limited to cards, so ~ 

I thought I'd create something different. How about a cute little candy treat holder?  

I used pre-colored digital items from Everyday Jargon and Country Flavors Digi Paper Pack to create my treat holders.  

I overlaid the empty jar digi onto Flower Dot 07 digi paper.  Then I added one of the "lids" for the top.  I printed a second lid and fussy cut the ribbon, then popped it up with foam tape.  I punched an oval out of the "jar" image and placed a plastic sheet over the opening.  The candy kisses are in a plastic bag that's attached to the top of the candy holder.

Stop by the Doodle Pantry Store to grab a digital set or two, then head over to the Doodle Pantry blog and link up your digitally stamped creations to the monthly AIMPDC #4.

Then be sure to head back to the Doodle Pantry blog every day beginning April 2. Laurie is having 10 days of give-aways with a super give-away at the end. You only have to leave a comment for a chance to win.  Check it out~April 2.  You won't want to miss it.

Crafty Creations #286

Happy April 1st. This will be my first post of the day, although it actually is the second one I've written. The other post will appear at noon Eastern Time.

The theme for Challenge #286 at Crafty Creations is:

Anything Goes

(no foolin')

We're sponsored by Sans Designs and I used one of her images, but digitally colored it. I love this background.  I'm glad I saved the colored version; I think it'll be one that will get used more than once.

Be sure to stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created.  We sure hope you link up (the challenge ends Monday, April 13 at midnight).  It's an easy one ~ Anything Goes ~ so we hope to see many of you playing along with us.