Crafty Creations #295 ~ Chalkboard

I'm the hostess this week at Crafty Creations Challenges.  By the time I had written that challenge post I completely forgot to write my own. Duh!  So, I'm sorry this is a bit late today. 

The Challenge Theme for the next two weeks is: Chalkboard  I've been wanting to try this technique; although I think I did mine a bit unconventional.

We're sponsored by Oak Pond and I used one of their digital images called Wine.

I reversed the digital image and then changed the background to a dark grey~have I mentioned before how I love working with digital images? LOL  I created the sentiment also.  It's a png file with white lettering ~ I've included the black image below as a freebie.  In hindsight, I think I should have softened the "white" sentiment a bit; but it was my first try at "printer" chalkboard (vs. "stamping" chalkboard).

It may be hard to see in the photo, but I used a white watercolor pencil to shade the grapes (and darken a few of the lines) and green to color in the vines. A CAS card, but certainly not as quick as I had hoped.

I hope you hop on over to the Crafty Creations Challenges blog and check out what the other DT members created.  I hope you join along because I'd love to see what you create.

Feel free to save and use the sentiment below. I'd love you to link back to my blog if you use it.  It's a png file with clear background, so it can be layered over other digi's. I hope you enjoy!

Crafty Creations #294 ~ Four!

The Challenge this time at Crafty Creations Challenges is

Four!

Yup, just use something on your creation in multiples of four ... four ribbons, 4 papers, 4 embellishments, 4 sentiments ... well, you get the idea.

I decided to keep it simple and used 4 different colors of cardstock. Black for the base, pink, purple and yellow.  The image is from SLS Lines (our Sponsor) called Hearts & Rainbows.

The sentiment is handmade and I've included it below as a bonus for you to use (it's a png file with a clear background). All I ask is that you give me credit and link back to my blog ~ I'd also love it if you would share your creation with me by sending me the link to your blog.

Don't forget to stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what the other Design Team members have created. Then, get crafting and link up your projects. Our sponsor is SLS Lines.

Crafty Creations Challenges #292

Are you ready for some Red, White and Blue?  

That's the challenge theme for the next two weeks at Crafty Creations Challenges.  Actually, you can use all three colors or any combination of the three. 

We're sponsored by Fresh Brewed Designs and I used one of their images ~ Wonky Christmas Tree.

And since I love anything Patriotic, I had to use all three colors on my card.  Not your traditional Christmas Card, but I love how it all came together.

Be sure to swing on over to Crafty Creations Challenges to see what the other DT members created today.

If you want to, you can stop reading because you have all the information regarding this challenge, right?

However, I have a confession to make. I somehow forgot that this Challenge was a Red, White and/or Blue theme from the time I printed the digi image to when I grabbed it off the printer (all of about 3 seconds; I'm not sure how that happened, but it did).  

So I grabbed my Copics, found some great cardstock and DSP that looked great with the "Wonky Christmas Tree" digi and I went to town.  

I loved the colors, loved how the dots in the DSP mimicked the dots in the tree.  Until I realized that nothing on this card went with the Challenge theme.

Thank goodness I printed 2 images ... and since I liked the layout, I decided to CASE my own card. The second one went together much quicker than the first...I wonder why?

So, here's my "first" card with all it's colors and sparkle. 

And, here are the two cards together.  On a positive note, at least I now have two more Christmas cards completed.

  

Crafty Creations Challenges #290

The Crafty Creations Challenge for the next two weeks is:

All Creatures Great or Small

And how can you not like this adorable little mouse from Doodle Pantry's Get Well Critters Set?  

The image is a mixture of a pre-colored and Copic colored digi. The sentiment is from the set also.  

I added clear faceted half gems to the front. The DSP is Paper Studio's Sweet Pea Paper Pack Cardstock.

The Challenge winner will receive a prize from Jaime, our fearless leader whom I've had the pleasure of working with for almost 2 years. My how the time flies.

Click here to check out the Challenge or click on any of the DT members names on my sidebar (to the left) to see what they've created for your inspiration.

I've also been inspired by the following Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner -  #21 Critters

Simon Says Stamps (Wednesday Challenge)- Anything Goes

Whimsy Inspiration (Whimsy Stamps)- #83 Anything But A Square Card

Wonderful Wednesdays (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps) -  Always Anything Goes

WordArt Wednesdays - #184 Anything Goes Family Friendly

Crafty Creations Challenges #289

A fun challenge and a great sponsor.  What could be better?  How about a short post . . . so you can get to crafting and link up with us over at Crafty Creations Challenges.

Theme: Color Challenge

Kraft, Pink, Brown, Green, White

Sponsor:  A Creative Need

Check out Deena's shop (click here) 

or her blog (click here)

I used one of Deena's beautiful digital stamps ~ Pear Tree Blossom

I added very subtle pink to the flowers, mainly because Pear Tree Blossoms are white.  I printed the digi onto watercolor paper using my Laser Printer (first time trying this and I loved the way it worked).

I watercolored the image using my new Derwent Inktense pencils.  And, because I forgot this was a Color Challenge, my first flower was yellow (I'll post that card later in the month LOL).

The sentiment is from TLC Creations (click here).

Be sure to stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created and to leave us some Comment love.  We love to hear from you and hope we inspire you to Create !

Note: I'm sorry for the quality of the picture. My camera and computer have been on the fritz lately and this was the best shot I could get.

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!

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.

Crafty Creations Challenges #285

We have a great challenge for you at Crafty Creations. It'll run for two weeks, ending March 30.  Yes, a great challenge with a wonderful theme:

Chevrons or Stripes

And, if you look closely at my card, it has neither. Mmm hmm.  I completely messed up the themes and so there are no chevrons or stripes on my card.  

But, Beccy's Place is our sponsor and she sent me this absolutely beautiful digi to work with (Petite Fleur Set~click here). I fell in love with it ~ so I:  

~ heat embossed the background paper and sponged on color; 

~ fussy cut the flowers and leaves;  

~ inked and colored all the pieces (there were many layers); 

~ carefully added dimension to the flowers and leaves; 

~ then strategically placed foam tape and glue for additional dimension to the entire image.

And, I was pretty happy with this card . . . until I realized there were no Chevrons or Stripes on it anywhere. So, I'm sorry, my Crafty Creations DT buddies, but this card will have to do.  In fact, I'm not even going to write anymore . . . just enjoy the pictures. I've listed the items I used on this card at the bottom.

And you may want to stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what my Design Teamies created ~ actually using chevrons and/or stripes.  LOL

White, teal and plum cardstock

Something Lacy stamp~Stampin' Up!

Desert Sand, Teal Zeal, Sweat Plum, New Sprout & Bamboo Leaves~Memento Dye Ink

White Stampin' Emboss Powder~Stampin' Up!

Studio G Glitter Glue

Fantastix Bullet & Brush Tip ~Tsukineko

Heat Gun

Dimensional Tape

Main Focal Digital Image ~ Beccy's Place

Note: I computer-generated the sentiment, but the set comes with many to choose from.

Crafty Creations Challenges

Do you need a quick card but you're stumped on where to begin?  Well, that's where "sketches" come in . . . they jump start your cardmaking by giving you a card layout.

The current challenge at Crafty Creations Challenges is a sketch challenge.

And I may be a little partial to this particular sketch since I'm the one who designed and created the sketch.  And here's my card ~

We're sponsored by Oak Pond and I used one of their images. I digitally colored the butterfly, printed it, then went over it with a clear glitter pen to add some sparkle.

Stop by the blog to see what the other DT members created, then grab your craft supplies and join along (click here). We love to see what you create ~ and especially your take on the sketch.

Crafty Creations #283

Crafty Creations' Challenge through March 2 is:

White plus One

The lavender cardstock is very "shimmery."  I love how CAS (for me anyway) this came out.  The dress die cut is from Whimsy Stamps. 

I cut the dress from the lavender and white glossy photo cardstock.  I then placed a piece of lilac vellum behind the lavender piece and inlaid the white dress. The pearls were a necessity because that's where the alignment holes were and I needed to cover them with something. Pearls worked.

I hope you'll stop over and see what the other DT members created (click here). We hope you join along because we really do love to see everyone's creations.

I'm entering this card in the following:

  >  Die-Cut Divas: Words, Quotes & Sentiments
  > Papertake Weekly: Take Your Pick (I chose "Color Theme" using a Cool shade of Violet)
  > Crafting for All Seasons:  Dies and/or Punches (I used Dies)
  > Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Challenges: Use a Sentiment

Crafty Creations Challenges # 282

Love is in the air at Crafty Creations. The Challenge this week is "Owl Love You" . . . meaning your creation must reflect Owls, Hearts or Love.

Our sponsor for this Valentine challenge is

CROCHET FLOWER SHOP

Stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see the winner and Top 3 of the last challenge. Then take a peak at what the Design Team has created (you can click on a name below to go to their website). And, since you know you'll be needing a Valentine / Love card real soon, grab your crafting supplies and join along. 

Agnieszka

Anna

Anna-Karin

Barb

Dorothy

Jaime

Marlene

Mary

Meighan

Milka

Willeke

Crafty Creations Challenge #281

I'm a bit late posting the new challenge at Crafty Creations. I thought I had written it, then realized the post I wrote was for another day.

So, the Challenge Theme for the next two weeks is:

Something Old . . . Something New

My digi image is from our sponsor, Fresh Brewed Designs. It's called Peek A Boo Sunshine.  The sentiment is computer generated . . . it was either this sentiment or "the sun'll come out tomorrow" which just didn't do it for me.

My Something Old: My Copics (this wasn't very hard to color)

My Something New: The Love Charm. I just got it.

Note: I should explain that on the digi image, there is a little "charm" hanging off the cloud. So I can't really take credit for putting this charm where I did . . . it "belonged" there.

I printed a second digi image, cut out the clouds, colored them and added dimension. After all, clouds are "puffy" right?

Stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created. Then grab your old and new crafting items and play along. I can't wait to see what you create.

Crafty Creations Challenge #279

The Theme for the next two weeks at Crafty Creations Challenges is:

Who Wants to Build a Snowman?

How fun is this Challenge? Even though I no longer live where there is snow, I still remember all the fun I had building a snowman with my family (although I also remember my fingers and toes freezing).

My snowman is a bit different ~ must be all these years away from snow, right?

I used Doodle Pantry Charlie Snowhorse.  I printed 3 identical images. Cut one as the base (circle), fussy cut the second one to pop it up a bit, then cut the snout, the scarf and both ornaments to add dimension to those items.

Now, truth be told, I finished this card, took pictures, watermarked it . . . then realized that I left off the fence and the sentiment. Duh!!

Still not bad, but I really like the fence and sentiment.  I added Glossy Accents to the ornaments and a lot of sparkle glitter glue to his snout and snow (although now the fence and sentiment cover most of the "snow").

Stop by the Crafty Creations Blog to see how the other DT members "built their snowman."  Then grab your crafting supplies and join along.  This week we're sponsored by Jaime (our coordinator). She's offering a fabulous stamp set to three winners.

Visit the Doodle Pantry store to snatch up Charlie Snowhorse or any other digi set.  Then pop over to the Doodle Pantry Blog to enter to win an awesome Blog Candy package (ends Dec 30).

Crafty Creations: Something to "Die" For

We have a new challenge at 

Crafty Creations ~ Something to "Die" For.  

No, we're not being morbid . . . we want to see your beautiful creations using Dies !  

We're sponsored by Robyn's Fetish.  I had a beautiful snowman digi image from Robyn's Fetish that I was in the process of coloring . . . and then coffee decided it wanted to play along and help color the digi.  I know "drinks and crafting don't mix" but I needed my coffee and I had to craft. 

 Needless to say, I ran out of time to print and color another one, so I'm sharing a "back-up" card. I used several dies and this card was somewhat quick and easy to put together ~ I'd already glittered the sentiment die-cut piece.

Note:  I'll try to do another card with the snowman before this challenge is over.  Robyn's Fetish has beautiful images; check it out here.

The large snowflake is a Whimsy Stamps die and the smaller snowflakes are from a Martha Stewart punch. The die I used for the sentiment is from Stampin' Up! and the sentiment is ??? . . . well, it's wood mount but there's no name on the stamp/wood. I've had it for years and still love it.

Stop by the Crafty Creations blog to see what the other DT members created for your inspiration. Then dig through your Dies, find one you haven't used in awhile and create !

Crafty Creations #276: Recipe Challenge

The new challenge at Crafty Creations is a Recipe Challenge:

Use at least 3 layers, 2 designer papers and 1 image

We're sponsored by Fresh Brewed Designs

I wanted to make a "Happy" card (I won't go into details). When I look at this card . . . well, I can't help but smile. I hope it puts a smile on your face also.

The image is from Doodle Pantry's Cute Critter set. I used the pre-colored image, but went over it with Copics to highlight the colors.

The inside sentiment is my own creation. I couldn't resist using the word "Quack" in the sentiment and it just seemed to fit the image SO well, don't you think?

Stop by Crafty Creations to see what the other DT members created this week. Then grab your supplies and make a card . . . it's as easy as 1 ... 2 ... 3.