Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge and New Release: Can O' Blooms

The current challenge by the Lovely Ladybugs over at the Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge is Anything Goes. Hop over to enter your project for a chance to win a special LCI prize (and an extra special prize if you use a Ladybug Crafts image!). You can find out more about this challenge and the wonderfully talented Ladybugs here.

Today is a very big Ladybug Crafts Ink event as we're sharing the new release of LCI's Bloomin' Fabulous whimsy floral images!  To celebrate the newest additions to the fabulous Ladybug Crafts Ink digital collection (here), the Lovely Ladybugs are showing off their use of the some of these fabulous images.

How can you win some of your favorite Bloomin' Fabulous digital images? Leave your comment at the Ladybug Crafts Ink challenge blog and name your favorite Bloomin' Fabulous image.  One randomly selected winner will win all 12 of the new release images and five others will win their choice of two of these images.  You've got to be in it to win it!!!

Hop over to the challenge blog to begin your route to see how the Lovely Ladybugs have shown their use of several of the newly released images!

* * * * *

I've had the pleasure of working with Can O' Blooms to create a bold and beautiful, easel card gift box.  This view shows my Copic-filled image surrounded by Stampendous Chiffon, Sage and Taupe Color Fragments mixed with Ranger's clear embossing powder.

I used my Sizzix Bigz Pro Die Box with Lid #2 to die cut Bazzill green cardstock to form my box. 1/4" red line double-sided tape is strong enough to hold the box together.  I added an additional die cut box top to form my easel card then used Best Creations Inc Circus Dots from their Circus Circus line to add splashes of bold color to my box and card.

Lifestyle Crafts Large Circles and Large Scalloped Circles shape my image.  A Cheery Lynn Designs Heartland America Large heart adds a bit of love and sunshine to an upper corner.  Whimsy Stamps Friendship Ticket Sentiments "sending hugs" is die cut with their Ticket Die.

Now all my box needs is a lovely gift, perhaps candy, and it's ready for sharing sweet and loving thoughts.

Here's a view of the completed front of my easel card box showcasing Ladybug Crafts Ink Can O' Blooms image. . .

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp! "You Gotta Have Friends" (here)
PaperCrafting Journey "Anything Goes" (here)
Southern Girls "Punches and/or Die Cuts" (here)
Wags 'n Whiskers "Fancy Folds" (here)
Stampin' for the Weekend "Anything Goes" (here)
Craft Your Passion "Bold and Beautiful" (here)
Bunny Zoes "Layers" (here)
Simon Says Stamp and Show "I Ought to Use This More" (here)


* * * * *

Copics used:
leaves - G40, G43, G46, G82, G85
flowers - V91, V93, V95, V99
handles - YR21, YR24, YR27
watering can - E50, E51, E53, E55


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge and New Release: Eunice and Ramsay

The current challenge by the Lovely Ladybugs over at the Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge is Anything Goes. Hop over to enter your project for a chance to win a special LCI prize (and an extra special prize if you use a Ladybug Crafts image!). You can find out more about this challenge and the wonderfully talented Ladybugs here.

Today is a very big Ladybug Crafts Ink event as we're sharing the new release of LCI's Eunice and Ramsay sweet sheep images!  To celebrate the newest additions to the fabulous Ladybug Crafts Ink digital collection (here), the Lovely Ladybugs are teasing you with snippets of the images they've used.

How can you win some of your favorite Eunice and Ramsay digital images? Comment at each of the design team blogs and the Ladybug Crafts Ink challenge blog.  One randomly selected winner will win all 16 of the new release images and five others will win their choice of two of these images.  You've got to be in it to win it!!!

Hop over to the challenge blog to begin your route to see how the Lovely Ladybugs have shown their use of several of the newly released images!

* * * * *

I've had the pleasure of working with Love Ewe to create a pink-toned, loving card.  This view shows my Copic-filled image . . .

I've machine-sewed a layers of My Mind's Eye Penny Lane Tiny Dancer "Pirouette" Twirling Circles Paper with Bazzill cardstock.  A strip of Wrights' 3/8" Creative Classics white cotton heart lace lies over a strip of Michael's 5/8" Summer Flowers pink dot ribbon.

I've flipped and reduced the size of this digi image then fussy cut it without the heart so I could pop it up below the sheep as though it were the offspring of the larger image.

A Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Elegant Flourishes die cut lies behind my spring floral and feather spray made of Jo-Ann's Spring Inspiration picks of pink berries and buds, pink ribbon rose and pompom flowers.  A jeweled, netted butterfly adorns one corner with three Big Crystal Stickers in light pink from the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop.

Here's a view of the completed front of my card showcasing Ladybug Crafts Ink Love Ewe image. . .

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp! "Spring Flowers" (here)
Charisma Cardz "Mothers Day" (here)
PaperCrafting Journey "Spots and/or Stripes" (here)
Southern Girls "Dots and Spots" (here)
Wags 'n Whiskers "Ribbon and Bling" (here)
Dream Valley "Anything Goes" (here)
Papertake Weekly "Pretty Pastels" (here)
Sweet Stamps "Polka Dots" (here)


* * * * *

Copics used:
sheep - R81, R83, R85, 0
ground shadow - E81, E84


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Sizzix Big Shot Pro Tea Pot Box with Sassy Studios' Pin Up Kitty

I came across a Sassy Studios' monthly Facebook progressive challenge through their fan page.  Jackie Randolph will provide a free image for use during that month's themed challenge.  As long as you submit a project showing your use of the image following the theme then you're eligible to win a prize as well as get another free image for the next month's challenge.  If for any reason you don't use the image during that month's challenge, then you must sit out the next month's challenge and try again the following month.  This type of progressive challenge intrigued me so I decided to try and participate.  You can find out more about this Sassy Studios Facebook progressive challenge here.

The free image that Jackie is providing for use during this month's "Hearts and a Sassy Sentiment"-themed progressive challenge is called Pin Up Kitty.  The photo of this month's Pin Up Kitty project must be uploaded here before midnight EDT on February 13th.

After I fussy cut my Copic-filled image, I used my brush-tipped Copic black multi-liner to create a silhouette look of the back in case any part of the back showed beyond my project's edge.  I covered the front of my Pin Up Kitty with a layer of Glossy Accents for amazing shine and additional dimension.

I used Bo Bunny's "Crazy Love" double-sided patterned paper to die cut my Sizzix Big Shot Pro Tea Pot Box.  The base of the tea pot and lid as well as the tip of the spout are trimmed with 1/2" cotton black lace.

My Pin Up Kitty is popped up along the handle side of the tea pot.  An Inky Antics stamped sentiment lies near the kitty image.  The sentiment alone doesn't seem too sassy but taken in context near the image I think it can be pretty sassy.  A My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Dilly Dally "Best" red heart pin slides behind the sentiment.

The lid of the box can be removed.  I've folded the base of a Lifestyle Crafts Tag It Kits tag then machine-sewed the edge.  The pocket holds a Crafty Secrets Tea with Alice large set sentiment as well as a few hearts stamped with Adirondack Red Pepper ink.  A heart with arrow eyelet holds the tag to the tip of the lid with a 20-gauge black thread.  A row of Heidi Swapp bling borders the tag pocket.

The tea pot stands at 6" tall, is 4 1/2" wide at the base and 3 1/8" wide at the top.  That makes a nice size box for holding sweet treats.


I'm entering this project into the following challenges:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts "Stitching" (here)
Simon Says Stamp and Show "Love Notes" (here)
Simon Says Stamp "Have a Heart" (here)
Divas by Design "Die Cuts" (here)
Crafty Catz "Anything Goes" (here)
Winter Wonderland "Digi Days" (here)
Stampin' For the Weekend "Anything but a Card" (here)
Delicious Doodles "Die Cuts/Punches" (here)
Sweet Stampin' "Love/Valentines" (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00, E95, W3 (over stockings)
hair, eyes, tail - E31, E35, E47
ears, collar, outfit, shoes - R27, R21 (Fade with Lightest Color Technique)


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Card Art with Copics: Crafty Sentiments Opening Presents

I've had this lovely Crafty Sentiments Opening Presents rubberstamp for quite some time and this is the first time I've inked her up.  I love how she's brought her teddy to the unwrapping of the gift as dear teddy is obviously very important to her.

Here's a closer view of my Copic-filled image.  I've used a negative mask for the Nasty Rag technique to add some natural-looking fuzz to my teddy bear.

There's alot going on throughout the layers of this particular card and for the most part it turned out as I imagined it would.

I laid the folded half of my white paper just along the inside cut line of the Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Tag and Bookplates die so I could form my tag-shaped card.  I embossed the Spellbinders Heart Circles die to form a frame on the front of my card.  Once the embossing was done, I used the Spellbinders Large Standard Circle set to cut a circle for my window.

A piece of transparency adhered to the back becomes my window.  My handmade floral additions are made using Cheery Lynn Designs' Baby's Breath Flower Kit and Tiny Flower Kit, layered with some Punch Bunch small and mini birch leaves.  All flowers are lightly painted with a thin coat of Star Dust Stickles.

Three strips of 1/8" Wondertape are covered with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Aquamarine and Sunset glitter along with Stickles Dry Glitter in Lagoon to form my sparkling stripes at the base.

A Marvy small balloon punch acts as a tag topper with a gold eyelet and a bit of yellow ribbon tied through it.  A Close To My Heart Just a Number set sentiment is popped up above my window.

The left side of the interior shows TPC Studio Party Hearty Birthday Candles paper with a machine sewed zig zag stitch of metallic thread.  This is my first time using a sewing machine for the zig zag stitch and I have no idea how the corners are supposed to look.  I did try my best as I think the zig zag adds some pizzazz to a zesty party feeling.

My Crafty Sentiments "Opening Presents" image is stamped on the right side with a Morning Star sprinkled day sentiment just above my Copic-filled image.  A multi-striped ribbon is tied through that balloon punch tag topper.

I ran my die cut Memory Box Butterfly Chain upside down through my xyron "X" to make the front of the butterflies sticky.  I used the same glitter as I used for the stripes on the front of the card to color my sparkling butterfly border.

Because Copic inks are known to seep through the paper and will show on the back of your project, once my coloring was done, I adhered an extra clean piece of white tag to cover that bleed-through . . .

This view shows how the card front looks when the card is closed.  You get a glimpse of the lovely little lady through the window.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly "New Stash, New Year" (here) - Cheery Lynn's tiniest flowers EVER!
Crafty Sentiments "Anything Goes" (here) Add #6 after name
Tuesday Throwdown "Stripes" (here)
Simon Says Stamp! "Emboss It!" (here) - embossed heart circle around window
Divas by Design "Use Ribbons" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "Warm It Up!" (here)
Stampin' for the Weekend "Happy Birthday" (here)
Sweet Stampin' "Favorite Style" (here) - Shaped Cards
Bunny Zoe's Crafts "Stitching" (here)
Through the Purple Haze "Anything Goes" (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
bows, spots - YR12, YR15, YR18
shirt, shorts - BG11, BG15, BG18
gift bow - Y11, Y15, Y18, Y28
gift paper - BG72, BG75, BG78
teddy bear - R22, R59 (Nasty Rag Technique)
nose - W3, W0, W5
airbrushed background - W3, BG13, Y13, Y00


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

My 2013 Blog Year In Review

I spent some time reviewing my 2013 blog posts and sadly my blogging shows that my health has been poorly this year.  Unfortunately I was not able to meet many of my design team commitments.  I'm grateful to the design teams of Crafts and Me Stamps, the Digi Bells of Elisabeth Bell's Designs and the lovely ladybugs of Ladybug Crafts Ink who have been patient with me while I recover as they have allowed me to continue to participate on their teams whenever I can.  I am on the mend and expect to show more projects in 2014 as I enjoy being part of introducing more of their amazing images.

I began the year as a more-experienced blogger. I continue to be inspired by you uber-talented artists who show work that I've come to know and love.  Some of my favorite 2013 occasions and projects are included below.  Basic card art rocks and fancy folds and other projects are especially fun and exciting to see!  I still enjoy my classically-shabby style - LOL!!!

There are five individual cards shown below so I enter this post in Debby's My Favourite Five of 2013 for a chance to win her fabulous favorite things candy.  (You can click on each pic to link to the posts for more details.)

Enter until Jan. 11, 2014

In January, I enjoyed rockin' in the New Year with KennyK's ElenaK . . .

February shows my use of the lovely Martini Nikki and several of my coordinating handmade flowers that I really love to make . . .

In March I was officially crowned as a Ladybug with a beautiful tiara - LOL!!!  This tag using Queen of Hearts seemed appropriate to celebrate.

I had way too much fun adding stamped seasonal scenery through the window of Window Seat Billie and paper-piecing drapes to coordinate . . . (winter, spring, summer, fall)

In May, I played around with Photoshop until I learned how to merge digital images.  This example shows Geraldine in Paris . . .

I struggled through the Summer but was able to begin Christmas-time cards using this 'Twas the Night Before Christmas image . . .

I was honored to accept a guest design team spot at Sweet Stampin' for the month of September then sadly I was unable to meet their needs for my final week.  I did however add my first "no lines technique" on a scenic side-step card . . .

When MiC and LMM hosted their first Graffiti Party, I couldn't wait to challenge myself by using their urban images and created my first screen card . . .

Finally in December, I got inky and messy and had a ton of fun working on this alcohol-inked, stamped, ornament-window tag . . .

While I've been unwell, unmotivated and less than creative, it's been another wonderful year in papercrafting and blogging.

I am ever grateful for your kind words, encouragement and inspiration throughout 2013.

Here's wishing you a happy and healthy New Year that's overflowing with all good things!



As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Tag Art with Alcohol Inks and Die Cuts

Ellen Hutson has hosted her annual 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist.  Is this really the fifth year?!?!  Ellen and her designers have shown step by step guides for some really fun and gorgeous tags.  It's always a pleasure to see how Ellen's talented team inspires and this year they've shown more fabulous work.  Ellen has offered amazing prizes for each day's commenters with a whopper of a prize for showing how you've been inspired by entering one or more of your own makes.

I've played, got inky, brought out some products that I haven't used for a while and I have a few backgrounds ready for embellishing.

Here's my tag as inspired by Day 12 by Ellen Hutson . . . This tag has an alcohol inked monoprint background, an ornament die cut window, stamped and die cut branches and it was a ton of fun to see it come together.

I put a few dots of Denim, Stream, Stonewashed, Meadow and Lettuce Alcohol Inks onto my non-stick craft sheet.  A few dots of Pearl Mixative seemed like a lovely addition.  I used Sizzix' Bigz Tags and Bookplates die cut to shape my glossy cardstock then swiped that tag through my alcohol ink layers.  Alcohol Ink dries sooo fast that I kept swiping until there was no white showing through my tag.

My small original green Sizzix ornament die was the perfect size to fit my tag and so I die cut a window from my monoprint tag.

I dug out my Stampers Anonymous Letter to Santa and Mini Holidays stamp sets and began stamping the branches along the edges using archival inks in Versafine Toffee, Ancient Page Pine and Archival Ink Library Green.

A few die cut pine branches from Sizzix' Tattered Pinecone die were colored with the same archival inks as the stamped branches.  Small amounts of Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Gesso were painted along some of the branches.

The Christmas Greeting sentiment added at the bottom of my tag was included in a free stamp set with October 2013's Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine.

I adhered a QuicKutz ric-rac die to my non-stick craft sheet then swiped Mountain Rose and Copper Acrylic Paint over it.  I removed my die cuts before that paint started to dry around them.  Once that paint dried, I layed a piece of packing tape over it, using my bone folder to adhere it well.  As I pulled the tape up, the dried paint stuck to my packing tape!  Where my ric-rac die cut left empty space, I filled it with white Perfect Pearls.  I tried to adhere a 1/8" strip of wonder tape between the ric-rac but had some trouble with that.  Where possible, I tried to make a line of sparkle using Sparkle N Sprinkle's Golden Silver glitter.  More Golden Silver glitter filled the top of the ornament for additional sparkle.  That colored tape adhered to the back of my tag and filled my ornament window nicely.

Finally a Sizzix star reinforcement holds some Adornments' blue/green ribbons and fibers.  The sparkling gold ribbon accents the gold from my ornament.

Take a look over at the CLASSroom and be inspired to get inky and experiment while you create your own Christmas tags . . .


I'm entering this tag into the following challenges:
Ellen Hutson's the CLASSroom "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist" (here)
Craft Your Passion "Christmas ABC - Anything But a Card" (here)
Simon Says Stamp and Show "Stamp Out" (here)
Divas by Design "Anything Goes" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "Christmas Catch Up!" (here)
Paper Crafting Journey "It's Christmas Time" (here)
Sweet Stampin' "Last Minute Christmas" (here)
Dream Valley "Christmas" (here)
Through the Purple Haze "Here Comes Christmas Day" (here)
Crafting with Dragonflies "Christmas Tags" (here)

"Top 3" Jan. 15, 2014 Crafting with Dragonflies

Ina of Crafting with Dragonflies chose the top 3 and said, "19 -Rose C - Love all the colours and elements here with the mixed media."



As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge: Witches

The Digi Bells design team over at the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog wants to see your Witches.  A very lucky randomly selected entry will win TWO Elisabeth Bell digi images of their choice AND an exclusive stamp from Whiff of Joy!  You can find out more about this challenge and sponsors here.

Here's a closer view of my Copic-filled image with a few highlights added with a Sakura Gelly Roll medium White marker . . .

Layers of Bazzill Raven black and Green Bling with patterned sheets from Little Yellow Bicycle's (LYB) Frightful 8x8 tablet form my side-open card.  A Spellbinders Scalloped Circle die cut of black netting lies behind the Lifestyle Crafts Large Circle shaped image.  An EK Success Whale of a Punch Photo Corner Scallop of Doodlebug Design's black sugar paper is popped up in an upper corner.

A journaling frame from the LYB Frightful tablet, matted with black glossy paper, holds a black paper covered chipboard bat from a Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations "Bewitching Hour" die.  A few handmade flowers made from a Punch Bunch small blossom and birch leaf with a pearl center are lightly painted with Star Dust Stickles to add sparkle to the other upper corner.

A "bewitching" bracket from the LYB Frightful tablet lies beneath a bow made from Michaels' 3/8" Celebrate It black metallic ribbon and another handmade flower from a Cheery Lynn Build-a-Flower #1 die set with Punch Bunch extra large birch and medium oak leaves painted with Star Dust Stickles for wonderful glimmer.  A couple of QuicKutz digital image pumpkin vines, cut by my Silhouette electronic cutter are spritzed with Tattered Angels Creme de Chocolat Glimmer Mist to add a swirling border.

Here's a view of my completed card front showing my use of Elisabeth Bell's Little Witch with a Broom clear stamp image . . . There's amazing sparkle, shimmer and glimmer all over this card - it's a shame that I couldn't capture it in the photos.

 

Here's a view of the inside of my card . . .

You can find more inspiration using Elisabeth Bell's digital images at the Digi Bells Design Team blog here and many rubberstamp and clear stamp images at the Elisabeth Bell's World challenge blog here.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts "Ribbon" (here)
Simon Says Stamp and Show "Spooky" (here)
Simon Says Stamp "Halloween or Halloween Colors" (here)
Crafty Creations "Halloween Characters" (here)
Divas by Design "Spooked" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "Spooktacular" (here)
Paper Crafting Journey "Anything Goes" (here)
Southern Girls "Shine On" (here)
Stampin' For the Weekend "Something Spooky" (here)
Fashionable Stamping "Make a Card" (here)

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
broom handle, pumpkin stems - E31, E35, E37
broom bristles - Y21, Y26, Y28 + atyou Spica Gold
pumpkins, clothing trim - E02, E04, E09
hat, cloak - V20, V22, V25, V28
clothing trim - G40, G43, G46
spider, web - atyou Spica Silver
airbrushed background - Y21


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

MiC and LMM Freebie Challenge - Graffiti Party

Make It Crafty and Little Miss Muffet Stamps are hosting a Graffiti Party and provided this amazing free MiC and LMM artwork to those who want to participate.

I was so inspired by Lynne K's screen card (here), that I decided to use these fun Little Miss Muffet and Make It Crafty Graffiti Party images on my own screen card:

This was my first attempt at making a screen card.  DCWV white core cardstock allowed for a bit of detail to show when sanded.  Zutter's 1/2" Round-it-All corner rounder softened my tops.  The base of the large tag from a Sizzix Traditional Combo Tags die cut through all four panels to square off the bottoms.  I lost a leg or two while running the panels through the die cut machine to emboss with Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Bricked Texture Fade then lightly sanded the raised bricks.  A golden leaf charm hangs from a jump ring on a hemp bow. A Sakura Gelly Roll medium white pen adds some sharp highlights to my eyeglasses and graffiti letters.  A Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection Stuff to Say sentiment fits nicely on the last panel.

Other than my loss of legs, I like the embossed look of the background.  I need to work on reinforcing and strengthening the legs to be able to hold the weight of my images and heavier embellishments on future screen cards.  They do make nice displays for scenery.


Individual panels . . .



Humpty Dumpty in Da Hood



Part1 of MiC's Urban Scene



Part2 of MiC's Urban Scene



LMM Graffiti word

You've got to pop over to the Make It Crafty and Little Miss Muffet Stamps Graffiti Party blog and see the amazing artwork using the MiC and LMM images entered there!


I'm adding this screen card to the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion "Embossing" (here)
Creative Craft "Anything Goes and Blogaversary" (here)

Copics used:
brick wall - E71, R46, R59, E79, R20
gate, eyeglass lenses - C1, C3, C5
egg - E41, E43, 0
tires, eyeglass frames - T0, T6, T9
hoodie outfit, sneakers - E57, E51
sidewalk, curb, between bricks - W3, W1
top of wall - C3, C1
graffiti and paint cans - FV2, FB2, FBG2, FYR1, FYG2, V22, B23, BG23, Y23, C6
airbrushed cement wall - W3
airbrushed speckles - N6

Many thanks to Zoe and Barbara . . . I won the Graffiti Collection from LMMS & the Urban Characters from MiC!   These extremely talented artists liked my screen card for use of their images and THAT means alot to me!!!

 

 

As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Elisabeth Bell's Apple Berry Digi Bells' Blog Hop

To celebrate the newest addition to the Elisabeth Bell Design's Digital Gallery (here), the Digi Bells Design Team is hosting a blog hop.

How can you win your own Apple Berry digi image? You'll have to hop through and leave comments on EACH blog. [You can find the full list of 10 other blogs at the Digi Bells Design Team blog (here).] Lynda will pick 2 blogs at random and the winners will be picked from those comments. The hoppers will have until Friday, October 4, 2013 at 9 AM to leave comments. The winners will be posted at the Digi Bells' blog on Saturday, October 5, 2013.

Reminder: Buying then sharing digital images is theft. Sharing digital images takes income away from the artist.


* * * * *

 

I've used the "no lines" technique (see my How To Print notes at the end of this post) on this newly released Apple Berry digital stamp by Elisabeth Bell to make a scene on a side-step card.  This view shows a closer view of my Copic-filled image after I added Glossy Accents over her pie and the apples in her basket.  I've used the Lifestyle Crafts Large Ovals set to shape my image.

 

Bazzill's green cardstock is layered with an old Stampin' Up! green apple patterned paper to form my card.  A bit of Creative Imaginations Thin Cherry Real Wood lies beneath my QuicKutz Santa's Workshop window frame and hand pleated apple curtains.  Through the window, you see a few QuicKutz Mini Apples, covered with Glossy Accents, hanging from the branches of a couple of QuicKutz trees from a Santa's Workshop Heritage Accessories set.  I included a layer of a white Memory Box Estate Fence die cut to make the apple trees appear further away.  A few more Glossy Accents-covered mini apples lie at the base of my image while a knotted lace ribbon adds another delicate layer in the top corner.

This view shows the layers of the scenery elements of my side-step card.

Remember to leave your comment below then move along to your next stop at the wonderfully-talented Lynne's blog (here).  For reference, you can find the full list of the blogs to hop at the Digi Bells Design Team blog (here).

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp! "Anything Goes" (here)
Divas by Design "Monochrome" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "Pretty Ribbons" (here)
Southern Girls "The World in Monochrome" (here)
Creative Craft "Use Ribbon" (here)
Oldie but Goodie "Dies and Punches" (here) - everything is OLD except for the digi image
Crafty Ribbons "Monochrome" (here)
Elphine House Australia "Simply Cute" (here)
Creative Inspirations "Favorite Stamp Brand" (here) - Elisabeth Bell Designs


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair, pie, basket - E31, E35, E47
apples - YG91, YG95, YG97
leaves - YG11, YG13, YG17
hat, top, knickers, apron, mitts, floor background - E40, E41, E43, 0
ribbons atyou Spica Olive
faux suede scribbled wall background - YG91


On 9/27/13, Elisabeth Bell wrote:  "Rooossee, your card is absolutely EXQUISITE!!"

* * * * *

How to Print Prepare Digital Image for "No Lines" Technique using Photoshop Elements 8
FIRST STEP
Select File tab; Select Open then select .jpg or .png image
Select Image tab
Slide to Convert Color Profile
Select Convert to (*) Profile

SECOND STEP
Select Layer tab
Slide to New Adjustment Layer
Select Hue/Saturation
Mode:  Normal Opacity: 50
Adjustments show at right; slide Lightness to far right

Select File tab then Save As:  .jpg copy file then print image
Do NOT save changes to your original .png image or you will LOSE your digi investment!!!

Note:  You may NOT alter the line work of artist-created digital images.  These steps are simply the digital equivalent of stamping a rubberstamp image in gray ink rather than black ink.

* * * * *

As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge: Shaped Cards

The Digi Bells design team over at the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog wants to see your Shaped cards.  A very lucky randomly selected entry will win TWO Elisabeth Bell digi images of their choice AND a prize from Elphine House Australia!  You can find out more about this challenge and sponsors here.

This sweet little lady has been working hard gathering a basket full of apples for her teachers.  You can find this wonderful clear stamp image designed by Elisabeth Bell included FREE as a set of three Pretty Ladies with three additional floral hair piece stamps in the July 2013 issue of QuickCards Magazine.

Here's a closer view of my Copic-filled image, hand-shaped as an apple.  I've airbrushed my cloudy sky background using diecuts from My Favorite Things Die-namics Cloud Trio set as masks.

An older Stampin' Up! red apple patterned paper is layered with Bazzill cardstock to form my Whimsy Shape EZ Happy Apple shaped card.  Faux stitching borders my card shape.  A strip of old burlap provides a diagonal border behind my image with a Cuddly Buddly worm button from a "Mixed Garden Brights" set tied with hemp cord on one side and a gingham ribbon bow on the other.

A Marianne Design Craftables Passe-Partout Rectangle diecut is popped up to hold a Close To My Heart Seasonal Sensation set "For You" stamped sign and a Sizzix original small green Fruit die apple die cut from chipboard then coated with glossy accents.  An additional hairpiece has been popped up and covered with glossy accents to hold her pony tail.

Here's a view of my completed card front showing my use of Elisabeth Bell's Pretty Lady with apple basket clear stamp image . . .

 

Here's a view of the inside of my shaped card . . .

This shows a side view of my apple shaped tent card, ready for display . . .

You can find more inspiration using Elisabeth Bell's digital images at the Digi Bells Design Team blog here and many rubberstamp and clear stamp images at the Elisabeth Bell's World challenge blog here.


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
ABC Challenge "V for Very Cute" (here)
Elphine House "Simply Cute" (here)
Stampin' for the Weekend "Back to School" (here) - Apple for Teacher
All Sorts "Button Up" (here) - worm button
Simon Says Stamp! "Anything Goes" (here)
Crafty Ribbons "Anything Goes with Ribbon" (here)
Marianne's Design Divas "Anything Goes" (here)
Sweet Stamps "Roses" (here) - Roses in her Hair
Oldie But Goodie "Dies and Punches" (here) - very old red gingham ribbon
Whimsy Stamps "Masculine Cards" (here) - For a Male Teacher from a female student


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair, basket - E31, E35, E47
apples, roses, flowers - R20, R22, R27
blouse, grass, leaves - YG91, YG95, YG97
pants, smock, headband - B91, B95, B97
airbrushed masked cloud sky - B91, W1, W0, W00, 0


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge: Christmas in July

The Digi Bells design team over at the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog wants to see your Christmas-themed projects.  A very lucky randomly selected entry will win TWO Elisabeth Bell digi images of their choice AND two stamps courtesy of our very own Digi Bell Lynda!  You can find out more about this challenge and sponsors here.

I've used this sweet clear stamp image called Twas the Night Before Christmas designed by Elisabeth Bell for Belles 'n Whistles.  These sleepy children dream happily while waiting for Santa's visit.

This pic shows a closer view of my Copic-filled image.  I also stamped my image onto Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses Glazed Apple patterned paper then fussy cut the pillow and blanket.  I used my Copic colors to add shadows after adhering the pieces to my image.  Hampton Art's Sprinkle Flocking Set provides white dimensional and velvety texture over Santa's hat, jacket and pant cuffs.

Layers of Bazzill brown cardstock with My Mind's Eye I Believe "Reindeer" double-sided patterned paper form my easel card.  I covered a piece of Grafix medium weight chipboard with the opposite side of the paper then die cut it using a Sizzix Clear Scallop Square die to frame my image.  The edges are inked with Prima's Dark Bark chalk ink.

 

A Memory Box Holly Vine, cut into two pieces back up other Christmas greenery made from a McGill pine branch and Punch Bunch birch, oak and holly leaves.  Layers of Punch Bunch daisies with Yellow Stickles at the center form my handmade Christmas paper white flowers.  A few Punch Bunch mini kikyou flowers and Xmas Red Stickles accent my holly vine.

 

 

Here's a view of the front of my completed card showing my use of Belles 'n Whistles Twas the Night Before Christmas, as designed by Elisabeth Bell, surrounded by Christmas greenery and flowers . . .

 

The inside of my card is decorated to coordinate with the front and contains a stamped sentiment from a Kraftin' Kimmie's Christmas Clara set.  My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose Hattie "Buddies" Buttons are tied with My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks "Lucky" twine.

 

Here's a view of my easel card, open and ready for display . . .

 



 

For a chance to win a fabulous prize, get over to the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog and add your entry into this month's Christmas in July challenge!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Christmas All Year Long "It's All About Santa" (here)
PaperCrafting Journey "Punches/Die Cuts" (here)
Sweet Stampin' "Christmas in July" (here)
Dream Valley "Fancy Folds" (here)
Cards for Men "Christmas in July" (here)
Sweet Stamps "Christmas Greenery" (here)
Elphine House Australia "Christmas in July" (here)
Divas by Design "Anything Goes" (here)
Creative Inspirations "BINGO" (here) - top row, first column


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair, chair legs, cookies - E31, E35, E47
Santa's beard, bells, book cover - C1, C3, C5
Santa's suit, plate - R22, R29, R59
Santa's boots, sack - T0, T6, T9
bear - E13, E17, E19, R22
holly, tree, pillow, cup - G40, G43, G46
chair - Y13, Y26, Y28
girl pj's, slippers - V12, V25, V28
shadows to paper pieced blanket and pillow - W1, W3, W5
airbrushed ground - E11, Y26, E15


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose