Life is Wonderful

On Splitcoast Stampers this week, the Try a Technique Challenge was to do some Dangle Doodles. I was so excited to take part in this challenge.

It was so much fun! I will be showing more of my doodles in the future. I wanted this project to be more non-seasonal than I've been doing lately so I decided to go with a botanical theme.

I used Copic Multiliner pens to draw my dangling doodles so I could color them with Copic markers without the black ink bleeding.

This sentiment is from from Words of Wisdom by Verve stamps. I doodled and hand wrote the partial frame around the bottom of the main panel, repeating words from the stamped sentiment.

I wanted to add a little special touch, so I used Clear Wink of Stella on the dangling doodle. It is lovely and so subtle. It is so hard to photograph, so you'll just have to trust me.

stamps; words of wisdom (verve)
ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
paper; coconut swirl, horizon, kraft (bazzill)
accessories; E43, YG93, 99, BG72, 78, multiliner pens 0.7, 0.5, 0.2 (copic), clear wink of stella (zig)

CCEE - something down under
craft your passion - anything goes
crafty girls creations - anything goes
penny's paper crafty blog - anything goes

Love Ya!

I haven't coloured in almost a month and I was starting to suffer a little withdrawal, so I set aside the books to do something a little more creative today.

I took my main inspiration from this week's Deconstructed Sketch and the colour challenge from Splitcoast. The rest of my challenge inspiration is listed at the end of this post. There is a long list of inspiration which I'm thankful for, since my creativity needed a little jump start after being abandoned by the side of the road for the last month.

I have had this 'Love Ya' image by Mo Manning printed since last June. It has been sitting in my printed and stamped image file along with some images that were printed more than a year ago. Time sure can get away from me when I'm not looking!!! I used Stardust stickles on the background and I do love that darling, magical sparkle.

I have seen paper buttons on various cards, and it was a technique challenge on SCS awhile ago, and I'm thrilled I had a chance to give it a try today! I die cut 6 identical hearts using the Hearts Nestabilities die from Spellbinders and glued them together. I punched 2 holes with my crop-a-dile and gave it a good coating of Glossy Accents by Ranger. Note to self, grab a little patience and wait until the glossy accents is completely dry before touching;

That is such a clear fingerprint that it could be used by the police for identification purposes!!! I tied a bit of Brown Sugar Divine Twine and stuck a little floral embellishment on it.

I saw this sentiment and promptly typed it out and enlarged it for this image. It pixellated when I printed it, making it look a little fuzzy, because I am really not a digital designer. Looks pretty good in the photo though. And it is so perfect with this image.

Copics used today; W00/0/1/2, E000/01/11/43/44/71, YR000/20/21/24, R000, RV00/21/23, colorless blender

stamps; love ya (mo manning)
paper; bittersweet (basic grey), brown, canvas white, pirouette dotted swiss (bazzill), x-press it blending card stock (copic from ihp)
accessories; lg & sm classic circle, lg scallop circle, heart nestabilities (spellbinders from ihp), brown sugar twine (divine twine by ihp), stardust stickles, glossy accents (ranger from ihp), floral embellishment (recollections), crop-a-dile (memory keepers)

colour challenge scs - pretty pink rose with dessert option button & heart (cc358)
technique challenge - paper buttons (tlc325)
technique challenge - twine it up (tlc360)
deconstructed sketch - #35 
pile it on - fuzzy friends
stampin for the weekend - out with the old
anything goes - anything goes
poodles parlous - valentines/love
memories of time - be mine bingo (glitter, heart, glossy accents)

Daffy Daffodils with a little Black Magic

This week, I decided to be inspired for my Heartfelt Creations project by my friend, Becca Feeken and a card of hers called A JustRite Wedding Wish that is an oldie but a goodie!  Her card is stunning, isn't it?!!!  Here's what I came up with;

I coloured my image using the Black Magic technique and here is a terrific Tutorial on this super simple, oh-so-dramatic technique.  I used a lot of dimensionals for this sweet image. Check it out;

Maybe a bit of overkill with the dimensionals, but it sure has some wow!!!

The rest of the Heartfelt Creations team has some fabo projects on the Heartfelt Creations blog, so go ahead and take a boo!!!  There are also specific instructions for my project there.

Happy Wednesday!!!

stamps; daffy daffodil springtime medley collection (heartfelt creations)
paper; daisy, blackberry swirl (bazzill), everafter - something old (cosmo cricket), linen card stock light ivory (paper accents)
ink; whisper white (SU!), 
accessories; grand lace borderabilities, sm. labels, sm & lg classic circles, lg petite ovals, sm. petite scallop ovals nestabilities, springtime medley dies (spellbinders), ornamental iron emboss folder (provocraft), cream ribbon (offray), pearls (K & Co, Heidi Swapp), prismacolor pencils

IHP - Thank Heavens for Colour and Sketch Challenges

Well, my wrist isn't getting better yet.  It hurts and the anti inflammatory topical goop doesn't seem to be helping.  On the bright side, my family is wonderful and has been helping so much with the foster puppies so that my wrist has had a break.  Today though, everyone is back in their assigned places at work and at school and I'm fending for myself.  Good thing the puppies don't really care about how long it takes me to mop their space or that it really isn't as clean as it normally is.  They just like me picking them up, talking to them and scratching their tummies.  Not all litters like to be flipped on their backs (dominance issues), but the little guys we have now are very high on the awesome scale.

Since my wrist sucks and it takes so much longer to do puppies, I kept it simple on this card.  I used the Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 63 for my colours.  I saw them and the first thing I thought was that I really didn't think I could do a thing with them - just not my style.  Then I decided to bite the bullet and stretch my self and stop wimping out when I see a colour challenge combo I don't like.  i guess I cheated a little though because I used ink to make my white card stock not quite so white.


 I also used the sketch challenge from Paper Craft Planet this week by Jessica Fick.  It's a gooder people!  If you are able to play along, use code sk010111 so we can find it and leave a comment for you!

Finally, I saw the technique challenge on Splitcoaststampers for this week to paint with stickles.  Be still my beating heart!  Why didn't I think of that?!!!  I think it's a brilliant technique and I don't think I did it quite the way Joan intended, but the challenge inspired me to work with stickles in a way different than I have used them before.  I just didn't crack my coloured stickles for this image.  I used clear-ish stickles over copic marker colouring which dives more depth than I could have achieved with stickles alone.  The stickles adhere well to the copics because they are alcohol ink based rather than water based which would bleed into the stickles.  I used crystal stickles on the leaves and rock candy stickles on the tree trunk.

For this project, I used one of my favourite Unity stamp sets, Moments in Bloom/Naturally You available from i {heart} papers.  I have used this set in so many ways, and it's one that I find I reach for out of habit.  The ledger lines and the sentiment are from one half of the set, and the tree is from the other half.  The halves used to be sold separately, but I just can't split the set.  One part whimsy + one part artistic = absolutely divine!

The copics and where I used them;

Tree glow; B0000, B000, B00, B41
Tree trunk; E71, E74, E77, E79
Leaves; YG91, YG93, YG97

I have additional links for products used in the recipe below.  I hope the rest of your week is wonderfully creative!

stamps; moments in bloom/naturally you (unity from i heart papers)
paper; pyrus (basic grey from i heart papers), haley, maltball (bazzill)
ink; espresso adirondack, pumice stone distress ink (ranger)
accessories; crystal, rock candy stickles (ranger), always artichoke ribbon (SU!), taupe pearls (zva from i heart papers), edger punch combo rings (martha stewart)

Tent Card Owl Graduate

I saw the technique challenge on splitcoast this week and thought I'd give it a go.  I think I changed everything except the 'tent' look of the final product.

I scored my 4"x11" piece of cardstock at 1", 2", 3" and 7".  From the original tent card instructions, I worked with one narrower piece of cardstock instead of 3 pieces 6" wide.  Additionally, I didn't create a window for my image to hang from - I think I'll try that next time I make this fun little card.

I coloured my digi image, Owl Graduate, with copic markers to match this pattern paper, Material Girl by Cosmo Cricket.  I think the ruler image paper is *divine* with this darling image and makes it perfect for a little guy graduating from kindergarten or elementary school.  While I know LOTS of high school graduates, it occurred to me this past weekend that I know even more grade 6 grads and most of them will be at my house in 10 or so days for my DS's birthday party, and they are all grade 6 grads!!!

I can strike a cute little card for my cute little grad off my to do list!

stamps; owl graduate (chicken girls designs by IHP)
paper; material girl (cosmo cricket), coconut swirl (bazzill), core'dinations cardstock
accessories; rectangle and star nesties, tags trio (spellbinders), cut grass dew drops (the robin's nest), natural burlap (may arts), ribbon, clip (SU!), black brads (making memories), copic markers

TLC260 Matchbook Candy Holders

I am making a conscious effort to do more challenges that involve stamping. We'll see how it goes! I just want to get my mojo and technique back after a forced hiatus that lasted 2 full months. That was a bit of a stinky time that I'm happy is done.

Holly really picked a dandy technique this week - making Matchbook Candy Holders. They are totally easy and super adorable. My youngest DD wants me to make them for her whole class for Easter - OUCH! I better get started early!!!


I used Hoppy Anna Mae from Our Craft Lounge for the darling little bunny and basket images, which I coloured with copic markers. If you haven't tried copic markers, I highly recommend them! They do have a bit of a learning curve to them, but that just means more sitting down to colour, so how could that be a bad thing, really?!! *grin* I learned to use them on my own with no training, but there is nothing available in my area much for copic training. I love using them because they are quick and easy (once you get the hang of them) and they are super easy to get a blended look with. I still love watercolouring and my prismacolours too. They each have their own special purpose in my designing.



Yup. still trying to grow myself, so I tried paper tole again. I love the effect on the bunny, and that was the effect my DD responded to the most. She loved that the bunny looked like it was peeking over the flowers at her. The designer paper I used here is from Ooh la la - For Her, by My Mind's Eye. It's a bit bright for my idea of a traditional Easter/Spring palette, but I figure, what the heck! I love this kit!!!



I used the bubble letter sentiment from the set for the inside of my matchbook. It just fit, which really tickled my happy place! Holly, I love this little project - thanks for the terrific challenge!!!

stamps; hoppy anna mae (OCL)
paper; ruby red, green tea (Bazzill), ooh la la - for her (MME)
ink; espresso adirondack (ranger)
accessories; rhinestone brads (making memories), rhinestones (heidi swapp), copic markers

So many challenges, so little time!

I did it! From what I've seen and heard from fellow crafters and bloggers, I'm not the only one who has done it. I cleaned up my crafting space. I'm done cleaning up the general use space in my basement after the moving around due to my studio flood that happened last spring. I cleaned up my back room of my crafting space. I tidied up my craft closet (but this could use some more TLC). I cleaned up my studio and even put my butterflies up on my wall using the most darling little hammer in the shape of a shoe. Thank-you Faye!!!

While I was cleaning up, I found this Santa from Crafty Secrets and knew immediately I wanted to use it for last week's colour challenge - mellow moss, kraft (or taupe) and white. He SO fits that challenge. Then, the sketch challenge was posted and I knew that it was perfect for this image! Yahoo - I was off to the races.

I got the card front done and it sat on my desk so I could keep looking at it because it just didn't feel done. I stitched around the edges, but it still didn't feel finished.

I saw today's technique challenge on SCS and knew I would be done this card finally.

After all the Santa meditations I did with this card, it was easy to finish it off this morning, making it an easel card. BEAUTY!

Now, I'm off to finish making Thanksgiving dinner! Have a blessed day, everyone!

stamps; christmas joy (crafty secrets)
paper; wassail (basic grey), mellow moss, always artichoke (SU!), nutmeg, brown, coconut swirl, sand dotted swiss (bazzill)
ink; espresso adirondack, antique linen, tea dye distress ink (ranger)
accessories; fancy labels, petite ovals (spellbinders), mini scallop punch (ek success), white sating ribbon (offray), winter cotton scraps (crafty secrets), square rhinestone brads (making memories), snickerdoodle smooch (clearsnap)

Hostess Club finale

Well, one of my hostess clubs is done for this catalogue year. It's always a bittersweet time saying good bye to ladies who can't continue for a myriad of reasons yet sharing the excitement of a new Stampin' Up! catalogue release mere weeks away.

This card was their final project, and I think it was their favourite for the year. I'll upload a few of their other favourites over the course of the next week. I laughed when several of my ladies said they had never even heard of sage shadow. I must be a very bad demo! It's one of the favourite colours in my house. I use it a lot and my oldest DD's are painting their collective rooms this colour, just with different accent colours.

They used Boho Blossom to create their own dp (a review technique from last year) and highlighted with a white gel pen. I taught them emboss resist with the watercoloured bloom and they made this card as a hinge card - they loved that, I think!

I end with a sentimental *sigh* looking forward to the new catty year ahead!

stamps; boho blossom, dream a little (SU!)
ink; versamark, sage shadow, tangerine tango, ridinghood red (SU!)
paper; basic gray, whisper white, sage shadow, watercolour paper (SU!)
accessories; white satin ribbon, sizzix circle scallop die, circle die, 1 3/4" circle punch, pretties kit, clear detail ep, white gel pen (SU!)

TLC202 With Bittersweet Love

Poop has priority everyday right now, so this card has been in the making since Lynn posted the glitter challenge last Monday.

I'm kinda glad this card took so long. It gave me gobs of time to mull over every detail in my head before I sat down to do the next layer. The base of the card was easy. I used my Bittersweet 6x6 pad available from i {heart} papers. I used both 1/4" & 1/8" tacky tape on the stripes already on the paper. Kate has some amazing tape called i {stick} papers. I then poured glitter on, matching the stripe colour underneath. I sponged purely pomegranate and bravo burgundy around the edges of the paisley dp.

I tried using my just rite stamps - love those things!!!! - but it looked totally dumb with this card. I used my circle nestabilities to cut out the original image from the red dp in the Bittersweet pad. It looked dumb as a bag of hammers. I used the next size circle smaller - still looked bad BUT I was left with this cutie pie red ring that I used. I'm so glad I didn't pitch it! And that silly thing gave me inspiraiton for some other projects. Sometimes, my ubitzes have a useful purpose!

I used a heart ghost shape that I sent through my Zyron upside down to get it all gluey on the right side. Perfect adhesive for glitter!!! Pop on a few rhinestones and voila! A cutie patootie little detail.

I used the Bella's Topiary for the main image, coloured with copic markers. I topped it off with my clear atyou copic glitter pen. It really fits with the rest of the glitter. I'm really tickety boo pleased with this one!

stamps; Bellas Topiary (stampingbella)
paper; Bittersweet 6x6 pad (basic grey IHP), brown, coconut swirl (bazzill)
ink; pearlescent chocolate (brilliance by tsukineko), purely pomegranate, bravo burgundy (SU!)
accessories; clear ep (ranger), heart ghost shape (heidi swapp IHP), circle nestabilities (spellbinders IHP), adhesive rhinestones (amuse), pink and crystal glitter (art institute glitter), brown brads (bazzill), copic markers, atyou copic spica glitter pen (copic IHP), 1/8" & 1/4" tacky tape (provo)