Poppy Love -- for Ching Chou Kuik

 It's Tuesday, and it's my day to post on the Ching-Chou Kuik inspiration and challenge blog. I love my days when I get to color up and share the beautiful Ching-Chou Kuik images! 

The current challenge is just getting underway with the theme of "All You Need is Love." I hope you join us with your Valentine/love creations.

For my inspiration card today, I used the beautiful image, Red Poppies.  It is a black & white image that I colored with Copic markers. 

After I colored Red Poppies, I fussy cut it.  I found the perfect background paper for our "All You Need is Love" challenge in the We Are 3 Digital Shop. It is from the Touch of Teal Collection.

The giant XOXO die is from Lawn Fawn.  The filigree heart is from Cheery Lynn.  They were both purchased in the Dies R Us Store. 

Check out the Ching-Chou Kuik Inspiration and challenge blog often for great inspiration. For more great ideas, and another challenge, visit the CCK Facebook Group.

Tis the Season -- For Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

 There's a new challenge starting today at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends, and it's our Christmas in July Challenge.  Yes, it's time to get started on those Christmas cards, if you haven't already. Make them and link them!  I'd love to see what you create!

We have an awesome sponsor this month -- The Paper Shelter. You'll find digital images for any occasion in The Paper Shelter Store -- including many darling Christmas images. 

I had the fun of coloring up The Most Adorable Snowmen.  And they are!

I colored The Most Adorable Snowmen with Copic markers.  Then, I created a Z fold card to display the image on.  

The papers on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop. They are the Winter papers.

The 'Tis the Season' sentiment is a die cut from Crafter's Companion. The snowflakes are various dies from Cheery Lynn and Lawn Fawn. 

Join us at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends for our Christmas in July challenge!  We've got a wonderful sponsor this month! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

12 Months of Christmas Link Up -- Christmas in July

Dragonfly Dreams -- Christmas in July

Send a Smile for Kids -- Christmas in July

Dare 2B Artzy -- Christmas in July

Jingle Belles -- Stars & Stripes for Christmas

Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG with a colored image

Follow Your Heart -- for Great Impressions Stamps

Yea!  It's Friday!  And, I'm posting today for Great Impressions Stamps!  A double win!

I was thinking of back to school, so I put together this bookmark.  Do his even use bookmarks anymore? 

I used 3 different Great Impressions Stamps on this bookmark:  C270 - Butterfly Trio, C413 - Delicate Butterflies,  and B219 - Follow Your Heart.

I created the background using Ken Oliver Color Bursts, then used various dies from Paper Wishes to construct the bookmark.  The butterfly diet is from Cheery Lynn.  The fibers are from Close To My Heart.

Are you playing along with the Great Impressions Anything Goes challenge this month?  There's still a few more days to enter!   I used this picture board for inspiration and thought you might like to, too!

Don't forget to check out the Great Impressions Store for so many wonderful stamps -- there's something for every occasion and every taste!  If you make a project with Great Impressions Stamps, link it to the Customer Gallery for your chance to win free stamps!  

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Critters & Creatures -- Linky Party 6
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Tags
Craft Rocket Challenge -- Things with Wings
Cards4Galz -- Butterflies or Dragonflies
IDCB -- ATG

Be Yourself -- for Oddball Art Challenge Blog

It's the 15th of the month.  That means a new challenge is starting at the Oddball Art Challenge Blog.  The challenge will run for a month, and the theme is "girl".  There are LOTS of great images that fit this theme in the Oddball Art Etsy shop! 

My card for this challenge uses Image #19, Cassidy:

Image #19, colored with Copic markers, is perfect for this challenge.  Cassidy is definitely Girlie!  She looks so cute in her bright spring outfit, doesn't she?

The sentiment on this card is a retired stamp from Close To My Heart.  I cut out the card base on my Silhouette Cameo, with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store. The image is cut out with a die from Die-namics.  The plaid paper is from Lawn Fawn.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die. 

If you need some Oddball Art digis for yourself, use discount code DTJULIE10 for 10% off everything in the shop! 

Some Useful Links:)
Company Website ♥ http://www.oddballartco.com
Art Blog ♥ http://oddballartco.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page ♥ http://www.facebook.com/oddballartco
Facebook Friend Page ♥ http://www.facebook.com/oddballart
Twitter ♥ http://www.twitter.com/oddballartco
Flickr ♥ http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddballartco
Zazzle ♥ http://www.zazzle.com/oddballartco
Fine Art America ♥ http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/lizzy-love
Tumblr ♥ http://www.oddballartco.tumblr.com

Don't forget our Anything Goes with Oddball Art images challenge on our ODDBALL ART FACEBOOK GROUP CHALLENGE.    We have a new challenge on the 1st of every month, so still lots of time left to go play there:)

I hope you can join our Girl challenge this month at Oddball Art challenge blog.  We've got great prizes, and I'd love to see what you make!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Lemon  Shortbread Challenge -- ATG
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards -- Just Us Girls
Art by Miran Challenge -- ATG
Crafty Catz -- Dies & Punches
Kitty Bee Designs -- Girly cards

Magical Birthday Wishes! for Oddball Art

It's time for a little mid-challenge inspiration at the Oddball Art Challenge Blog.  The theme this month is 'Birthday'.  I don't know about you, but I can never have enough birthday cards on hand!  

There are an abundance of fantastic Oddball Art images in the Etsy Store that are perfect for this challenge.  You'll find them here.

I used Image 207 - Josie with the Butterflies - to create this birthday card --

I colored Image #207 with Copic markers, and printed the sentiment that comes with the digi on a patterned paper (also digital) from Prima -- Indeed papers.

I cut the card base out on my Silhouette with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The 3 larger butterflies are Cheery Lynn dies.

This card is perfect for a birthday, but with this sentiment, could be used for any number of happy occasions.  Josie's such a sweet thing and I love the sentiment!

I hope you can join us this month for our Birthday challenge at Oddball Art Challenge Blog.   You have until May 14 to enter!  Don't forget about the Oddball Art Facebook Challenge going on, too.  There'll be a new challenge starting there on May 1.  Facebook challenges are always Anything Goes, as long as you use an Oddball Art image. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Fussy and Fancy Challenges -- Female Birthday

IDCB -- ATG

Pattie's Creations -- Easter or spring

PDE Linky Party -- ATG 

Simply Create Too -- For Ladies Only

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Fa La La -- for Great Impressions Stamps

It's Saturday, the day I'm lucky enough to post for Great Impressions Stamps.  I love my Saturdays!  

Today, I'm sharing a Christmas card.  I set a goal, back in January, to make at least one a month.  Well, I haven't quite done that, but here it is, April 2, and I've got one made for this month.  

This card uses E815 Singing Birds and D472 Fa La La.   I colored  the cling  rubber stamp Singing Birds with Copic markers.  

Papers for this card are from Close To My Heart.  I used various dies from Craftin' Desert Divas and Cheery Lynn (snowflakes) to construct this card.

I hope you can join us tomorrow for a joint blog hop between the Great Impressions Stamps design team and the Cut Card Stock design team.  There'll be tons of inspiration and prizes!   It all begins at the Great Impressions Stamps blog. 

There's a sale this weekend at the Great Impressions Store.  Use discount code April2016 to save 15% off your order.  There are some adorable retired stamps that have reappeared!  I can't wait to shop!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

12 Months of Christmas Link Up -- April

Framed 'S' in Fall Colors

It's Friday, and I'm posting for Polkadoodle's Challenge blog, where a new challenge starts today.  For the next 2 weeks, show us your Autumn colors.  

I tried some things I've never attempted before on today's project:

The 'S', from Polkadoodles, is one of the new coloring pages.  This is Adult Coloring Pages, Alphabet 1.  I colored it with Copic markers. The designer paper on the top layer of the frame is from the Rose Budd Craft Collection Download. It's available in CD, too. 

The frame is an SVG cutting file from My Scrap Chick.  It took a few sheets of card stock, and a bunch of pop dots to construct it.

The butterfly is a die from Cheery Lynn.  The tie dye ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.   The bling is from Close To My Heart.

So, this was my first time using the new, awesome adult coloring pages from Polkadoodles, and the first time I've used these frames from My Scrap Chick.

Please join us the next 2 weeks for our Fall Colors challenge at Polkadoodles Challenge Blog.   I'd love to see what you make!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #1 - ATG
Stars Stampz -- pick 3 (digi, sparkle, ribbon/bow)
D.L. Art -- November Linky party
Moving Along with the Times -- Leaves &/or Trees (leaves)

Be Yourself -- a New Release at DigiStamps4Joy

It's New Release Sunday at DigiStamps4Joy.  It's a busy day there, as it's also the start of this month's challenge.  There are several, fun, new releases that are VERY worth checking out in the DigiStamps4Joy Store!  I worked with the fun, quirky, and delightful Lil-Jill.

I colored her up with bright, happy colors using Copic markers, gave her a funky hair color to fit the mood of the card, and a spunky sentiment to go with it.

Papers and sentiment are from Close To My Heart.  The doily die is from Cheery Lynn.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #1 -- ATG
Through the Craft Room Door -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Outlawz Friday Color Challenge -- ATG or Christmas

Dance Like There's No Tomorrow

I am a really bad dancer.  Maybe that's why I admire the ability so much in others.  I also love images  of dancers and gymnasts -- they're so graceful, unlike me.

When I saw this image in the Polkadoodles store, I just knew I had to color her!

She's called Gymnast/Twirling girl/Acrobat.  I wanted her to fit on a tag, so I modified her a bit from the original, below.

I colored the Gymnast image with Copic markers, then fussy cut her.  The tag is a die from Paper wishes.  I cut it out with a background paper from Webster's Pages, Everyday Poetry, 6x6 pad.  The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die.  The tie dye crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.

I created this tag today to enter in:

Digi choosday -- Tag Challenge and GD Call

 *****Please note this post has been previously published on the new blog. I am in the process of switching everything back. Thank you for your patience.*****

Thinking of You -- a Tutorial for Crafty Sentiments

I have the pleasure of posting on the Crafty Sentiments Inspirations blog today, and it's my turn for a tutorial. I'll show my technique for two-toned flowers using Copic markers.

I used the delightful Crafty Sentiments Designs rubber stamp, Sweet Butterfly.

This is the start of the two-toned flower.  I have a few petals blended with Copic markers, using Y02, RV02, and RV04.

Start at both ends of the petal, flicking towards the middle to blend the colors.  It will take several times to get the perfect blend.

This is the first time the two colors are mixed (picture below)

This next picture shows the colors after I've blended the petal several times.

Here's another example --first color applied

The colors are laid down (below), but not yet blended very well.

Now, the colors are blended together!

The flower is complete, and the whole Sweet Butterfly rubber stamp has been colored.

Papers on this card are from Echo Park Here & Now 12x12 Collection.  The bottom portion of the card was embossed with an embossing folder by Close To My Heart.  Ribbon is also from CTMH.  The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die. The image was cut out with a Spellbinder die.

Please check out the Crafty Sentiments Inspirations blog for more wonderful creations from a talented design team.

Spring Butterfly -- for Not Just Cards

A new challenge starts today at Not Just Cards Challenges.  One of our sponsors this time is The East Wind. I love these images!  I chose to work with this fun one!

This is 'Aurora' Spring Butterfly, colored with Copic markers.  The 3D Treat box can be found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The die cut butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die. Papers for this project are from Close To My Heart. 

Join us at Not Just Cards, where anything goes.  You have 2 weeks to enter!

Just Because -- GD for The Sisterhood of Crafters

This is my second and final post guest designing for The Sisterhood of Crafters.   I have enjoyed my experience very much!

The theme this time is paper piecing &/or piercing.  My card has a bit of both:

The image is a digi from Sandi's Samples. It was printed 3 times.  The base was colored with Copic markers.  Two of the layers were fussy cut, then glued on to the base.  Paper piecing achieved!  The paper piercing around the edges was done with dies by Lawn Fawn.  

The papers on this card and the sentiment are from Close To My Heart.  The tie dye crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. The butterfly was cut out with a die from Cheery Lynn.

I'd like to thank Darlene Pavlick and the rest of the Sisterhood of Crafters design team for the opportunity to be a Step Sister this month.  It's been great fun!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

The Outlawz Progressive Challenge -- February Freebie

D.L. Art -- February Linky Party

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

Warm Winter Witches! For The East Wind

It's Friday, and new release day at The East Wind.   And, I'm happy to say, this is my first official post as part of The East Wind Instagram Design Team!

Today's new release, Unkytoon Bundled Up, was a delight to color!

Don't you wish your hair looked like that?  All shiny and pretty?  I wish I was brave like this little witch.  My hair has never even seen a bottle of dye.  And, those shoes!  Green!  What could be better than green shoes?!?

After I had the fun of coloring Unkytoon Bundled Up with Copic Markers, I used a Spellbinders die to cut out the image. The snowflakes are a die from Cheery Lynn.  The designer papers are from Echo Park. There's a bit of silver shimmer trim from Close To My Heart to finish it off.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter -- Lots of Layers
Digi Chooseday -- Cool Blue

Warm Winter Wishes

It's Monday, and a new challenge starts today at Not Just Cards. I usually try to stick with the premise of the challenge and make something besides a card, but this image that I used today BEGGED to be made into a card.  I gave in!

This image is from The East Wind -- one of our sponsors this week.  I love their images, so was so pleased when I got the opportunity to color this one!  I used Copic markers and some Wink of Stella glitter pens on this.

The designer papers are from BoBunny.  The glitter paper is from American Crafts.  I used 2 sizes of a Spellbinders label die to cut this out, and Cheery Lynn Snow Flower dies for the snowflakes. The card base is Close To My Heart Bamboo.

Join us this week at Not Just Cards -- it's anything goes! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

The East Wind Challenge -- Button Up
All Sorts Challenge Blog -- Cold and Frosty Colors

I'm Selling Snowflakes Today -- for QKR Stampede

It's Friday, the day after Christmas, and time for a new challenge at QKR Stampede.  Our theme this week is Santa or snowmen.  Since QKR Stampede has some of the cutest snowmen ever, that's the theme I went with!

This QKR Stampede digi is called "Selling Snowflakes" (digi14214), colored with Copic markers.  I just love this snowman!  We've had snow on the ground since early November, but most of it melted before Christmas.  I actually may buy some of these fellas snowflakes!

Papers are from My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas 6x6.

The snowflakes are a Cheery Lynn Snow Flower die set. The snowman was cut out with a Spellbinder label die, then some Stickles glitter glue was added to his hat, the holly, and the snowflakes. Card stock is from Close To My Heart.

I hope you had a great Christmas and find some time to join in on our Santa or Snowman challenge this week at QKR Stampede.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog -- Holiday Blitz ATG

Christmas is Claus for Celebration! For Delightful Challenges

It's Thursday, and time for another challenge at Delightful Challenges. Our theme this week is "Celebration".  This week, however, is a bit different for us as it is the last challenge for Delightful Challenges.  The challenge blog is closing.  Digital Delights by Louby Loo will remain open and going strong, though!

I thought Chubbly Santa would be a perfect way to celebrate my final challenge with Delightful Challenges. 

Meet Chubbly...

Chubbly Santa  is available in uncolored and colored versions.

I used the uncolored version, and colored him with Copic markers.

The sentiment is from the Christmas Hugs Sentiment Set.

The designer papers are Echo Park 12x12 Reflections Christmas papers. The corrugated silver paper is from American Crafts.  I used  Cheery Lynn  Snow Flower dies for the snowflakes. There's some Cherry Red Timeless Twine wrapped around the sentiment. Lifestyle Crafts circle dies helped with the circle card shape and other circles that I cut. 

Our sponsor for our last challenge is...

The prize is!

Come celebrate with us at Delightful Challenges -- Christmas, birthday, baby, New year's -- any celebration will do.  

Winter Friends Gift Bag -- for QKR Stampede

It's Friday!  Whoop!  And time for a new challenge at QKR Stampede. This week, our theme is "Trim the Tree".  

In my quest to get a bunch of gift bags made for various Christmas gatherings, I chose to make a bag for under the tree.

This delightful QKR Stampede digi is called "Winter Friends" (digi13004).  I colored these 2 chums with Copic markers, then used Lifestyle Crafts circle dies to mount the stamped image on the gift bag.  The snowflakes were cut out with a Cheery Lynn Snow Flower die.  The ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Join us this week at QKR Stampede for our "Trim the Tree" challenge.  It'll be great fun!

Behold, I Make All Things New -- for DS4J

It's Wednesday, and time for a new challenge at DigiStamps4Joy.  This time, our theme is "new" -- new house, new baby, new job -- you get the idea.  

Here's the direction I took it:

I used the DigiStamps4Joy digi Flower Corner and colored it with Copic markers.  The sentiment was computer generated. I used a Spellbinder die to cut it out.  The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die. The papers are by Prima Marketing.  The card base, glitter trim and bling is from Close To My Heart.  I used a We R Memory Keepers scallop Corner Chomper on some of the sides.  

This challenge will run for 2 weeks.  See what "new" theme you can create, and enter it in our challenge.  I'd love to see it!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Cards and More -- Use neon colors

Just Inspirational Challenges -- Things with Wings

Sweet Stamps -- Sparkle

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art -- December Linky Party

Fa La La La La -- for Amy Doodle's Stamp Company

It's Tuesday, and the day I'm lucky enough to be able to post for Amy Doodle's Stamp Co.  I love the fun images that Amy gives us to create with.  Today is no exception!  Meet Ornament Elf: 

She's helping me decorate a gift bag.  I'm on a quest to make 6 of them for a staff party coming up very soon. I colored Ornament Elf with Copic markers, then mounted her on several shades of card stock that matched her outfit.  I used Cheery Lynn Snow Flower dies for the snowflakes, and a Sweet Cuts fancy deer die.  The ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. 
Here's a close up of this adorable image:

Join us on the Amy Doodle Facebook page for fun and inspiration. And check out the Amy Doodle's Stamp Co. store -- there are so many have-to-have images!  Start coloring!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments -- Christmas

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art -- Dec Linky Party

D.L. Art -- any winter holiday
MarkerPop! Challenge #57  -- Christmas/Winter

Get Ready for Gift Bags!

I'm posting today for Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.  I had the privilege of working with a StampArt Design by Kathryne image. 

 Here's what I created:

This adorable image by StampArt Design by Kathryne is called Alannah and Snowball.

I colored the image with Copic markers, then used a set of Lifestyle Crafts circle dies to cut out the circular shapes. I mounted the image and red background paper on a white gift bag.  I used a Cheery Lynn Snowflower die set for the snowflakes.  The ribbons on the handle are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I plan on making 6 gift bags, all this same size, for a party for my staff.  You'll be seeing more of these on my blog.  Be ready!

Are you working on your own Christmas creations?  Join us at Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.