Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Circus Anya

I made this card for two challenges: Saturday Sketch Challenge 12 at The Greeting Farm and Moosetrack Monday at Paper Popsicles.  The Paper Popsicle challenge was to use ribbon on a card.  That was easy for me because I almost always use ribbon!  For this card, I used the "Showtime" set from The Greeting Farm. I recently found this circus-themed background paper from DCWV at Archivers and thought it would go well with this stamp set.  I don't know if there are still any left, but this stamp set has recently been on clearance at The Greeting Farm for $7.00. 

Wonder Anya

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Friday color challenge.  We were to use red, blue, and yellow.  I used my new "Super Duo" set from The Greeting Farm.  It comes with Super Aya, Super Ian, and several complimentary sentiments.  For this card, I used SU Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow, and unknown scraps and white glitter paper.  The stars are cut out with the "Home Decor" Cricut cartridge.  I colored Anya with Copics, cut her out, added some glitter, and placed her on the star.  Now she's ready to fight evil throughout the universe!  :)

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Easter treats

I made these peppermint patty holders for my fellow volunteers at the animal shelter.  These holders also qualify for the Hand Stamped Sentiments, Anything but a Card, challenge.  I often make these candy holders and put peppermint patties in-between them.  Unfortunately, the Easter candies were wrapped in these large wrappers, rather than the round wrappers that fit perfectly into these holders.  The holders are made with the scallop and circle punches by Stampin Up.  I think I have gotten more use out of this scallop punch than any other punch that I own.  The bunny is from the "Bunny Hugs" set by Stampin Up.

Cat Musician

I made this whimsical card with the cat musician image from Digi Kitty.  When I saw this image, I just knew I had to get it!  I made this card for mother-in-law and her spouse.  They are both violin players and cat lovers.  How appropriate!  They loved the card, but didn't seem too interested in the idea of adding a cat to their orchestra.  Oh well!  The papers used are SU's Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, and Basic Grey's Sultry paper pad.  I added a Prima flower, ribbon, and half pearls to finish off the card.

Birthday Delivery

I made this card for a challenge at Digi Kitty.  The image of the bunny pulling the basket is from Digi Kitty.  There are many different items that could be placed in the bunny's basket.  I decided to have him deliver a birthday cake.  Wouldn't it look cute to look out your window and see this guy riding up to your house?  The cake and the sentiment stamps are from Stampin Up, as are the papers.  I used my Cricut to cut out the balloons. 

Monday, March 29, 2010

March Hare

 I made this card for a challenge at Shirley's 2 Girls.  We were to make a card using buttons.  The image is called "March Hare" from Shirley's 2 Girls.  It is one of their new Alice In Wonderland releases.  The sentiment is also from Shirley's 2 Girls.  For this card, I used Basic Grey's Lime Rickey paper pad and Yo Yo Yellow from Stampin Up.  I colored the image with Copic markers, cut him out, and then placed him on the yellow to make him "pop."  To complement the buttons, I added paper piercing to imitate stitching.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Show Stampers Challenge

Hello all!  The Greeting Farm is hosting a Royal Battle card contest.  I am on a team of 4 called the Show Stampers.  We need to get as many votes as we can for our card, so we can continue on with the contest.  I thought I could provide an easy link here in which people could vote, but you need to register to vote with The Greeting Farm.  I was chosen to make the first card , which is an inspiration challenge based upon this body scrub seen above.  I think I did a good job on the card, but boy, the competition is tough!   Wish us luck!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Smiley Rain Rain

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Monday Mania sketch challenge.  We were to also use stitching and inking on the card.  I chose to use the digital image, Rain Rain, from The Greeting Farm.  I think she is so sweet.  I know how to sew on fabric, but I've only sewn on paper a few times.  I decided to give it a try again.  I think it is scary because I'm afraid if I set the tension and adjustments wrong it will tear up my paper.  I'll have to keep practicing because I like the look that it achieves.  The patterned papers are from My Mind's eye.  I got them at Hobby Lobby this week for 33cents a piece!  The sentiment is from Inkadinkado and the flowers are from K & Co.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Floral Pillow Inspiration

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Farm Wild Card Wednesday Inspiration Challenge.  We were to take inspiration from the pillow above.  To mimic the flower, I used a Spellbinders pendant die.  I paired it with Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Chocolate Chip, and Basic Grey's mellow papers.  The image is Odette from The Greeting Farm.

Stuffed Cat

I made this card for a challenge at I Did It Creations.  We were to use only stickers on a card. This was really a challenge until I remembered I had this super cute stuffed cat sticker from Mrs. Grossman's.  Yes, it is a sticker!  In fact, I got it in the $1 bin at Michael's, so it was a great deal.  The cat facts background is also a sticker.  I cut out the papers, punched paws in the corner, applied the stickers, and done!  I think it was the fastest card I have ever made. 

Hit the Road

I made this card with the free Moosetracks Monday stamp from Paper Popsicles.  The image is of the car, but I thought it looked a little empty, so I added a lady and dog from a Stampin Up set.  Doesn't that dog look excited to go on vacation?  Boy my cats sure wouldn't be excited..  The background stamp is a retired stamp from Stampin Up called "Highways and Biways." I think it works perfectly with this image.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Floral Purse

I made this card for a 3-D Tuesday Challenge at Paper Craft Planet.  We were to make a 3-D item with a handmade "poofy" flower.  These "poofy" flowers seem to be very popular right now.  Most of the time when I see them, they are made with the Stampin Up scallop die.  I made my flower using the new Tim Holtz Sizzix die which allows you to make different size petals to add more depth to the flower.  The card with a purse-shaped card that my mother cut out with her Accucut die.  I ran the purse through a Sizzix embossing die for texture and made the fancy tag with a Spellbinders die.  The papers for the flowers and tag are from Basic Grey's Wisteria paper pad.

Welcome Little One

I made this card for two Sweet n Sassy challenges: a sketch challenge and a baby card challenge.  For this card I used the sweet image "Bella and Baby."  For the sketch challenge we were also to use something that is "fuzzy wuzzy."  Well, I consider a cute elephant and a little baby to each be fuzzy wuzzy, don't you?  This was a good challenge for me to do, as I rarely make baby cards and it is always nice to have some on hand. 

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Easter Egg Hunt

I made this card for three challenges: Shirley's 2 Girls, Create a scene with I Did It Creations, and a sketch challenge from Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I might as well combine all the challenges when I can. :)  For this card, I used Stampin Up's retired "Springtime Smiles." set.  I find that some of SU's best Easter sets are the retired ones.  I just love these bunnies and they do make me smile!  I used a Martha Stewart fench punch to create a scene of the bunnies hunting for Easter eggs in the yard.  I paper-pieced their outfits and made the flower with the newly released Tim Holtz Sizzix flower die.  The ribbon and designer series papers were from a previous SU sale-a bration.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Kokeshi Mommy

I made this card for two challenges on I Did It Creations: Asian-theme and paper piecing.  This was definately a challenge for me, as I have never made an Asian-themed card.  The main reason is that it is not really "my style."  The image from Digi Kitty is called Kokeshi Mommy.  I found a piece of Asian-style paper in my stash and developed my card around those colors.  I cut out the circle and branch silhouette with my Cricut.  Ribbon, flowers, and rhinestones completed the card.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Talk to the Butt

I made this card for a Squigglefly Digi Day challenge and the I Did It Creations sketch challenge.  This image from Squigglefly is called, "Talk to the Butt."  I just couldn't resist when I saw this digital stamp!  Having eight cats of my own, this is often the view I see.  This card is sure to be a "hit" with the cat lovers at the shelter where I volunteer.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Henrietta Hen

I made this card for Sweet n Sassy's Digi Day Challenge 10 on SNR Card Universe. If your aren't familiar with SNR Card Universe, check it out here.  The Sweet n Sassy group posts a weekly challenge and you can get a free digi download just for participating.  For this challenge, we were to make an Easter card.  I used Sweet n Sassy's "Henrietta" image for this card.  I received this image free when I played last week.  Henrietta was printed out, colored with Copic markers, and mounted on an egg I cut with my Cricut.  I ran the egg through a Cuttlebug embossing folder for texture and added interest.  Isn't she a sweet spring hen?

Forest Friends Deer

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Friday sketch challenge.  I decided to ink up the little deer from the Forest Friends set for the first time.  Isn't he a sweet little deer?  There are many deer in the city where I live and I enjoy watching them run, graze, and rest in the grass.  They are such noble creatures!  Anyway, all of the patterned papers are from K & Co's Greenhouse paper pad.  The blue paper is Baja Breeze from Stampin Up.  The deer was colored with Copic markers and ribbon, rhinestones, and a little butterfly made from a Martha Stewart punch finished off the card.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

"Out of the box" cards

The other day I posted a few cards made in the shape of a purse.  Today, I have two cards that feature a garden gate.  They were made with a garden gate die.  Sometimes it is fun to break out of the box and create cards that are something other than squares or rectangles.

The first card was made with the retired Stampin Up set , "The Gifts of Spring."  This is one of my favorite SU Easter sets.  The background paper is from Basic Grey's Wisteria paper pad.  Wouldn't it look cute to look out into your yard and see these three bunnies? 

This card features a free digi bunny from a newer digital stamp blog called Cocodingo.  The artist is a French-speaking Canadian, unless you speak French, you need to use the translate bar to translate her blog.  The background paper is from Basic Grey's Sugar Rush paper pad.  The butterflies and grass were cut with Martha Stewart punches.  I'm not a big Martha Stewart fan, but I do love her punches.  The easter basket is a pre-made embellishment that was given to me.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Star Ebony

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Wild Card Wednesday Challenge.  We were to make a card using some type of aperture.  I made a star-shaped aperture for Ebony.  I just love this new Ebony and her skull shirt.  It gave me a chance to use my skull-patterned Prima flowers and DCWV Rock Star Stack paper.  The stars were cut out with my Cricut machine.  This was a very fun challenge!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Easter Ebony

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Monday Mania Challenge.  It was an inspiration and alteration challenge.  For those of you familiar with TGF stamps, you might recognize that I used Ebony's head with Easter Anya's body.  Ebony is borrowing Anya's Easter dress and basket.  :)  Altering stamped images is always so much fun.  This card is similar to the "Vintage Hare" card I posted earlier today.  The purse-shaped die from Accucut is very versitile and makes a cute backdrop for a "scene-like" card.  The grass was made with a Martha Stewart border punch and the bunny was made with a Quickutz die.

Vintage Hare

I made this card for the Digi Kitty's Easter Card challenge.  The vintage hare and chick are digital stamps from Digi Kitty- http://www.thedigikitty.com/  I just love this hare!  The purse-shaped card was made with an Accucut die.  The scene was created with grass cut from a Martha Stewart border punch, Prima flowers, and the hare and the chick.  I can't wait until my grass turns green and my flowers start to grow.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Cheshire Cat

I made this card for a sketch challenge for Shirleys 2 Girls.  A bonus is that we got this cheshire cat as a free digital download.  I colored the cat with Copic markers and highlighted him with a spica pen.  I used glossy accents on his teeth.  I wanted to create a psychedelic effect, so I used brightly colored patterned papers and added a brightly colored mushroom image from The Greeting Farm.  I'm not sure if I'm thoroughly pleased with the end result, but it does look "Alice in Wonderland-like."  By the way, I went and saw the movie last weekend and it is definately a good one!

Hello Kitty

I recently broke down and bought a Cricut cutting machine.  I'm still trying to familiarize myself with the machine.  I borrowed the Hello Kitty cartridge from my mother and made these cards.  With this cartridge you can actually make the cards shaped like the kitty as shown in the second photo.  The other nice thing is that you can size them to fit into a standard envelope.  The cards are easy to make, but rather time consuming, as you have to cut out glue multiple layers.  I thought that Hello Kitty cards will sell well at the animal shelter, as she is loved by adults and children alike.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Romantic Ebony

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Monday Mania Challenge.  We were to use ribbon and lace on a card.  I found some decorative lace in my "stash" and designed my card from there.  I went with a romantic feel by using soft colors, pearls, and flowers, along with the ribbon and lace. The papers used are Chocolate Chip, cream, and Basic Grey's Bittersweet paper pad.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Say Good-Bye to Robyn's Fetish

I just started with the Robyn's Fetish Design Team two weeks ago and just found out this morning that they were forced to go out of business immediately.  Apparently, Robyn purchased the company from someone else and there was a liscensing dispute.  Wow, I'm shocked!  I was just getting started and really looking forward to working with those great people.  The I Did It Creations network that Robyn created will continue to stay open, but the online store and associated sites are gone. :(

I had created a card to for today's Robyn's Fetish challenge.  It was an inspiration challenge.  I can't post the inspiration photo now, but here is the card I made.

Friday, March 12, 2010

New papercrafting network

Robyn, from Robyn's Fetish, has just created a new papercrafting network called, I Did it Creations.  At this site, you can join groups, upload photos, chat with others, learn papercrafting techniques, among other things.  I encourage you to check it out and join if you would like.  http://www.ididitcreations.ning.com/

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Teacher Anya

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Wild Wednesday Challenge.  We were to use text print on a card.  I have been wanting to use my new Teacher Anya stamp.  We all know teachers love the printed word!  The apple paper is from Paper Studio.  The other papers used are Basic Black, Certain Celery, and Real Red.  The text paper is some ephemera paper I had in in my stash.  I used gingham ribbon and a chalkboard charm to complete the card.  This will be a great card to give to my son's teacher at the end of the school year. 

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Diva Ebony

I created this card for The Greeting Farm's Saturday Sketch Challenge 9.  I found this fun print paper from The Paper Studio that says "Diva, whatever, drama, etc."  I thought it would be appropriate for the diva Dressy Ebony.  The hot pink paper was run through a Cuttlebug floral embossing folder to complement the flower on the paper, the Prima flower, and the flower in Ebony's hair.  Ebony was colored with Copics and I added some sparkle to her hair and eyeshadow with a Spica pen (this does not show up in the photo.)  Doesn't she look like she's ready for a hot date?

Wacky Wednesday Freebie

  
Today is Wacky Wednesday Freebie day at Robyn's Fetish.  Go to Robyn's Fetish challenge blog here to get your free "Me and My Lollipop" digital image.  While you are there, you can view cards made by my fellow DT members using this image. 




For my card, to complement the girl's lollipop, I used paper with lollipops on it and made it look as if the girl is standing in a field of lollipops.  I colored her with Copic markers, cut her out, and mounted her on circles cut from Nestabilities dies.  To complete the card, I added ribbon, colored brads, and glitter on her lollipop.  Doesn't she look sweet?

Card recipe:
Stamps/Images= Me and My Lollipop by Robyn's Fetish, sentiment by Studio G
Paper= Yellow, SU Only Orange, SU Gable Green, DCWV The Sweet Stack
Ink= Black, Copic Markers
Accessories= Nestabilities dies, ribbon, brads, glitter  

Monday, March 8, 2010

Marvelous Monday Sticker Freebie from Robyn's Fetish

Every Monday, Robyn's Fetish offers a free digi sticker!  Today's sticker is a "green beer" sticker to use for your St. Patrick's Day cards and creations.  Because I am just getting started on the design team, I have not yet had a chance to use this sticker.  If you go to the Robyn's Fetish Challenge blog here you can download this free sticker and view the fabulous creations made by my fellow DT members.

Animal Shelter Benefit

People often ask what to do with all of the cards they make.  Well, I sell most of my cards to benefit the no-kill animal shelter, Save the Animals Foundation.  Yesterday was their annual Spaghetti Dinner fund-raiser and I sold 60 cards, 28 bookmarks, and a few other items!!  All the money goes directly to the animals!  In the two years I have been selling my items at their fundraisers, this is the most I have ever sold by far.  It's also exciting for me, because I widdled my card collection down to almost nothing, so now I can get busy creating more cards.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Alice and the Queen of Hearts

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Farm Fresh Friday Challenge: Down the Rabbit Hole.  To celebrate the release of the newest version of  "Alice in Wonderland" we were to make a card related to this theme.  Fortunately, The Greeting Farm just released the digital version of their retired Wonderland set.  The background was made with a Cuttlebug queen of hearts embossing folder.  When I got this embossing folder in a set I recently purchased, I thought to myself, "I will never use this."  Voila, it came in handy!!  I colored Alice and her rabbit with Copics then cut them out.  Heart-shaped Nestabilities, polka-dot flowers, a clock, and a playing card button completed the Alice in Wonderland scene.

Exciting design team news!!!

I am pleased to announce that I was just chosen as a new member of the Robyn's Fetish Design Team!!  I am so excited, as this is my first opportunity to serve on a Design Team.  Robyn's Fetish http://www.robynsfetish.com/shop sells a variety of digital stamp images.  In the next few days I will be adding all the links to their website and other DT members to my blog.  I'm anxious to get starting making new creations with their images.

Here is one card I just made with the "Felise Fancygirl" digital image from Robyn's Fetish. Doesn't she look like she's ready for Easter with her pretty dress? Felise was colored with Copics, cut out, then put on the egg shapes that I cut with my Cricut. The light green egg was embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The papers used are SU Rose Red, Lime Squeeze by Mark's Finest Papers, and Basic Grey's Lemonade Paper Pad. A "Happy Spring" sentiment by Mark's Finest Papers, ribbon, and an egg charm complete the card.

Hey Dude

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Wild Card Wednesday Challenge: Mix It Up.  We were to make a card using five different patterned papers.  That is quite a challenge!  For this card I used five papers from Basic Grey's Recess Paper Pad.  The other papers used were SU's Soft Suede and Blue Bayou.  I colored Ian with Copics and mounted him on a cylinder shape I cut with my Cricut.  Anyone who has recently spent time around younger kids, knows that the word "dude" is used all of the time.  My 10-year old son and his friends constantly use the word.  I even hear young girls calling each other dude.  I thought this card would be appropriate for my son to give to one of his dude friends for their birthday.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Swimming Kitty???

I made this ATC for an ATC swap called "Under the Sea."  I love incorporating cats into my ATC's whenever I can.  The cat image is from Great Impressions.  When I saw this stamp last year, I knew I had to have it!  I stamped the cat, colored it with Copic markers, then created a port-hole effect by covering it with blue paper with a black "port-hole.  I ran the blue paper through a cuttlebug folder.  The sentiment is from Stamping Bella.  How appropriate for a swimming cat!  I added seaweed made from a Marth Stewart punch and a pearl to complete the scene.

SC270 Curious Kitty

I made this card for Splitcoaststampers SC270.  This card underwent many changes before I finally finished it.  I had originally designed it to be used with another image and to incorporate another challenge.  Well, I couldn't get it all to "work", so this is what I came up with.  It's not my favorite card, but it works for SC270.  The cat and sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers.  The cat-themed papers are from DCWV The Pet's Stack.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Anya is Seeing Spots

I made this card for The Greeting Farm's Monday Mania- Trish's Spots.  We were to make a card with spotted paper and at least three circles.  I chose to use Showtime Anya and make it look as though she is in a three-ring circus.  I used four circles, three spotted papers, and two spotted flowers. 

Vintage Easter

I made this card from this week's Digital Two for Tuesday Challenge.  The image was taken from a 1929's magazine.  I decided to make an Easter card to give to my neices.  The background "quilt" was made by punching 1 1/4 inch squares of checked paper then adhering them to another paper.  I then ran it through the Sizzix top notch die to add the shape.  The background papers are Certain Celery and So Saffron, and the images are colored with Copic markers.  I added ribbon, a flower, half pearls, and a sentiment to complete the card.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Blues and Greens- Color Challenge

I made this card for the Hand Stamped Sentiments color challenge: HSSSC5.  For this challenge we were to use: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Glorious Green, and Old Olive.  That is a lot of colors to incorporate into one card!  For this card I used the retired SU set Garden Silhouettes.  I stamped two of the plants in Kiwi Kiss and one in Old Olive.  I don't care for Glorious Green so, I used it to stamp the sentiment.  Using Martha Stewart punches, I cut out different sized butterflies in Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, and Not Quite Navy.  I love Kiwi Kiss, so I used that for the background color and one of the ribbons.  I also added Chocolate Chip paper and ribbon for contrast.  I hope I did this color challenge justice...  For more details on this and other challenges, visit: http://www.handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com/