Wildly Cute Giraffe

     Are you all ready for some cuteness to start your week out with?  Giraffe's are my fave wild animal and Art Impressions has come out with a series of four baby animal stamps called Zoo Babies.  I'm going to share the cards I made for their new catalog.  This one is called "Wildly Cute".

     Art Impressions normally gives their retail distributors first dibs at selling their stamps so they won't be in the actual AI store til November but you can find them now at online stores like Simon Says Stamp and Oozak.

     I created the background using a stencil and distress inks.  Here's what it looked like before I toned it down a bit with the vellum.

     Hope this cutie brought a smile to your face today.
     Be blessed!

Supplies:
Paper--Georgia Pacific, Bazzill, Recollections, The Paper Studio vellum, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamps--Art Impressions "Zoo Babies--Wildly Cute"
Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo and Wild Honey Distress inks

Copics Used:

Giraffe body E35, Y21, YR20, YR21, YR23, YR24

Giraffe spots E31, E33, E35

Giraffe horns and feet E71, E74, E79

bow R35, R37, R39, R43

Tools--Plaid Pebble Background Stencil, sewing machine
Miscellaneous--Ranger gold embossing powder, My Craft Spot jute twine, buttons from my stash,, Wink of Stella Clear Glitter pen

Watercolor blooms

It's Bellarific Friday!!!!  Last weeks challenge was to use this sketch.

     It's perfect for a CAS card.  I went through several ideas before I came up with this design.  I embossed the top panel with a striped embossing folder and popped it up on foam dots.  For the image I stamped Flower Garden with Versamark onto some watercolor paper and then embossed it in gold.  I used Aged Mahogany and Peeled Paint Distress inks to paint the image.  For the sentiment I die cut the word Thanks four times and glued them together for some body and them embossed with the same gold.  A few sequins to add a little bling and voila'!

     I really enjoy the look of watercolor and hope to play with it some more.

     If you haven't visited the Blogabella blog lately you really need to.  Em is debuting a ton of new stamps and she's been giving some sneak peeks.  AMAZING stuff!  I have a couple of cards to share myself so be on the look out.  If you like the Townies you definitely need to come back.

     Okay, so the new challenge is.....

1 image, 2 embellies, and 3 papers

     A recipe for fun!  Thanks for stopping by!

     Be blessed!

Supplies:
Paper--Recollections, Strathmore 140 lb cold press watercolor paper
Stamp--Stamping Bella "Flower Garden"
Ink--Versamark, Aged Mahogany and Peeled Paint Distress inks
Tools--The Paper Studio A2 Stripes embossing folder, Simon Says Stamp Thanks die, Quickutz Nesting Circles, Marvy Uchida heat gun
Miscellaneous--Ranger gold embossing powder, sequins from my stash

Pacaderm love

     Second Thursday of the month and time for a new challenge at Mo's Digital Pencil.  Our fearless leader Pat has given us the challenge of "CAS".  I am as slow as Christmas when it comes to card making, but this one came together in a snap.  I think the "I Forgot" ellie is so sweet.  I colored it with Copics and then a little bit of Prismas.  The sketch is from Retro Sketches.

Copics Used:

elephant W1, W3, W5, E000, E00, E93

flower YG95, YG03, Y11, Y21, YR23, YR68

grounding E41, E42, E43, E47

     CAS is easy peasy so come play along this week at Mo's.  We've changed things up a bit for this week.  Here's what the prize will be--a set of clear stamps!

     Be blessed!

Supplies:
Papers--My Mind's Eye "Lost and Found 2--Breeze", Recollections, Bazzill, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamps--Mo's Digital Pencil "I Forgot", sentiment from Verve Stamps "Take Note"
Ink:  Prismacolor Pencils and OMS
Tools--EK Success Corner Rounder, Perfect Paper Crafting Mini Perfect Layers Tool
Miscellaneous--Kraft Outlet Hang Tag String, buttons from my stash

Hello Autumn

     Happy Wednesday everyone!  Today I'm sharing the last card I have made as Guest Designer for Creative Inspirations Challenge blog.  It's been wonderful playing along with the DT.  A big thanks to Rene for asking me and Natalie for letting me.  LOL

     This weeks theme is "Autumn Colors" and the sponsor is Crafts U Love.

     I've used an adorable Tiddly Inks image on my card and the sketch from Sweet Sunday Sketch.

Copics Used:

skin E000, E00, E11, E13, R20, R22, R30

hair E51, E53, E55, E57

hat, dress, and shoes Y11, Y21, YR21, YR23, R35, R37,

R39, E39, E95, E97, E08, BG11, BG72, BG75

flowers E93, E95, E97

shading BG000, WI, W3, W5

     See you tomorrow with my post for Mo's Digital Pencil.

     Be blessed!

Supplies:
Paper--Simple Stories "Harvest Lane", Bazzill, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamps--Tiddly Inks "Sunshine Annabelle", sentiment from Verve Stamps "Take Note"
Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black, Sakura White gel pen
Tools--Perfect Paper Crafting Mini Perfect Layers Tool, Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Sentiment Flag
Miscellaneous:  Wink of Stella Clear Glitter pen

Giveaway winners

     Hi all!  So sorry to be posting the winners late.  Life has been keeping me busy.  LOL

     Unfortunately my first giveaway winner did not claim their prize so I have redrawn and the winner is:

Giveaway #1 Redraw

Sabrina Radican

Congratulations Sabrina!

     The winner of Giveaway #2 is:

Giveaway #2

Denise Bryant

Congratulation Denise!

     If you ladies will please drop me an email I'll get those stamps in the mail to you.

     Have a blessed day!

It's a Giveaway #2

     A huge thanks to everyone who joined in my fun last week.  I see there are several of you who like Halloween.
     I've let Random Number Generator choose the winner and that winner is.......

#23  Sandy W.

Congratulations Sandy!

     Please send me an email with your address via my email address in the sidebar and I'll get your package out to you.

Now, on to giveaway #2.  I have some more There She Goes stamps up for grabs along with the matching dies.

JFY:  Halloween Additions

Just For You Dies

     Sames rules as last time.

     I would love for you to be a follower of my blog, my Facebook page, and my Pinterest page, but that is NOT a requirement.  You can also share my candy in your sidebars if you'd like.
     So, if you're into Halloween and would like a chance to win some cute stamps just add your name in the Linky below.  I'll pick a winner next Sunday.

     Be blessed!

Snowflake fun

Hi all!  I'm back with my third card as Guest Designer for Creative Inspirations Challenge.

     This weeks challenge is "Going Dotty" and our wonderful sponsor is Time 4 Tea Designs.  I've used their adorable "Catching Snowflakes" on my card.  I have some dotty green paper on there, but I also used my favorite dotty stamp to add some falling snow to the two green panels and the main image.  I get questions about this stamp all the time.  I don't think it's in current production but you can find it sometimes on EBay.  It's a wood mount red rubber stamp.

Copics Used:

skin E000, E00, E11, E13, R20, R22, R30

hair E33, E35, YR23, Y21

clothing R35, R37, R39, R43, YG17, YG63, YG67, C00, C2, C4

boots N3, N5, N7, N9

     Here's a peek at how I finished off the inside.

     Hope you'll pop on over to the Creative Inspirations Challenge blog and join in all the "dotty" fun.

     Be blessed!

Supplies:
Paper--Making Memories "Believe", Recollections, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamps--Time 4 Tea Designs "Catching Snowflakes", sentiment from Hero Arts, All Night Media dotty stamp
Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark
Tools--Memory Box Precious Snowflakes die, Marvy Uchida heat gun
Miscellaneous--Stardust Stickles, Liquid Applique, Stampendous white embossing powder

Inspirations!!!!!!!

     Hello all my bloggie friends.  It's the start of a new week and I'm starting it out with a little bit of fun.  I never would have imagined meeting the people that I have met online when I first started crafting and sharing on the "wild" web.  A wonderful mix of crafty friends from around the world.  We've crossed paths through YouTube, DT's, challenge blogs, and mutual friends.
     One of these wonderful people is named Katie Sims.  I met Katie through Splitcoast Stampers.  I LOVE humor and I was drawn in by both the amazing card making skills and the silly banter between Katie and the wonderful Pat Smethers.  Their hilarious stories of "Jammer Town" (the fictional place where crafters are right at home crafting away in their jammies) had me howling with laughter.  Both ladies have a special place in my heart.
     Recently Katie featured me on her blog as someone who inspires her in card making.  This is totally crazy because Katie's and my style are polar opposite.  This lady has some super duper cardmaking skills and if you've never checked out her work RUN over to her blog, Inky Peach Designs and see what I'm talking about.

     Katie designs for Marcella Hawley's amazing Power Poppy Bloom Brigade.  Her designs are always imaginative, classy, elegant, and neat as a pin.  I wish I had her know how when it comes to choosing dies for her designs.  She has an addiction to her Krylon Gold Leafing pen and knows how to wield it with the expertise of a master.

     I'm so honored to have been chosen by Katie.  Thanks Katie Girl!

     So now I get the chance to tell you a little bit about myself and to also pass along this honor to a couple of amazing ladies who inspire me.

     Here are a few questions Katie asked me to answer:

1.  What am I working on? LOL  Well it may sound silly, but I have had a SERIOUS housecleaning bug for a while now and that's where I've been spending the majority of my time.  Don't know if it's my age or what but I want to de-clutter and make my home as simple to clean as possible.  This isn't all that easy when you live in a cracker box, but I'm working on it.  As far as my crafting, I am currently on the Design Teams for Mo's Digital Pencil, where I share coordinator responsibilities with the lovely Pat Frank, and I'm one of the Stamping Bella Babes for Emily Block.  I'm also blessed to be a Guest Designer for Art Impressions creating cards from their stamps that will be used in their catalogs and as displays at crafting trade fairs like CHA.

2.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?  That would be hard to say because I don't think I have a genre.  There are several different styles that appeal to me, but I wouldn't say I necessarily fit into any one of them.  I can't quite get into piling on tons of flowers and embellishments.  I like a plainer layout.  I do tend to like to make my own embellishments by using flower dies and such rather than store bought.  I would love to develop a "recognizable" style of my own, but I haven't found it yet.  LOL

3.  Why do I create what I do?  I have always loved working with paper.  There's just something about manipulating it into art that relaxes me.  I'd like to think that the handmade cards I give away are received with an understanding that I thought they were worth the special effort to make it for them personally.  I love scrapbooking too, but the time element frustrates me.  I'm not a fast crafter and cards give a more instant gratification to my crafting needs.

4.  How does your creative process work?  LOL  I guess I'm a bit OCD, but I like my images to match my papers as much as possible.  Most of the time I'll start by coloring the skin and hair on my image and maybe an animal if there is one, but the clothing and extras will have to wait til I pick out the papers.  Then I color to match.  Sometimes I come up with my own designs, but most of the time I search some of my favorite challenge blogs that use sketches for my pattern.

     Now it's my turn to share a couple of crafty friend with you that inspire me.  My list is a mile long and continues to grow.  Some are team mates and long time bloggie friends, others are crafters I admire from afar.  I learn something new every day just by opening my blog reader.  These two ladies never disappoint me.  Let me introduce you to......

Anja Bytyqi :  Little Butterfly Creations  

I've really watched this beautiful ladies' style grow over the last year.  She has become quite the accomplished stamper not to mention a talented card designer too.  Recently she participated in one of the online card classes and her "homework" just blew me away.  Anja has a wonderful grasp of color and uses that to advantage in both her stamping skills and other ways like stencils.  Every time I visit her I find myself wanting to add some new something to my shopping list--embossing powder, a stamp set, paper, dies.....  The list goes on.  She's a terrible enabler.  LOL  She's not just a stamper though, she has some serious pencil and Copic skills.  I really like to see neatness in cardmaking.  I'm pretty particular about my own and I enjoy seeing it in the work of others.  Anja is a perfect example.  Beautifully balanced cards that show the care she has taken with her design.  This sweet lady has been a wonderful encouragement to me.

Ros Crawford:  Mikey's Mom

Ros and I became friends way back when I was on my very first DT, Papercraft Star.  She was a frequent player and we ended up recruiting her for the team.  As a person she has a deep love for her family and a fondness for cats with attitudes.  LOL  As a crafter Ros is always inspiring me with her creations.  I don't think I know any other crafter who builds their cards like her.  It always seems like each and every bit and piece has a life of it's own.  She knows where it came from, who gave it to her, or what it was leftover from.  She brings them all together to make a piece of art that is heart felt and personal in a unique way.  Subtle muted colors and lovely butterflies are staples in her arsenal.  She's starting to experiment with some mixed media now with her wonderful free style and I am in total envy.  I see the little pieces of her heart that she puts into every card she makes and I can't help but be inspired.

     I want to thank Katie for allowing me to participate in this little adventure.  I was honored to be one of her choices and I am honored to be able to spotlight a couple of ladies who are true artists and wonderful friends.  I sure hope you will make the time to go and visit their blogs.  It will be a high spot in your day.

It's a Giveaway!---#1

     Hello all my bloggie friends!  It's been quite a while since I did a giveaway.  September is rolling on along and pretty soon it will be October.  I'm not into Halloween, but I know lots of you are.  I have a few stamp sets that are gathering dust in my crafty closet that I thought some of you might like to have.  All these sets are from There She Goes Clear Stamps which is no longer producing stamps.  You might find one of these for sale on Ebay or somewhere like that, but I think they're harder to find than a needle in a haystack.
     I have divided the sets up into three separate giveaways.  I'll post them one at a time over the next three Sundays.  Here's the first giveaway.

Bewitched by You

AND

Toadally Awesome

     Sorry about the bad pictures.  The packaging plays havoc with the light.  Both sets are VERY lightly used.  There's a bit of ink staining on the "Thanks" sentiment in the second set, but otherwise they are like new in their original packaging.
     I would love for you to be a follower of my blog, my Facebook page, and my Pinterest page, but that is NOT a requirement.  You can also share my candy in your sidebars if you'd like.
     So, if you're into Halloween and would like a chance to win some cute stamps just add your name in the Linky below.  I'll pick a winner next Sunday.
     Have a great week!

Giveaway is now closed

A sad goodbye

     I am so heavy hearted today.  My wonderful friend and team mate, Amanda Reed, has passed away unexpectedly.  Amanda and I got to be friends before she joined the Mo's Digital Pencil team with me.  She was such a talented artist.  Not only talented, but a wonderful friend.  She was a tremendous help to me during my health issues.  She was a nurse and played doctor for me with lots of great advice an encouragement to go along with what my own docs were telling me.  I was so thrilled for her back in the spring when she got to take her dream trip to England.  Amanda didn't have any children, but she does leave behind her husband and her cat babies.

     My sweet friend Alyce Keegan had also become very be close friends with Amanda.  She has set up a fundraiser with the proceeds to go to Amanda's husband Joe.  You can find it here.

     Today is Bellarific Friday and I am dedicating my card using Ramona and Her Wagon to my cherished friend.  Amanda was a member of the Stamping Bella DT before my time.  She was special in so many ways.  I'm going to miss her dearly.

Copics Used:

skin E000, E00, E11

hair Y11, YR21, YR23

jacket BG93, BG96

skirt B0000, B93, B95, B97

pants E41, E42, E43, R37

shoes N3, N5, N7

wagon E35, E37, E39

flowers Y15, YR68, E09, E93, E95, E97

bird B0000, B21, B24

grounding W1, W3, W5

     You can find the wonderful cards my fella Bellas have created over at Blogabella.  Hext week's challenge is this cool color inspiration.

     Grab some of your Stamping Bella goodies and join in the fun!

     Have a blessed day!

Supplies:
Paper--My Mind's Eye "Sunny", Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamps--Stamping Bella "Ramona and Her Wagon", Verve Stamps "Take Note"
Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools--My Craft Spot "Tiny Banners and Toppers"
Miscellaneous--My Craft Spot Jute Twine

Crunchy Leaves

     Temps are only slightly lower here on the coast, but the leaves are starting to fall in bucketfuls.  This week at Mo's Digital Pencil our wonderful Amanda R. has picked the perfectly timed theme of "Fall/Autumn" for the new challenge.

     I've used one of the images in the double digi set Valerie in Autumn to create my card.  You can't really see it but I added a little Crackle Accents to the leaves around Valerie.  The two large leaves were cut from kraft paper and then inked with Distress inks.  Lastly I stamped them with a Stampendous stamp to add the "crunchy" look.

Copics Used:

skin E000, E00, E11, E13

hair N5

jacket BG1, BG53, BG72, BG75

dress/boots E08, E93, E95, E97, R27

leggings YG03, YG93, YG95, R27

leaves E08, E09, E23, E25, E93, E97, Y11, Y21, Y26

     Pop over to the blog to see all the wonderful cards my team mates have created and come play along with the challenge for your chance at a $5.00 gift voucher to Mo's store.
     Happy Thursday!

Supplies:
Paper--Ki Memories by Hampton Arts "Autumn Flowers", Bazzill, The Paper Studio vellum, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamps--Mo's Digital Pencil "Valerie in Autumn", There She Goes Clear Stamps "Give Thanks", Stampendous "Crumpled Edge Border"
Ink--Ranger Jet Black Archival, Vintage Photo, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, and Mowed Lawn Distress inks, Versafine Vintage Sepia, Sakura gold gel pen
Tools--Quickutz Nesting Circles, MFT Die-namics Fishtail Flags Stax, Cuttlebug Leaves, sewing machine, Bow Easy
Miscellaneous--buttons from my stash, Offray ribbon, The Paper Studio pearls, Crackle Accents, Wink of Stella Clear Glitter pen

A meow meow woof woof cluck cluck here

     Happy Wednesday everyone!  I'm back with my second card as Guest Designer for Creative Inspirations Challenge.

This weeks sponsor is Robyn's Fetish so I've used their adorable "Friends Forever" image on my card.  I just love these critter friends.  The challenge is "Anything Goes with a sketch option".

     I'm thinking that these three are actually singing something.  I wonder what it could be?  :-)  Maybe a little Taylor Swift Shake It Off???? I mean they have to have haters saying they shouldn't be hanging out together don't ya think.  LOL  Okay it's late and I'm being silly, just shake it off.  hee hee

Copics Used:

dog  E31, E33, E35, E000, E93, BG53, BG72

cat C00, C2, C4, C6, C8, E000, E93, E95, R22

chicken E08, E31, E93, E95, E97, Y11, Y21, YR21, TR23, YR24

grounding YG03, YG93, YG95, YG97, E41, E42, E43

     All kidding aside, the ladies at Creative Inspirations would love to have you come join in the challenge this week.  This sketch is super fun to work with with all those layers in there if you choose to use it.
     Have an awesome day!

Supplies:
Paper--My Mind's Eye "Handsome Boy", Bazzill, Copic XPress-it BLending card
Stamps--Robyn's Fetish "Friends Forever", sentiment from TPC Studios "Greetings"
Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Sakura silver gel pen
Tools--Memory Box Fabulous Phlox dies
Miscellaneous--My Craft Spot jute twine, button from my stash, The Paper Studio pearls, Zing clear embossing powder

Playing with embossing paste

     Hello friends!

     Today I have a little tutorial for you that I will be sharing over at Bella and Bronte's Clubhouse on FB.  It's super simple and probably something that you've seen a million times, but Mo has SOOOO many cute images with cakes and cupcakes on them that you could easily apply this technique to and spice up your card a bit.

     I'm starting with the adorable Cupcake Hamster and coloring him/her with Copics.

Copics Used:

hamster E31, E33, E35, E93, E95

cupcake Y11, Y21, YR21, YR23

cupcake liner BG000, BG01, BG02, BG05

Once I finished coloring my image I decided what color "icing" I wanted for my cupcake and grabbed some Worn Lipstick Distress ink, embossing paste, and a palette knife.

     I gave my Distress ink pad a good smoosh on my craft sheet and then added a scoop of embossing paste to it.  (This was a bigger scoop than was needed).

Begin working the ink and paste together until you get..............

     THIS!  Doesn't it look like the most delicious decadent icing!

     I applied most of it with the palette knife and then used a toothpick to get into the nooks and crannies.

     The image has sprinkles on it and I decided to add those with some dots of gold paint.  You could use beads (I couldn't find mine), sequins, pearls or whatever to decorate your cupcake or even just leave it plain.  I just love the added texture and how real it looks.

     And here's my finished card.  A CAS design with a bit of washi tape and a few sequins to bling it up.

     Hope you enjoyed the tute.  Nothing earth shattering, but maybe it will inspire you to add a bit of texture for fun next time you use one of Mo's cake/cupcake images.

     Have an awesome day!

Supplies:
Paper--Copic XPress-it Blending card, Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Stamps--Mo's Digital Pencil "Cupcake Hamster", sentiment from There She Goes Clear Stamps "A Little Treat"
Ink--Worn Lipstick Distress ink
Miscellaneous--Wendy Vecchi embossing paste, Polymark Medium Gold Fabric paint, washi tape, sequins