Kitty Valentine Love

If you’ve read my blog recently, you know I’ve become a ‘bit’ obsessed with Mo Manning’s artwork. Her images just make me happy! I’m a bit of a lazy and disorganized stamper (will I ever have my studio set up?), and have found that printing out a page of digital images is wonderful for my creative process. I keep a stash of images in the same bin as my Copics. Whenever I have a few moments I’ll color one so it’s ready for a card another day. I still love my inks and rubber, but some days it’s just one more thing to have to bring out (and put back). This card was pretty quick and simple to make. I recently bought a Cuttlebug and this was my first whirl with the cute, green, sweetie. I have the Wizard system, but am just not coordinated when it comes to the ratchet system. I found the Cuttlebug so easy to use with my nesties. I guess the space on my table for ink/stamps will now be filled by my bug. :)

Sketch Inspiration ~ Sweet Sketch Wednesday #34

Color Inspiration

Mo’s Digital Pencil Challenge 16 ~ Shades of Grey

I veered a ‘tish’ from the color challenge by adding my pop of red. I made this for a friend who LOVES black and red together.

Inspiration

ANIMALS: I’m a kitty mom and will always lean towards feline four legged babies.

Basic Grey Challenge Week 12 ~ Animals; Cupcake Craft Challenge #76 ~ Four Legged & Furry

HEARTS: The Cuttlebug made cutting out my hearts so simple, I couldn’t stop! There are 17 hearts total (inside and out and including mats). I usually color my kitty noses/ears pink, but opted for read. The Stamp Simply challenge of bleeding hearts is maybe taken a bit too far, how about bleeding ears?

Little Red Wagon #13 ~ Hearts; Stamp Simply #124 ~ Bleeding Hearts; Hand Full of Stamps #14 ~ I Give You My Heart

LOVE: Sweet kitties in love will be perfect for a Valentine, Wedding, Anniversary or just I LOVE YOU sweetie.

Bee Crafty #23 ~ Romance with Digi; Corrosive Challenge #49 ~ All You Need is Love; Paper Popsicles Challenge ~ Love; 365 Cards Day 339 ~ Love is In the Air

Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52B by Betty ~ Cut it out and POP it UP

I cut out my image as close as I could to the ‘fur’ and popped it up on dimensionals. The background hearts are all cut out on my Cuttlebug.

Your Next Stamp Challenge #8 ~ Sparkles

It’s really hard to see, but the kitty ears and noses are sparkly red and the sentiment in the bottom corner is all rhinestones. I found them in the clearance wedding section at Michaels for a few bucks. TWENTY rhinestone ‘love’ words that were packaged to sell as wedding invitation seals. The letters aren’t connected, so I can use them individually or just cut each gem apart with a craft knife. This was my steal of the day!

365 Cards Day 332 ~ 3 R’s (Red, Rhinestone, Rick Rack)

My Creation

Image Detail

Are the red ears too weird? They actually kind of orange in this photo.

Inside

INS AND OUTS ~ Kitty Valentine Love
Stamps: Cat Love (Mo Manning Digital Image)
Paper: Basic Grey Ambrosia Pad, DCWV Embossed Card Base
Ink: Copics (C00, 1, 3, 5, 7); Spicas (Red, Clear); SU Pastels (Black, Grey)
Accessories: Misc Ribbon, Rhinestone, Nestabilities Hearts and Scalloped Hearts, Cuttlebug
Challenges:
Sweet Sketch Wednesday #34
Mo’s Digital Pencil Challenge 16
Basic Grey Challenge Week 12
Little Red Wagon #13
Stamp Simply #124
Hand Full of Stamps #14
Bee Crafty #23
Corrosive Challenge #49
Cupcake Craft Challenge #76
365 Cards Day 332
Your Next Stamp Challenge #8
Paper Popsicles Challenge
Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52B
365 Cards Day 339 ~ Love is In the Air

Office Party Crew

Yesterday was my boss’s birthday and we are all going out this afternoon for our holiday outing. I’d made the Christmas cards months ago and realized I didn’t have a birthday card for him. The card came together quickly and easily with the great inspiration I found from three challenges.

Sketch Inspiration ~ CPS Card Sketches #150

Color Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 317 ~ Crazy Eight (use 8 colors)

Inspiration ~ Simon Says Challenge ~ Punch It

My Creation

Image Detail

INS AND OUTS ~ Office Party Crew
Stamps: Dustin Pike Digi Image
Paper: DCWV (Rockstar, Metallic), Neenah Classic White
Ink: Copics, Spicas, Gold Marker
Accessories: Creative Memories Star Punches, Pop Up Dots
Challenges:
CPS Card Sketches #150
365 Cards Day 317 ~ Crazy Eight (use 8 colors)
Simon Says Challenge ~ Punch It

Button Celebration

I printed off several sheets of Dustin Pike’s images when I was caring for my mom last fall. I didn’t have the chance to play with them until recently. Most of the papers were from my stash and the card helped me use SEVEN buttons. Hmm, I can’t even see a dent in my button bucket. I have a long way to go to use up current supplies.

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 323 ~ Super Sketchy Sunday

I rotated the sketch for my card.

Inspiration ~ SophistiCat Challenge #18 ~ Spring

Bright colors and cheery yellow flowers seem Spring-like to me.

My Creation

Image Detail

I started coloring with SU markers and switched to Copics. This isn’t my usually paper and I wasn’t sure how it would work. The Copics actually worked best.

Inside of Card

I had this daisy die cut floating in the scrap bucket. It was the perfect compliment to the button flower on the front of the card.

INS AND OUTS ~ Button Celebration
Stamps: Dustin Pike Digital Image
Paper: DCWV (Indian Summer), Strathmore White
Ink: Copics, SU Markers and Spicas, Memento Rosebud
Accessories: Buttons, Daisy Heads Die (SpellBinders)
Challenges:
365 Cards Day 323 ~ Super Sketchy Sunday
SophistiCat Challenge #18 ~ Spring

"Bear"ing Spring Flowers

I’m doing a fairly good job of working with only images I’ve already stamped/printed and supplied within arm’s reach of my workspace. One of my main goals for 2010 is to really get organized in my crafting and USE what I have. I can’t go into any craft store (or aisle in a regular store) without finding things I have to get. Especially if it’s a good deal. I’m trying to limit my spending to quickly consumable items (adhesives mostly). I have more than enough paper, stamps, inks and embellishments). I kept this card somewhat generic so I can use it for a variety of occasions ~ birthday, love, thank you; it can fit many occasions.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Card Patterns Sketch #47

Color Inspiration ~ Charisma Cardz #3 ~ Fruity Colors

My Creation

Image Detail

I really Spica’d my image up (so hard to show in photos).

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ Bearing Spring Flowers
Stamps: Dustin Pike Digital Image
Paper: DCWV (Sweet Stack), Strathmore White
Ink: Copics (E30, 31; Y15, 17; G24; B21, 95; R81), Spicas (Chocolate, Buttermilk, Black, Sky Blue, Olive, Blossom)
Challenges:
Card Patterns Sketch #47
Charisma Cardz #3 ~ Fruity Colors

You Are Loved

Love is certainly in the air and popping up on the challenge blogs. I might be able to get a head start on Valentine Cards this year. I flipped the Crazy 4 Challenges sketch a bit to better fit with my lovey elephant. He looks like a guy who was just knocked over by cupid's bow and is now head over heels in love. You can play with the image too by hopping over to Dustin Pike's blog. Check the Ins and Outs below for the direct link.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Crazy 4 Challenges ~ Sketch

Inspiration

Doodle Dragon Studios Challenge #1 ~ Love

SO excited to participate in Dustin's first challenge. The only requirements are to use one of his images and follow the theme. I might actually get to play with the HUGE file of images I bought from him. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Crafty Creations Challenge #51 ~ Valentines/Love

My Creation

Image Detail

INS AND OUTS ~ You Are Loved
Stamps: Dustin Pike Elephant Love (January 14, 2010 freebie)
Paper: Neenah Classic White, Me & My Big Ideas (A Kid Like Me Pad), Deja View
Ink: Copics (RV000, 21; C00, 1, 3, 5); Spicas (Blossom, Clear, Black, Silver); White Gel Pen
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Deja Views Clear Cut Shapes (Baby Boy)
Challenges:
Crazy 4 Challenges ~ Sketch
Doodle Dragon Studios Challenge #1 ~ Love
Crafty Creations Challenge #51 ~ Valentines/Love

Dragon Birthday Cake

I bought some Dustin Pike digi stamps several months ago, and love seeing his work spread across blog land. A great bonus is that he treats readers to a freebie once a week (see the link in the Ins and Outs). I need a card for my father-in-law's birthday tomorrow and finally had the chance to play with Dustin's images. He’s also started his own challenge blog. Join in the fun and explore digi stamps!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

Inspiration

KL Stamping & Scrapping Blog Challenge 313 ~ Appreciate a Dragon Day

365 Cards Day 325 ~ Imagine This: Chocolate

My Creation

Image Detail

INS AND OUTS ~ Dragon Birthday Cake
Stamps: Dustin Pike Dragon Cake (January 6, 2010 Freebie)
Paper: Neenah Classic White, DCWV (Shimmer, Indian Summer), The Paper Studio
Ink: Copics (E25, 29; YR04, 31; R27, 29; YG11. 13, 23; W1); Spicas (Mint, Melon, Gold, Chocolate, Lemon, Orange, Lipstick, Pitch Black); White Gel Pen
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Misc Button
Challenges:
Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge
KL Stamping & Scrapping Blog Challenge 313 ~ Appreciate a Dragon Day
365 Cards Day 325 ~ Imagine This: Chocolate

Thank You Tess

Wahoo, I'm all caught up with my Stampin Up card kits!! I may still add something in Tess's hand, but I couldn't find anything within grabbing distance of my workspace that would work. If not, I'll just pretend she's practicing her pageant wave. :o)

Sketch Inspiration ~ Get Sketchy #21

Color Inspiration

All Sorts Challenge #35 ~ Brown & Pink

My Creation

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ Thank You Tess
Stamps: SU Tote-ally Tess
Paper: SU, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses
Ink: SU, Spicas (Chocolate, Red)
Accessories: SU Ribbon
Challenges:
Get Sketchy #21
All Sorts Challenge #35 ~ Brown & Pink