Monday, August 9, 2010

One Stop Craft DT Card ~ Summer Fun

There’s a new challenge over at One Stop Crafts this week from the awesome Lindsey. She’s challenging us to think ‘Summer Fun’. With the heat waves we’ve had in my corner of the world, it’s not hard to think summer. I’m not much of a heat person, so I had to try and cool down with a waterey summer card. I love this cute mermaid from Elizabeth Dulemba. She has LOTS of FREEBIE images. She creates them as coloring pages for kids, but they work PERFECTLY for card making and other paper crafts.

I hope you can play along. Link up your card at the OSC Challenge Blog and you could win an awesome prize from Dew Dropz. Thanks for rocking our Pattern Challenge last week. We had 232 participants ~ and they all rocked it!

Sketch Inspiration
Truly Scrumptious Challenge #38: Sketch plus added challenge of Golden Oldie (use a stamp that’s been neglected) I rotated the sketch and cut out my ‘wavy’ DP, but the image covered most of my waves. Oops. I’ve been ‘collecting’ Dulemba images for over a year and seldom get to play with them.

Color Inspiration
365 Cards Day 162 ~ Color Scheme
I focused mostly on the orange and blue from the combo. The green is picked up on the HB embellishment and the flowered DP. I tried to give my mermaid auburn tresses which is how I read the first color. Black was used as the plain image and as the flourish inside the card.

Inspiration

Image Details


Inside

Ins and Outs ~ One Stop Craft DT Card ~ Summer Fun
Stamps: Elizabeth Dulemba Mermaid
Paper: SU Whisper White, The Paper Studio – A Day at the Beach

Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (R20; E15, 21, 50; BG10, 13, 45); Spicas (Chocolate, Turquoise); Gelly Roll Clear Star; Uniball White Gel Pen

Accessories: Me and My Big Ideas Ribbon and Embellishment, misc gems, SRM sticker (inside verse)

Pink Birthday Fairy

Here’s the second of my Karen Doodle’s fairy cards. I’m not sure which card will go to each special little girl, but will figure it out soon. One of the youngsters LOVES pink, so this will probably be her card. I had fun feathering different Copic colors together on the petals of her dress and hair ties. It turned out to be a really cool effect.

365 Cards Day 138 ~ Create Your Own
Pam gave us a mix and match recipe with multiple options. From the A, B, C, D lists we were to pick one of each. Listed are my choices, click on the link to see the full challenge and JOIN in if you are up to it.
A - Pick a Pattern ~ Gingham
B - Color Trio ~ Pink/Blue/Purple
C - Embellishment ~ 2 rhinestones, 2 blossoms
D - Shape ~ Heart
Cute Card Thursday #124 ~ Whateva!
Sir Stampalot August Challenge ~ Bring on the Bling

My Creation


Image Detail


Inside

Ins and Outs ~ Pink Birthday Fairy
Stamps: Karen Doodles Fairy Fun, TLC Pink Birthday Verse
Paper: DCWV Flower Shower, SU Whisper White

Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (R000, 81, 83; YG0000; Y21, 26; B00, 02; V000, 01); Spicas (Sand, Sky Blue, Clear); Gelly Roll Clear Star; Uniball White Gel Pen

Accessories: Pink Rick Rack Paper Ribbon, Misc Gems, SRM Sticker (inside verse)

Purple Birthday Fairy

I am blessed to be ‘auntie’ to some very sweet little girls. My two best friends have 3 of their girlies with early August birthdays. I found this cute fairy at Karen Doodles and knew she’d be perfect for my girls. I made 2 fairy cards, this is the first using a purple theme. I’d colored the fairies at the same time using the same paper as inspiration (the second card will be posted shortly). I’m starting to get a bit smarter in my coloring and keep my paper stash nearby. Originally I thought I’d save time by precoloring images, but quickly realized I spent longer trying to find the perfect paper match when it came time to put the card together. I know, this is basic crafting common sense, but I can be a little slow some times. LOL. I prefer the small DCWV stacks or similar and keep a few next to my coloring supplies. I pull out 2-3 pieces from the same stack and keep them next to me while I start playing. Once the image is colored, I tuck it with the inspiration papers in my ‘to be used’ box. It’s much easier to find a few matching embellishments to fill out a card and my new, logical method is actually saving me time!

Photo Inspiration ~ Stamp Something Challenge
Mmmm, a birthday party with pinks and purples. Perfect for a princess!

Inspiration
Sinons Says Stamp and Show Challenge #1 ~ Things with Wings Wahoo, another new challenge and from the GREAT team at Simon Says Stamp.
CDAC Other Theme Challenge #3 ~ 1 border (torn vellum), 2 pattern papers, 3 different embellishments (rub on sentiment, bling flower, small flower gem)
Flutterby Wednesday #116 ~ Favorite Color
I’m a purple fanatic and this little fairy fit the bill.
YNS Challenge #22 ~ Birthdays

My Creation


Image Detail


Inside
Ins and Outs ~ Purple Birthday Fairy
Stamps: Karen Doodles Fairy Fun
Paper: DCWV Flower Shower, SU Vellum and Whisper White

Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (E21, 50; Y21, 26; V000, 91, 93, 95; R20; YG0000); Spicas (Lilac, Clear); Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen, Uniball White Gel Pen

Accessories: SRM Sticker (inside verse), Recollection Gem Flower

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Lemony Friends and DT News

Wahoo! There’s a NEW Challenge Blog on the Block and I’m on the DT! I was SO excited to see Kathryn’s new challenge blog idea, the Photo-Synthesis Challenge ~ ALL photo inspiration challenges, and I was even more thrilled when she asked me to be on the Design Team. I was on such a high, I left for a mini-vacation and missed the first challenge! LOL!!! Thankfully, she is super awesome, must be the ‘Kat’ in her name, and I’m posting my card a day late.


This is a Bi-Weekly Challenge, with new challenges posted EVERY OTHER TUESDAY so you have lots of time to participate. If you wish to be eligible for a prize when one is offered, you must submit your entries by the Monday morning prior, the current challenge runs through Monday, August 16th. There will be a winner and Top 3 announced for each challenge.

The challenge will also give special recognition for cards and other projects that use mostly recycled or re-purposed materials, to encourage us all to use what we have better, and to be more eco-friendly by following the motto "Use it up, Wear it Out!" Players who use recycled or repurposed materials in their projects will also receive bonus points toward the prize draw (when offered). Since we are new on the scene, we’d love to connect with sponsors for our challenges. If you are interested in sponsoring a challenge, please contact Kathryn at kat.ritter143@gmail.com.

On to our first challenge. Photo inspiration challenges have always been my favorites. There’s so many options to find inspiration from – it could be the colors, the theme, items in the photo, the arrangement or balance of elements, patterns, or just the feeling you get when looking at the photo. There is so much FREEDOM in the challenges and you can really let your creativity go wild. Kathryn provide 3 lucious photos for inspiration and I chose this one as my launching point. I pulled several elements out into my card – the colors, the damask pattern, water, and my favorite –the LEMONS! I was able to use a few other great challenges for inspiration as well.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness #65
I thought I’d use the simple version of Priscilla’s sketch, but when I saw there was a sweet mouse just asking to be ‘circled’ in my image I used the fancy version. Extra BONUS, I'm using the current challenge!

 Photo Inspiration ~ Photo Synthesis Challenge 1


Inspiration
Charisma Cardz #30 ~ Something With a Tail
There are FIVE tails in my image.
The Pink Elephant #78 ~ Something Yummy
Mmmmm, a cool pitcher of lemonade on a hot August day. Which leads me to...ABC Challenge ~ A is for August
House Mouse and Friends Challenge # ~ Vintage
Okay, vintage isn’t my thing. I realize bright yellow may not be normally associate with vintage; however for me the damask pattern always makes me think of grandma’s. I also kept with neutrals and greys for all but the lemoney pieces of the image. I did a bit of Googling and was further thrilled to see Wikpedia defines Vintage Clothing as anything from the 1920s to 1980 is considered vintage. I so get the ‘mod’ fashion feel from the 60’s, so that’s vintage – right? :o)
Simon Says Challenge ~ Sing it Baby (inspired by a song)
I kept hearing this song in my head ever since I WON this awesome stamp from my friend Lorraine. "Make Lemonade” by Debbie Fleming. Here's part of the verses or click here to hear the whole song.
What do you do when your life turns sour?
Add a little sugar, and you make lemonade.
What do you do in your darkest hour?
Light up a candle, and you make lemonade.
What do you do when the times get tough?
Put on your boxing gloves and make lemonade.
What do you do with a string of bad luck?
Tie a kite on the end of it and make lemonade.

If a lemon makes you sour,
You may have to drink your cup alone.
But add the sweet sweet taste of your power,
And somebody will always come along
To help you be strong.

My Creation
I can never get an accurate pic with large pockets of white on my card. I tried to adjust it the best I could without totally distorting the colors. The papers are all black, white and yellow.

Image Detail
I added a layer of Diamond Glaze over the entire pitcher and also the exposed part of the lemon about to be bitten.

Inside
I didn't add a sentiment yet as I wasn't sure who'll receive the card. Just used the same papers to give it some oomph.

Ins and Outs ~ Lemony Friends
Stamps: Lemony Good Times (House Mouse from Stampabilities)
Paper: SU Whisper White and Basic Black, DCWV Citrus Stack, The Paper Studio Black and White Stack

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics (E000, 00, 41; R20; C00, 1, 3, 5, 7; YG0000; Y00, 02, 08, 11, 15; BG0000); Spicas (Blossom, Lemon, Pitch Black)

Accessories: Misc gems, Marta Stewart Edger Punch, Diamond Glaze

Flowery Thanks

This card is super clean, simple, quick and easy; something I’m trying to work more of into my card making. Especially when I have a long list of cards to catch up on! I’ve been spending most of my crafting time just coloring. I’ve always enjoyed coloring since I was a kid. I’d play with trying to ‘blend’ my crayons and create shading. I’m basically doing the same thing a ‘few’ decades later just with different tools. I find it very relaxing to give life to a black and white image and any chance I have to try and de-stress is an opportunity I grab. I often get extra de-stressing as my fur babies like to ‘help’ me color. One likes to chew on the ends of my Copics (or any other tool she can grab – we are still searching for the USB piece of a cordless mouse that disappeared one day – she actually pulled it out of the computer! Those Siamese kitties are just too darn smart). Anyway, I’m usually mid-color when one of the six-pack plops down for some scratches. Studies show petting a fur baby lowers your blood pressure so I don’t shoo them away. I wonder if I could get a grant to see how coloring affects your blood pressure? Hmmm, I’ll have to look into that. Enough babbling, let’s get on to the card.
 
Sketch Inspiration ~ Card Patterns #75

Inspiration
365 Cards Day 127 ~ Old, New, Borrowed and Blue It didn’t have to be a wedding card, so I used DP from my OLD stash, created a NEW custom brad, used a BORROWED stamp, and had BLUE as my main color.
Cute Card Thursday #123 ~ Texting Crazy (I used a sentiment as the focal image on my card.)
Craftalicious Challenge #5 ~ Make Your Own Flowers
Daring Cardmakers Challenge ~ It’s a Girl Thing Create a card for special girlfriend.
The Crafty Pad #82 ~ Ribbons and Flowers

My Creation

Ins and Outs ~ Flowery Thanks
Supplies: All Stampin Up

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Summer Lovin’ Twilight Style

This card was a long time in coming to creation. I saw the sneak peeks of the Fangs or Fur set at Skipping Stones months ago. My direct supervisor is a HUGE Edward fan and I knew it would be perfect for her birthday. The tricky part was her birthday was in May and I didn't receive the stamp set until a few weeks ago. She has me make lots of cards for her, so I know she was wondering why I didn't make a b-day card for her special day. Thankfully, once she opened this and I explained the story she was still all smiles. She knew I wouldn't forget and was more than thrilled with her personalized Twilight card.

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day #147 ~ Super Sketchy Sunday
I think Pam knew I was almost caught up with her sketches for this year, so she decided to do a whole week of sketches! I just went from nearly caught up to way behind!

Color Inspiration ~ C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #61 ~ Hot and Spicy Colors
Red is always good for spicy and I used a glitterred cardstock to give some extra 'hotness'.

Inspiration
365 Cards Day 100 ~ All Lined Up
Cute Card Thursday #123 ~ Texting Crazy I used text DP in the squares and added a sentiment to the card front.
Crafty Creations #78 ~ Summer Lovin’
PaperPlay Challenge #30 ~ Anything Goes
Crafty Catz #43 ~ Material Girl (use material - I hope lace counts as material)

My Creation


Image Detail
Here's where I tried to personalize the image. My supervisor has red hair, while Bella in the movie is a brunette. I tried to capture my supervisor's hair color in Edward's love. I couldn't capture it, but I went over his skin with a clear Spica pen so he 'sparkles'.


Inside

Ins and Outs ~ Summer Lovin’ Twilight Style
Stamps: Fangs or Fur (Skipping Stones Design)
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV (Fairytale, Glitter, Alphabet)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics (R20, 22, 29; C3, 5, 7, 9; YR07; E21, 37, 47, 50, 97); Spicas (Lipstick, Garnet, Red, Clear); Uniball White Gel Pen

Accessories: CM Square Punches, Fiskars Scalloped Square Punch, Ribbon

Scraps and Patterns Mash Up

This card was from an SU card kit. I really love how the 'quilted' background piece turned out. It was perfect for the One Stop Craft Challenge this week - patterns. I couldn't decide on one pattern so this was the perfect solution. I hope you have a chance to come play with us this week. There were several other awesome challenges I got to play with as well.


Ins and Outs ~ Scraps and Patterns Mash Up
Stamps: Party Hearty (Stampin Up)
Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Celebrations DP

Ink: Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Punches (1 ¼” Square, 1 ¾” Circle, 2 3/8” Scallop), Pear Pizzazz Stitched Poly Ribbon, Top Note Die