Fluttering Gertie

My mom passed on a love of butterflies to me, so this was a HAVE to have it when I saw the stamp. I'm finally getting around to creating with sweet Gertie and can't wait to keep playing!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Bellarific Friday

Color Inspiration ~ Makeup 4 for the Weekend #14

Honestly, this was my original inspiration, but the colors got a bit darker in my card. I loved the breezy blue and picked up on the ‘peek’ of green in the plant and book under the bed. I thought the colors would be beautiful feather blended together on my butterfly girl. They just got a bit dark as I tweaked them. Plus the flower decorations ‘fluttering’ from the ceiling made me think of butterflies.

Inspiration

Copic Creations #21 ~ Feather Blending Still getting the hang of this, but very pleased with the results. Here's a close up of the final coloring.

My Grafico Challenge #34 ~ Metal My butterfly in the corner is metal.

Flutter By Wednesday #95 ~ OPEN

Crafty Creations #53 ~ Wings

Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52F by Maki  We were to use our favorite Flourishes stamp (or any if you don’t have some). I don’t have any Flourishes YET, but would LOVE to win a set in their New Release Challenge. As a substitute, I LOVE Bellas.

365 Cards Day 333 ~ 3 G’s (Green, Glitter, Grosgrain)

My Creation

Image Detail

Now you can see the glittery embossed paper and shiny metal butterfly.

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ Fluttering Gertie
Stamps: Gertie (Lulu Collection from Stamping Bella)
Paper: Neenah Classic Solar White, DCWV (Glitter, Blossoms & Butterflies)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (E00; C1; YG13; BG13, 15); Spicas (Pitch Black, Melon, Silver, Clear, Turquoise); White Gel Pen
Accessories: Embossed Metal Butterfly (Making Memories), SU Grosgrain Ribbon, Nestabilities (Oval and Scalloped Oval)
Challenges:
Bellarific Friday
Makeup 4 for the Weekend #14
Copic Creations #21
My Grafico Challenge #34
Flutter By Wednesday #95
Crafty Creations #53
Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52F
365 Cards Day 333

Birthday Card for Suzanna

So bittersweet to see our ‘kids’ grown up. This card is for a sweet young lady, Suzanna. I worked with her mom and started babysitting her when she was about 6 months old. I can’t believe she is on the verge of teenage-dom. Her family is so special to me and it’s been a privilege to be part of their lives. We’ve both moved to opposite ends of our states (actually we flipped, I left ND for MN and they left MN for ND) so we aren’t able to physically see each other that often. Thank goodness for blogs! Here's my special birthday girl (well, she's actually a month OLDER than 12 as I'm very late with her card - oops!)

Sketch Inspiration ~ Friday Sketchers #87

Color Inspiration

I hope my spring spin on the card will make the colors seem ‘non-winter’ like. I’m not sure what colors scream winter (well in my world it would be the WHITE snow that persists on hanging around for MONTHS). I love the colors for the digital pencil challenge (blues and purples make me happy).

Pile it On Challenge #4 ~ Enough of Winter Colors

DP2 Challenge #15

Inspiration

Copic Creations #21 ~ Feather Blending

This was my first try at this technique. I'm used to trying to blend similar colors so this was a stretch. I kept it in the blue/violet family to keep from going into complete shock. LOL Here are closeups of the curtains and pillows, all 'feathered' out.

 

Cute Card Thursday #97 ~ Blooming Gorgeous

Lots of flowers on this one. The base is embossed flowers, the DP has flowers and of course the paper flower embellishment.

One Stop Craft Challenge #65 ~ Make it Personal

Suzanna is an avid reader, and since her gift is book related it made sense to create a matching card.
Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential #16 ~ Bigger is Better

I seldom let an image take up this much real estate on a card by itself. I'm still a bit out of sorts using a larger card base (5" square) so to have an equally large image really pushed me!

365 Cards Day 319 ~ Teen Scene (card for teen girl)

365 Cards Day 334 ~ 3 B’s (Blue, Blossom, emBoss)

Creative Inspirations Challenge #45 ~ Feminine

My Creation

I used my SU pastels on the embossed card base to make the flowers pop.

Image Detail

Inside

INS AND OUTS ~ Birthday Card for Suzanna

Stamps: Window Seat (Mo Manning Digi)

Paper: DCWV Pocket Full of Posies Stack and Embossed Flowers

Ink: Copics (Y11, 21, 26; E00, 50; YG11, 13; R000, 81; BV02, 13; V09, 17; B21; BG0000); Spicas (Melon, Lavendar, Buttermilk, Lilac, Baby Blue); White Gel Pen

Accessories: Paper Flower Brad (K & Company), Shirleys2Girls Velvet Ribbon

Challenges:

Friday Sketchers #87

DP2 Challenge #15

Pile it On Challenge #4

Copic Creations #21

Cute Card Thursday #97

One Stop Craft Challenge #65

Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential #16

365 Cards Day 319 ~ Teen Scene

365 Cards Day 334 ~ 3 B’s

Creative Inspirations Challenge #45

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