Saturday, May 30, 2015

More Inspiration from Gecko Galz



Here's some inspiration for Gecko Galz using some of the May new releases. The gorgeous DP  and frame are from the May Free Birds Club Kit.  The gorgeous lady is from Beauty Unbound digital collage sheet.  I've layered the DP on purple card stock, popped the frame and added a vintage lace double bow to the corner with streamers that are attached under the DP layer.  The sticker sentiment is from Starform. 

I'm entering this in the Allsorts Vintage challenge and Dragon's Lair A Bouquet of Flowers.



I was thinking a wedding or anniversary card when I made the second sample using the autograph book from the Vintage Book Covers collage set and the couple from the Fables Collage set.  I turned the book vertically and resized the couple to fit the center.  They are layered on DP from the Luxury Stack from DCWV and a metallic copper card base.  The ribbon was recycled from a box of Godiva chocolates (YUMBO!) and the sentiment was cut with a Spellbinders Fancy Label.  I've added gold pearls to the ends of the label and popped it on the ribbon and corner stickers from Starform.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Can I Keep Them? (GWP from Aurora Wings)


Hey, happy Tuesday!  I usually don't post works in progress on my Blog, but time is of the essence here if you want to snag this adorable Gift with Purchase from Aurora Wings. Tell me she's not the cutest EVER!  I've colored her with Copic with some additional work with Prismacolor pencils.  Can't wait to get her on a project.  

The fabulous party and holiday deals were extended (WooHoo!) , but only through today, so hurry!  Meet "Can I Keep Them?"  (AKA as Lori, the crazy cat lady in training  LOL) and won't be available in the shop for quite some time so if you want her, now's the time.



and can be combined with THIS!  



For digital stamps only, nothing else (like coloring books, etc).  Make sure you read them both.  Discount can be used on orders of $10 or more, but to qualify for the GWP, the total AFTER DISCOUNT must be $15.  Both offers expire Tuesday, May 26th at 11:59 pm EDT US.

Be sure to join the Aurora Wings FB Group for fabulous inspiration, contests, freebies, discount codes, and PARTIES!

And don't forget our current "Dream Wedding" Blog Challenge through June 13th.  Hope to see you all there!

Monday, May 25, 2015

Stand On Your Head!



Saw this quote on some tee shirts and mugs on Cafe Press and it immediately made me think of the totally mad Cheshire cat image Stand on Your Head, available  HERE in the Rick St. Dennis Zibbet shop.  Yes, I'm a crazy cat lady and I totally adore crazy cats, don't you?  I'd made the background with stencils and sprays eons ago but never quite found the right project, until today.



I colored Chessie to match the background with Copics and couldn't resist adding some google eyes. I tried to fussy cut all the the little hairs sticking out to further add to the crazy mad vibe.  And the surprise?




He's mounted on an action wobble.  Look at him go!  That catnip is some powerful stuff.  There's loads of crazy cats as well as many other Alice in Wonderland images available on both Rick's Zibbet and Etsy shops.  And don't forget today is the LAST day to enjoy Memorial Day Savings.  Still time to stock up!

MEMDAY20OFF2015ETSY This is your Memorial Day sale discount code for ETSY SHOPPE-20% off any order of 3.00usd or more.
MEMDAY25OFF15ZIBBET This is your Memorial Day SALE discount code for the ZIBBET SHOPPE = 25% off any order of 3.00usd or more

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Ooh La La! Moulin Rouge


Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  It's my turn to give some inspiration on the Rick St Dennis Sparkle and Glitter Blog.  I'm loving all of the opulent ladies Rick has been drawing and couldn't resist the fabulous Moulin Rouge available HERE on Zibbet.  I dare say she's a naughty one, or at best a grand couqette.  Just look at her dripping in fur and feathers and jewels.  Did she come by them honestly? Highly unlikely, I'd say.  This is Paris in it's heyday, la belle epoch, and I've embellished the card as lavishly as the times.  I've used digital paper from Artful Touch and chose the gorgeous Royal Blue and Gold Damask pack that matched the colors I'd used on the image.  I framed the image with my Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals and added feathers and pearl flourishes on either side. The sentiment is computer generated and cut with one of the Spellbinders Fancy Labels with a few gems added for good measure.

Here's a closeup of the beautiful image.  She's colored with Copics with additional shading from Prismacolor pencils. Lots of opportunity for practice here.  Just look at her hair and fur and amazing plumage on that fabulous hat. There are over 1000 images in Rick's Zibbet shop and for immediate download, he's on Etsy, as well.

Celebrate the Memorial Day Weekend with these special discount codes on all RSD stamps, good through Monday until midnight:

MEMDAY20OFF2015ETSY This is your Memorial Day sale discount code for ETSY SHOPPE-20% off any order of 3.00usd or more.

MEMDAY25OFF15ZIBBET This is your Memorial Day SALE discount code for the ZIBBET SHOPPE = 25% off any order of 3.00usd or more


Now is the time to stock up!  Grab a few and come enter the May Progressive Challenge which is Anything Goes (with an RSD image), of course.  And don't forget Rick's Special Tag Challenge on FB.  There's still time.  Hope to see you there.  
Here are all of the important links:

Friday, May 22, 2015

Lucy Loo Bridal Catwalk


There's a new release at The East Wind Etsy Shop today called Lucy Loo Bridal Catwalk.  Gotta say I'm lovin' her dress, don't you?  Now her attitude is crackin' me up and I'm not sure the sentiment is quite right, but it cracked me up too, so there ya go.  Her head does seem a bit in the clouds, (thanks to the gorgeous digital paper from Gecko Galz) and perhaps her peril lies in those wicked platforms...nah!  The card is pretty straightforward and CAS but I do have some info for you about The East Wind digis.



Many of the newer images come with multiple versions, jpg, png, no background png and png with very light for no lines coloring, at no extra charge.  (It will say in the description)  Here I've used both the png (totally transparent) version as well as the regular jpg version so that you can see through the veil.  She was printed directly on the DP, then I colored the jpg version with Copics and fussy cut her body (minus the veil) and glued her on top of the png version.  Et voila! Her veil looks transparent.  I finished the card off with some vintage lace and flat backed pearls.  The sentiment was computer generated, cut with Spellbinders Labels Four and inked with Distress.


I'm entering this in the Open Minded Crafting Fun Weddings/Anniversary Challenge, Moving Along With the Times Color Challenge, Inspiration Destination ATG, the Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge- Music ("Here Comes the Bride"), Scribbles Designs "B" is for...(BRIDE), and  Crafty Boots Ribbon or Lace

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Smeared and Smudged May Member Blog Hop

The Smeared and Smudged Forum and shop my be closed, but there is still a very active Group on FB to which I belong and I'm thrilled to be joining the Member Hop this month.  You should have arrived from Shell's Blog, who I'm sure has something amazing to share.  The theme this month is Anything Goes.

May Member Blog Hop
Black Dragon
Nan
Teresa
 Leslie Rahye
Anna
Tit Belsoeur
 Susan R.
Maureen
Jane
Barbara
Susan S.
Katie
Shell
Donna

Gotta say I was a bit late to the party, only signing up the last minute on Wednesday and although we don't officially have to go live until 9:00 am PDT, most have already posted so have some fun and visit the lineup. You'll be glad you did.  Good thing I'm last, although a bit anticlimactic after the wonders you've seen before me, and good thing my pals Teresa and Maureen teased me, or I wouldn't have had a sentiment for my project.  No real time to get messy and inky, nor delve into the amazing land of mixed media and to be honest, I pretty much suck at that, so I've got a 6x6 fat page and some straight forward coloring, using the fabulous Face On image from Ike's Art.



I always really got a kick out of it as a child when my mom or auntie would say she "had to put her face on".  Now being the vintage I am, it's doesn't sound nearly as silly.  LOL  I've colored with Copics and let the DP set the stage.


I printed the image 3 times and did a bit of fussy cutting and popping with foam for dimension.  The edges were distressed to fit with the current challenge at Left of Center and there ya go.  If you happened here by chance, I encourage you to start at the beginning up top there for some fabulous alternative (and perhaps a bit dark) inspiration.  The projects I peeked at this morning already will blow your mind.










Monday, May 18, 2015

How do I Love Thee? Dream Wedding Challenge at Aurora Wings


Our new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with the theme of Dream Wedding.  May certainly is the beginning of a frenzy of wedding activity and we, at Aurora Wings, hope to inspire you to get a head start on creating something beautiful for that special couple in your life.  I've enlarged and modified a center step card using the beautiful Bridal Veil image cut with the largest of Spellbinders Enchanted Labels 28.



Here's a closeup of the gorgeous Bridal Veil image. She's colored with Copics with a bit of additional shading from Prismacolor pencils.  Aurora Wings has so many gorgeous images that would be perfect for wedding cards, both traditional and non.  



I used excerpts from Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  It was the inspiration for my design and I envision it a Bride's card to her Groom on their wedding day.  I've used two of Mitzi's floral images, Rose Corner Frame and Roses Corner 2 as embellishments throughout the design.  They are also available as a set HERE with a single rose stem image included.



I've flipped the corners in my printing program for the other side. and popped them all with dimensional foam.  The sentiments we printed on Champagne Royal Metallics by Wausau and cut with Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One.  I've embossed the side mats with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder for additional texture.


What you can't really see in the top picture is the hidden tag pocket behind the main image.  Here is the tag pulled out from the pocket. Got a bit of a giggle because when I first posted this on the DT page, Mitzi said she didn't see this one coming, but she should have.  LOL


Perhaps some are a bit horrified by this image being used for a wedding card, but the final words of the poem and this image gave me the inspiration for the entire project. I've cut and matted the image like the first, using the same die but added a bit of distressing around the edges of the mat behind with the edge of my scissors.  There is tulle behind the Roses Corner2 which shows from the front wnen the tag is tucked into it's pocket and serves as the pull.


I find Ghost Bride hauntingly beautiful, don't you?  Even in death, I'll bet her love would still see her as the same gorgeous girl he married.  What could be more romantic than love eternal?  I get all misty just thinking about it.


So here's the card from the side.  I followed the basic instructions for a center step card, but enlarged the size by starting with a 10x12" piece of card stock. allowing the center portion to be 5x7" (and I actually cut it at 7" between the side portions) with each side section being 2 1/2" wide.  I've scored the sides at 1", 2", 6" (which gave a little extra "shelf" on which I've popped the roses on top) and 7".  I also made a separate 5x7" "pocket" with a 1/8th" depth that is attached by a flap to the center section and swings free to help stabilize the card in the upright position.  This whole design involved a lot of trial and error to accommodate the images that I'd already colored an cut.  I'm not going to tell you how many pieces of card stock went into the bin, however.  LOL

Wait 'til you see the gorgeous creations by my teamies!  Be sure to check out the AW Challenge Blog for additional inspiration.  I promise you'll be glad you did. 

Here are all the links you need:




Friday, May 15, 2015

RSD Progressive Challenge Part 2/1


It's Team B's turn to wow you with inspiration for the RSD MFA May/June Progressive challenge with the theme of Anything Goes (using an RSD image, of course) and this is my first challenge post as a member of the RSD EDT.  If you're unfamiliar with how the Progressive challenges work on SNG, here's a quick rundown.  Each runs for 2 months with the first month being an ATG challenge.  Then those entering the first month will receive a free image for month 2 of the challenge and a Random winner will be chosen from those who enter month 2 using the Progressive Challenge Freebie.  Easy peasy, right?



I've chosen the gorgeous "So Chic" image, available in the Zibbet Shop HERE and on Etsy HERE.  I've made this for my next door neighbor and friend who just happens to have two gorgeous standard poodles that are clipped just like these two.  She's also quite the fashionista whose current favorite Spring wardrobe colors are pink and gray.  I've colored primarily with Copics with a bit of shading with Prismacolor pencils.



Here's the dimensional shot.  The DP's are from the Sabrina multipack of 8x8 papers from Making Memories that I've been hoarding for years.  I've matted in black, popped the layers, and added a bow of gorgeous silk ribbon and adhesive gems.  I've also added tiny gems the the buttons on her jacket and skirt.  Be sure to visit the SNG Blog for additional inspiration from my teamies and I hope to see you play along. 


Lots of things to see and places to play so here's all the important stuff:



New Challenge at The East Wind


It's time for an new challenge at The East Wind with the theme of "Book It".  We want to see either book themed images, book pages or text on your project. No shortage of books here.  I used to love to walk to the library in the summer and get lost among the stacks and stacks of wonderful books.  Lucy Loo 'Bookaholic' is the first stamp I ever purchased from The East Wind and she's still one of my favorites.  I've place her in the library, using some freebie bookcases that I'm pretty sure my TEW DT sister Bonnie turned me onto awhile back but I now I can't find her project or the link.  I added some torn text pages and stickers for the sentiment.

Here's a closeup of Lucy Loo 'Bookaholic'. Talk about some fun hair to color! Previously, I colored her as a redhead (big surprise) and this time she turned out a brunette with golden highlights.  All done with Copics.  Kind of matches the warm tones of the tomes behind her and I'm kinda lovin' the monochromatic vibe. Makes me want to curl up with a kitty and a juicy novel as we're finally getting a bit of rain here in CA.  Be sure to check out the fab inspiration of my teamies for this new challenge and can still sneak in our current FB contest "It Started With a Song" which runs through May 17th.


Here's the important stuff:

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Mother Nature


Sharing a little inspiration today with new May products from Gecko Galz.  I love the organic feel of the A2 sized burlap cards from DCWV and thought the lovely digi stamp from the Gecko Galz  Nature's Muse stamp set would be a perfect match.  I printed the image in brown, colored it with Copics, cut it with a Spellbinders peony (or is it dahlia?) die and inked it with Distress before removing it from the die.  For a bit of contrast, I resized digital paper from the Toile Jolie Paper pack, tore the corners diagonally, distressed the corner sides with a scissors and inked and glued them to opposing corners of the card.  A little more texture with some cheesecloth and alpha stickers for a sentiment and it was done.

I'm entering this in the Lunagirl Mother Challenge, Cards in Envy When Nature Calls, the QKR Stampede Nature Challenge, Frosted Designs All About Mom, Creative Knockouts Distressing and Addicted to Stamps and More Spring with Birds and /or Eggs.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

New Challenge at Lacy Sunshine


The new challenge at Lacy Sunshine starts today with the theme of MONOCHROME.  We want to see tints and shades of one color with neutrals, skin and hair colors optional.  This gorgeous gal is Foxia Gembell Briar Whimsy. She's fussy cut and popped atop long ovals (both scalloped and regular) from Spellbinders with a fabulous flower from Joycrafts that sort of resembled a foxglove at her feet.  



This beautiful gal is colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils and I've used DPs from the DCWV Black Currant Paper stack which made it easy to follow the fab sketch from Sketch Saturday (flipped and offsetting the ovals a bit, but you get the idea.)

I think she may just be my fave of the fabulous Briar Whimsies available in the Lacy Sunshine Shoppe


I colored her totally (including skin and hair) in the few shades listed on the recipe card, but then found it fairly difficult to find DP's to match so there are a few more neutrals than I intended.  I'm still really thrilled with how she came out and I hope you love her as much as I do.  The rest of the Sunshine Girls have fabulous inspiration for you so be sure to visit the Challenge Blog to see what they've created.  Also, if you joined our last challenge and used a Lacy Sunshine stamp you are eligible to receive our Loyalty Program digi for free, so don't miss out.  We are also now allowing coloring only entries which will be judged separately so if you have colored an image but can't quite make it into a project in time for the challenge, you're still good to go.  So many ways to WIN! Please join us.

I'm entering this is the Sketch Saturday Week #360Allsorts Die Cuts (more than 2) challenge, Little Claire's Designs Mono Colours, Brown Sugar Layers Challenge, Craft for the Craig Wings, Outlawz Saturday Paper a la Mode ATG, the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, and the AIMPDC5 ATG

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Crafting by Designs Guest Designer


I'm thrilled to be joining the talented team of Crafting by Designs as a GDT for their brand new challenge of Just One Layer.  This type of card is always a challenge for me, but I decided to go the easiest route and do the entire card digitally in my Printmaster Platinum Program.


I've designed a Baby Announcement using vintage images from some of the new Gecko Galz releases for May.  The lovely frame is one of the icons from the Free Birds Digital Craft Kit and the adorable new arrival is from the Sweet Babies Digital Collage set.  The pink borders and sentiment were added in my computer program and the card is an A2 size, meaning you could print two of them per sheet of card stock, making a quick and economical batch of announcements in no time flat.  Perhaps William and Kate would like a few (thousand) to send out announcing the birth of HRH Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.  Ya think?  Yeah, me neither.  Where's the tiara?  In any case, I still think it's pretty cute and I want to thank the folks at Crafting by Designs for letting me join them this week.  Be sure to visit the blog and see the wonderful creations by the team and come and play along.


Monday, May 4, 2015

HDH May We Have a Quick Word and a Special Announcement


WooHoo!  It's another Macabre Monday and a special day for me as it's my first official post as a member of the RSD MFA EDT on Airless Chambers (the RSD EDT darker blog)!!!!  



I'm thrilled to be joining Rick's amazing team and felt it fitting that the first post in my official capacity be on Airless Chambers, the blog that features the darker side of Rick's amazing images.  I've often used them for my Haunted Design House DT projects in the past and our new challenge at HDH, which starts today, is May We Have a Quick Word, meaning use a word or text in your project, or complete your project in one day or less. 



As you might guess from the fabulous image, Los Tres Demonios, available in Rick's Zibbet Shop HERE, my project took more than a day (even to color). It was all kinds of fun, though and I'm really pleased at the results, using a mixture of Copics and Prismacolor pencils.  I've fussy cut, double matted in yellow, orange and black and popped it onto my fave flames pic from the net that I printed and actually burned the edges off with my trusty lighter.  The word is WELCOME, cut with the Haunted mini alphabet die from QuicKutz.  It now hangs on my craft room door (my own private version of HELL since it's such such a disastrous MESS!  LOL)

Be sure to check out the Minion's fab makes for our May challenge HERE and if you fancy amazing images from creepy, to cute, to downright gorgeous, be sure to visit Rick's Zibbet Shop HERE  and Etsy Shop HERE.  Also, check out the new RSD Progressive challenge on Sparkle and Glitter and Rick's May special mini Challenge on the FB Group page (hint, it's Halloween related).

I'm entering this in the new Dream in Darkness ATG challenge, Smudgy Antics ATG and Left of Center using the LOC theme, and Not Just Cards Challenge #18 ATG.

Friday, May 1, 2015

New Monthly Challenge at Gecko Galz


WOW!  Another month has flown by and it's May already.  And speaking of flying, our new Gecko Galz monthly Challenge begins today with the theme of  "Take Flight" or Things with Wings.

I actually worked with a bit of mixed media for a change.  (Yea, Me!)  To be honest, although I love the final result, getting there was a bit of a challenge. I'm not the most patient when it come to waiting for things to dry and although I've assembled a truckload of paints, stains, sprays, special finishes...etc, I'm somewhat timid about experimenting.  Fear of failing often rules the day and I pretty much hate getting my hands dirty.  That being said...



I started with a chipboard birdcage from Want2Scrap I've had in my stash for years.  I covered the back with one of the new designs from the Gecko Galz Toile Jolie Digital Paper pack.  I wanted the cage to have a sort of shabby chic feel so I brushed it first with Gesso and then with metallic gold acrylic paint and let dry. (or should I say blasted it with a heat gun 'cause I couldn't wait)  When dry, I sponged on ecru acrylic paint.  I wanted to add some Frantage embossing but couldn't heat from underneath because of the thickness of the cage and open areas so I dabbed Perfect Medium in spots, sprinkled on the embossing powder and heated it from the top.  WooHoo!  Just what I was hoping for.




The fab bird images and framed sentiment are icons from the May Free Birds Digital Craft Kit.  Each printed twice and fussy cut and popped for dimension.  I've added lace tape to the cuff of the hand and ribbons to the pigeon and flower spray.  The little resin lock on the cage door is Melissa Frances and I've strung gorgeous silk ribbon through the top for a hanger.  Please visit the Challenge Blog for fabulous inspiration of the rest of the team and we'd love it if you would play along.  All we need is one digital element from Gecko Galz and you're good to go.  (Freebies count, so subscribe to our newsletter and check out Pinterest, too.) A $25 Gecko Galz shopping spree is up for grabs.

I'm entering this in the Crafty Boots Things with Wings, Challenge, Simon Says Monday ATG, Simon Says Wednesday ATG, Not Just Cards Challenge #18, and All Crafts Challenge April/May.

New Challenge at The East Wind


Our new challenge starts at The East Wind today with the theme of Mother's Day, Add Flowers and the team is using the beautiful new image that newsletter subscribers received for free this month.  Not a subscriber?  Add your email to the box in the upper right hand corner.  This is Aurora Cabbage Butterflies and features her gorgeous traditional Korean Hanbok dress.  I've used digital paper from the new May Gecko Galz Club Kit which to me had an Asian feel.



Here's a closeup of the fabulous image that was so much fun to color.  I've used mainly Copics with a bit of Prismacolor pencils for additional shading.  I Googled Hanbok dress and chose one of the many vibrant color combos I saw.  Sooo beautiful!



For the bouquet aspect of the challenge, I chose some acrylic stickers I'd been hoarding forever. They are mirrored so they were a bit difficult to photograph but they looked like cherry blossoms to me and I especially love the delicate branch in the top right corner.  I left off the Mother's Day greeting as I sadly have no mother's left to send cards to, but I think it would be a lovely card for any occasion.  Please visit The East Wind to see my teamies' versions of this wonderful new image.  Can't wait to see what you create.


Here's the important stuff:

Guest Designing at Show Your Digi Love


I'm thrilled to be guest designing at Show Your Digi Love, a place for you to show your love for your favorite digi companies.  Each week the challenge features several artists and you may enter the challenge with any of them.  T his month they're featuring SBS, Slinky Tart, The Paper shelter and KennyK.  I chose  the adorable Jayne Jettpack from Kenny K for my "bum loving" man.  I've used DP from the DCWV Tattered Time Stack and embossed the mat with my 5x7" Cuttlebug Gears folder.  Added a few Mini Metal Gears from Tim Holtz and I was good to go.  Sentiment was computer generated.  Thanks so much for SYDL for having me.

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Saturday Paper a la Mode Femme Fatale challenge, Simon Says Monday ATG, Simon Says Wednesday ATG, C.R.A.F.T. Use Metal and KennyK's Krafty Krew ATG/Just a Girl Challenge.