Some Odd Girl - Sweetest Wishes

Greetings everyone!!  I'm popping in today with another submission into the Some Odd Girl Guest Designer contest.  Today I've inked up Gwen (so cute!) onto a circle cut with my nesties.  I colored her with my Copics and have paper pieced her dress.  (can you tell how much I LOVE paper piecing these gorgeous girls?!?)  I embellished her dress with two metallic self-adhesive pearls.  I stamped her matching sentiment "Sweetest Wishes" in the circle with her.  I then set her aside and worked on my card layers.

My cardbase is SU! textured cardstock from an old, OLD Simply Scrappin' kit.  I layered using papers from my scrap bin so I know that some of them are Making Memories and Recollections brand but not sure of all of them!  LOL!  I kept my background basic and crisp.  I made the butterfly embellishments using a Martha Stewart punch.  I punched five butterflies out of each of my designer papers - green, blue gingham and text lined paper.  I used my Glossy Accents and adhered the five butterflies together and then fluffed up their wings to give them added dimension.  I adhered them to my card and fluffed them up even more.

I tied an extra fluffy, double loop bow as a punch of color and then added Gwen on 3-D foam adhesive. 

I am so loving Kristy's Odd Girl Stamps and can't wait to grab more of them up!!  I hope you have a wonderfully creative day!!

Bombshell Monthly Challenge - Waste Not!

Good Morning Bombshell Friends!!  I'm here with you on another wonderful Wednesday bringing you this month's Bombshell Challenge brought to you by the fantastic Ms. November - Celina!  She issued this challenge HERE. 

The challenge is to use scraps only!  Well, since I have TONS of scrap DP and Cardstock I was able to easily dive in and accept this challenge.  I have my scraps color coded in their own bins so I grabbed my blue/green bin and started creating.  I kept my card design simple yet fun with lots of different papers.

I paper pieced her tail, added a cork heart and a bunch of self-adhesive pearls in small clusters to embellish and called it a day.

Please feel free to come join us here at the Bombshell Blog and play along!! 

Some Odd Girl - Grow Everyday

Happy Monday All!!  I'm back after a relaxing and creative weekend away with my family.  I'm popping in to post another creation I made to submit to the Some Odd Girl Guest Design Challenge.  My creation today uses Grow - one of the newest members in the Some Odd Girl family.  The Nouveau collection is simply BEAUTIFUL!!  I've inked her up using my Momento ink and colored her in with my Copics.  I paper pieced her outfit using papers from MME's Lost and Found Two - Sunshine pack.  In order to make the depth of her left arm seem real, after piecing her top, I then stamped her again, colored her arm in and trimmed it out and added on top of her shirt so that it has the proper perspective.  This is a trick that I learned from my darling IRL friend Joanne B.  She's insanely clever that one!  ;)

I added a few self-adhesive metallic pearls to her hair and one to the tie on her beautiful top.  I stamped her on a Sizzix die and then backed it and hand trimmed it out in Chocolate cardstock.  The clouds and corner embellishment are from the same stamp set.  I inked the clouds and hand trimmed them out.  The main layer as well as the clouds are popped up on foam adhesive.  I added scallop strips of text paper, rhinestone flourishes, red self-adhesive pearls, ribbon and a bit of vintage lace trim as my embellishments. 

I love Kristy's beautiful images and have been totally enjoying myself creating for this challenge! I've also entered this into this week's SOG challenge here!! 

I hope you have a beautiful day and have been inspired to create!  I know this little sweetie will be headed into my DD's lunchbox tomorrow!!  It's the perfect message for a young girl...just so sweet!
 

Some Odd Girl - Holiday Fun!

Good Sunday morning Paper Canteen fans!  So glad to be with you!  I'm lucky enough to be on a mini-vacation this weekend with my darling hubby and kiddies enjoying the country, the cold and the upcoming winter season!!

I've learned through trial and error that even when I go away for a few days, I cannot NOT bring my stamping and art "toys"!  I first pack my children's things - all of their very favorite bits and bobbles and then all of our important things - dog toys, camera, music, etc and then last but not least I pack my stuff!  I've tried to leave it behind in the past but I simply cannot handle the withdrawels and end up shopping at wherever I can find art supplies so I can create anywhere I am!

The dilemma you ask?  It has always been what to pack!?  Because I want to bring all of my stuff with me...and well if you've seen my stash/studio you know that it's SIMPLY not possible.  I'd need another vehicle!  So, I tried to do some advance planning.  There are some things that I really would like to bring but it borders on the ridiculous, my Big Shot?  my sewing machine?!  We might need an intervention if I start schlepping those with me...hmmmmmmm?!  ;)  So I did my best to do a bit of planning before we left.  I did a bit of cutting shapes with my nesties and cutting basic color cardstock pieces with my favorite MFT Die-namics - label and bracket dies, fancy flourish, as well as my Tim Holtz rosette die.  I did these only in white, cream, kraft and light blue cardstock.  I allowed myself a large Rubbermaid tote - and that's it.  Whatever I could fit in there could come with - everything else had to stay.  So I had a 12x12 box of DP - lots of scraps - basic color cardstock, my Copics and Prisma markers, a few basic punches, a zip top bag of ribbons, and then my art caddy filled with the basics.  The basics being snips and large scissors, adhesive, Glossy Accents (a MUST!), my Exacto knife, self-adhesive rhinestones and pearls, a couple of acrylic blocks, baby wipes and a couple of stamp sets.  My creative efforts were dedicated to my new Some Odd Girl Acrylic stamps!  I've been collecting Some Odd Girl digis for a while now but have recently purchased some of Kristy's acrylic stamps and I have to tell you they are FABULOUS!!  Super reasonably priced and they stamp beautifully!!  I recently purchased Grow and HollyDay Gwen.  The images are perfect size for coloring and paper piecing and they come with the cutest sentiments and accents!  I have a few creations to share with you but today I've used HollyDay Gwen. 

My card measures 4.5" x 4".  I started by coloring Gwen using my Copic markers.  I accented her hair bow and dress with self-adhesive metallic pearls and rhinestones. 

My card base is SU! Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I've layered it with light blue DP followed by the chocolate, red and blue striped DP from a DCWV holiday matte stack - 'Tis The Season.  I used the larger of the two holly berry stamps that come with the set to accent my rosette flower. I used a bit of twine behind the holly berried to pull the embellishment together.  I used one of my pre-cut brackets along with a Martha Stewart loopy scallop punch to complete the grouping on the left side of my card.  Lastly, I added my sentiment "Holly Jolly" as a finishing touch. 

Oh she is just so sweet!!  I had such a great time creating with her!  I am submitting her into the Some Odd Girl Guest Designer Challenge here!  Fingers and toes crossed!  I LOVE Kristy's designs as well as the unbelievably amazing Design Team that she has!

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!  Be back with another creation soon!!

Amber Ink - Lovin' The Rain

Hey Y'all!  I'm here with another Amber Ink creation using the so sweet Amber Girls line - Rainy Day in particular.  Isn't she beautiful?  I paper pieced her coat with the Seahorse Paisley iPaper.  {swoon}  I colored the rest of my image with Copics and then coated her boots and umbrella with Glossy Accents.  I then let it dry overnight.  I LOVEEEEEEE how her patent leather boots look and her umbrella is see through!  I have this exact umbrella.  It's a huge, dome umbrella that is totally clear.  It's fabulous! 

Anyway - after it was dry I used a Sizzix die that I have to cut her out.  I added a sentiment of simply "just saying hi".  I hand trimmed a mat around the back of my main panel and then layered it onto green and white check DP.  The check paper is stitched to the ivory stock below it with a white top thread and red lower thread.  I love how the red lower thread pops through just showing a peek of red.  I used a large teal ribbon tied simply in to a bow.  As a final touch I added green self adhesive pearls scattered about. 

I hope you come oogle the gorgeous creations and images over at Amber Ink!

Have a great weekend!  I hope you have been inspired to create!

OCL - Fairytale Inspired

Greetings and Happy Friday!!!  I'm here with you today bringing you a new creation using my fabulous Our Craft Lounge stamps!!  I've combined Tea Time, Flower Power and Say It Big to create a crisp and simple Fairytale Inspired birthday card! 

My card measures 5.5x5.5".  I used a large Sizzix label die (Making Memories polka dotted DP) that I then adhered to blue cardstock and hand trimmed around giving my label a nice mat.  I used my circle nesties to cut out my DP (yellow and pink flower) for my main layer.  I stamped the HappyHappyHappy Birthday sentiment in Black Colorbox ink and then heat set using black embossing powder.  I stitched around the edges with black thread for an extra pop.  

I did the same stamping and heat embossing with the small flowers from the Flower Power set and hand trimmed them all out.  I added self adhesive pearls to the centers for a bit of extra bling.

I used the teapot (very Beauty and The Beast-esque) colored with Copics and trimmed out as an additional punch of color and design.  I sparkled up the teapot and added a pearl as well. 

I hope you enjoy my Fairytale Inspired creation and hope to see you over at the OCL challenge blog!!

MFT - Wednesday Stamp Club

Hello and Happy "Friday"!  LOL!  I'm all thrown off this week due to the Friday holiday but I'm rolling with it!  =)  

It's another great sketch week over at MFT!  You won't want to miss it!  The sketch is above and my interpretation is below.  I also combined this with MFT's newest Design Team Creative Challenge - Lush Vintage Style. 

I've used my brand new PI - Holiday Hugs Snowman combined with my Fancy Flourish, Tag You're It, and (new) WoNkY Scallop Die-namics dies.  (totally SCRUMPTIOUS!!)

I pulled papers from a really great DCWV 'Tis The Season Matte Stack (last season) and combined them with a new mini Martha Stewart holiday paper pack that I recently grabbed at Michael's.  I colored the cutie snowman in with my Copics and paper pieced his scarf.  The big, center tag die only comes in one size but I adhered it to patterned paper and simply (and slowly) cut around the edges to create a mat.  I used yarn from Wal-mart to create my bow and the tails are held in various places with Glossy Accents.  I used my sewing machine to create the cool stitching you see below and a few red pearls to accent the corners.

I hope you have enjoyed and are inspired to create today!!

Bombshell Sketch - November!

Greetings Bombshell Fans!!  So glad to be here with you today!!  It's sketch time over at the Bombshell Challenge Blog so head on over and see what the fabulous Bombshell team has created to inspired you!! 

Today I've used Mermaid Treasure as my focal point.  My sentiment is from the Hula Girl set.  The sketch was super fabulous as a jumping off point and you can see I've paper piece my darling mermaid's tail!  All DP is from Martha Stewart and the cardstock is Recollections (Michael's house brand).

I used some black twill tape behind my sentiment.  The shape of my sentiment was cut with the Brackets Tab Die-namic from MFT.  I used Momento Ink and my Copics for my image.  As you can see I drew fabulously long and dramatic lashes on her!!  hehehe!

I hope you have enjoyed my creation and have been inspired to create today!

Amber Ink - Less is More Sponsor

Hey All!!!  Popping in today with another Amber Ink post!!  This month AI is sponsoring over at the Less Is More challenge blog.  Each week there is a different CAS theme.  This week's theme is Red and Orange.  I've used a brandie new image from AI called Gumdrop Penguins.  They are CRAZY cute!!  I started by pulling out my very favorite Neena white cardstock.  I dry embossed the front of my card with my Swiss Dot folder from Cuttlebug.  I used orange cardstock to back the new and fabulous Crackle Dot iPaper - also from Amber Ink to make a sweet little "v" ended panel - popped up with foam adhesive.  I colored my penguin with my Copic markers making her tutu fluffy with a mixture of oranges and reds!

These little guys and gals totally make me giggle!!  The color inspiration for her skirt came from one of my favorite places to grab something really special for my kids when the occasion calls.  I always drool over these skirts...

I know they are for children but I'd really like one for myself as well!  =)

I hope you have enjoyed my creation and are inspired to create CAS!!

Amber Ink - Sweet Snow Bunnies

Hello everyone!!  I'm popping in with another fun Amber Ink creation!  Truth be told...I'm addicted to these bunnies.  Seriously?  Simple, sweet and crazy CUTE!!  I've used the tiny and gorgeous Tiny I <3 Carrots iPaper, the Tiny Snowflake Lace iPaper as well as the Love Bunny - Kiss, Kiss Fluffy Bottom image.  As you can see I paper pieced my image using PTI Swiss Dot paper.  

I used my Versamark pen to color in their super fluffy tails.  I then coated the Versamark with white embossing powder and heat set.  I did this three times so it would be thick and super glossy and fluffy looking! 

 

I used Kraft cardstock as my 5.5"x5.5" cardbase.  Using my circle Nesties I cut a large circle out of the front of my card.  I used a large Hero Arts background stamp, Versamark ink and more white embossing powder for the fun and wintery swirls.  I cut a circle (the next nested size down) out of the Tiny Snowflake iPaper as a background for my bunnies.

 As you can see, I've actually put the bunnies on the interior of my card but when it's folded closed the bunnies and their background pop out of the front of the card. 

As you can tell, I love to cluster somewhere on my card so here I've done it on the left hand side.  I've used some brilliant coral ribbon from Michael's, the fancy flourish Die-namics die, the Rolled Mum Die-namic and the Notched Tag Set - all from MFT.  I added an SU! sparkly brad in the center of my flower and a felt heart (felt is from PTI) on my tag.  I clustered it all together to compliment the colors of my bunnies and iPaper.  I used the Tiny Carrot paper for the flourishes as well as the flower.

I just love the adorableness, simplicity and sweetness of all the Amber Ink papers and stamps!!  Come on over and play along, shop and hang with us on the blog!!

Bombshell Tutorial - Tiny Notecard Tote

Greeting Fabulous Bombshells!  I'm here with you today to show you how to make a tiny notecard tote to hold four (or more if you choose) 3"x3" notecards. It would make a GREAT gift (SO EASY TO MAKE!!) for a teacher, neighbor, hostess gift, etc!!!

 You will need one piece of solid cardstock (or 2 if you prefer a solid tote) and one piece of designer paper. I chose to have Designer Paper as my tote base but you could easily use the same color cardstock or choose another solid color. That is entirely up to you!!

You'll also need a the following:

• ruler
• pencil
• trimmer
• scoring blade
• 1/16" punch or piercing tool
• 2 brads of any kind
• whatever Bombshell stamp of your choice!

Here I've cut my tote base at 7 1/2" x 3 1/4",  I then cut what will become my tote sides (where the handle will attach) at 8 1/2" x 2 1/4", and lastly my handle at 8"x 1/4".  

Here are the measurements for where you need to score the tote base and sides. 

To embellish the tote handle I simply used a decorative border punch for the sides of the handle.

Now all you have to do is decorate!!  I've used Bombshell's Hula Girl.  Even though it's been snowy and cold here in the Northeast my thoughts are still in warm places!  =)

I colored her with my Copics.  I added my "Island Girl" sentiment and a K&Co rub on embellishment from which I pulled my colors.  I kept everything simple and sweet.  I sponged the edges with an ink blending tool and my Tattered Rose Distress Ink.

I made four 3"x3" notecards using Bombshell's Banner Sayings sentiment pack.  I LOVE this set! 

I hope you've enjoyed this fun and SUPER EASY tutorial!!  Just the thing when you need to whip up a little gift for someone!

Hope you all have a great and creative weekend!

Our Craft Lounge - Distressed and Stressed Challenge #90

Good Friday Morning!!  I'm so excited to be here with you today bringing you my first "official" creation as a Guest Designer for OCL! 

Today our challenge was to Stress and Distress!!  This is challenge #90 and we'd LOVE for you to come play along right here! 

I've used the beautiful and serene Shades of Fall set.  It's a clear acrylic stamp set with seven gorgeous images and six lovely and very versatile sentiments all for $14.99.  It's a FABULOUS and must have in your seasonal collections!

I've used a mish mash of papers from my scrap drawers to create a flurry of Autumn on my 5.5" x 5.5" card.  I layered my matte papers, sponged the edges with distress ink and then stitched them together using a zig zag stitch.  I then curled the edges up using a toothpick.  I used more distress ink and my ink blending tool to get the curled edges inky as well. 

I used my Cricut to cut a giant oval and layered tags out for my central focus point.  I used a Swiss dot embossing folder for the large oval and then sponged the edges of that layer.  I did the same with my central focus tag elements after I stamped "gratitude" "blessings" and "peace" on in black Colorbox ink and heat set with black embossing powder.  I added some dark grey, satin ribbon to the tags to finish that layer off.

I then set to work on my leaves.

I stamped the various leaves that come with the set on kraft and vanilla cardstock.  I then took a bunch of my distress inks in a variety of fall colors and patted them onto my Kraft sheet.  I sprayed them with pearlized water and water colored each one.  When they were dry I carefully trimmed them all out and layered them as surrounding focal points to the top left and bottom right of my main layer.  I added a few different color die cut flourishes on the lower right in addition to a few sparkly, self adhesive rhinestones and a bit of rustic twine. 

I had such a blast creating with this gorgeous set!!  I hope you come join us over a at OCL for this awesome challenge and come and check out what's new in the fabulous OCL store!!

Designing for OCL!!

My Guest Term with Our Craft Lounge starts NOW!!  YAY!!  I can't wait to share what I've made with you!  Just wait till you see!  Such fun and versatile clear and rubber stamps sets!  I'll see you back here on Friday for my first post!

Until then please feel free to drop by the OCL blog and store!!