One Party Animal!

Greetings Oddies!!  Today marks the first Blog Hop of the new Some Odd Girl term! I am so excited to be showing you some new sets that I know you’re going to enjoy. Today the team will be featuring projects featuring the soon to be released sets, Preppy Pups and our new line, Kaylee’s Closet.


Be sure to leave a comment on each stop as we will be giving away the new Preppy Pups 4×6 set AND our Kaylee’s Closet Wardrobe set!  A fabulous prize for sure!!

You are going to find tons of inspiration with these new sets along the way so let’s get to hopping!  You should have arrived to my blog via the lovely Rachel's blog.  If not be sure to start the hop right HERE.

 My creation today features the adorable Preppie Pups set using the bulldog-esque puppy as well as the HYSTERICAL mustache!  I stamped the puppy using Momento ink onto kraft cardstock and then colored with my Copics.  I inked the mustache with black Colorbox ink and heat set it with black embossing powder.  I cut both of them out and added the mustache with a tiny dab of Glossy Accents.

 I added the sentiment 'party animal' to the right hand side of my main panel.  I anchored the corners with large, sticky back gems and popped the puppy up using dimensional adhesive.

My papers are a mish mash from G45, Crate Paper and Bazzill.  I used the last bit of my VERY favorite May Arts Chevron ribbon (with a note to buy more!) to create a sweet knot on the right hand side, balancing it out with resin flowers from Kaiser on the left.  I added stitching to all of my layers and used an older sketch from MFT as my muse.

Thanks so much for coming by today!  Your next stop on this fun hop is my dear friend Leah C.!  She will SURELY have something to seriously WOW you!!

I've added the entire hop list below just in case you get lost!!  Have fun and have a great weekend!!

Some Odd Girl Blog
Alyce
Vera
Anna Maria
Asa
Anna
Annette
Rachel
Meredith
Leah C
Indah
Kristy

You have through the end of the day on August 5 (midnight EST) to hippty hop to each stop and leave some love. The winners will be announced next week.

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Happy Hamiversary

Good Morning Hambo Fans!!  You may notice that I'm not posting on my usual Wednesday for Hambo!  That's because there's been a shift at the Hoedown and those of us who have been creating with their fantastic digital images are now shifting gears and creating with their equally amazing and very expansive rubber stamp line! 

My creation today features the CUTEST image called List Pig.  I inked the image with Momento and colored it with my Prismacolor pencils.  Not a medium I reach for often but one that I love to use.  I combined it with some fabulous Love Story papers from Fancy Pants.  I've been coveting it since last Valentine's Day and dole it out very slowly!  (hoard much ;) ?)  I paired it with a hilarious sentiment - also from Hambo and can be found here. 

I used my MFT Hearts-a-Plenty and Fishtail Flag STAX dies to compliment my design and added some stitching for extra texture.  As a finishing touch I added teeny, tiny metallic sticky back pearls to anchor my corners.

I hope you enjoy and come on over to play in the newest Hoedown Challenge!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Beach Cutie - A New DYSU Challenge

Broken Box Stock

* A "Toodle Club Membership" and a free Toodle Birthday Calendar.  Total prize package is a $29 value.

Stamp and Create

* $25 Gift Certificate

Greetings DYSU friends!  Today marks another challenge at the DYSU challenge blog!  The challenge is to use Polka Dots.  My sweet swim girl image today is from Stamp and Create.  I printed my image three times.  Once onto Copic Xpress paper, again onto blue cardstock and again onto red/blue polka dotted designer paper.  I first colored my image with my Copics and then paper pieced her towel and bathing suit.

I don't know about you but I totally have Olympic fever this week so this was THE perfect image!  I added lots of fun polka dotted elements using Washi tape and patterned paper.

 I added a cluster with stitched ribbon, baker's twine and a pretty button.

 I used some tiny brads to anchor my corners and lastly my VERY favorite resin flowers that I love love to give my creation that little something extra.  I used my MFT mini tabs - specifically the bracket tab to house my sentiment which is from Some Odd Girl.

I hope you come play along with our polka dots challenge right here at the DYSU Challenge Blog!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Just Keep Swimming...

Greetings Oddies!!  Sooo glad to be here with you today bringing you another fabulous challenge over at the Odd Girl Blog!!  There's a super fun sketch for you to play along with us and don't forget...you have an entire month to play along!!  It's just fabulous all around!

Here's the sketch:

I've used one of my very favorite SOG sets - Under The Sea Mae, this time highlighting the CRAZY CUTE sea horse.  I used one of my most used and most popular "go to" techniques - painting with Distress Inks.  I have to be honest, when I'm in a crunch for time, feeling low on mojo, or am having one or another crafting maladies I turn to this technique to help push me through and finish a creation that I am happy with and can be proud of! 

I inked the seahorse onto good quality watercolor paper and heat set it with black embossing powder.  A tip for using black embossing powder.  If you don't have a fancy powder tool, which I do not, (love those things!) grab a dryer sheet and lightly swift it over your paper.  Don't scrub too hard because then your ink won't grab well to the paper but if you do it lightly it does help eliminate any static cling and you won't be left with so many stray bits of embossing powder.  But there are always a few, so I take a very fine, soft paintbrush and gently sweep away any strays that are hanging around.  I then zap it dry!

I love how quickly the image comes together when painting with the pearlized water yet how sparkly, shimmery and brilliant the color comes out.  I cut it out using my circle Spellbinders matting it with kraft cardstock.

For my background, I started with some very basic designer paper from a HUGE stack pack that I bought years ago.  I recently 'unearthed' it tucked away in a bin.  It seriously was 300 or so sheets and I *think* it was either from K&CO or DCWV.  One of the two.  The paper is really thin and to call the quality fair is being kind.  But I LOVED most of the patterns and colors so I grabbed it when it was on sale eons ago.  When I found it a few weeks ago, I painstakingly went through it tearing out all of the sheets I liked and trimmed them down to a manageable 6x6 size.  I RARELY buy 12x12 anymore unless the patterns are smaller scaled which work better for cards and mini-albums so whatever was leftover went right into my kids art drawers!

 

I grabbed a patterned blue piece but it didn't "quite" go with my scheme so I enhanced it a bit by stamping the background with a Studio Calico background stamp and embossing it with white embossing powder.  I then grabbed the same Distress Inks that I used for the sea horse - Peacock Feathers, Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint and sponged the background until it was exactly how I wanted it.  I love that you can still see the original paper shining through but it looks just richer with the added touches.

I used a variety of embellishments including pearlized and glittery brads, paper doily, baker's twine, fabric flower trim, a fun decorative pin, sticky back rhinestones and my MFT Fishtail Flag STAX Die-namics.

I layered my main panel and ran a straight stitch for extra texture.

I really do love when all of my elements come start to come together.

I do so hope you come join us over at the Odd Girl Challenge Blog!!  Can't wait to see what you create!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

For A Friend...

DYSU Week 82 – For a Friend

Pink Gem

* Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

Little Darlings Rubber Stamps

* $10 Gift Certificate

Floppy Latte Digital Designs -
 http://www.floppylattedesigns.com/catalog/

* $10 Gift Certificate

Greetings DYSU friends!!  Today marks another great challenge with great sponsors at the DYSU challenge blog!  This week is to create something for a friend and there are super fabby sponsors, as always!!

Here is my creation for this week:

I kept is crisp and CAS. I created a row of rainbow hearts out of Fimo clay, added some stitching, a bit of Ouchless Cardboard from Gauche Alchemy and cork corners cut using my MFT Photo Corners Die-namics.

 

The sentiment is from Loves Rubberstamps and is inked in SU! Basic Black ink.

 

I love the simple impact this creations has.  I can't wait to see what you create for us!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Just Clownin' Around!

Good morning Hambo Friends and Fans!!  Welcome to another fabulous challenge!!  This week we are challenging you to use polka dots on your creation!  Easy, right?  We can't wait to see what you create!!

This week we're using the digital image set called Clown Shoes.  I printed the image onto Copic Xpress blending paper and paper pieced his entire outfit.  I colored his gloves, face and hair with my Copics.  As you can see, I used Glossy Accents on his nose and mouth.  This is just so fun and silly!!

I mix and matched papers from my stash to create the stitched background.  I used a bit of navy blue, silk cording for my bow.

I do hope you come along over to the Hoedown and join us for this fun challenge!  Remember..you must use a Hambo image to play along!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

DYSU Week #81 FOOD

Meljen's Designs

* Winner's Choice of 4 Images

Wonderstrange Arts

* 5 Digital Stamps (not from sets)

Rhoda Design Studio

* $15 Gift Certificate

Greetings DYSU friends!!  Today brings another challenge over at the DYSU challenge blog!  This week's  theme is Food!  Yep, that's right!  A super easy one!  We have some great sponsors this week, as always, and I'm using a simple and sweet image from Rhoda Design Studio. 

I printed my image twice.  Once onto vanilla cardstock and again onto patterned paper - SU! or PTI (I can't remember).  I then paper pieced some of my image after I did just a quick bit of shading to give the cup a bit more depth.

I created my background using a coffee ring stamp from Skipping Stone Designs.  I inked it with Versamark and heat set it with clear embossing powder.  I kept the overall look simple and clean so the cup and background would stand out.  I used my MFT Tab Die-namics to house the sentiment - also from SSD.  The mix and match flags are also from MFT - Fishtail Flag STAX.

Thanks for coming by today!!  I do hope you come join us at the DYSU Challenge Blog!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

You Look Marvelous!!!

Greetings Hambo Fans!!  This week's challenge over at the Hoedown is to use punches!  I've used the super cute and trendy Sunglasses digital image.  I printed the image twice, once onto white cardstock and then again onto patterned paper.  I paper pieced my image and thickly glazed up the lenses of the glasses.

 I used a lot of layers of delicious Bazzill cardstock and Basic Grey paper.  I added some stitching, lots of mini brads and a deliciously preppie, twill striped flower.

I used one of the sentiments that come with the set and added a really sweet little butterfly punch by Martha Stewart.  I used adhesive back cork, layered three times to create my punched embellishment.

I hope you've enjoyed my creation today and will come play with us at the Hoedown!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to you!!  Happy Birthday to you!!  Happy BIRTHDAY DEAR JUDY!!!  (can you hear me yelling yet?!?!) HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYY TOOOOOOOOOO YOUUUUU!!!

Welcome all to today's AWESOME Hambo Hop in celebration of our darling Judy's Birthday!! 

But before the celebration begins, you should be arriving here from my friend Kris' blog.  I KNOW she had something darling to share with you!! 

Ok back to Judy's Birthday!!  Today I've made a fun card using one of my VERY favorite Hambo Digital Designs - Artist Pig.  I mean really...is there ANYTHING cuter!?!?!  LOVE! 

I printed my image onto Copic X-Press Blending paper and colored my Copics.  I paper pieced the artist's smock and the paint palette.  I did the entire coat first and then layered the palette over the entire coat/palette image to ensure the proper dimension. 

I used papers from Bazzill and American Crafts.  I just love how brads can anchor a panel!  I've used silver and bitty blue brads.  I trimmed my sentiment out using a set of Nesties and layered the bottom with solid turquoise cardstock and stitched to blend them together.

I used my very favorite MFT Heart Die-namic to add some extra love to this project made JUST for Judy!!

Ok off you scoot to my darling friend Carolina's blog to see what she's created for the birthday girl!!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDY!!  Wishing you all the very best, today and always!!

Here are just a few "administrative details":

1. Each blog stop will be giving away ONE free digi to a random commentor on that post.

2. ONE person who leaves a comment at every stop on the way, AND wishes Judy a happy birthday on the Hoedown blog will get a $15 Hambo shopping spree (for rubber OR digital images).

3. Comments must be left by midnight Monday, July 16.

4. ALL winners will be posted on the Talk to the Ham blog on Wednesday, July 18. 

 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

 

Sweet Eleanor...

Greetings Friends!!  Just a happy Loves post today featuring the oh so adorable Eleanor from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. 

I inked Eleanor in Momento ink and colored her with my Copics.  I paper pieced her swim cap and flower details.  I first pieced her cap.  I then inked the flowers, colored them and trimmed them out.  Once they were trimmed out I coated them with Versamark ink and clear heat embossed them.

 I kept my LO pretty clean and simple using summery reds,whites and blues.  I just love me a nautical theme!  (wink!) 

I used my very favorite May Arts Chevron Ribbon in combination with a really sweet anchor brad to complete the look!

Thanks for coming by today!!  Have a GREAT weekend!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Happy Flowers...

Hi YNS friends!!  Today brings us another challenge at the YNS blog and SCS forum.  This week's theme is flowers!  Easy peasy, huh?  I've used the Seasonal Icons Two set in my creation today. 

One of my favorite techniques lately is to play with watercolor paper, Distress Inks and pearlized water in a mister bottle.  I just LOVE the effect and the original feel this lends to a handmade creation.

I used Versamark ink and white embossing powder to lay the image down.  I added Seedless Preserves and Shaded Lilac on top then misted with my pearlized water and zapped it with my heat gun (because I am really impatient! *wink*)

I added some of my most favorite and cherished resin flowers as tiny accents. 

Thanks so much for coming by today!!  And I do hope you'll join in our Flower Challenge here and here!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

DYSU Challenge #80 - Color Challenge

The Stamping Boutique

* Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

Copic Maker Scrapbooking

* 6 copic ciao marker (North/South America), Martha Stewart punch (rest of the world)

Scrapper's Delight

* $5 Gift Certificate

Greetings DYSU Friends and Fans!  Today starts another new challenge over at the DYSU Challenge Blog!! 

This week's challenge is the color theme that you see at the beginning of this post.  Today I'm not using a sponsored image but an image that I totally love from the Pure Innocence line called Cute-A-Tude from MFT.  I also used last week's MFT sketch as my muse. 

I inked the sweet Pure Innocence sweetie in Momento ink and colored her with my Copics.  I then paper pieced her dress.  I used papers from my scrap bin.  (yes...my scrap bin is large and bottomless!!) 

I used my MFT Flag STAX, Beautiful Botanical and Fringed Perennial dies to accent my project.  I will tell you that I did snip apart (gasp!!) the acrylic sentiment to make it fit my space better!  I love doing this as it makes any set so much more versatile!

I can't see what you create for us over at the DYSU Challenge Blog!!

Thanks so much for coming by today!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Sweet Friend...

Greetings Oddies!!  I'm back with another GORGEOUS new image from Kristy at Some ODd Girl!!  Today's fairy is called Forest Friend Fairy.  Isn't she darling?  When making this card I was in a super dimensional mood so clearly...this is one to be hand delivered!  HA!  I've colored her with my Copics and she was printed out onto Copic X-Press Blending paper.  It's my coloring medium of choice these days.  After coloring her, I started layering my Ouchless Cardboard, Notebook Edge punch from SU!, PTI ribbon, some acrylic paint and stitching to add to the mix!

I used a large pre-assembled award style ribbon that I picked up at Michael's to complete the pedestal that this gorgeous fairy is perched upon.

Thanks so much for coming by today!!  Don't forget to pop by the Odd Girl shop and pick up this and the other gorgeous new images!!


Crafty Hugs!
Meredith