Lacy Sunshine A Little Pick Me Up For My Man

I thought I'd make a little somethin' for my man since it's been awhile.  Just a little bit of a tickle to let him know I love him.  The adorable image is Lacy Sunshine Josette French Maid (and you better grab her quick because she's retiring and only $1.00).  She's colored with Copics and cut with the largest of the Spellbinders Floral Ovals die.  The DP was laying on my table from (?), the sentiment computer generated.  It needed a bit more so I added some peel off corners (my forgotten thing for OCC).  Although I'd planned to use one of the fab new Mermaids (actually, there's LOADS of new images) in the current Lacy Sunshine challenge, this was more important and still fits since it's Anything Goes.

Had to finish the inside of this one.  Again, the sentiment is computer generated.  Hee Hee!  Hope he gets a kick out of it. 

I'm also entering this in Inspire Me Fridays Anything Goes, Our Creative Corner Forgotten Things, 4 Crafty Girlz Anything Goes, A.R.T. Card Challenge Anything Goes, Paper Crafting Journey For a Boy, Creative Moments ATG or Frame It, Rhedd and Rosie Something for Men, Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes, Clear It Out Let's Hear It For The Boys w/ Punches or Die Cuts, and DL.ART September Linky Challenge. 

Dilly Beans Glitter and Jewels

Our challenge this week at Dilly Beans is Glitter and Jewels.  I used one of Megan's fab whimsical flowers, #549 Hello Framed, to make a fairly CAS all occasion card.  Not a whole lot of coloring to be done, but I used Copics in Autumn colors and applied adhesive gems.  The frame is cut with a Nesties square and both the image and mat are popped for dimension.  I made the glitter strips by applying 1/4" Terrifically Tacky Tape to the mat (one at a time)and sprinkling with glitter.  Use a brush to clean off the excess and you have fabulously straight lines.  The black beaded lines are peel offs.  Kinda different for me, but it was fun.  Please visit the Challenge Blog for more fabulous inspiration from my DT sisters and be sure to come play along.

I'm also enering this in the Sarah Hurley Autumn Glow Challenge, the House of Gilli ATG/Fall, 4 Crafty Chicks Bingo (using Flowers, Sentiment, Bling), Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes, and the Addicted to Stamps and More CAS Challenge.

Steampunk Zodiacs 2 Release at Simply Steampunk

It's another exciting day at Simply Steampunk Challenges.  We're celebrating the release of Steampunk Zodiacs Collection 2 and I'm thrilled to be showcasing Taurus, because that's MY sign.  I've used beautiful Fall colored DP from K&Co and framed the image using Spellbinders Labels 25.  The gears are also Spellbinders dies that I've grunged up a bit in Steampunk fashion with Distress Inks.  The fall flowers are Recollections.

The lovely Taurus is colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped for dimension.  As you will see, the images don't exactly scream Zodiac, making them very versatile.  Hey, those horns could totally mean something else. LOL

The Taurus traits were found on the net.  Strong willed and aggressive?  Moi?  Well, okay, some I agree with but "the Tramp"?  How RUDE!  Just 'cause we're good kissers (so I've been told) and love to indulge in sensual pleasures (of all kinds) DOES NOT make us Tramps.  Still, I loved the scroll, so I had to include it.  Now that all of the signs are represented, you must see the rest of my Teamies' fabulous projects at Simply Steampunk.  And don't forget, you've still got time to play in our Layers Challenge going on now.  Hope to see you there.

I'm also enering this in the LEJ Designs Lots of Layers Challenge, TTRCD Anything Goes Sept 24-30, Created with Love Fall Colors, Crafting When We Can Seasons Challenge, Dream Valley Autumn Challenge and Lexi's Creations Autumn Colors.

Jump for Joy at with Digi Darla

I recenty had the pleasure of winning some adorable digi stamps from Digi Darla and I'm in love.  (Lots of KITTIES, among others, and you KNOW how I love me some KITTIES!) I'm just in time to enter their current Anything Goes Challenge w/ the optional Twist: Hop, Skip or Jump.  Thought I'd try for the "twist" and chose Aviator Kitty 7 (EEK!  so cute!)  He's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped on what I thought was THE PERFECT DP by Heidi Grace.  Wow! this card almost made itself.  The card is 4x8 1/2" to get all the fab details in the DP.  Kinda fun and unexpected, don'tcha think?  The sentiment was computer generated in coordinating paper from the stack.  All I added then were some buttons.

And don't faint, I actually finished the inside!  Although I think this would be a perfect birthday card for a boy, I used a more generic sentiment just in case another occasion pops up.  I can always hand write the birthday greeting.  I even had some matching (ancient) Heidi Grace rub-ons to jazz it up a bit.  I'm pretty tickled at how this all worked out and I'll be perusing more of that DP to use with other DD digi's because I think they were MFEO.  Don't you?  Have a great weekend!

I'm also adding this to the TTRCD anything Goes Challenge Sept 17-23rd, Cutie Pie Challenges A Cute One for the Boys, and the ABC Challenge V is for Very Cute.

Dilly Beans Ribbons Challenge

There's a new Challenge at Dilly Beans, and this week we want to see Ribbons.  I wantd to do something different so I used my magic ribbon curling technique (click HERE for the tut) and used it for the hair on the adorable #405 Alliyah Framed.   She was colored with Copics first, ran my ATG gun over the hair and then cut slits at the top and bottom for each strand and threaded the ribbon through. The felt daisy is from M's.  This is actually ATC size and I left it that way to enter the Wicked Wednesday Crazy for Daisies Challenge.  My teamies have done a fabulous job so be sure to visit the Challenge Blog and leave them some love.  Hope to see you there and on our new Facebook Fan page too.

I'm also entering this in Creative Crafts Challenges2 Use Ribbon.

Showcasing Christian Count Drac for Simply Steampunk

It's my pleasure today to introduce the irresistible Christian Count Drac from the fabulous Steampunk A Robert's Halloween release by artist Abigail Larson, available only at SBS.  I've done a Halloween wall hanging in the Steampunk Style using a number of dies from Spellbinders and Tim Holtz for Sizzix.  the DP's come from the Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells 8x8 pad. 

This handsome guy was colored with Copics in traditional Halloween colors.  I know some of you find these detailed images intimidating (trust me, I know, I collected them for a year before ever taking the plunge) but once you start, they become addictive and so very much fun!  I've rubbed the clock face (Sizzix) and wings (from a Cuttlebug Emboss Plus folder) with several colors of Gilder's paste to highlight the embossing and give a metallic sheen.

The sentiment was computer generated, cut with Nesties and inked with Distress.  I wanted to crush the clock face a bit with a hammer, but it wouldn't crack so I cut the surface with my craft knife and rubbed on black paste (and buffed the surface) to bring out the cracks.  The tiny black border is done with peel offs and I couldn't help but add more of the Tim Holtz mini gears.

The layers are popped for dimension which not only adds interest, but also strength to the hanging.  And speaking of Layers, that's the current challenge on the Simply Steampunk Blog, running through October 3rd.  SBS stamps are no longer required to win, but do keep your project in the Steampunk style.

I'm also entering this at Left of Center using the LOC theme, Tuesday Throwdown #165 Things with Wings, the All Crafts Aug/Sept Anything but a Card Challenge, Artistic Inspirations Anything Goes or Frame It,  Crafty Cardmakerss Winged Things, Lady Anne's Must Have Wings Challenge, and Desert Island Crafter's using #1,4,5 and 7.

Stampotique 116, Try a New Technique and Another Boy Oh Boy for Wicked Wednesday

This week's Stampotique Challenge 116 is try a new technique and I've been dying to try a melted crayon background.  Of course I didn't exactly follow the instructions, but it's not too bad for a 1st attempt (at 6:30 am, no less).  I have to saythough, this is no child's play.  Those crayons have a mind of their own when you zap 'em with a heat gun.  LOL  Thought it would be a perfect background for Quizer and Mervynboy and their box of crayons from the Tools Cube, all by Daniel Torrente for Stampotique Originals.  The sentiment is computer generated.  They are all conveniently sized for an ATC so I could also enter this in the Wicked Wednesday ATC Boy Oh Boy Challenge.  WooHoo!

Macabre Monday Who Are You Supposed to Be?

This week the new Macabre Monday challenge is,"Who are you supposed to be?"

You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Hallowe'en based art piece that depicts a costume orcharacter you have been, or want to be for Hallowe'en.  Isn't there that one costume you always remember fondly from your childhood? Or maybe that one character you've always wished you had the guts (or the money, or the body) to portray at this year's costume party?

We're being sponsored by I Brake for Stamps.  They have a varied selection of images from various artists.  Something for everyone.

We have chosen to work with the new Hallowe'en images designed by Rick St. Dennis.  All of his Randy Dandy images are available there in digi and there's a great assortment of Rick's designs in rubber, too.  It should be no big surprise that I chose Denise Devlin although any resemblence is purely coincidental.  LOL
I've always been pretty much considered the "good girl" but under my sweet exterior lies...Ummm..., nevermind.  She was great fun to color with Copics and I fussy cut her, backed her with black and fussy cut a border around her to stand out a bit from my fave flames background image I found on the net.  She's glitzed up a bit with gems and I gotta say I really covet those earrings.

It's an easel card and the fab sentiment is one of my faves from Ginger's House.  It's cut with a Spellbinder's Labels Four and inked with Distress.  Used the last of my webby red ribbon and more jewels to set it off.  This is week One of our challenge and my teamies have done a fab job so be sure to check them out HERE and come play along because we're all DYING to see who you're supposed to be.

I'm also entering this in the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Make it Funny challenge, The Pink Elephant Digi Image or Papers Challenge, Corrosive Challenge Maiden, Mother Crone, and Left Of Center using the LOC theme.

Wicked Wednesday ATC Boy Oh Boy Challenge

Wicked Wednesday's Challenge this week is Boy Oh Boy, sponsored by Jellypark so I thought it would be fitting to use one of their images.  One of my faves is Dinosaur Boy.  It makes me think of the book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.  I printed the image twice, once on regular card stock and once on some I'd spritzed with Dylusions Sprays through a potato sack for texture and then fussy cut and layered so the face and teeth weren't green.  Couldn't resist the teeny google eyes.  What can I say?  The DP is from the DCWV Kids Safari Stack that I've had for years and never used.  Got a kick out of the "chomp...chomp".  Used some twine and a corduroy button to embellish (thought it looked "boyish"  LOL).  The team has done a fab job with this theme so be sure and check them out HERE and HERE and for once I'm early so there's still time to join in.

I'm also entering this in the Jellypark All About the Kids Challenge.

Lacy Sunshine Dies and/or Punches

I had a great time playing at the Lacy Sunshine  Facebook Fan page during their Friday the 13th celebration in honor of the new Lady Heather's Curiousities Release.  It was my LUCKY day as I won several of the new creepy but cute (be still my heart!) images so I wanted to color one right up to use in the current Dies and/or Punches Challenge on the Challenge Blog.  Just in time, too.  WooHoo!  I've made a tag using my Nesties Arched Windows and Memory Box Small Spider Web.  The full moon behind is also a Nesties and the Tombstone is Cuttlebug.  The fence around the scene is Martha Stewart so I think I've got that all covered.

The adorable image is Myra Mains  (HeeHee!  say that slowly, pretty cute, eh?).  I printed her twice, colored her with Copics fussy cut, and popped the roses.  I used the color scheme to fit with the current Red and Black challenge at PunkYouGirl.  Myra is just one of a whole host of new creepy cute images available at the Lacy Sunshine shop under Lady Heather's Curiosities and Melancholy Moppets.  Have to say, I want them ALL!

Had a bit of a time photographing the dimension, but this is my best shot.  Gotta hurry and get this entered but you've got to check out the cool loyalty program they've got going, too.  It's explained on the Challenge post.  Have a great weekend.  I think I'm gonna be coloring.

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center challenge #14 No Designer Papers AND LOC.

Dilly Beans Washi Tape Challenge

Happy Friday!  It's a new Challenge day at Dilly Beans and and we're asking for Washi tape.  I have to admit, although I've had these rolls for over a year, I haven't used much of the stuff so this is sort of a new one for me. But now that I've taken the plunge, I think it could be pretty addictive.  I've paper pieced the hair and dress of the adorable #538 Poppy Circle Frame and colored the rest with Copics (right over the paper piecing of her dress as well).  Then I cut a square mat and layered the orange Washi first, and then the yellow in a starburst pattern and cut the window with a Nesties Circle. (It's supposed to look like a sun, in case you missed that.) I wasn't sure if my printer would print on Washi so after laying the green tape down on card stock and cutting the banner, I just added the printed sentiment on top.  Both the mat and banner are popped for dimension and there ya go.  My teamies had a ball with this one too, so be sure to check out the Challenge Blog and leave them some love.  Now it's your turn!

Be sure and join the new Dilly Beans Facebook Group and share all of your Dilly Beans creations.

I'm also entering this in the Cute Card Thursday Hip to be Square Challenge, the Paper Shelter Sun, Moon, Stars Challenge,  the Sisterhood of Crafters Devine Digi Challenge, Stamp and Doodle Spots and Stripes, Oldie but A Goodie Spots and Stripes Challenge (washi is old), the Use it Tuesday Friendship Challenge (washi from stash) and the Left Of Center No Designer Paper Challenge #14 (Don't worry, I'll be back with LOC shortly, LOL).

Simply Steampunk Showcase Featuring Monster Mr. Roberts

I'm so excited to showcase the fabulous Monster Mr. Roberts from the Steampunk A Roberts Halloween range on the Simply Steampunk Challenge Blog.   It's so hard to find images for mature male projects and I think he's just perfect!

This gift bag started out as a wine bag.  I loved the dark castle image but didn't want the bottom 3rd so I cut it apart and glued it back together.  Better size anyway, as far as I'm concerned. 

 

I printed the image on kraft paper and colored him with Copics.  The gravesones are a combination of punches and dies, also out of kraft and distressed.

 

The sentiment is from the Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells.  Perfect, don'tcha think?  This was a fun one and can't wait to fill it with creepy goodies.  Be sure to visit Simply Steampunk Challenges.  We have additional inspiration all month long and our current Layers Challenge runs through Oct 3rd.  Hope to see you there.

 

I'm entering this in the Whimsy Stamps Masculine Challenge, Ruby's Rainbow It's a Male Thing, and The Squirrel and the Fox It's Raining Men challenge and the DLArt September Linky Party and Desert Island Crafters Challenge #61 using #'s 2,3,6 and possibly 8.

Wicked Wednesday 100th Challenge Celebration

Wicked Wednesday ATC's  is celebrating their 100th challenge with loads of fab prizes and I've almost missed the party.  My party Zombie is from Rick St Dennis.   He's no longer available, but there's a pretty reasonable facsimile at I Break for Stamps HErE.  Gotta love him!  Dp's from MME Lime Twist.  Sorry for the short post, but it's pretty self explanatory and I'm running LATE!   Congrats to you, Jenn and your fabulous team!

Macabre Monday Halloween in Your FACE Week Two

We're gearing up for Halloween at Haunted Design House (ok, so we sort of do that all year round, but still...) with Week TWO of our Halloween in Your Face Challenge.  We wanna see Halloween colors and images and LOtS of them.    The Minions are lucky enough to use images from the new Gloomsville set from our fabulous sponsor, THE OCTOPODE FACTORY. 

Available individually or as a set, I've chosen the Gloomsville Witch and her Gothic Cat Cesar.

I couldn't make up my mind, so I had to color her 3 different times.  The orange swirling vortex is the from the Circus Procession set at Smeared Ink.I printed it on orange card stock. cut it our with a Nesties Circle and then with the Spiral Die from Sizzix.

In order to get the depth, I mounted it on another tent card.  The stars are hand drawn and colored, the sentiment is computer generated.  Be sure to stop by Haunted Design House to see more of the Minions fabulous art using Lily's fun quirky images and be sure to play along for the chance to win! 

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center Challenge 13 (LOC theme), 613 Avenue Create #36 Anything Goes, and the DL Art Sept Linky Party.

Dilly Beans-Buttons Challenge!

I'm on a roll today after a dry week.  This is my second post so please scroll down for the monthy Simply Steampunk Challenge.

Button, button, who's got the button?  Dilly Beans, that's who!  Our Friday Weekly Challenge calls for Buttons and the team has outdone themselves.  I was really excited for this one because I sort of hoard buttons and had the perfect embossing folder from Sizzix to boot.  The adorable #553 Penny had ther perfeect hair for the cool vintage buttons by Jenni Bowlin, to which I added flower ones from Making Memories.  The rest of her hair and dress is paper pieced.  All DP is from the DCWV All About Girls mat stack.  Scattered more buttons about and added my sentiment with pastel Alpha Beads and I was done.  WooHoo!  Now it's your turn.  Please keep in mind that we require a Dilly Beans image for our challenges.  There are a couple of specials going on there so it's worth a look.


Although I rarely submit a non LOC card at Left of Center, I'm also entering this for the #13 Girly theme, the Stampin' With the Dragon Buttons and Bows, 613 Ave Create Anything Goes and the DL Art September Linky Party.

Simply Steampunk Layers Challenge

It's a new challenge day at Simply Steampunk Challenges and this month we want to see layers on your project.  The DT is using the new Roberts Halloween images and I have the pleasure of showcasing the gorgeous Witchy Mrs. Roberts.

I bought a whole new line of Copic greys (N's) for her clothes since most of my C's need refilling.  Wow, I forgot how much easier it is to blend with new ones. (Even with the crap card stock I use.  LOL)  I've added some of the small Steampunk gears to the bat (Cuttlebug) and spider (Jolee's).

The card is a tent card but doesn't really show in the picture.  My base is 12"x5", instead of 8 1/2"x4 1/4" like in the tutorial and I've cut my windows in the base and 1st layer with Nesties Labels (?  Hmm... they're around here somewhere), then layered the largest Timeless Rectangle (that I cut the center out with my kraft knife) and finally my new Memory Box Spiderweb behind.  The sentiment stickers are from Authentique, the Steampunk Spells book from the Graphic 45 8x8 stack.  I've stretched a Tim Holtz Mini Rosette to fit behind the oval and added another gear.  OOOh, I just LOVE those things!

Here's a better view of the depth.  The inside scene is from a DCWV stack and I've added a spooky fence (MS punch) between.  My DT sisters have done some amazing work so be sure to check them out HERE and leave them some love.  We're thrilled with the fabulous work our participants shared in our last challenge and can't wait to see how you Layer.

I'm also entering this in the Desert Island Crafters Challenge #61 using #'s 2,3,5,7,8 and 10 (spider is glittery) and Left of Center Challenge 13 (both girly and LOC).