Simply Steampunk Invitation Challenge

Happy Friday!  Hope you had a fabulous and safe Halloween. We have a new challenge at Simply Steampunk using the new Alice in Wonderland Steampunk Style release from SBS drawn by the fabulous Abigail Larson.  You must make an invitation in the Steampunk style.  I have the pleasure of showcasing Clever Little Alice.  Isn't this a wonderful scene?

I've colored it with Copics and used a metallic Sharpie for the mirror.  The details are amazing.  The more I colored, the more fun things I found.

The card itself is the largest of the Spellbinders Grand Labels Four folded in half. Again I've used the Tim Holtz Weathered Clock Die but cut it in half to show on both sides of the image.  I've also added a metal Steampunk Clock from 7 Gypsies.

The invitation reads "It's a party.  Don't be LATE", spelled out in Alpha stickers.  It doesn't matter what type of event or digi you choose, just please make sure it references the Steampunk style.  For more inspiration, please visit Simply Steampunk to see what my talented teamies have come up with.  This challenge runs through December 5th so there's plenty of time, but don't be late.

I'm also entering this in 613 Avenue Create Anything Goes, Simon Says Monday ATG, and Simon Says Wednesday ATG.

New Alice in Wonderland Release at Simply Steampunk

It's about time, eh?  Be still my heart!  The day has finally arrived for the Simply Steampunk Team to showcase the new Alice in Wonderland Release by the fabulously talented Abigail Larson.  They are available in the Limited Edition Digis at Simply B Stamps.  You KNOW I love me some ALICE!  Today I've the pleasure of working with The Mad Hatter and I couldn't resist another wall hanging.  They're so much fun to make!

The Hatter is colored with Copics and fussy cut and popped atop my fave Clock die from Tim Holtz.  Isn't he a dapper gent?  The Dp's are all from last year's  Halloween in Wonderland from Graphic 45, as is the sentiment.

I added a number of gears from my "go to" Tim Holtz die to further the Steampunk theme.  The basic shapes were cut with my Nesties Grand Labels Four, layered with foam for dimension and strength.  Please visit Simply Steampunk to see the rest of this fabulous release as showcased by my talented teamies and don't forget our current Monochromatic Challenge which runs through the end of the month.

I'm also entering this in Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Fussy Cutting Challenge,  TTRCD Oct 22-28 ATG, and Nutcrafter's Lots of Layers.

HDH Zombies and Creeps Week 2

It's our second week for our Zombies and Creeps Challenge at HDH and the minions have more fabulous inspiration using the images by the same name from Simply B Stamps.  This time I've used the fabulous Mr. Gibbs Zombie Pirate.  I've watercolored the image and made the fab "burnt burlap" background mat using dual tipped watercolor markers from Tombo.  Read about the process here in my 100 Days of Tombow post.  The striped banner DP is from Authentique edged with MS spider web and Drippy Goo punches.  The skully medallions were a gift from my buddie Margie.

Here's a closeup of the fab image, drawn by Abigail Larson.  It's fussy cut and adhered to back CS and fussy cut again and popped.  The sentiment was hand written and the brains are from our own Minion Sister Creepy Glo.  Visit her Etsy shop HERE and check out HDH for her special discount code (scroll down a bit, ya gotta work for it.  LOL).  The metal skull and crossbones are Tim Holtz.  Hope you're enjoying the best month of the year as much as we are.  Keep those Zombies and Classic Creeps coming.

I'm also entering this in the PunkYouGirl Halloween challenge, Simon Says Monday Spooky, Hiding in my Craftroom Color it, Craftitude ATG/Spooky, Creative Corner Let's Go Crazy and Left of Center (using the LOC Theme).

Macabre Monday Zombies and Creeps

Sorry, we're running a bit behind at HDH today with some of the Minions a bit under the weather (last night's beatings were particulary rough) but it's a new challenge day and this fortnight our theme is Zombies and Creeps in honor of the fabulous images provided by our sponsor Simply B Stamps.  We're working with some of the fabulous Steampunk digis drawn by Abigail Larson from the Zombies and Creeps collection and it is my pleasure to introduce Calpernia and Oggie.  I have to say the skull and brains in the forground made me think of popcorn ( go figure) which made me think of "Movie Night" so there ya go.  I've done a little hanging in that theme.  It didn't hurt that I had the perfect DP (Mama-razzi2 Shutterbug from Bo Bunny laying around on my table, either.

Here's a closeup of the fab stamp, all colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped with the black backing.  All wording was computer generated and the piece was banded top and bottom with the Drippy Goo punch from MS.

I was finally able to use my Picture Wheel die from Tim Holtz as a film reel with Tim Holtz Film Strip Tape wound around it.  The Nosferatu digi is from Rick St. Dennis (can't seem to find him on Etsy Or his new Zibbet Shop), shrunk down in my programs to fit the strip.  Obviously this is Oggie's fave flick, but Calpernia doesn't seem too thrilled.  I had a ball with this and stay tuned for more.  In the meantime, check out the other fab makes by the Minions for Week One of Zombies and Creeps.

I'm also entering this in the TTRCD ATG Oct 15-22, and Left of Center using the LOC theme. 

Introducing The Robert's Family Halloween 2013 Release for Simply Steampunk

We have an exciting new release at SBS, just in time for Halloween.  The new Steampunk line from the fabulous Abigail Larson is A Roberts Halloween and I'm featuring the adorable Rio Gone Batty.  I have to say her outfit made me think of Alice in Wonderland so I've done sort of a tea party theme.  The 3D cup is a Sizzix die done with DP from the Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland stack.  The large clock face is another Sizzix die by Tim Holtz.  The flying bat trio is cut from glitter paper using an EK Success punch.

Rio is colored with Copics and stands beside the giant tea cup reminding us not to be late for the party because "Time Flies" (cut from the new Steampunk Halloween DP from Graphic 45).  The winged Steampunk clock was cut from the same DP to which I've glued one of Tim Hotz acrylic Fragments and popped atop a rosette cut from yet another Tim Holtz die.  Rio is just one of the 5 fabulous new Halloween Steampunk Stamps so be sure to stop by Simply Steampunk Challenges to see the gorgeous projects done by my teamies with the rest of the line.  Also remember that our current "Metal" challenge is still going on.  You have until Sept 5th to enter.

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center Girly Challenge (or LOC since she is pretty Halloweenie.  LOL)

Simply Steampunk Metal challenge

It's the first Friday of the Month and that means another fab challenge at Simply Steampunk.  This time we want to see METAL on your project.  The team is showcasing the beautiful new Zodiac Steampunks drawn by the uber talented Abigail Larson, available at SBS. I've made an easel card using the gorgeous Aquarius.

Although these images respresent the signs of the Zodiac, they are not overly literal and lend themselves to many applications.  And because they are digis, they resize easily and can be cropped, as I did here, to give a different affect.

I certainly didn't have any trouble finding metal, did I?  The raindrops  and sentiment are from Colorbok and the fantasy flowers are paperclips I bought at Starbucks eons ago to which I've added some Primas and pearls to soften them up.  No gears this time for me, just delicate feminine beauty.  My DT sisters have done an outstanding job yet again, so be sure to visit Simply Steampunk and give them some love.  We're excited to see your Steampunk projects incorporating some metal and although we welcome anything that fits our challenge, please remember that only those featuring an SBS Steampunk image is eligible for a prize or badge.

I'm also entering this in the C.R.A.F.T. Monochromatic Challenge, the Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge, Lady Anne's Monochrome challenge, 613 Avenue Create anything Goes, the Crafter's Cafe Anything Goes and Tammy's Scrappin' Corner Use a Digi.

Simply Steampunk Zodiac Release

WooHoo!  there's a new Steampunk release at SBS featuring signs of the Zodiac.  I've done a journal page showcasing the gorgeous Scorpio.  I found the fabulous DP on the net and used the PNG version of the stamp to print her right on top.

I read that the color for Scorpios is RED (probably because they're ruled by Mars) so I colored her with Copics in deep red shades.  I also found a picture of the constellation and added adhesive stars in the appropriate shape.  Easy peasy, but I love how it came out. Please stop by the Simply Steampunk challenge blog to see the other fabulous signs and the gorgeous projects by my teamies.  and don' forget, our current Embossing Folder challenge is still going on.  We have some lovely entries, but none of them so far have used an SBS Steampunk Stamp which is required to win a prize.  Now's the time to enter and be eligible.

Simply Steampunk Showcase #2; Graveyard Gretchen

It's my pleasure today to showcase another of the fab Lady Killers available at Simply B Stamps.  (P.S. they're a bargain at only $2.50 each!)  Meet Graveyard Gretchen. She certainly seems involved in the final resting place for her Beloved.  I had a great time making a side step card with a whole graveyard scene.  The rows of stones are an On the Edge Die from Tim Holtz which I've colored with Copics, the moon, a Nesties Circle, and the grass, actually an icicle border punch from MS.  the sentiment is computer generated on a Cuttlebug Emboss plus Fanciful label which I've inked with Distress.

Gretchen is colored with Copic, fussy cut and popped (what else is new?  LOL).  Hmmm...you'd think she'd be a bit more distraught.

Instructions for the side step card were found HERE on Splitcoast Stampers.  I've flipped the cuts so that the tall piece is on the other side, though.  Don't forget we have almost daily inspiration in the Simply Steampunk Challenge Blog and our current Embossing Folders Challenge runs through August 1st.  Hope to see you there. 

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center Challenge (using the LOC theme, although there are stripes on her dress), TTRCD July 16-22 and A Little Bit Crafty Die-ing for It, Dream Valley Fancy Folds and Crafting with Dragonflies Unusual Folds.

Simply Steampunk for Father's Day

Is everyone set for Father's Day this Sunday?  Well here's an idea for you.  It's my day to showcase at Simply Steampunk Challenges and I've made a folding frame card using the new Steampunk Robert's Family Portraits available at SBS.  These images are perfect for all kinds of family occasions, but I thought the boys were specially fab for Father's Day.  I've used a Sizzix die for the frame and cut it 4 times.  The mats are Spellbinders, as well as the die cut gears.

I was trying to represent a kind of timeline.  First we have the adorable Jude.

 

Then the handsome Christian.

And finally, the distinguished and well loved Mr. Roberts.  The sentiment reads, "Dad, When I grow up I want to be just like YOU!"  I had a ball embellishing the card with Tim Holtz bits and bobs, especially the traits so important for a father, taking time to listen, care, and inspire.  I hope this inspires you to create something wonderful for your special Dad.  Of course there are fab female images in the Family Portraits line too that you can see HERE, but that's for another post.  Don't forget we have inspirational pieces going up all month on Simply Steampunk and our current challenge, Clocks/Timepieces runs through July 4th.  Hope to see you there.

I'm also entering this in the Clear it Out, Male and Use Metal Challenge, Crafty Sentiments For a Male Challenge, Creative Craft Challenges2 We Love You Dad Challenge, TTCRD Challenge June 11-17th and Left of Center using the LOC Theme.

Simply Steampunk Bits of Lace Challenge

WooHoo, it's the first Friday of the month which means it's time for a new Challenge at Simply Steampunk.  This month we're asking for Bits of Lace.  All this month, the DT is showcasing the Original Steampunk Images from Simply B Stamps.  Today I'm working with the beautiful Emma.

I know some of you may be a little intimidated by the fabulous detail of these images.  I'll admit, I collected a ton before I ever got the nerve to color one, but here's a little trick;  I like to print mine out fairly large.  Not only is it easier to see what's what, but they make a beautiful bold statement on your project that way.    Also remember, there is no right or wrong way to color them.  If you need some inspiration, the DT will be providing all kinds of it, starting with our Re-release post from March 25th and continuing through the month of April so visit Simply Steampunk often.

I colored Emma with Copics to match the K&Co DP from the old Blue Awning Stack.  the large embossed flower was fussy cut from another of the pages. The expression on Emma's face makes me think she's contemplating a decision so I chose this glass paper clip from Melody Ross that says "Choose for Yourself".  If only life were that simple.  My bits of lace are adhesive backed "lace tape" from Decollections and I've added a bit of velvet rick rack as well.

The little butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch.  I used a kraft knife to fussy cut the image because I love to pop them for dimension.  Be sure to visit Simply Steampunk to see the fabulously inspirational work by my DT sisters and I'm really looking forward to seeing what you create this month for our Bits of Lace challenge which runs through May 2nd.  You needn't limit yourself to an original Steampunk image.  Just add bits of lace to any of the fabulous Steampunk images HERE. 

I'm also entering this in the Pals Paper Arts Fresh Breeze Color Challenge, the Simon Says Stamp and Show Anything Goes Challenge, Papertake Weekly Anything Goes and Cards and More Add some Metal Challenge (the metal paper clip).

Macabre Monday Drop Dead Gorgeous

It's another Macabre Monday at Haunted Design House.  Anyone else totally screwed up by the time change?  EIYIYI!  Thank God I don't have to be anywhere.  Our theme this fortnight is Drop Dead Gorgeous and I've used the fabulously beautiful Gillian the Ghost Bride from Simply Betty Stamps.  Gillian still haunts the hallways in search of her true love.  Alas, she is caught between the manor and the grave until they are reunited for all eternity.  The sentiment is a quote from Sonnet 43 (How Do I Love Thee?) by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. 

To make Gilllian appear more ghostly, I printed her on vellum and shaded her with the Copics Cool Grey range.  This still wasn't quite the effect I was going for so I flipped her after fussy cutting and voila!  The mirror was cut with Spellbinders dies and in a final attempt to add otherworldliness, I covered the entire thing with black tulle.  The flowers are a combo of Prima and Vintage Findings from Making Memories.  Please visit HDH to find more fabulous inspiration by the Minions and be sure to scroll down to see last week's wonderful offerings as well. 

And please don't forget, the voting has now started on the S&S Forum for the Design Team Throwdown HERE.  The Minions are hoping for your support so please sign in  (or ask to join the Smeared and Smudged Forum, if you aren't a member already) and VOTE.  You only have one so make it count!  Scroll down to see my offering, the Creepster Bat.  Ain't he cute?

The Altered Alice Romance in Wonderland

One more project for the Altered Alice February Romance in Wonderland Challenge featuring the fabulous Romance Steampunk images from Simply Betty Stamps.

[ Store | Simply Betty Blog | Challenge Blog | Steampunk Challenge Blog ]

 

 

We wish to thank Simply Betty for the fabulous sponsorship this month.  The winner of the $15.00 certificate will be announced shortly on The Altered Alice Blog.
 

 

Here I've altered a Godiva Chocolate Truffle box using the gorgeous Romance Gwendolyn.

Doesn't she make the perfect Queen of Hearts?  After coloring her with Copics, I fussy cut and popped her on the lid.  The gorgeous swirls behind her are part of the box design. 

Her hair was too pretty to disturb with a crown, so I added a covered wooden one from Artchix Studio to her heart shaped balloon, spelled out "For my" on Alpha Beads and completed the sentiment with a tiny wooden Queen of Hearts card, also from Artchix.

To ground her a bit (and cover up some writing on the box) I added some velvet ric rac and a red rose from her Wonderland palace garden.  I've so enjoyed working with these fabulous Romance Steampunk images and want to thank our participants this month and wish them luck.

 And did you know there is still time left in the very first monthly Simply Steampunk challenge which is Anything Goes?  I am entering my project there as well.

 

Chapter 24, Week 2: Romance in Wonderland

...next [came] the ten courtiers; these were ornamented all over with diamonds, and walked two and two, as the soldiers did. After these came the royal children; there were ten of them, and the little dears came jumping merrily along hand in hand, in couples: they were all ornamented with hearts. Next came the guests, mostly Kings and Queens...

The theme of this quote is couples, and that's what we celebrate in February with Valentine's Day. For the month of February, we are celebrating Romance in Wonderland! As always, you may enter any project that fits the challenge theme, but those that feature Wonderland will have two chances at the prize instead of one. Multiple entries are encouraged but each must be on a separate post; enter by Feb. 23.

[ Store | Simply Betty Blog | Challenge Blog | Steampunk Challenge Blog ]

We are using the fabulous Steampunk Romance images by Simply Betty Stamps . The people pictured in this stamp line resemble grown-up characters in Wonderland, don't you think? You should also check out the whimsical Alice in Wonderland collection. Here is what the oh, so talented Betty has to say:

Simply Betty Stamps started in 2010, when I was forced to close my little scrapbook store due to my last baby coming early. I was home, with a preemie couldn't do much but draw, craft, and had just discovered blogging! I started to nose around about digis, how could I do this, how could I do that? Slowly but surely Simply Betty Stamps was born! I have a quirky sense of humor and I believe it shows in my images. I have immortalized my kids in my images as it is what I love creating with, their everyday shenanigans and goofy ways. I love sharing my creativity, I can't tell you how awesome it is to see others creating with SBS images! I look forward to continuing to bring in the quirkiness to crafters across the globe and look forward to many years of fun images.

It's week 2 of our Romance in Wonderland Challenge at The Altered Alice and I've done a couple of tags using more of the fabulous Steampunk Romance images from Simply Betty.

First off is Romance Annie who makes a fabulous Alice, don'tcha think?  On her way to the croquet field Alice stops to pluck a rose from the Queen's tree where the cards are busily painting them red.  I've used a book page for the background and colored only the roses, which helps set the stage.

Alice looks quite smitten as she smells the sweet fragrance and begins to pluck the rose petals in hopes of discovering if her true love shares her feelings.  The sentiments are done with my Dymo label maker and "He loves me" is flanked by my ever present Alpha Beads  (so happy they include hearts).

And the happy result?  He LOVES her!  (How could he not?)  I have to confess, when I did this as a child, it always came out this way because I'd count the petals and toss those that didn't end in my favor.  LOL  The fabric roses along the bottom were painted with Distress reinkers and I've finished it off with some gorgeous tassel trim that I've been hoarding.  Ah yes, love blooms in Wonderland!

And so you might ask, who is the object of her affection?  Why none other than the Hatter, played by Romance Mercius, of course.  Personally, I always thought they had a bit of a thing going.  I have to admit, this image makes my heart go pitter pat.  He sooo reminds me of my high school Sweetheart, all tall dark and handsome with gorgeous flowing locks (it was the 70's).  One long cool drink of water...MMmmm...!!!  (No, my hubby rarely visits my blog, and if he did, I dare say he wouldn't read this far.  LOL)

I tried to keep the color scheme going, as they are companion tags, using the same background DP but going a bit darker and more masculine here.  He's colored with Copics (as is Alice) and the sentiment is a mix of the Cuttlebug Postage Stamp Alphabet and Dymo labels to further tie the two together.

Couldn't resist a bit of metal, being Steampunk and all, and the key to my heart seemed fitting.  Besides, if you notice, the darker backgound DP is lttle keyholes.  His goggles are tiny hearts.  We call these "love goggles" around here, through which you see only beauty in the object of your affection.  (Pretty much wear them 24/7, thank GOD!)

Finally, the hatter's watch has fallen from his pocket indicating it's "Time for ROMANCE".    The clock face and mad hat are from Artchix Studio and the ball chain from Tim Holtz.  Please don't be late to enter the Romance in Wonderland challenge at the Altered Alice.  You have until Feb 23rd from a chance to win the $15 gift certificate from Simply Betty Stamps, but I noticed today that the Romance  Steampunk images are on sale for only $2.00 (more than 50% off!) so I'd go grab them up ASAP as I'm not sure how long that will last.

Finally, I'm entering my tags in the Simply Steampunk Anything Goes Challenge, the Simply Challenged Anything Goes Challenge, the Whimsical Wednesday Textile challenge (fabric roses, ribbon, tassel and velvet trims), Sentimental Sundays Love is in the Air, the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Anything but a Card Challenge, the February GDT Challenge on The Smeared and Smudged Forum and the brand new Movie Magic Monthly's very first challenge which is Alice in Wonderland.  WooHoo!  Be sure to check them out.   Fab inspiration and lots of my buddies on the DT there.

Chapter 24 Romance in Wonderland

...next [came] the ten courtiers; these were ornamented all over with diamonds, and walked two and two, as the soldiers did. After these came the royal children; there were ten of them, and the little dears came jumping merrily along hand in hand, in couples: they were all ornamented with hearts. Next came the guests, mostly Kings and Queens...

The theme of this quote is couples, and that's what we celebrate in February with Valentine's Day. For the month of February, we are celebrating Romance in Wonderland! As always, you may enter any project that fits the challenge theme, but those that feature Wonderland will have two chances at the prize instead of one. Multiple entries are encouraged but each must be on a separate post; enter by Feb. 23.  One lucky winner will receive a $15 store credit to Simply Betty Stamps.

We are using the fabulous Steampunk Romance images by Simply Betty Stamps [ Store | Blog,  Challenge Blog, and new Steampunk Challenge Blog ]. The people pictured in this stamp line resemble grown-up characters in Wonderland, don't you think?

You should also check out the whimsical Alice in Wonderland collection. Here is what the oh, so talented Betty has to say:

Simply Betty Stamps started in 2010, when I was forced to close my little scrapbook store due to my last baby coming early. I was home, with a preemie couldn't do much but draw, craft, and had just discovered blogging! I started to nose around about digis, how could I do this, how could I do that? Slowly but surely Simply Betty Stamps was born! I have a quirky sense of humor and I believe it shows in my images. I have immortalized my kids in my images as it is what I love creating with, their everyday shenanigans and goofy ways. I love sharing my creativity, I can't tell you how awesome it is to see others creating with SBS images! I look forward to continuing to bring in the quirkiness to crafters across the globe and look forward to many years of fun images.

Today's project for The Altered Alice features the gorgeous Romance Emma.  Doesn't she just make the perfect Alice?  Alice has just found a love letter in her Wonderland mailbox.  I wonder who it's from.  A secret admirer?

I love the expression on her face, so touched by the loving words. The man who can truly express his feelings in writing is a rare one.  He obviously holds the key to her heart (and mine).  I've colored her with Copics in the traditional Alice blue and added a key ring charm.  The heart doily behind her is a Cottage Cutz Die.

The mailbox is a $1 one from Target.  Alice's name is done with the Cuttlebug Embossing Plus Postage Alphabet.

 

The heart border is an MS punch to which I've added tea party charms and pearls.  A blue and white gingham bow and trim seemed fitting.

Finally, on the back is the addy.  14 Love Lane, Wonderland.  Please visit The Altered Alice to see more Romance in Wonderland projects (a bit later since we all run a bit late in Wonderland) and check out the winner of last month's challenge (up NOW!) The new linky will be up with the Romance post so hurry and get started for a chance to win the $15 voucher and choose some gorgeous Simply Betty Stamps of your own.  Remember, Wonderland related projects are not a requirement, but we love to see them and they're counted TWICE!

I'm also adding this to  the Simply Challenged Anything Goes Challenge, The Simply Steampunk Anything Goes Challenge  first ever!  WooHoo!, A Gem of a Challenge Gingham or Checks, Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes, Moving Along With the Times Punch it Out Challenge, The Inky Chicks Bingo Challenge (using Ribbon, Image and Pearls), the Desert Islands Crafter's Challenge #47 using #1,2,3 and 5 (thinkin' the die cut doily is lacy) and the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Love Challenge (a new group for me, go check them out)