Once a Minion, ALWAYS a Minion

 

Hey all. Happy Monday!  Of course it's a Macabre Monday at Haunted Design House and I'm here with a week 2 inspiration for our current Gruesome Guardians Challenge.

We want to see your dark projects featuring a guardian-type
creature that protects or guards treasures, doorways to other worlds,
long forgotten Fae royalty, whatever. Make it up! We'd love to
hear your story! Just make sure that you explain your guardian
if it isn't painfully obvious in your work.
 

We have a saying in the dungeon that "Once a Minion, ALWAYS a Minion."  Here's why.  Lucky Blackdragon, having an in with the Guardian, but the rest of us are pretty much sequestered by our pal (Dragon by the fab Rick St. Dennis).  He's colored with Copics and has a bit of sparkle via some lime green Stickles.  Our dungeon gate is  a rubber stamp from Heartfelt Creations and the fab skullie medallion is a RAK from my buddy Margie. (Thanks hon, you KNOW what I like.  LOL)  Our  dungeon wall is embossed with the Tim Holtz Bricked folder, sanded a bit and distressed.  The HDH banner was hand cut and computer generated.

 

Obviously, "What happens in the dungeon, STAYS in the dungeon."

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.

 

Dilly Beans Pink and Red

 

WOW, look at this!  Time for another Dilly Beans Challenge and this week it's to use the colors Pink and Red.  Megan's been a busy little bee and has added some fabulous new quirky flowers to the Dilly Beans Shop.  I'm thinkin' they have sort of a Zentangle vibe and I have to say I was so inspired I immediately chose # 541 Doodle Flower 1 and also #542 Happy Day Framed to make my card.  They were sized in my printmaster Program to fit together and I colored only the the framed digi  and popped it for a sort of Spotlight technique.  Very CAS for me, but I loved how quickly and easily it went togther and can imagine doing a set like this in a variety of colors with some of the other flower combos HERE. And if you love owls, there a a couple of cool new ones in this same style so be sure to check them out.  Now visit the Challenge Blog for further inspiration from my fabulous teamies and come join us with your prettiest pink and red.

I'm also entering this card in The Perfect Sentiment Floral Fantasia Challenge and Tuesday Throwdown Monochromatics Challenge.

"All Aflutter" For a Few Challenges

I've been dying to enter a number of my fave challenges again and life seems to always get in the way, but when I saw the Beating Hearts ATC Challenge at Smudgy Antics and the current itinerary at Desert Islands Crafters sponsored by Smeared Ink along with the month long February Challenge on the Smeared and Smudged Facebook Fan page I thought I could sneak in a threefer.  The heart and wings are from the Candy is Dandy Rubber set from Smeared Ink which is currently retired, but may become part of the Rubber Club at some future date.  It is, however, available as digis HERE as a set and HERE and HERE as individual stamps.  The heart was heat embossed in red and colored a bit with Copics.  The wings are from the flying ice cream cone and stamped with Versamark and heat embossed in white for the chalkboard technique for the Feb Facebook Challenge (ask to join the group, if you haven't already).  I didn't have any white ink so I used a white pencil to shade and give it more of the chalkboard effect.

 

For the Desert Island Crafter's Challenge I've used #'s 1,2,5,7,8,9, and 10.  Please visit their blog to see the fab work by the DT and Guest Designers from Smeared Ink and to see the fun itinerary for this challenge.  The ATC was sort of difficult to  photograph because the heart is on an Action Wobble which cast a shadow so here you can see a bit more of the texture by way of the cool web ribbon and Goosebumps Texture Spray and the distressed edges done with the Tim Hotz tool.  Gotta love that Tiny Attacher, too.

 

I'm also adding this to the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Challenge which is Movement (anything that moves).

Wicked Wednesday ATC Celebrate the Season Challenge

The new challenge at Wicked Wednesday is Celebrate the Season, sponsored by Jellypark.  I have to take my dear friend and WW Blog owner Jenn (and DT member for Jellypark Friends) for turning me on to these stamps and alerting me to the Jellypark Club which is free when you sign up for the bimonthly newsletter.  We've had some gorgeous weather so I couldn't quite bring myself to use a winter image for this challenge, but since V-Day was just past and Easter is coming up the end of March, I decided to go sort of double duty using the adorable Jellypark gal with the heart freebie I just got with the newsletter and their 2013 Charity Stamp for the Sick Children's Trust available HERE.

I thought the bunny ears and suit should be fuzzy so I fussy cut those pieces after coloring with Copics, ran them through my Xyron face down and rubbed the adhesive in flock.  I was able to tweak the color of my flock by mixing in a bit of white and attached another tiny fussy cut heart to the suit beforehand.  I layered the heart in the girl's hand before adding Glossy Accents and added a little to the tiny heart on the suit as well.  The sentiment is computer generated.

I'm also entering this in the Glitter and Sparkle Anything but a Card Challenge (it's an ATC), and ATC's With Attitude Be My Valentine Challenge, the Jellypark Friends So Sweet Challenge, as well as the special Jellypark Club Competition from the newsletter using the Charity stamp.

Dilly Beans Black and Red

TGIF!  It's gonna be 70 degrees here today and I'm lovin' the thought.  Can't wait to get outside and soak up some sunshine.  It's also time for another fun Dilly Beans Challenge: Black and Red.  It's one of my fave color combos and what could be more perfect than the sweet #198 Framed ladybug girlie?  (scroll down to find her)  She's colored with Copics and I've added a little doodling and popped her atop a ladybug  and scalloped border done with punches from MS.  "Love" is from a freebie that came with my Cuttlebug eons ago and how could I not add Alpha Beads?  Pretty simple but I think she's a cutie.  Be sure to stop by Dilly Beans for more inspiration from my lovely teamies and come play along.

I'm also entering this in the Fresh Brewed Designs Feb Monthly Hearts and Dots Challenge.

(Warning!) A Kinda Naughty Valentine

Okay, I'm warning you again that this may not be appropriate for all viewers so you might as well stop here if NC 17 is beyond your rating preference.  I think it's pretty cute though, and I'm hoping my man does too.  (Pretty dang sure he will) LOL  Naturally I've waited 'til the last day to enter Sparkle and Glitter Challenge with Rick St. Dennis but I wasn't quite sure what images to use until I bought some Junkyard Findings from Prima (you'll be seeing those later).  The challenge is Hearts and Hugs and I've colored up the cute Robotics 2//Out of this World and Robotics 101.  A match made in heaven, don'tcha think?  They're colored with Copics, fussy cut and he's popped and she's on an Action Wobble.  Tried hard to gt a pic of her shakin' her booty but it just didn't work out.  The hearts are Spellbinders.

This ended up being one fat card.  Here you can see a bit of the dimension.  She's been flipped to face him and her sentiment is computer generated.  Now the nex pic involves what he's hiding under his Valentine so you might wish to stop here or send the kiddiess out of the room, unless you feel like having "THAT" discussion right here and now. 

 

Umm...what can I say?  The devil made me do it.  HeeHee!  This lightbulb was one of those Junkyard Findings.  I just couldn't resist.  The sentiment is a new one at ADFD.  Thought it was pretty perfect.

 

Both inside and out the embossing is from the Cricut Companion Robotz folders.  The sentiment (an understatement) again computer generated with some XOX stickers from Stidio 112.  Besides the Sparkle and Glitter Challenge, I'd also like to enter this in the AUD Sentiments Show us Your Inner Sentiments Challenge (bummer I missed the "adult themed" one, HA!), the Art Impressions Stamps Show Me the Love (hearts required) Challenge, Moving Along with the Times Love is in the Air Challenge, and the brand new Sincerely Yours Creations Valentine/Love Challenge.

Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day filled with all the love (and chocolate) you can handle. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hey Sweetie, Wanna?

Week 2: the Poetry and Prose of Poe

It's the second week of our Haunted Design House challenge honoring the poetry and prose of Poe.  Lunatic, or Romantic?  We'd like your opinion.  Certainly the man has his demons and even his truly romantic works are filled with loss and despair but I chose a few lines from my fave "Annabel Lee" that captures the essence of true love when every breath, every beat of your heart, every thought is of your "One".  Obsession?  Perhaps, but is that such a bad thing?

"and this maiden

she lived

with no other thought

than to love

and be loved

by me"

Been there, done that.  Quite a lovely way to pass the time.

I've had this one in my head for months but just couldn't quite pull it together.  Poe and Annabel Lee are from The Octopode Factory. The come individually or as a Set of 8 Poe images.  The Lighthouse is from Tiddly Inks.  I'd always planned to go monochromatic but achieving the right mood escaped me until I saw the February Junk Funk challenge on the Smeared and Smudged Forum.  Used dryer sheets!  Of course.  I've got wads of those laying around so I spritzed and inked and ripped and taped (mostly around the back) until I'd set up a proper fog.  WooHoo!

I've also been trying to enter the Octopode Factory Friday Challenge with Octopode images for months but my time always got away from me.  This fortnight is Glitter.  Perfect!  After coloring Annabel Lee with Copics, I covered her with a Be Creative Tape sheet and sprinkled on Glitter Ritz transparent microfine glitter in cool highlight.  Even though I'd colored first, this stuff is so fine that you can actually stamp and color over it without damaging your marker nibs and gave Annabel the ghostly ethereal look I was after.  Cool!

Be sure to stop by HDH to view more Minion eye candy and come join us.  Inquiring minds want to know your opinion.  Romantic, or Lunatic?  Well, I dare say love can drive you mad.  So come and join us.  Just be sure that your entry has an obvious nod to the Master, Poe. 

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.

Dilly Beans Hearts Challenge

OOps, the day has gotten a bit away from me.  Here's my DT card for the current Dilly Beans Hearts challenge.  I've used one of the adorable new images in the Shop , #531 Ginger Set.  Isn't she a cutie pie?  I wanted to use some non traditional Valentine colors for this and took my inspiration from the pretty Basic Grey DP.  The swirly flowers reminded me of her hair and the colors matched some of my conversation heart stickers so there ya go.  She's colored with Copics and I've used a border punch from EK Success and lattice hearts from MS.  Added a bit of crinkle seam binging and called it done.  Be sure and stop by Dilly Beans to see the fab inspiration from my teamies and hope you can play along.  I'm also ading this to the Simon Says Stamp Have a Heart Challenge and The Outlawz Copic/Promarker Valentines Challenge.

Toot Toot! I'm a Rick's Pick!

Sorry, I just can't resist a little horn tooting.  I'm so excited!   I just found out I was awarded a Rick's Pick for my "We're All Mad Here" card.
 

I have to say it was Rick's fab images that inspired me to come out of my crafting slump and go the extra mile.  It's a creation I'm truly proud of.  Thank you so much, Rick.  I'm so very honored!

Wicked Wednesday and Delicious Doodles

The current Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge is Gothic Love and what would be more perfect than one of Sister Minion Teri's fabulous Delicious Doodles Gothic digis?  I've chosen "I'm NOT Goth!!" (coulda fooled me!) and colored her with Copics nearly entirely in RED because the current Delicious Doodles Challenge calls for it, and LOTS of it!  The gorgeous DP is a freebie download from Teri which I've scaled down to ATC size (LOVE how it came out!).  The Skellie key is Jolee's.  The heart she's holding is the cut off head of a stick pin (with a tiny keyhole made with a Sharpie).   The rest of the sentiment is done in alpha stickers by making Memories. I considered just sticking the pin through but I didn't want my ATC to be lethal, LOL, and I've colored my heart Alpha Beads black with a Sharpie for the corners.  Besides Wicked Wednesday and Delicious Doodles, I'm also entering this in Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes, and the Outlawz Copic/Promarker Birthstone Colors Challenge (January/Garnet).

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)

Dilly Beans Love Gives Me Wings

Been a pretty busy week with several appointments and some truly gorgeous weather but I'm happy to say I have my latest Dilly Beans Challenge card here for you with the theme Love Gives Me Wings.  I got a couple new mini pads of DP at my LSS and the colors were inspired by this piece from XOXO by American Crafts.  The "tweet" image is # 511 Penelope and Birdcage.  She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped atop a doily.  That little strip was the top of the larger DP sheet (it had a hole but I covered it with the image) and the sentiment is computer generated.  Easy peasy.  Check out the Challenge Blog a little later to see the fab work by my teamies and be sure to visit the Dilly Beans SHOP to see the all the adorable new images.  I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge, Ruby's Rainbow Valentines Challenge  and the Flutter By Wednesday's #225 Anything Goes Challenge.