Baby It's Cold Outside!

Not here, though.  It's pushing 70 degrees.  (Don't hate me.  LOL)  It's the last day of the January Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group Facebook Challenges and I finally managed to enter one of them.  The challenge is Baby It's Cold Outside (obviously) but you also must have that sentiment on your project.  As soon as I saw this image on the Gecko Galz Winter Magic Collage Sheet (a freebie during their fabulous Blog Hop), I knew it would be perfect.  I wanted to keep the focus on the image so the card is predominantly white on white.  I've added black mats to draw the eye in and distressing, embossing and die cuts and punching to add interest.

There are actually 11 layers to the card, but at least one is difficult to see. There's the card base, the black mat, the snowfall embossed layer (Cuttlebug), the next white mat has a torn layer at the bottom (look hard) to look like a snow drift, and a punched icicle layer (Martha Stewart) on top (all distressed with scissors for more texture), another black mat, the image, the embossed border panel (Cuttlebug)  popped at right, the die cut and embossed snowflake (Cuttlebug) and the die cut and embossed (Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One) computer generated sentiment.  Phew!   that's a lot, but I gotta say I kinda love how it turned out, especially with that pop of red in the image.  If you like working with Collage and Vintage images, you should check out the Gecko Galz FB Group as well as the Challenge Blog.  New monthly challenge on the Blog begins tomorrow.  See ya there.

I'm also entering this in the Simon Say Wednesday ATG challenge, Winter Wonderland Lots of Layers, the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Challenge ATG  and A Gem of a Challenge Lots of Layers.

Wicked Wednesday ATC Pink, Black and White

I finally got it together enough to play in one of my fave challenges, Wicked Wednesday ATC.  The challenge this week is Pink, Black and White, quite a fave of mine.  I'm just under the wire, but here it it.  Their sponsor this week is Ppinky Dolls which are about the sweetest images EVER, so of course, I used one of the beautiful images.  This is Cloud Lily, and a precious one she is. I printed her pretty tiny and colored her minimally with Copics.  (Not a problem with the beautiful shading already on the images, but fussy cutting was a bitch!). Her cloud behind is cotton and I've added a satin heart cut from trim. I'd been saving the DP in my stash forever and finally decided it was worth cutting into for this challenge.  Hope you like.

I'm also entering this in the PPinkyDolls Valentine's FB challenge, Simon Says Monday Up in the Clouds, and Loves Rubber Stamps Pink and Girly.  

I Like You a Latte! for My Artistic Adventures

I made this fun retro card for the Love Challenge at My Artistic Adventures. Besides the gorgeous vintage collage sheets, available in her Etsy Shop, Heather has come up with some fabulous digital papers that I just couldn't resist. The background paper is from the Vintage Sweater Hearts Collection and the print on the coffee pot (Yes, I actually dusted off my Cricut.  Yea, ME!) is from the sweet Vintage Valentines Sweethearts Bitty Collection.  I love how all the papers coordinate and are easily resized to fit the scale of your project.  The fun couple is from the Gecko Galz Retro Love Story Collage Sheet. Gotta say, they crack me up.  Is it love, or is it caffeine?  LOL

I size, crop and print my stuff on my Printmaster Platinum Program which allows me to crop in shapes and color them, so that's what I did with the heart.  After printing it, I just cut it out and glued on some mini pompom trim and popped it on the double matted DP.  The coffee post was cut on my Cricut using the From My Kitchen cartridge, the couple also cropped in my program and fussy cut and popped on the pot.  the sentiment was computer generated, matted and popped at well.

I supposed you noticed how high the coffee pot was sitting above the heart. What gives?  The whole caffeine and love jitters theme just begged for an Action Wobble so here's my attempt at the action shot.  HeeHee!  Don't think they're coming down anytime soon.

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Wednesday Have a Heart Challenge, the Suzy Bee's Blooming ATG with an Add Layers Twist challenge, Sketchy Colors Turquoise and Red, My Time to Craft Two or More People, the Brown Sugar Valentines Challenge, Art Impressions Java Love, Papertake Weekly Get In Shape (3 or more, square, heart, rectangle, coffee pot), TTRCD Jan 20-26 ATG and That Craft Place Love/Valentine.

Revenge is a dish best served COLD

I love the fun images on the Gecko Galz Kirchner Cuties Collage Sheet but I thought I'd make a bit darker version this time.  It's a wall hanging, BTW.  The sentiment came to mind as soon as I saw that dude's head on a platter and I got the giggles seeing how happy she looks about the whole thing.  Tra la la... (OOps!  My bad!)  The fab digi papers also came from Gecko Galz. The top one is from the Seeing Red Mini Pack and the musical paper behind is from the Love Potion #9 January Club kit available individually HERE or as a subscription HERE (with a huge discount and monthly extras).

The gorgeous heart is my new Spellbinders Vines of Passion heart that I've jaggedly cut in half and pierced with an arrow (I'd snipped in half) from Tim Holtz.  I considered using one of the small ones to stick in his head, but it covered up the computer generated sentiment and I just couldn't have that.  Finished it up with a couple of peel off corners and there ya go.

Come check out our January All You Need is Love challenge on the Gecko Galz Challenge Blog and how about joining our FB Group where there are loads of challenges as well?  Hope to see you there.

I thought this would be perfect for the SOSS Snarker's Choice Challenge (I've chosen "A" is for Anti-Valentine (the very first challenge ever!) or "V" is for Vintage).  A big Happy One Year Blogiversary to you!

I'm also entering this in the A Step in the Dark ATG Challenge, The Cheerful Stamp Pad Valentine Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday Have a Heart, Left of Center Layer It Up, Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge ATG with a Twist: Add Layers and Just Us Girls Photo Inspiration.

A Little Cheeky Love for Gecko Galz.

I'm lovin' the fun images from the Kirchner Cuties Collage sheet from Gecko Galz and made a fun, flirty Valentine.  I printed the sentiment right on the image and cut it out and matted it.  I thought the vintage looking neutral papers from the DCWV La Crema stack suited the image well.  The pop of red came from the Gecko Galz Love Potion #9 Digi Papers which is available in the January Monthly Kit (and by a 12 month subscription at a discounted price with extra goodies) which I scaled down in my Printmaster Program and cut out the hearts.  The gorgeous fringe trim was a gift from an Aussie friend I've been hoarding forever!

There's a bit of a hidden surprise on the front.  Here's the tag with the flirty sentiment.  I've used Spellbinders Labels 11, glued the computer generated sentiment diagonally across and re cut and embossed.  Finally I've added some adhesive beads to the hearts and tag ribbon.

Don't forget the All You Need is Love challenge on the Gecko Galz Challenge Blog running through January 30th (with a big prize!) and our multiple monthly challenges on our FB Group page.  Subscribe to the newsletter (top left of Challenge Blog) for monthly Freebies and check out the Pinterest Page for even more! 

I'm entering this in the Papertake Weekly Get in Shape Challenge (rectangles, hearts and whatever the tag shape is), Inspiration Destination ATG, TTRCD ATG Jan 20-26, the Cheerful Stamp Pad Valentine Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday Have a Heart, That Craft Place Love/Valentine, and Bunny Zoe January Hearts challenge.  

Aurora Wings Valentine's Challenge

Our new monthly challenge starts at Aurora Wings today and the theme is Valentines.



We know this day inspires lots of emotions, both positive and negative, so frilly and frothy or dark and sinister, we wanna see 'em, whatever they are.  Now, at first glance, you may think this is an anti-Valentine, but I beg to differ.  It speaks to the lovely thought that there's someone for everyone (and it's sort of an inside joke between me and my man.  LOL)  Gotta say, love is a bit sweeter when there's a little humor involved, eh?  The base is Spellbinders Grand Labels One and the fancy version too.  The heart doily behind is just that, a doily, colored black with a Sharpie because I didn't have a heart die large enough and the fabulous Drippy Butterfly is from Cheery Lynn.  (Clearly I need more Cheery Lynn dies)

So here's Corpse Flower Sprite.  Ummm...well, what can I say.  Besides his rather provocative shape and unusually large size, is odiferous scent is more than a bit...shall we say, piquant?  Oh, I might as well tell it like it is, basically, he stinks!  (But he's pretty damn cute in a well, I don't know exactly what way, but I think he is.)

And the object of his desire?  A corpse, of course, or at least what's left of one. This gorgeous stamp is called Memento Mori, meaning remember your own mortality.  The attraction is obvious, don'tcha think?  So I've horrified the majority of the Aurora Wings fans but still think there's a fun loving dark side among them...somewhere...  LOL  My DT sister's projects run the gamut of Mitzi's fabulous designs, so be sure to stop by the Challenge Blog  for fabulous inspiration and please, come play along.  And if Valentines don't float your boat, come join our Gemstones Contest on our FB fan page which runs through January 31st. See ya there.

I'm sharing this with Left of Center using the LOC theme, the Cheery Lynn Sweethearts (Add a Heart) Challenge, 613 Avenue Create ATG, TTRCD ATG Jan 13th -19th, That Craft Place Love/Valentine, Crafty Hazelnut's January Patterned Paper Challenge and A Step in the Dark ATG.

Lacy Sunshine Winter Bliss

The new challenge today at Lacy Sunshine is Winter Bliss.  I've created a Winter Wonderland using my new X Cut Build a Scene dies and the adorable Snow and Cat Enchantress.

I've colored this little beauty with Copics and added gems and Jolee's glitter snowflakes (which I've had in my stash FOREVER!).  She's fussy cut and popped for dimension.  Isn't she precious!?!  And just look at that KITTY!  SWEET!

Here's the dimensional shot.  I've actually only used 3 of the 5 dies that some with the set and chose to do them all in white, then embossed them with a snowfall Cuttlebug folder.  I've popped each layer with foam strips, added silver peel off borders and tiny stars to the sky as well as gorgeous beaded snowflakes.  I hope you like it as much as I do.  Be sure to visit the challenge blog to see the gorgeous inspiration from my teamies and come play along.  Remember, if you used a Lacy Sunshine stamp in the last challenge, you may have the new "Loyalty program" stamp for free.  Full details are on the Challenge Blog post.

  I'm entering this in the Crafty Creations Brrr...the Blues Challenge, Sweet Stamps Winter Blues, Fab 'n' Funky Something New (X-Cut Build a Scene Dies), Inky Impressions Monochrome, Die Cuttin' Divas Picture Challenge, Eureka Stamps Baby It's Cold Outside, Stamp and Create Winter Wonderland, PDE Linky Party Blue and White, Craftin' Desert Divas Blue and White Linky Party, Deep Ocean Challenge Winter Dreams, Open Minded Crafting Movie Inspiration (Frozen), Di's Digi Designs Add Sparkle, My Sheri Crafts Let It Snow, and the Outlawz Paper a la Mode It's All About Animals.

New Release at The East Wind

Every Monday and Friday, there's a brand new image at The East Wind and today it's my pleasure to introduce you to Aurora 'Explore'.  For some reason the image reminded me of the tv show "Warehouse 13" so I had to go with a Steampunk vibe, adding Tim Holtz metal bits and bobs as well as the fab sentiment.  The gears in the background DP are from the DCWV Tattered Time Stack, but I've done something different for the background of the image, itself.

I used the NB (no background) png version of the image and originally planned to use digi paper behind.  But after I'd colored her, there was still the dilemma of what to do with the big white oval surrounding her.  I'd spent a fair amount of time with my Copics, along with some pencils for the mouse fur and metallic pen for her glasses and clasp on her cap, and even shined the lenses up with Glossy Accents so I didn't want to risk messing it up with trying to color a funky background.  I could fussy cut her,which I actually did do, but not before printing her again using the totally transparent png version over the cool digi paper from the Gecko Galz Steampunk digi pack, so I would not lose the loose strands of hair floating about on the image.  Clear as mud?

Well here's a clip from my Printmaster Program showing the difference between the NB (no background) png format with the digi paper behind, and the transparent png format with the digi paper cropped to fill in the oval behind Aurora.  Of course I did not print it like this.  Ultimately, I chose not to use digi paper behind the image and printed the image to color separately.  Then I printed the transparent png version over the digi paper background.  I fussy cut the colored version from the oval she's peering from, but she was easily glued right over the transparent version (in this case, cut with the oval background) and the loose hairs still showed.  BTW, what looks like camera flash glare in the picture above is actually part of the background digi paper and was intended.  I just didn't line it up the same in this illustration.

I hope this is at least a bit helpful in sorting out the various digi formats and give you some ideas of how to play with your digi stamps and papers.  It's the wee hours of the morning and my brain is a bit foggy so if you've got questions, please let me know.  In the meantime, check out the TEW FB page to see some of my other teamies' version of this cool new stamp.  And our brand new challenge, "Winter Blues", launched yesterday.  Come join in!

I'm adding this to the DLArt January Linky party, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG with optional eyelets or brads, TTRCD Jan 13-19 ATG, Just Inspirational Add a Background Image, Through the Purple Haze Anything New to You (brand new image, release TODAY!) and Crafty Hazelnut's January Patterned Paper challenge. 

Winter Blues at The East Wind

Yikes!  This must be a record. (And a crappy one, at that) 10 days since my last post.  Mojo has flown the coop, but I have been crafting, just not stuff I can post yet.  Thank goodness there's a new challenge today at The East Wind with the apropos theme of Winter Blues. I certainly have nothing to complain about here, as the weather has been in the upper 60's, but I do have a bit of the post holiday syndrome. How about you?

Gotta say this gorgeous image, Aurora 'Warm Wishes', did cheer me up a bit. She's colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils.  I've used the no background png format so I could put her in this beautiful snowy scene which is from the Gecko Galz Frozen mini digi paper pack.  Did you know that many of the new TEW images come in jpg, png, no background png and no lines formats, all for one low price?  I also added some additional candles from my brand new JoyCraft die. Thought they were perfect with the beautiful image.  Finally, I've used Stickles on the flames to add a little bling and a gorgeous organdy bow.  My teamies have outdone themselves for this challenge so please be sure to visit the Challenge Blog to be totally inspired.  And for those of you who just can't let go of Christmas, (who, moi?) the Merry Quirkmas FB challenge runs through the 17th on TheEastWind FB page.

I'm entering this in the Brrr the Blues challenge at Crafty Creations, Sweet Stamps Winter Blues, Fab 'n' Funky Something New (new candles die), Inky Impressions Monochrome, Word Art Wednesdays ATG, Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Wow It's Cold, Die Cuttin' Divas Picture Challenge, Just Inspirational Weekly Add a Backround Image, Just Inspirational Monthly Bling (Stickles) and a Bow, Eureka Stamps Baby It's Cold Outside, Stamp and Create January Winter Wonderland, PDE Linky Party Blue and White, That Craft Place Monochromatic, Craftin' Desert Diva's Blue and White Linky Party and the Deep Ocean Challenge Winter Dreams.

Lacy Sunshine "Sparkly and New"

Our new challenge begins at Lacy Sunshine today with the theme of "Sparkly and New".  This could be New Year, new baby, new technique, well, pretty much anything new...and then add some sparkle.  I went with the obvious New Year using the beautiful Champagne Enchantress.   You can see all the fabulous Ethereal Enchantresses as well as the adorable new "Stitched Collection" HERE. I've made a shaped card using my Spellbinders Grand Ovals and Grand Decorative Ovals with the peel off sentiment popped and framed with Labels One and Scalloped Labels One.  2015 is die cut with the QuicKutz Haunted mini alphabet.

I've colored this beauty with Copics and a bit of a metallic Sharpie and added gold Stickles to the confetti and and gold beads to her tiara.  Although she's perfect for New Year's, I think she would be gorgeous for any celebration (like birthday or anniversary), don't you?  Be sure to check out the fabulous inspiration by my teamies HERE and see the gorgeous "loyalty program" digi you can get free for using a Lacy Sunshine image in our previous challenge.  It's also half price in the Shoppe for the duration of this challenge HERE (scroll down to get yours at this special price.  Also, new this year, we are allowing entries with colored images only (one per person) and will be choosing a winner among those entries as well).  No reason not to join in.  Can't wait to see what you create!

I'm entering this in the Simon Ways Wed ATG Challenge, Natalie and Amy's all Things New Challenge, the Paradise of Stamps New Year Challenge, Simply Create Too Let's Celebrate, the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Happy New Year Challenge, 4 Crafty Chicks Celebration, Aud Sentiments use the Word "New", DLArt Happy New Year, Sassy Studio Designs Ring in the New Year, the Corrosive Challenge Shiny and New and the Dazzling Diva Challenge #56 Inspiration Photo or ATG. 

All You Need is Love

I'm so excited to start my New Year off on a brand new DT.  I'm a proud new member of the Gecko Galz and this is my first project using elements of the fab new January products now available at the Gecko Galz Etsy Shop.  I've used digital stamps from the All You Need is Love Digital Stamp Set and images from the Love So Devine Collage sheet.  This sheet is exclusive the those who join the brand new Monthly Kit club.  Read more about it HERE.  The January kit is available individually HERE, as well, but this special sheet (quite swoon worthy, I'd say) is only available to those who subscribe.

The new challenge is

and the only requirement (besides following the theme, of course) is to use at least product from Gecko Galz, including freebies you can nab on the Pinterest Board or the free collage sheet you can get by subscribing to the Newsletter (little blue box, top left hand side of the Challenge Blog.)

At first, I did this entire project digitally, by cropping some of the digital stamps, recoloring them in my Printmaster Platinum Program and pasting them (digitally) onto the largest stamp (note the lips and the red hearts).  Then I added resized images from the collage sheet and framed them  in black.  The result was just too flat for me, so I reprinted and fussy cut the lips and hearts, coated them with Glossy Accents and popped them on top.  Did the same with the kissy couples, added some peel off corners and I was much more pleased with the result.  Working with collage sheets and ephemera is pretty new to me and I'm just starting to get the hang of it, but I'm enjoying every minute.  Please visit the Challenge Blog to see the fabulous inspiration by my DT sisters and come join us.

I'm entering this in the Simon Say Wednesday ATG challenge,  the Outlawz Paper a la Mode New Things Challenge (new DT, new stamps, new collage sheet),  Inspiration Destination ATG,  Papertake Weekly ATG, Mema's Crafts January ATG Challenge and the Corrosive Challenge ATG.  

  

First Challenge of the New Year at The East Wind

Happy New Year!  Looking forward to a whole New year of crafting and perhaps getting my craft room organized enough to not to waste hours looking for the "whatever" that I just laid down "somewhere" which often makes me a "last minute" kind of gal.  (Yeah, right! ;D)  First up is our brand new challenge at The East Wind using the fabulous freebie Newsletter subscribers receive in January.  Our challenge is "Button Up" (meaning use buttons on your project.)  Easy peasy, right?  We also want you to know that witches aren't just for Halloween any more.  LOL This cute UnkyToon 'Can You Fly' image was colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils, cut with Spellbinders Labels 13 and popped an layered on some die cut clouds. Added the star buttons and large orange one to the sentiment banner and called it done. Cute sentiment was found on the net by searching for "funny witch sayings" and computer generated.  There's great inspiration from my DT sisters on the Challenge Blog, with both Halloween themes and non, but they all have BUTTONS, so please some join us for a chance to win!

I'm entering this in the Simon Say Wednesday ATG Challenge, the Crafty Hazelnut's January Patterned Paper challenge, Papertake Weekly ATG, the Inspiration Destination #14 ATG, Eureka Stamps Something Old (the buttons and dies) Something New (the stamp) and TTRCD ATG Dec 30-Jan 5th.

New Challenge at The East Wind

Our new challenge is live at The East Wind and the DT is using the gorgeous new freebie, Aurora "Heart Flower",  that all Newsletter subscribers will receive.  The theme is Tainted Love, although I hardly think anything about this lovely image is tainted.  I've made a wall hanging using my Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals and my gorgeous new rose die from Joycraft.  I cut and embossed the roses out of pink card stock and shaded them with Copics while still in the die.  I colored the stems and remainder of the leaves after removing it.  the sentiment is silver peel of stickers.

Here's a closeup for the gorgeous new stamp.  She's colored with Copics with some additional shading with Prismacolor pencils in her hair.  If you'd love to receive monthly freebies, be sure to sign up for The East Wind Newsletter at the top right of the Challenge Blog page.  

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Wednesday ATG Challenge, Digi Galore ATG, Inkspirational Rose Colors, the Sweet Stampin' Love Challenge, Crafts 4 Eternity #211 No Patterned Paper, and the Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge ATG.