New Lucy Loo 'Mad Hatter'

Today I'm posting on the East Wind Show Room Blog and featuring the brand new Lucy Loo 'Mad Hatter', available TODAY in The East Wind Etsy Shop.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  I'm a huge AIW fan and Unky does these characters proud.  I've made a tag with a base that has been moved around my table for several years and the fab DP's from Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland.  The tattered clock die is Tim Holtz and I've added some tea time charms from my stash.

Doesn't Lucy Loo make a fab Mad Hatter?  It's all in the attitude (or should I say "hattitude").  I've colored her with Copics and fussy cut her to pop on the tag. Stay tuned for more AIW characters from The East Wind.  You might just fall down the rabbit hole.

I'm entering this in the My Heart Pieces Use a Digi Stamp challenge, 7 Kids College Fund ATG, DLArt September Linky Party, Papertake Weekly Repeat, Repeat (teapots and teacups), the Outlawz Friday Coloring "Hats" Challenge , Polkadoodles Tag You're It and Crafting by Designs ATG, .

DLArt Elf Linky Party

My friend Diana has such fun stuff going on on her blog.  Her elf, (named Hope) has been a busy gal all month and she invited us to link up our "Elf Antics".  I kept trying to remember if I had any elves.  I knew I didn't have an elf on a shelf.  Well, I finally got started on my decorating and how could I have forgotten this guy?  I'm really not quite sure where he came from, though.  He's obviously vintage, from the 50's (like me, LOL) but I don't remember seeing him as a child.  I found him in my parent's attic after my Dad came to live with us and I had to clear out everything to get ready to sell my childhood home.  He's really large and has holes in one hand and foot, as if he may have been strung between two poles.  His outfit is oilcloth.  My best guess is that he was a store decoration at one time.  My Uncle John managed a JCPenny store when I was little, up in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan, and I'm thinking that my Mom got him after he and my Auntie Lee died and he spent years in my parent's attic.  Since no one is left, he remains a mystery, as does his name.  I sure do love him, though.  I bought a huge wreath and decorated it with holly and ribbon wired him to it.  Each Christmas he guards the back door and jingles bells as we go in and out.  Looks like he's pretty happy there.  If you have an elf, why not take a pic and join the Elf Antics Linky Party at DLArt?  (She has a gorgeous Advent Calender project on the same post that you don't want to miss!)

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. 

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.

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.

So Seriously BUMMED!!!!!!!!!

Don't faint, this is the 2nd post of the day.  Please scroll down for this week's Dilly Beans.

I had grandiose plans for the RSD June Saturday Freebie Contest at Airless Chambers but I totally misread the deadline yesterday.  Yeah, I know we had all month, but we were out of town last weekend the the planning for the trip and the DT obligations totally screwed up the first few weeks and as we really don't travel well, I've been playing "catch up" ever since.  I thought I had all of today to finish and even postponed my morning walk to get a jump on it.  Then I checked the Linky and I had 1 hour and 3 minutes!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Had been fussing yesterday with a part that didn't even make the final  project and abandoned my fab idea just to get it in.  I toyed with giving up, not wanting to dumb things down but I really, really, REALLY wanted to play.  The image wasn't even fully colored and I started to shake during the fussy cutting.  Managed to get it done (minus several fab layers) and then couldn't find DP.  Looked again with 13 minutes to go and as the seconds ticked by, found ok DP, cut 2 (non square bases), printed and cut the sentiment and I thought I was ok.  Threw it down on the floor to photograph and snapped it on the rug.  Uploaded, came here to post (was just gonna throw it on and link and finish the post later) but when I went to Airless Chambers the Linky was CLOSED.  Scared the cat as I screamed obscenities and started to throw things but decided to post anyway.

The sentiment is "Let the Good Times Roll" in French.  He's a party kinda guy. Can't help but think of New Orleans when I think of Voodoo so I colored him in Mardi Gras colors.  His head is on an action wobble and close up, you can see Goliath's contribution in his other hand.  Can you believe I save that s***?  Just knew I'd need a bird leg sometime.  LOL  Well, so much for that.  Maybe when I have time I'll rip it all apart and do what I REALLY planned for this fab image.  Now I think I'll go drink my mid morning snack just to calm down and perhaps stop shaking.

Well, at least I can enter the Left of Center Challenge using the LOC theme, Through the Craftroom Door June 18-24, the DLArt June Linky Party, 613 Ave Create Anything Goes or with a TWIST for a Male and the new PunkYouGirl Anything Goes Challenge (3rd and final entry). 

A Taste of Summer

It's Friday and time for another Challenge at Dilly Beans.  This week we're calling for Citrus Colors.  Sooo summery!  I thought of the sentiment before I even chose the image.  I think the sweet #554 Penny's Heart is just perfect.  She's colored with Copics with paper pieced hair.  The cool citrus frame is a Cuttlebug Companion for the Preserves Cricut cartridge and I very carefully colored in some of the slices.  Hope you can join us this week.  Please remember, we now require Dilly Beans images but there are some adorable brand new images and a fab sale going on at the Shop: 10 images for $25!  WOOHOO!

Update!  I added some teeny buttons to the frame so I could enter the Cuttlebug Mania Color challenge + a button run by my former DT sisters from The Cuttlebug Spot (which is now closed).  Thanks Jannie for suggesting I play.  I like it even better this way.  xx

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Summer Fruits Challenge, Through the Craftroom Door June 18-24 and the DLArt June Linky Party.

Black and White for Dilly Beans

Happy Friday!  You all know what that means, don't you?  Another new challenge at Dilly Beans.  Our challenge this week is Black and White and we do have a new rule.  From now on you MUST use a Dilly Beans image to enter.  Don't dispair, Megan will be offering a BOGO sale over the weekend so for every digi you buy, you get another FREE!  (Deets in the SHOP this weekend.)  I've made a fun birthday card using #465 Witch Hat Skull Stack. I've embossed the whote mat with a Tim Holtz folder, brought out the MS Drippy Goo punch and used some Tim Holtz washi tape for the first time EVER!  WooHoo!

The sketch is from The Very Sketchy Challenge for May on the Smeared and Smudged Forum.  I've actually used the Scrapbook Sketch and turned it a notch, but it suited my purposes better. 

I printed the image 4 times, fussy cut and layered up a storm.  The sentiment circles are a combination of Spellbinders and Cuttlebug.  The team had a ball with this one so be sure and check out the fab work by my DT sisters and don't forget the SALE this weekend at the SHOP! 

I'm also entering this in the Creative Moments Lots of Layers Challenge, Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes, the Nutcrafters Monochrome Challenge, Left of Center (using the LOC theme), Created With Love You Lift Me Up (Layers) Challenge and DL Art May Linky Party.

Dilly Beans DOTS!

It's another Dilly Beans Challenge and we're going Dotty!  I chose the funky #250 Framed Zombie Girl 1 for my project because her frustrated expression just cracks me up (besides the fact that the background already has some dots,  LOL)  She's with Copics according to the ancient DCWV dotty DP I found.  Her hair is paper pieced and I've added a dotty bow under her skullie barrette.  The sentiment is a Cuttlebug die and the question mark is a little joke about my phone.  It keeps cutting out on me so I end up walking around the house saying "Hello?" until the garbling stops.  Sooooo frustrating!  All this is mounted on a dotted embossed mat and I've got to stop now, 'cause I'm seeing spots.  Hope to see you at Dilly Beans! 

I'm also entering this in the Southern Girls Spotty Dots challenge, Left of Center (LOC theme), DL Art May linky Party, and Card Mania Spots and/or Stripes.

TOFF Inspired by Music Challenge

The current challenge at Octopode is Inspired by Music and with all the hoopla about The Great Gatsby, I came up with this wall hanging.  Been dying to use one of the fab newish Flappers and this is Coco.  I searched the web for some music from the era and did a digital collage with Coco on top. (Sooo happy that the image comes in png form as well as jpg).  The keyboard and dark music is from a Graphic 45 Curtain Call 8x8 pad, the notes, Cuttlebug dies from scraps, and the "All that Jazz" Computer generated using the Theater font.

Coco is colored with Copics and I used maribou feathers for her skirt and adhesive pearls for her jewelry.  Isn't she gorgeous?  Not exactly sure that this is dark enough for the Smudgy Antics Fur and/or Feathers Challenge, but I added the real feathers with that challenge in mind.  Wouldn't you seriously LOVE a dress like that?

I'm also entering this in the Creative Inspirations "Inspired by Anything Goes" (in this case The Great Gatsby) challenge and the DLArt May Linky Challenge.

A Sweet Altered Gift Bag.

Here's a little gift bag I've altered using the aldorable Little Lavinia from the Classic Steampunk Collection at Simply B Stamps.  I thought I'd show her sweet side, coloring her up with the candy colors of the background from the 8x8 Sweet Stack from DCWV.

Isn't she the cutest thing EVER?   She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped.  Her lollipop is a brad.

I've added a lidded google eye to her eyeball balloon to make it more whimsical than creepy and used it as part of the computer generated sentiment. 

A Sizzix die cut completes the sentiment and the lace border is an MS punch topped with a ric rac one from EK Success.  Be sure to stop by Simply Steampunk Challenges for more fabulous inspiration from the DT.  We showcase images all month long, and don't forget our current Frame It Challenge HERE which runs through June 6th. 

I'm entering this in the DL Art May Linky Party and the Forever Friends Pastel Colors Challenge.

Jezebel's Mother's Day Card

So Jezebel asked me earlier in the week what I wanted for Mother's Day.  I told her that what Mommy really wants is to pick up her baby girl and give her huge hugs without her flailing about and screaming like she's being murdered.  "You sure you just don't want some more chocolate and pretty flowers I can arrange?" she asked, "Or how about a card?"  "Yes, that would be nice, Jezzie, but you asked what Mommy really wants, didn't you?"  "HHmm... yeah, I guess I did," she said.  "Well, then Mommy, will you make me a card?  Of course you'll have to keep your eyes closed when you make it so it can be a surprise."  "Oh, okay, Jezzie.  I'll do that" (Cats can be so gullible, LOL)  So this is it. 

She picked out this very apropo stamp from Just Some Lines called Jessie Hugs  a Cat, suggested the sentiment and told me "I love you Mommy, but this is as close as you're gonna get."  Sighh...  At least I can enter it in the Just Some Lines For Mom Challenge, the Outlawz CAS Challenge which this week is Hug a Pet, Totally Papercrafts CAS Challenge and the DL Art May Linky Party.  Perhaps I'll try some tuna fish.

Smeared and Smudged DT Throwdown #4

WOW!  It's the 4th DT Throwdown at the Smeared and Smudged Forum and I'm joining my Minion Sisters Teri and Croms to proudly represent Haunted Design House.  The theme is Leather and Lace chosen by US 'cause we won last time, WOOHOO! and I've made a Butterfly Queen Dress Form Art Doll.  It started with a papier mache dress form which I gessoed and painted with acrylic.  Hubby drilled a hole through which I inserted a wooden spoon to fit in a spool base.

I've been collecting printed leather remnants from the fabulous Britex Fabrics in San Francisco and chose this piece for the dress.  (That's a chair seat for point of reference as to the size.)

I tried to make a sort of pattern with tissue paper before cutting into it.  Scared the crap out of me, to be honest, a seamstress I'm not, but the lace conveniently hid the seaming and I was on a roll.  Wouldn't mind one like this myself.

With the theme covered, I proceeded with the stamps.  All are from the Specimen Jar Set by Smeared Ink.  I printed the butterflies in different sizes on transparency film and thought I'd be able to color them with Copics, but the colors were too pale. Then tried Alcohol Inks with a brush but it looked streaky.  Finally I just dripped colors on the acetate and WooHoo!  Wasn't prepared for the lack of control you have as the colors mix and blend, but the final effect was pretty cool.  then I cut them out, attached little antennae and wire so they could fly.  I cropped and printed the lady to use only her head and neck.

She was printed several times, colored with Copics, fussy cut and layered for a bit of dimension.  Then I glued her to the front of the spoon.

The back served to be more of a problem.  The stamp had no rear view.  I considered making some rosette or something to cover the back of the spoon but didn't want to interfere with her wings, so I flipped the image and a bunch of just her hair, printed, colored, cut and pieced it together to form the back of her head.  I have to say I was really, really REALLY thrilled with how it came out.

Finally, the spool just wasn't a big enough base so I added a round box cover, cut more of the leather (with a Nestie, who knew?) and embellished it as you see here.  When I was done I did the "Happy Dance" and so did my teamies who were sweatin' it waiting for me to finish.  LOL  Please visit HDH to see their fab projects and also the Throwdown Post for more info and inspiration by the rest of the participating teams.  We all are bringing our "A" game and every team should consider themselves a winner.  However, there is a VOTE which starts tomorrow around noon EDT so be sure and support your fave!  You must be a member of the Smeared and Smudged Forum to vote, but it's free and fun (just ask) so why the heck wouldn't you?

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge, Simon Says Stamp and Show Color Challenge, Left of Center Challenge (hoping this is LOC enough?), the Stampotique Trimmed Stamp Challenge #97, the Going Grey With Scrap-Creations Insects or Animals, LEJ Designs Mystical, Magical or Mysterious, TTRCD Anything Goes, {Pin}spirational CHallenge #54, the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Anything Goes Challenge, the Art With No Boundaries Linky Challenge and the DLArt April Linky Party. 

Simply Steampunk Annie to Show

Did you know that although our challenge at Simply Steampunk is monthly, there's plenty of additional inspiration going on all month long?  Meet Annie, from the Original Steampunk Collection we're featuring this month.  She fancies herself quite the adventuress, ready for anything. Annie is a fab image to use for anyone setting out on a new chapter of their life, like graduation, a new job, a milestone birthday, etc or obviously for those who love travel and adventure.  I've made another wall hanging that I can clip to my hanger and dream of an adventurous escape in a hot air balloon to parts unknown.  The balloon was cut with my Cricut from the Summer in Paris cartridge.  Hmm...Paris sounds good.

 

 Annie is colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped atop a double mat cut with Spellbinders Grand Labels Four.  Embellies include tiny gears from Tim Holtz, a glass topped paper clip from Melody Ross and Scrabble tiles.  Although the Steampunks may seem intricate, there is no right or wrong way to color them and they're great images to practice your shading on.  the folds in the clothes almost color themselves.  Well, ALMOST. You'll see even the DT has different interpretations for the same image, so if you're ever stumped, you can visit Simply Steampunk and take your cue from there.  Be brave! Steampunks spark the imagination and are such fun to color. Be sure to check out our current Challenge, Bits of Lace HERE and come play along.  You have until May 2nd to enter so there's plenty of time.

I'm also entering this in the DLArt April Linky Party, It's All About Vintage Travel Challenge, Digi Galore One for the Girls and the Left of Center (LOC Steampunk)  Challenge 3.

The Altered Alice For the Love of Wonderland

"So she sat on, with closed eyes, and half believed herself in Wonderland, though she knew she had but to open them again, and all would change to dull reality--the grass would be only rustling in the wind, and the pool rippling to the waving of the reeds--the rattling teacups would change to tinkling sheep- bells, and the Queen's shrill cries to the voice of the shepherd boy--and the sneeze of the baby, the shriek of the Gryphon, and all thy other queer noises, would change (she knew) to the confused clamour of the busy farm-yard--while the lowing of the cattle in the distance would take the place of the Mock Turtle's heavy sobs." -- Chapter 12, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
 

Changes are coming for The Altered Alice. Due to pressures of work and other pesky distractions, next month will be our last regularly scheduled challenge. So this month we are sponsor-free and the design team members are sharing any projects they like that show their love of Alice.  Since our winner of last month's challenge has just been named (our Mad Hatter's watch seems to be running a bit more than 2 days slow) I made another project from our fabulous March Sponsor, The Octopode Factory.

I've made "Flip Book" with some of the most beloved characters from Wonderland. Sit back with a cuppa 'cause I've got LOADS of pix. On the cover, I have the Caterpillar who asks "Who are you? First you see each character in his/her entirety. On the opposite page there's a quote. Of course I started with Alice.

 

Next, the Mad Hatter.

 

 

The White Rabbit

 

 

The Queen of Hearts

 

 

And finally, The Chesire Cat

 

 

Each page of the book was cut in threes so the head, torsos and legs can be flipped to create fun new characters in countless ways.  The quotes then become more nonsensical as well.  See if you can tell who's who now.

 

 

 

Have to say, this one's my fave.  Dig the sentiment.  HeeHee!

 

 

 

How do you like Chessie's new hairdo?

 

 

I could go on and on.  This was so fun to make and play with.  Please visit The Altered Alice and check out the winner of the $30 Gift Certificate to The Octopode Factory and check back for the inspiration (and Linky) for our April Challenge.

 

We invite you to do the same and show us your love of Wonderland this month. You may enter older projects for this challenge only. Enter by April 27 to share the best of your Wonderland creations with our community.

We will of course have honorable mentions and a challenge winner, but you will be playing for the glory this month as we do not have a sponsor. We will try to organize some kind of prize although no promises! Would anyone like to donate a prize?

Next month, we will be sponsored by Stampotique, who took a chance on us and sponsored our very first challenge. I like the symmetry, alpha and omega, closing the circle.

We may have challenges in the future, but they will be more spontaneously scheduled, and in the meantime we will share "Alice sightings" and miscellaneous Alice projects with you, so stay tuned!

I'm also entering this in the DLArt April Linky Party , The Squirrel and the Fox Inspired by a Song or Movie Challenge and the Artistic Inspirations Anything but a Card Challenge.

__._,_.___