Guest Designing for DL.Art

I'm so thrilled to be joining DL.Art for their Thankful Thursday Challenge.  Both Diana, herself and DT member Katie, live in the area and I've had the pleasure to meet them in person at the Scrapbook Expo several times.  The theme for this challenge is "Summertime" (or you can substitute a thank you card), and we're showcasing the new Tropical Summer Bundle available at DL.Art Supplies.

Just take a look at those yummy colors!  They really scream SUMMER to me so I looked for complimentary DP and found this from an old DCWV Stack that seems to be missing it's cover.  The patterned stripes gave me an idea to make a spinner card and I had just the image.  Meet Cartwheel Carrie by Sandra Caldwell.  I actually suggested this image to Sandra because I couldn't for the life of me ever do a decent cartwheel.  But wait 'til you see her go!  She's colored with Copics in the colors to match the gorgeous Tropical Summer Bundle.





Okay, so I'm not the greatest at photographer, but it's hard to hold the camera and make the thing spin at the same time. Plus, it only took me ALL day to figure out where the heck it went on my computer when I uploaded it and publish it on Youtube so you could see it here, so cut me some slack.  LOL Gotta say I'm pretty thrilled that I managed it all by myself, since computer stuff is definitely NOT my forte.

Be sure to check out the gorgeous makes by the DL.Art team.  Thanks so much for letting me join you for this challenge.  Also check out the rest of the fabulous ribbon assortments at DL.Art Supplies.  You'll be glad you did.

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Wednesday Use Patterned Paper Challenge, Crafty Ribbons Summer, Crafting by Designs 3 Patterned Papers, Whoopsie Daisy June Bring on Summer, Inky Impressions June Summertime, Di's Digi Designs Summer and Creative Moments ATG/Summer.

Aurora Wings Marie Nyantoinette

There's a new release at Aurora Wings, Marie Nyantoinette.  You can find her HERE on Etsy, and HERE in the AW Web Shop. (Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog for the fabulous explanation of the name and historical background of the image itself)  My Jezebel is over the moon about her. "Look Mommy!  Mitzi drew MEEEE!!!!! and I'm sooo boofy!", she exclaimed.  "You must color me immediately and of course make me PINK."  (Jezzie's a really girly girl, and BTW, in case you don't read my blog regularly, "boofy" means beautiful).

So color I did, with my fave Copics, in all kinds of pink, from the lightest blush to the darkest I had.  I tried all kinds of backgrounds before I finally decided that a dark wine really made the image pop and set about making this wall hanging with my Spellbinders Grand Labels Four.  I considered all kinds of bits and bobs but the frothy dies from the Spellbinders Elegant Labels Four cut in pristine white, a sheer organdy bow and a one word die cut sentiment (from SU) were all I really needed.

I did, however, print the image 3 times so I could fussy cut and add dimension.  Jezebel thinks I should save this for a Valentine for her Daddy from the both of us.  However, it's pure fantasy because Jezzie NEVER let's me pick her up without all kinds of fuss.  LOL  Wish she'd be a friendly to me as she is with her Daddy.

And finally, at her insistance, is Jezebel's closeup.  Boofy she is, even though she's a brat.  Now, the fun of these showcases is seeing the image done in all different colorways by my DT sisters.  Click HERE to see Marie Nyantoinette in all her glory.  And don't forget our current Sprite Delight Challenge running through Saturday August 16th and the current Mermaid Madness Contest on Facebook.

I'm entering this in the 613 Avenue Create ATG w/Optional Friendship Day Challenge, the DLArt August Linky Challenge, Crafty Little Fairies Cute and Cuddly, In the Pink ATG as Long as it's Pink (Happy 2nd birthday!), the Crafter's Cafe Lots of Layers, Crafting by Designs Vintage/Shabby Chic, Crafting for All Seasons "Feature a Creature", the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card How Do You Pamper Yourself Challenge , TTRCD ATG Aug 5 and Simon Says Monday In the Family.

Warm and Fuzzy Easter Wishes

There's something about Spring with Easter and all the cute baby animals that get me all warm and fuzzy.  Seems I just can't stop flocking these days.  LOL  Here's a sweet one that Jezzie insisted I make.  The adorable image is Chick and Kitten-Mama it's So Fluffy.  With a name like that, how could I not flock?  Got a chance to try out my new Spellbingers Grand Decorative Labels One to make this lacy shaped card.  I cut a cut a Spellbinger's nested Egg twice and cut it to look like the chick had just hatched. and added some time punched flowers and a little bow.

Here's a closeup of the image.  TOOO cute!    The kitty was flocked with white, the chick, printed again on yellow, fussy cut and flocked with yellow.  As you can see, the shading I've done on the images with my Copics still shows through. 

Today is a special day for the Aurora Wings FB group.  We're celebrating 800+ members so hope you can stop by and play along with the contests to win fabulous images that will be going on all day HERE.  And there's still time to join in our very first Blog challenge HERE.  Hope to see you there.

I'm entering this in the following challenges:
Sparkle and Sprinkle April Challenge, DLArt Thankful Thursday Easter, Milk Coffee Easter, Sparkles Monthly Challenge Easter Parade, Crafting For All Seasons Dies and Punches, Crafting With Dragonflies Easter, Divas By Design Easter/Spring, Simon Says Wednesday Happy Easter, Outlawz Saturday Paper a la Mode Animals, Cuttin' and Stampin' Rainbows/Easter, 613 Avenue Create Sights/Sounds/Smells/Tastes of Spring, Crafty Cardmakers You've Been Framed and the Just For Fun Easter Challenge.

Pat the Bunny for Wicked Wednesday

I've been wanting to do another project with the adorable Sleepy Bunny Elf from Aurora Wings and noticed that Wicked Wednesday's ATC challenge this week is Bunnies.  It's been WAY too long since I played there so it fit right in.  I knew right away I wanted to flock the image ( totally into warm and fuzzy these days)and after doing so began to peruse my stash and came upon these little blue baby hand brads.  (I'd actualy been looking for Easter egg brads but they were nowhere to be found, big surprise).  Well that got me thinking baby, which led to baby books...see where I'm going here?  Well, I'm pretty sure "Pat the Bunny" is one of the first little board books that babies receive. It has a fuzzy little bunny on it to pat and feel the fuzzy texture so THAT's where I went.

Tell me he's not the cutest EVER!  I'm getting all warm and fuzzy just lookin' at him.  Although I have lots of colored flock, I decided to use all white over the colored image to soften the effect.  Had to add a pom pom tail and some Alpha Beads as well.  Now I need to recover from all the teeny fussy cutting I had to do to pull this off.  LOL

I'm also entering this in the Sparkle N Sprinkle April challenge (ATG with glitter, flockin or embossing powder), Artistic Inspirations Easter Animal/ATG, 613 Avenue Create ATG or Sights/Sounds/Smells/Tastes of Spring (babies and bunnies), Simply Create Too Easter or Use Bunnies and DL Art Thankful Thursday Bunny Challenge.

Dilly Beans Add Some Metal

There's a new challenge at Dilly Beans today and we want you to Add Some Metal.  I've used one of the adorable new images, #594 Aidynn's Bear Framed. 

I went with fresh Springy colors and a layout inspired by Sketch #42 from Papertake Weekly so I could enter their Sketchy Free for All Challenge.

Aidynn is colored with Copics and instead of paper piecing or flocking, I tried to get a bit of a furry texture using the dotty technique.

My metal is an adorable bear charm I got on clearance from Mike's several years ago.  It has a lobster claw clasp to allow it to be removed and hung on a bracelet.  Cute, eh?  The triple bow was done with my Bow Easy.  Easy?  Hate to say I still have to read the directions every time. Please stop by Dilly Beans to see the fabby creations by my teamies and remember, younow have 2 weeks to play along.

I'm also entering this in the Shopping Our Stash Heavy Metal Challenge, DL Art Thankful Thursday Use an Image of a Girl or Lady, TTRCD ATG Feb 25th - Mar 3, Tuesday Throwdown ATG.

Lacy Sunshine Valentina

Here's my card for the contest going on on the Lacy Sunshine Facebook Fan page.  Fans could email Heather for the adorable Valentina (scroll down for yours) and create a card with her. I think she's the sweetest and she was so much fun to color with my Copics, that I had to play along.   I remembered a candy conversation heart digi from ADFD and enlarged it for a background.  Changed the colors of the lettering and colored them with Copics as well.  The background mat is embossed with tiny conversation hearts too.

Just look at her sweet face.  She's fussy cut and popped and the little heart she's holding is a puffy sticker from M's I got a couple of years back.

The background hearts were fussy cut as well and I've added hugs and kisses with colored and heart shaped Alpha Beads.  Trying hard to get back into the swing of crafting.

I'm also entering this in the Lacy Sunshine ATG Challenge, 613 Avenue Create ATG/ Party/Celebrate Challenge, Simon Says Monday ATG, Suzy B's Bloomin' Cute and Sweet Challenge, DLART Thankful Thursday Hearts Challenge, Make it Monday #174 and TTRCD Jan14-20th ATG.

Monochromatic at Simply Steampunk

Our new Monochomatic Challenge begins TODAY at Simply Steampunk.   The team is showcasing the second set of Steampunk Zodiacs and I have the pleasure of working with Gemini.  This fun girly image screamed PINK to me and so it is.  The color scheme seemed fitting as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so I'm thinking this may be the very first Steampunk Breast Cancer Awareness wall hanging in the world. (Didn't have an appropriate dowel to hang this from so it's lying flat at the moment.)

I've colored the twins with Copics using mainly R81-89.  They were printed right on the Printed DP from the Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby Stack and cut with Nesties Labels Twenty Five.

The dress form was cut from white card stock on my Cricut from the French Manor Cartridge and colored with Copics as well.  The wings are from the Cuttlebug Vintage Collage Emboss Plus folder and the (PINK!) gears with a Tim Holtx for Sizzix Die from textured metallic card stock.  The Pink Awareness Ribbon and heart are from JoAnn's.

It was fun trying to incorporate girly Steampunk details.  The final one, another gear topped with a flower and "hope" done in wire with beads (also from JoAnn's a bazillion years ago).  My teamies have done a wonderful job with the Monochromatic theme (ours was harder than most since were were told that skin and hair must also be monochromatic) so be sure to stop by Simply Steampunk and be inspired.

I'm also entering this in the Link Up for Pink 3rd Annual BCA Linky Party, As You Like It Favorite Not a Card Project and Why(Wall hangings because they give you more room to play and it's fun changeable decor), DLArt Thankful Thursday BCA Linky Party, Crafty Creations Winged Things,  The Paper Shelter Shabby Chic, Whimsy Stamps Shabby Chic/Vintage, Inky Chicks 2 Different Die Cuts, and Shopping Our Stash Pink or BCA.

Dilly Beans Cute and Creepy

This is my second post of the day so please scroll down to see the new challenge at Simply Steampunk.

This week at the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog we're going cute and creepy.  Such an easy challenge with all of the creepy cuties available in the SHOP.  I've chosen #564 Pet Spider Framed and used the lovely greens in the DP (a RAK from my dear friend Jenn xx) and coordinating tones of lavender to color her up with my Copics.  A little embossing, a punched web border, dotty ribbon and sticker letter sentiment and it was done.  She really does make me smile.  Come join us in our Cute and Creepies Challenge but don't forget a Dilly Beans image is required and be sure to check out the adorable inspiration from the rest of the team.

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge,  the Outlawz Greeting Card Anything Goes, DLArt August Linky Party,the Crafter's Cafe Anything Goes and PunkYouGirl Dark Humor challenge (not ultra dark but I think it's funny.  I'll try and do better next time.  LOL).

Playing Tag at Dilly Beans

Yup!  Do you believe it's Friday already?  Time for another Dilly Beans Challenge and this time it's Tags.  Thought I'd do another Christmas (or should I say "Creepmas") in July theme with the adorable #161 Zombie Christmas Elf.  and what do Zombie elves crave?  Sugarplum brains, of course, made by my fab DB and HDH Minion Sister Creepy Glowbugg.  She's got gobs of cool schtuff in her Etsy Store so be sure to check it out.  I wrapped 'em up and tied them with twine.   Don't they look yummy?   

I went with non traditional Christmas colors to compliment the brains and cut the mats for the tag, image and computer generated sentiment with my fave MS drippy goo punch.  Nothin' like a little oozing brain matter and bile to get you in the Creepmas spirit, eh?  Zombie Elf is colored with Copics and oops!  I just realized I left the little deely bobs hangin' from his collar unattended.  Nothin' that a few adhesive beads won't fix (trust me on that, I'm not takin' another pic.) So Falala!  Be sure to check out the fab tags from my DT sisters and come play along.  Remember to use a Dilly Beans image so why not stop by the SHOP.  Megan's added some adorable new gals and she has a fab bundle price going on now.

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center Christmas/Creepmas in July Challenge, the Simon Says Stamp and Show Celebrate Challenge, the Outlawz Alcohol Markers Anything Goes Challenge with an Optional Christmas Twist, the DLART Thankful Thursday Christmas in July, and the Stampotique Tag You're It Challenge (sorry, no Stampotique stamp this time, but 3 out of 4 ain't bad.  LOL)

Lets' Hear it for the Red, White and Blue!

We're wavin' flags and setting off fireworks for our Dilly Beans Patriotic Challenge this week and I've turned the new #562 Hypno Eyed Monster Framed into Uncle Sam using the hat from #329 Top Hat Snowman.  He's fussy cut and layered outside his frame (cut with a Nestie).  The fireworks are stickers, the flag a cupcake decoration and USA is from the Cuttlebug Curls and Swirls Alphabet (retired).  He's got stars in his eyes and on the fab Americana DP from BoBunny.  Come celebrate with us and check out the fab red, white and blue offerings from my teamies HERE.  And don't forget, there's still a sale going on at the Dilly Beans SHOP.

 

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge, the Simon Says Stamp and Show Stripes Challenge, the Craft Lovin' Challenge Blog Independence Day challenge, the Chocolate, Coffee & Cards 4th of July challenge, the Simply Create Too Use the Colors of Your Flag challenge, the DLArt Thankful Thursday Patriotic Challenge and the KittyBee Aloha Friday Red, White and Blue challenge.

Anything Goes with a Dilly Beans Image

This week it's a little something different at the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog.  Our theme is Anything Goes, but you MUST use a Dilly Beans Image to play.  We offered Freebies throughout the year on the Dilly Beans Facebook Page and of course, if you haven't already visited the SHOP, now would be a good time to snag a few of your favorites for a chance to win MORE.  I've used the fabulous #343 Frida Kahlo digi, along with her quote from the #365 Artist's Quotes set.  I've been playing around with my sprays and such and tried an emboss resist technique using a background stamp from Rubbernecker.  First I stamped with Versamark and embossed with opaque white powder.  Then I sprayed with yellow, orange, red, and pink Dylusions.  I really love the way it came out.  Frida is colored with Copics and I've added a little detail to her flowers with a gel pen,  I'm hoping this will qualify for the Mix It Up Challenge at Whimsical Designs, (Baby steps, but I'm trying to be a bit more adventurous.  LOL)  Be sure to check out the Challenge Blog for more inspiration and we hope to see loads of Dilly Beans goodness this week. 

I'm also entering this in the DLART Thankful Thursday Flowers Challenge and Simon Says Stamp Flower Power Challenge.

Spring has Sprung!

Don't faint, I have TWO posts today, so please scroll down to see my Simply Steampunk card and find out about the new monthly challenge.

Looking out the window here it's evident Spring has sprung, so we're celebrating the season at Dilly Beans with Spring inspired cards this week.  Here we have #351 Amalia and Butterflies Framed gazing up at #529 Grandpa's Flower.  For a little play on words, I made a spring for the stem by winding green wire around a skewer, then fussy cut and attached the leaves behind.  The bloom is layered and popped on an action wobble.  You tired of my Alpha Beads yet?  Me neither.  LOL  Be sure and pop by Dilly Beans to see more Spring inspired cards from my DT sisters and how about joining us this week?  We'd love to have you.

I'm also adding this to the DLArt Thankful Thursday Spring Challenge, Simon Says Stamps and Show Anything Goes, Craft and Me Spring Flowers, Flutter by Wednesday Flowers Challenge, Stampotique Flowers Challenge #94 and Can You Digi It Pick a Season Challenge.

White Embossed Background for ADFD

Yes, I know Easter has passed but for someone who just got her tree down last week I think this is pretty good.  You think I'm kidding, don't you?  Well, at least I made my resolution deadline.  (BARELY!)  LOL  I've been wanting to play at A Day For Daisies and keep missing the boat.  The current challenge is use a white embossed background and I have sooo many embossing folders I just couldn't decide so I tried a trick with a new die from Spellbinders I got at the Expo.  Instead of using the cutting plate, I ran it through my Grand Calibur with the embossing mat and plate only and got this cool effect.  Now what?

Choosing the image was equally hard.  I have hundreds, literally, but this adorable Bunny Ears won out.  I did a minimal of coloring with Copics and paper pieced the little jammies.  Had to have a fuzzy bunny, so I paper pieced him, as well, by printing again, fussy cutting, running him through the Xyron right side down and flocking before gluing to the image.  Added a mini pom pom tail too.  I wanted a panoramic egg effect so I again used Spellbinders to cut the egg and window, embossed and glittered it to look like sugar.  I snipped a punched strip and carefully taped it around the back for the decorative edge.  I used the same punch (Stampin' Up) for the card mat.

My plan as to keep the card mostly white so I dug in my stash and found a Spellbinders Easter border I've had for ages but never used.  The color was added with my Copics while it was still in the die.  More succesful had I pulled out my air compressor and sprayed, but with a light touch I managed not to have it bleed too much.  Finally I popped the elemants for a little more interest and added a sentiment with Alpha Beads.  Thanks for hangin' in there, I'm awfully chatty today.

I"m also entering this in the DL Art Thankful Thursday Spring Challenge, Going Grey with Scrap-Creations Easter Challenge, Simon Says Stamp and Show Very Strict Anything Goes Challenge, the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Challenge Anything Goes, and Papertake Weekly Anything Goes and The Crafty  Bloggers Network Anything Goes April Challenge.

Easter's on it's Way!

Sorry, it's been sort of a lean week for crafting but I did get some much need chores out of the way.  The weather has been quite lovely, but of course, there's rain in the forecast for Easter.  Isn't that ALWAYS the way?  That's not stopping us at Dilly Beans, though.  Our new Easter challenge is now underway.  I made a little shaped card using the Spellbinder's Basket Die for Heartfelt Creations.  Thought it was perfect for the adorable #392 Amalia Easter Bunny.

The simple Dilly Beans images are so perfect for paper piecing which is how I flocked her little bunny suit.  Just print several times, color with Copics (or use colored paper), run those pieces through the Xyron, right side up and flock.  The DT has done a fabulous job using images that aren't just for Easter so be sure to take a look HERE and come play along.

I'm also entering this in the Whimsical Wednesdays Pastels Challenge, Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes and the DL Art March Linky Party (because I missed the Easter Challenge) and BTW, she has a great Graphic 45 Giveaway HERE.  Hurry, it ends March 31!

Yipes, Stripes! at Dilly Beans

It's Friday again already.  Do you believe it?  Time for a new challenge at Dilly Beans.  This one is easy peasy, STRIPES.  I've used one of the fab new images, #540 Owl Always Love You.  He was so much fun to color.  Love his stripey feathers and tatooed wings.  My color combo came from the fab striped DP from Heidi Grace which looked great on the Kraft card stock.  I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the eye and pop it.  I added a clear epoxy sticker for some shine.  Then just a few adhesive beads and I was done.  Pop over to the Challenge Blog a bit later for more DT inspiration and come and join us.

I'm also entering this in the DL ART Thankful Thursday Birds Challenge and the Digi Makeover Challenge #77 Stripes Challenge at the Paper Makeup Stamps Blog, Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes and the Addicted to Stamps, Use Craft Challenge. 

Dilly Beans Thankful Challenge

'Tis the season we reflect on the things we are thankful for and at Dilly Beans it is no different.  Our challenge this week is Thanks.  I've used the sweet Mimi & Sara's Pumpkins Framed.  My original plan was to pop the pumpkins but I liked the way the coloring came out so much on this version, I just left it flat.  I've been adding a bit of texture to the hair after coloring with Copics using my sadly neglected Prismacolor pencils and kinda loving that too.  The image is mounted on a Nesties Labels One embossed with the Tim Holtz Burlap folder and sanded.  The sentiment is a combo of 2 ancient rub ons from my stash.  The leaves were punched and hand scored and I made my cute little acorns from card candy.  I'm finally practicing a bit with liquid pearls instead of my adhesive beads, but every time I squeeze, I hold my breath. LOL  Please visit the Dilly Beans Challenge Blog for tons of inspiration and come play along.

I'm also entering this in the DL Art Thankful Thursday Thanksgiving challenge, The Pixie Dust Studio Thanksgiving or Thank You Challenge, Simon Says Stamp Thanksgiving/Thank You, My Sheri Crafts Give Thanks Challenge,and the Digital Tuesday Thankfulness Challenge.

Dilly Beans Easter Overload

This week at the Dilly Beans Designers and Challenge Blog our challenge is an Easter card or project. I've used the adorable #164 Zombie Bunny. Poor thing looks like shes been mowing through her chocolate bunnies, Peeps and Jelly Beans and is now a bit green around the gills. She's colored with Copics, double matted and popped. The chocolate bunnies were cut with my Cricut from the Easter 2010 cart in brown and cream card stock then wet embossed in several layers to make them shiny. I'm thanking my friend De who led me to a freebie for the Peeps. They were colored with Copics (honestly I had no idea they came in so many colors until I hit Walmart) covered them in Be Creative Tape, sprinkled them in ultrafine glitter and fussy cut them. The sentiment is computer generated. The candy background paper is from the DCWV 8x8 Sweet Stack.

Lots of popping for dimension and I've added a bow to Zombie Bunnie's hair. My DT sisters are hopping down the bunny trail so be sure visit the Challenge Blog for more fabulous inspiration. Have a blessed Easter, everyone, but careful with that candy or you'll awake with a tummy ache.

I'm also entering this in the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday I Want Candy

Creative Cutter Room Easter or Bunny Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Use Your Favorite Tool (Cricut die cutting machine)

Love to Create Bunnies, Chickies and Jelly Beans Oh My! Easter Challenge

DLArt Thankful Thursday Easter Challenge