Anything Goes with a Dilly Beans Image

WooHoo!  Looky looky!  I've already decorated for Christmas (on my Blog, anyway).  Hope everyone had a fab Thanksgiving and enjoys the holiday weekend, whatever you do.  It's Friday and that means it's another Challenge at Dilly Beans and it's a real easy one.  ANYTHING GOES WITH A DILLY BEANS IMAGE.  I've done a little Christmas card using the adorable #304 Christmas Owl (scroll down to find him).  The embossed frame was laying on my table and worked well with the little village DP so there ya go.  The sentiment is computer generated and I've added some buttons 'cause I thought they looked cute.

 I've colored the little guy with Copics, fussy cut and popped him.  Then added one of the glasses paper clips that De insisted I get when she was out in CA a couple of weeks ago.  What a HOOT!  (Sorry, couldn't resist)  Thanks, De! Check out the fab stuff the rest of the DT has done and come play along for a chance to win some Dilly Beans images of your own.

But if you just can't wait, you can enjoy Black Friday savings from the comfort of your computer.  Now THAT's my way to shop, today anyway.

I'm also entering this in the Charisma Cardz Christmas Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes, the Outlawz Friday Alcohol Markers Challenge ATG w/optional Christmas Twist, LEJ Designs Buttons, Bows or Beads, and TTRCD Nov 26th-Dec 2nd.

Steampunk Zodiacs 2 Release at Simply Steampunk

It's another exciting day at Simply Steampunk Challenges.  We're celebrating the release of Steampunk Zodiacs Collection 2 and I'm thrilled to be showcasing Taurus, because that's MY sign.  I've used beautiful Fall colored DP from K&Co and framed the image using Spellbinders Labels 25.  The gears are also Spellbinders dies that I've grunged up a bit in Steampunk fashion with Distress Inks.  The fall flowers are Recollections.

The lovely Taurus is colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped for dimension.  As you will see, the images don't exactly scream Zodiac, making them very versatile.  Hey, those horns could totally mean something else. LOL

The Taurus traits were found on the net.  Strong willed and aggressive?  Moi?  Well, okay, some I agree with but "the Tramp"?  How RUDE!  Just 'cause we're good kissers (so I've been told) and love to indulge in sensual pleasures (of all kinds) DOES NOT make us Tramps.  Still, I loved the scroll, so I had to include it.  Now that all of the signs are represented, you must see the rest of my Teamies' fabulous projects at Simply Steampunk.  And don't forget, you've still got time to play in our Layers Challenge going on now.  Hope to see you there.

I'm also enering this in the LEJ Designs Lots of Layers Challenge, TTRCD Anything Goes Sept 24-30, Created with Love Fall Colors, Crafting When We Can Seasons Challenge, Dream Valley Autumn Challenge and Lexi's Creations Autumn Colors.

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. 

Dilly Beans Layers (meaning "Pop it Up") Challenge

Oh yeah!  The Dilly Beans Challenge this week was made for me.  Megan asked us to layer and "pop it up".  You know, use "pop dots" (or whatever) to give some dimension.  That's pretty much my FAVE thing to do but, of course, choosing the image was the hard part.  Megan's been a busy gal and there are tons of new images in the SHOP so why not go have a look?  After much debate, I finally decided on #425 3 Penguins.  (Too cute!)  I printed them a bazillion times, colored and fussy cut up a storm.  Because they were sort of floating out there (and the fact that I'd cut the image so close I couldn't find the right size Nestie to frame it), I tore some cardstock and embossed it with Merry Christmas, added some Stickles and there ya go, instant snow.

Second hardest part was deciding on mat paper.  Would you believe I cut 6 of them before deciding on this one?  I wanted to keep the color scheme but didn't want to detract from the images.  What do you think?  The frame was cut with Labels Twenty Three and you'll be seeing a lot more of it when I start using up my rejects.  LOL  Simple embellies, just a fabric covered button and some twine.  Wait 'til you see what my teamies have in store.  Fabulous!  Take a look HERE (in a little bit, I often jump the gun) and please come play along.

I am also entering this in the Dutch Dare #193 Winter Wonderland Challenge,  Pixie Dust Winter Holiday Creations, Crafty Sentiments Red, White, and Green, LEJ Designs Favorite Technique (fussy cutting and popping up), Simons Says Stamp Anything Goes and Sweet Stamps Cold and Snowy.

Dilly Beans For the Boys Challenge

This week at Dilly Beans we're asking for anything boyish.  Megan has some adorable new images in the SHOP that make it easy to do those often challenging cards for boys.  I've chosen #499 Noah.  My card inspired by a young man who tragically lost his life.  His name was Forest and he had a big heart.  He suffered pain and abuse until he was welcomed into the home of a loving family but when he left those loving arms to return to his original home, his life was taken, way too soon.  We can only pray he has found eternal peace.

Please join us at Dilly Beans this week and make a card or project for a special boy.
I'm also entering this in the Sparkle and Glitter with Rick St Dennis Rememberance Challenge, the DYSU Leaves and Trees challenge, Cards for Men Anything Goes and the LEJ Designs Die Cuts or Punches Challenge.

Dilly Beans Bling it ON!

This week at the Dilly Beans Designers and Challenge Blog we're bringing on the BLING!  I've chosen the adorable #351 Amalia and Butterflies Framed.  After coloring her with Copics, I just couldn't resist adding bling to her cheeks. The blingy gem butterflies and flowers are from Darice and I've cut up some jeweled swirls from Want 2 Scrap to make the butterflies' flight.  All the papers are glittered, including the MS butterfly punched border. The DT has some fab inspiration so don't forget to visit the blog, don your shades and bling it on.  We love seeing what you create.  And if you've been craving some new images, check out the sale at the Dilly Beans Shop.  Now through Sunday, buy 10 and get 10 free!

I'm also entering this in the Things With Wings Challenge at the Anything Goes Challenge Blog and the new LEJ Designs Challenge Blog.