Bearly a Clown Standing Shaker Tag

While checking out my fave Challenge Blogs I noticed a number of them calling for shakers, plastic, and/or recycling.  I'd been saving some packaging from facial blotter sheets (the curse of oily skin) thinking that it would be fun some day to make a shaker tag, (great for a child's birthday) and today was the day.

I started with an adorable image from Sandra Caldwell called Bearly a Clown.  I sized him for the opening in my packaging and colored him with Copics in bright circus colors.  I popped him in the opening and added sequins and tiny beads to shake.  BTW, I've been playing on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group and having loads of fun.  Besides a really nice Group of gals, and a Progressive Challenge, Sandra pops up with some sneaky contests where you can win her cute quirky stamps.  Ya never know when, or what she might have up her sleeve.

The packaging actually stands and to cover the sides where it opens, I've added triangles of card stock.  In the back, there's room for a pocket for a gift card and Birthday message.The topper was made with a Martha Stewart punch. The bright curled ribbon adds a festive touch, don'tcha think?  Wanna know how it's done?  I thought so.

I thought I already had a tutorial for this on my Blog and could just link back, but I realized it was done for Custom Crops, which is no longer in business, so all the tuts and .cut files I did for them are no longer available... BUMMER! I wish I'd thought to take pix while I was curling all of these yesterday. but I'll work on another because a pic is worth a thousand words (although that won't stop me from gabbing here.)  LOL

Although you can use any width of ribbon, I find the 1/8 inch works best with the small bamboo skewers.  Tie tightly, an inch or so from the end, and wind ribbon around the skewer as closely as possible.  Tie tightly at other end, again leaving some bare skewer and spray with Fabric Sizing on all sides.  Blot with a paper towel, if necessary. Place skewers on rim of the baking sheet (so ribbon has no chance of sticking or burning) and bake in a 200 degree oven for twenty minutes.  Remove from oven, let cool, and slide or unwrap the ribbon.  If kinks develop, pull straight and let it rewind until kinks are gone.  It will stay curled.

I'm entering this in the 613 Avenue Create ATG/with Optional Twist Make a Shaker Project, Simon Says Monday Upcycle/Recycle, Simon Says Wednesday Shake it Up, Shopping Our Stash Fantastic Plastic, Creative Fingers ATG, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG/w Optional Ribbon Lace or Twine , Really Reasonable Ribbon Celebrate with Ribbon or Trim, Ai Shake Rattle and Roll, and the Southern Girls Add a Little Sparkle to Your Life (the sequins).

Hey there, Hot Stuff!

Yes, yet another Valentine.  LOL  I recently won some images in the Art by Mi Ran FB Group Challenge and this is one of the ones I chose.  Isn't she a cutie? The image is called Cupid's Little Helper. When I was a kid, I had a thing for the "Hot Stuff" (the little devil) comic books, so I couldn't resist this little gal.  As you can imagine, the sentiment came quite naturally.  (And, I happen to I think my man is pretty hot stuff.  xx)  She's colored with Copics with a little detailing with Prismacolor pencils on her curls. She was fussy cut and popped on a doily I colored red with a Bic marker (I know I have some red ones somewhere, but it's no surprise I couldn't find them when I needed them). The fiery background is one I found on the net.

I'm entering this in both the new Art by Mi Ran ATG FB challenge, the new Art by Mi Ran ATG Blog challenge, the DL.Art Pink, Red, and Hearts /any One or All Challenge, the DL.Art February Linky challenge, Aud Sentiments Cute + a Sentiment, the Star Stampz Monochromatic Challenge, the Corrosive Challenge Love, Love, Love and Dare to be Sassy Thursdays Favorite Color(s) challenge (ALL shades of RED).

Some Bunny Loves You!

Okay, so I'm not done with Valentine's Day.  (I'm not actually done with Christmas, either, but that's another story)  Anyway, I couldn't resist using Bunneh, from BloobelStamps for this one and (again!) the cool freebie digi papers from Art by Miran FB Group page that I recolored in red in my Printmaster Platinum Program.

Here's a closeup, he totally cracks me up and doesn't look the least bit thrilled about that Valentine Heart (MS punch) in his mouth, does he?  Bunneh is colored with Copics with a bit of shading from Prismacolor pencils, fussy cut and popped. He was printed twice so I could better fit the Valentine in his mouth. Who knew he'd tear it all to shreds?  Looks like he made a mess of the background too.  The sentiment was computer generated and inside it says "Just not this one!"  Happy (belated) VD!

I'm entering this in the Left of Center With Love Challenge, the DL.Art Pink, Red and Hearts challenge, the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge Monochromatic, the ABC Challenge B is for (Bunneh!), the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, and the Crafting Musketeers Monochrome Challenge. 

Seeing Red for Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge

Here's another cutie from Sandra Caldwell for the current Wicked Wednesday ATC "Seeing Red" challenge.  I've been trying to play regularly at Wicked Wednesday and this is 4 for 4 weeks in a row.  Yea, me!  3 out of 4 have been with Sandra's images.  What can I say?  They're fun and easy to color, even on a small scale.  This precious little gal is called "Lovie".  Isn't she sweet? She's colored with Copics and I've made a dottie background in shades of red and mounted her on red striped DP from Carta Bella.  In the corner I've added a little plastic heart sticker.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art Pink, Red and Hearts-Any One or All Challenge, Fan-Tastic Tuesday ATG w/Twist of Cute, the Outlawz Tuesday Colour Challenge Monochromatic  and Shopping Our Stash Fantastic Plastic.

The East Wind - Hair Heaven

Tuesday means another fabulous release at The East Wind and if you love coloring hair, this one's for YOU!  Take a gander at Aurora 'Hair Heaven' and tell me you wouldn't have a ball with this one.  I sure did!

Here's a closeup of this gorgeous image.  Although my first inclination was to color her hair RED, we've been having such gorgeous weather lately (how does 75 degrees sound to you?) that I decided to try something I've never done. RAINBOW HAIR!  it makes me think of Spring.  She's colored with Copics and believe it, or not, besides her skin colors, I only used THREE Colors, Y11, RV52 and B01.  Cool, huh?  I thought so.  She looks like she's in a twirling frenzy, so I added a flock of butterflies (MS punch) to add more movement and enhance the Springy feel. Besides, they kinda went with the background DP from the All About Girls Mat Stack from DCWV I used in the background.

You'd be amazed how different this image looks with different hair colors.  My DT sisters all have different takes on her so be sure to visit The East Wind FB Page and be inspired.

Of course, The East Wind artist Unky is known for the fabulous 'dos she draws on her digi characters, but did you know she now has a Hair Heaven Coloring Book?  (and look who's on the cover).  You'll find 30 of her gorgeous gals right HERE on Amazon.  Check it out!

 Come join the fun!

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Show Room Blog

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the February Challenge at Your Scrapbook Place (using the sponsor's image), DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Crafting From the Heart ATG , TTRCD Feb 16-22 ATG and LTSCB#72 ATG. 

Sprite Delight III at Aurora Wings

Happy Monday!  Today we begin a new challenge at Aurora Wings with the popular theme of Sprite Delight III.  As usual, with all of the adorable Sprites Mitzi has in her Etsy shop, I had a terrible time choosing, but this adorable Honey Bee Sprite just tugged at my heart strings.  It's been some time since I've pulled out my Cricut and made a shaped card, but this little guy needed a home, don'tcha think? 

Here's a closeup.  EEEK!  Isn't he the sweetest EVAH?  He's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped.  He's also available in a no background png form HERE, if you wish to print him directly on your digital paper and then color him.  You can also find him on page 6 of the Sprites Collection in the Aurora Wings Digi Shop.

I added a little dimension to his hood, arms and honey pot.  I've also Stickled his wings for a little sparkle, used Glossy Accents on the eyes and mouth (?) and Viva Pearl Pen in yellow for the honey.

The sweet sentiment is computer generated and cut with Spellbinders Labels One.  I've inked it while still in the die and popped it atop a slightly larger scalloped version.

Gotta say, I was a bit rusty at the ole Cricut, but finally managed to add enough layers to suit me.  The bee hive cut is from Garden Soup cartridge, which I've had for several years, but had never even opened.  The dotty DP is BoBunny and I've used some hoarded crocheted flowers and a little bee brad for embellishment.

Now run, don't walk, to the AW Challenge Blog, not only to see the fabulous inspiration from my DT sisters, but also to check out the fabulous SURPRISE Mitzi has in store for you.  You will DEFINITELY be glad you did!

Here's how to keep up with all that's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this in the Shopping Our Stash Bent Out of Shape Challenge, Crafting with Friends ATG, 613 Avenue Create ATG, Crafting From the Heart ATG, the Fantabulous Cricut Monochromatic Challenge, Craft Your Passion ATG, Love to Scrap #72 ATG, Create and Inspire ATG and the DL.Art February Linky Challenge. 

A Little Something from the Kitty on Valentine's Day

Every year both Goliath and Jezebel give Daddy Valentines.  This year Goliath opted for a commercial card, but Jezebel wanted to contribute creatively to the one Mommy was making.  She's our fluffball and we often find little 'prises from her impeccable grooming practices.   This time she seems to have hacked up a heart and from the expression on her face, even SHE seems surprised. 

The fabulous image is Kitteh by BloobelStamps.  There was a fun contest in the Bloobel FB Group to suggest images and this is the one I suggested.  Lucky me was one of the 5 winners chosen.  WooHoo!  Here's the closeup (and also of Jezzie's "heart" which actually is made from her fur (thankfully minus the digestive juices, LOL).  She was colored with Copics with a fair amount of Prismacolor pencil detail for her fur.  I used some freebie digital DP from the ArtbyMiran FB group that I cropped into a heart shape in my Printmaster Platinum program and printed for the background.

Here's the inside.  Well, I better get going.  Jezzie is super excited to give Daddy her "home made" card.  Love to you all on Valentine's Day.  xxx

I'm entering this in the SUYP (cats only challenge) Kitty Love,  Left of Center With Love, the Outlawz CAS Include a Heart Challenge, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, the Corrosive Challenge Love, love, Love, Kitty Bee Designs Valentine/Love, Fan-tastic Tuesday ATG/So in Love, Crafting by Designs Hearts, CAS on Sunday Valentines and Crafting with an Attitude ATG. 

It's Good to be QUEEN!

I've been playing in the Progressive Challenge at Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB page and for Round 2 we were to use an image from her Etsy Shop that had a heart on it.  Are you kidding me?  There are dozens of adorable images with hearts, and I had such a hard time choosing, I used two.

For the background, I used Vintage Heart, colored with Copics in reds and Violets ('cause I thought that looked regal).

Then I colored Old Lady of Hearts, (again with Copics) and fussy cut and popped her on top.  The challenge also asked for some glitter or shimmer so I used Christmas Red Stickles on all of the hearts and also added an jewel to her scepter.  (oops, not in this pic, but on the finished card)

The sentiment was computer generated and I popped every other word for more dimension.  Then some more gems in opposing corners and as an exclamation point and it was good to go.  Gotta say, I kinda love how it turned out.

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Twisted Thurday ATG/Show Some Love challenge, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, the Craft Rocket Valentine/Love challenge, Creative Moments ATG/Romance/Love, Crafts and Me use Red or Valentine, Oddball Art All You Need is Love Challenge, the TTPH Share Some Love Challenge, and Crafting by Designs Hearts.

Siesta IV from the East Wind

This gorgeous new release by The East Wind is called Siesta IV.   I've gotta say I find it breathtaking, but immediately worried about putting it on my blog in it's entirety as the first pic because of those who seem to find the natural female form offensive. Well, too bad.  I do not, and this is art.  As soon as I saw her, Carole King's song came to mind. It's for my man, a Valentine, because that's how he makes me feel.  (You're gonna be singin' that all day now, aren't you?)

And here's the close cropped version that I'll be adding to Blog challenges so as not to offend.  The full pic has already been removed from several FB Groups.
This makes me sad.

I used the no background PNG version for this and then changed the color of the lines in my printing program to a beigey color to soften the edges. She's printed on one of the gorgeous digi papers from Victorian Gardens paper pack, available in the Victorian Spring Craft Kit, by Gecko Galz.

Here's a closeup of the dreamy image.  She's colored with Copics with a fair amount of Prismacolor pencil work in her hair.  It was hard for me not to color her hair red, but this softer color was more appropriate, don'tcha think?  Don't forget to visit The East Wind FB Group page every Tues and Friday for a new release and check out the challenges on both FB and the Challenge Blog .

  Come join the fun!

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Show Room Blog

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Wednesday One Layer challenge, Your Scrapbook Place February Challenge (using sponsor's image) and the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, 

Kiss This!

I've been playing on Sandra Caldwell's Stamp Fans FB page and this was a Freebie last week in celebration of 300 digis drawn and given to those who participated or purchased that week. I love the image because it reminds me of my Daddy who was bald as long as I can remember (yeah, even when I was a baby).  It kind of makes me teary eyed as I sure would love to still be able to give him a kiss on the top of his head.  Anyway, I thought he'd be perfect for the current Wicked Wednesday ATC "Head Shots" challenge and also for the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers "K" is for Kiss Challenge.  WooHoo!

Looks like Edna already laid one on him. LOL (Even funnier since my Mom's name was Edna.)

"Daddy" was colored with Copics and I've added some fun little brads.  The sentiment is computer generated and Looky here!  It's actually an EASEL ATC. (Made just like it's big brother, the easel card, only smaller...duh!)  I once gave my Daddy a card with this saying and it came back to me when I saw this image.  Hope you like.  I'm keeping this one close to me for inspiration.  Besides being a mechanical engineer, Daddy was a gifted artist.  Kisses to you Daddy, I miss you so much!

I'm also adding this to the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG/w optional Add a Sentiment and the DL.Art February Linky Challenge.

Holley's Bookmark Making Contest

I'm joining Holley's month long celebration for 6 years of seizure free health following 2 brain surgeries.  You can read Holley's incredibly inspiring story HERE.  As part of her celebration, she is hosting a Bookmark Making Contest using a fabulous stamp designed just for her by Sandra Caldwell.  This sweet stamp is called Bearly A Headache.

Here's a closeup of this cutie.  She's colored with Copics and sitting on a stack of books that is unnamed in my files, but is perhaps from Tiddly Inks.  I really didn't mean to color this so dark, but the library stack back ground, a freebie from Go Make Something, sort of dictated the colors.  I do really love the sights and smells and general ambiance of and old library, don't you?  The sentiment is computer generated excerpts from a quote I found. So there ya go.  Come join the fun at Holley's and wish her all the best.  (FABBY PRIZES ALL MONTH LONG!)

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art February Linky challenge, and the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Tag, You're It Challenge.

Don't be "Soup"id!

This funky chick has been on my mind ever since I bought her the other day. Meet Chicken Noodle Soup by Sandra Caldwell.  I colored her with Copics with a little pencil detail and I couldn't resist a little play on words.  Inside it reads "and get well soon".  The background was done by pouncing Distress Ink in Weathered Wood through a small piece of plastic mesh potato sack for the Outlawz Sunday CAS Make Your Own Background challenge.  It's a little 4x4 card that would be cute tucked in a little get well care package, don'tcha think?

I'm also entering this in the Crafty Friends Animals/Birds Challenge, Allsorts Clean and Simple, Left of Center Things with Wings, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Crafting by Designs ATG, and the ABC "A" is for Animals Challenge.