Got a Funny Feeling

Hey there.  Happy Valentine's Day!  I've already done my lovey dovey bit so I thought I might make you laugh instead.  The inspiration actually comes from a true story (with names changed to protect the innocent. LOL)  Long, long ago (when dinosaurs roamed the earth. JK! )my BFF from college went for a romantic dinner with her boyfriend when he unexpectedly popped THE QUESTION.   Not sure it was Valentine's Day, but it could have been.  Hate to say, her reaction was also quite unexpected.   Anyway, as soon as I saw All Shades of Green, by Bloobel Stamps it brought back memories. 

Here's the full Z fold opened.  The second image is called Love Sick.  You really can't have one without the other, eh?  Guess this meant the answer was "NO!" (She's gonna kill me when she reads this. HeeHee!)  You'll be happy to know that she did make it to the "ladies' " in time, though.

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge is "O" is for Outrageous, so I just had to join in.  Also the Outlawz Saturday Paper a la Mode says Make a Funny Card, I'll also be adding this to the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Pink/and or Red Challenge, TTRCD Week of Feb 14 AG and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #51 AG.  

The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge Sponsored by Sandra Caldwell

Okay, so here's my second post of the day, and I'm still neglecting my impending DT duties, while catching up on some challenges I wanted to enter. Another for the Outlawz, this time for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge (and it's only Monday, Yea, me!).  Sandra Caldwell is sponsoring and has even drawn 5 cute images, especially for the Outlawz, and offered at a discount price of only $1.50.  However, I chose #1381 Glamour Betty, also on sale (for a limited time), as one of the Glamour Gals, for the FB contest that ends tomorrow, in the Sandra Caldwell Stamps FB Group.  When you take the weekend off, you just gotta do some double duty.  You can see all the discounted digis HERE, but act fast.  I don't know how long this will last.

I've colored Glamour Betty with Copics, used digi dot paper from AMBillustrations and basic twine from DL.Art.  the heart gems and flower are from my stash.  Although I didn't follow the sketch exactly, I think you still get the idea, don't you?

I'm adding this to the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG, Cupcake Inspirations #394 Carmine, White, Black and If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #62. 

For the Outlawz Progressive and Tuesday Color

Well, I blew off the weekend enjoying our sunny weather (finally) and now trying to catch up on some challenges I want to enter.  The Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge almost threw me for a loop until I came upon this DP from K&Co.

Here's the color palette, all starting with the letter "A".

I decided to use the Freebie from the Outlawz February Progressive Challenge, generously supplied by Bugaboo Stamps.  (For once I'm not last minute.  Yea, ME!)  After coloring with Copics in the approximate colors, I decided that I need to brighten things up a little bit and added a lighter green mat and some beads to the flower centers.  The gorgeous crinkle ribbon is Steel Blue from Blues Bundle at DL.Art.

I'll also be adding this to the DL.Art February Linky challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #51 AG, Your Scrapbook Place Feb AG (using Sponsor image) and 613 Avenue Create AG/optional Sentimental Journey. 

Trollin' for Love

So many fun Valentine images to choose from out there these days, but I really couldn't resist this new one from Sandra Caldwell, #1377 Troll Cupid.  She totally makes me giggle.  Just look at that face!  The Outlawz Twisted Thursday challenge is always Anything Goes, but the twist this time is a Heart Shaped Valentine so I dug out my Spellbinders Nested Hearts and and Scalloped Nested Hearts and went to work. Found a small scale heart pattern Dp in my stash from American Crafts and came up with a sentiment I thought was pretty cute. Couldn't resist some conversation hearts from M's and some kissy lips to hold the easel up.  MWAH!

Here's a closeup of #1377 Troll Cupid.  I nearly colored her in Smurf tones, but I wanted to keep the Valentine palette so I went with Copic pinks and reds, with a little lavender thrown in for good measure.

Time is running out for Valentine's Day, so I hope you visit Sandra's Etsy shop, Babycakesdnd and check out all the fab images Sandra has to offer.  New releases every Friday and some surprises here and there so visit often!  There's also a number of sale digis for several challenges, including the current FB contest, Glamour Girls going on now in Sandra's FB Group so check them out HERE and come play along.

I'm adding this to the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Pink and/or Red Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG (2/17), Dies R Us Challenge #66 Hearts (2/14), Crafty Friends AG (2/14), Creative Corner Perfectly Pink (2/15), Making Memories Crafting #2 Use red+Other Valentine color, Simply Create Too February Love,  Aud Sentiments Valentine or Love Sentiment, Simon Says Monday Young at Heart, Simon Says Wednesday Cute, Through the Purple Haze Valentine/Love, LTSCB February Who Loves You Baby, TTRCD AG Week of February 7, House of Cards Love Theme and/or Colors and Use Your Stuff Love is in the Air.

Anything Christmas for the Outlawz Festive Fridays

WooHoo!  This is my second post of the day.  I'd love it if you'd check out my first post HERE, too.

I love playing in the Outlawz Festive Fridays Challenges because there are always 4 themes to chose from.  I'm joining in with the Anything Christmas theme because I've done quite a bit of shopping since the holidays as I love getting the bargains on the merchandise from the season just past.  The new die I've used here is from Die-namites and I think it's just perfect as a centerpiece for a CAS design.  I actually cut this 4 times so I could fussy cut the partridge and pears and layer them on the die cut.  It would have been only 3 but after adding the shiny corner stickers and sentiment, the matte gold I'd originally used for the pears really didn't stand out enough, so I layered again with a brushed gold metallic on the pears without the stems.  Much better!  The embossing folder is Grace's frame and I've layered again with the matte bronze on the white card base which made it 5 x 6 1/2".  I think it turned out to be quite elegant and went together quickly enough to make multiples.

I'm also entering this in the CHNC Challenge #319 AG Christmas/optional ribbon (not this time), the CHNC February Christmas Extra AG, the ABC February Christmas Challenge C is for Creatures, Merry Monday CAS Challenge and the Kerst/Christmas February FB Challenge.

Glamour Puss

Yup!  Another cat, from Sandra Caldwell, no less.  Meet #1395 Glamour Puss, Just added to the shop at the sale price of $1.50 for use in the Glamour Gals contest going on now in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp fans FB Group.  Isn't she a hoot?  My first thought after seeing that LOOOONG ciggie and square pillow was 1950's Rat Pack Era.  Vegas or Palm Springs maybe, eh?  So she just had to be glitzy.  (I'll tell you about the coloring in a minute.)  I dug out a very old DCWV Glitter stack with a major retro vibe and used the negative of a die cut I'd used on Monday's project (no, I obviously don't clean up after myself or throw things away.  They often come in handy.)  Glamour Puss is spelled out in black Alpha Beads (the term makes me giggle, my Mom used to use it all the time) and I've added a slightly altered the lyrics from a Johnny Mercer song (from 1937, but Frank Sinatra really popularized it in the 50's.)

So here's the closeup of my happy little accident with Glamour Puss.  I wanted all of her accessories to be glitzy so I used both silver and gold metallic gel pens but while I was coloring her pillow, I accidentally started coloring her leg gold. CRAP! (I was on the phone, what can I say?  Don't you multitask?)  Anyway, I tried to wipe it off (too late) and if this ever happens to you DO NOT try to color over with your Copics because they sort of melt and smear the gel ink and it gets all over your tip and essentially ruins it unless you immediately douse it with alcohol or Blending solution (guess how I know?)  

Then I tried to sort of white it out with a white gel pen and it got sort of interesting.  I'd colored the white in little circles and the gold sort of showed through leaving an unusual texture that was kinda cool, so I continued coloring Glamour Puss in gold and went over it with the white until she looked like she's just had a curly perm.  In any case, she sort of glows when the light hits her which I'm sure she'd just adore.

You can check out all of the discount stamps (for a limited time) at Sandra's Etsy shop HERE.  And be sure to stop back for the new release tomorrow.  Just another reason to love Fridays.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art February Linky challenge, SUYP Kitty Love (she obviously loves herself!  LOL), FAb 'n' Funky Wild About You (I think she's a pretty wild cat and she's obviously wild about herself.). Moo-Mania Music (inspired by the song "Too Marvelous for Words"), Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers "O" is for Outrageous and Cards und More Pets and other Furry Friends.

Love my "Puss"ghetti!

I just love this fun new image from Sandra Caldwell called #1376 Spaghetti Kat but just couldn't resist a little play on the mispronunciation so many kids seem to say and tailor it for a kitty.  LOL  I've framed him with a digital twine heart from Delicious Scraps (thanks, Ike!) that looked like spaghetti to me, fussy cut the whole kit and kaboodle and added little fork tied with twine from DL.Art.  The Italian restaurant tablecloth (background DP) is also digital from AMBillustrations.  The sentiment is computer generated and popped with foam and I've also added some tiny punched hearts (to further the "love" theme).

Here's a closeup of #1376 Spaghetti Kat.  He's colored with Copics with a little silver gel pen action on his fork.  He makes me giggle, especially with the strand of "puss"ghetti stuck on his nose.  I think "purr"haps pasta is in order tonight.

Also, be sure to visit Sandra's Etsy Shop and check out the all of the sale digis she has for only $1.50, for a limited time, HERE.  Not only cute Valentine's Day images, but also some Glamour Gals for the current FB Contest in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans Group.  Don't miss out.

I'm adding this to the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Cards und More Pets and other Furry Friends, TTRCD AG week of Feb 7,  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG (2/14) and the SUYP (cats only) Kitty Love Challenge. 

The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge with New February Sponsor Sandra Caldwell

The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge has a new sponsor for the month of February and it's the fabulous Sandra Caldwell.  Not only is Sandra sponsoring the challenge, but she made a set of 5 digis just for the team and is offering them all for just $1.50 for a limited time.  I've chosen the adorable #1296 Cupid Angel.  You can see all of the discounted digis HERE as well as those on sale for the current Glamour Girl contest in Sandra's FB Group.

Here's the Outlawz sketch for this last week. I've used some Freebie digital papers from Delicious Scraps, and layered them digitally as well, so the card is not bulky. (Thanks Ike for turning me on to them)

And here's a closeup of #1296 Cupid Angel.  He's colored with Copics and cut with a Spellbinders Deckle Oval that I inked with Distress while still in the die.

You may notice the new watermark.  Yes, I've also joined the Sandra Caldwell DT as a part-time Designer and I'm thrilled to pieces.  My first official DT new release inspiration project isn't until February 17th so stay tuned.  New releases are now every Friday in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group (but she sneaks some new ones in here and there so visit the SHOP often). 

I entering this in the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Cards in Envy Be My Valentine, Simon Says Young at Heart, and House of Cards Love theme and/or Colors.

New Challenge at Aurora Wings

Our new challenge at Aurora Wings is a color challenge inspired by the traditional colors of Mardi Gras, purple, green and gold.

Although you need not choose a Mardi Gras theme, those colors should be the predominant colors in your project.  I happen to love Mardi Gras and Mitzi has a number of stamps that include masks, a couple even on sale HERE, but I chose the beautiful Venetian Mask stamp which just happens to be in the current Dollar digi specials HERE.  And just in case you think this stamp might have limited appeal, check out a former project I did with it HERE. (WOW!  that was for AW Challenge #3 and here we are on #43.  Time sure flies when you're having fun.)

Here's a close up of Venetian Mask.  I colored the ribbons and flowers with Copics and then printed the image again using a matte gold cardstock that I embellished with emeralds.  Both were then fussy cut and popped along with a gold doily I trimmed to fit either side.  I thought I'd try my hand with a gold Pearl Pen on the beads and although it's not perfect, I found that it's best to do every other one when they are close together and then let them dry before filling in a strand or cluster.  Otherwise as soon as they touch, they tend to flow together.

Here's the dimensional shot of the card.  It's actually a shaped front building on a Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals one with the back a regular rectangle.  I had a bit of engineering difficulty and the card does not stand alone, but I may add an easel back to remedy that problem.  

Here's the inside, as far as I've gotten for now.  The white mat (Spellbinders Labels Four) is just sitting there, waiting for a sentiment and I'm not sure that's the shape I'll finally choose, although it doesn't show when the card is closed, which is my goal.  You can see how the front was attached between the layers of the back.  I folded the green, figured the angle I wanted, placed the Spellbinders Grand Oval accordingly and cut through both layers.  I used to design shaped front cards all the time on my Cricut, but using these dies made it a bit less elegant. All in all, I'm still pleased though. Again I've used Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals for the layers. The large butterflies are also Spellbinders and the small ones a Martha Stewart punch, emphasizing the butterfly theme a bit more than Mardi Gras.

I hope you'll visit the Aurora Wings Challenge blog and be inspired enough by the fabulous Stella team to come play along.  Check out our FB Group page for the February Contest, Red White and Pink, too.

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 DL.Art February Linky challenge, the February Classic Design Team Open, the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Feminine challenge, the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #18, Crafts Galore Encore ATG, Crafting with Friends #36 ATG, Scrapy Land Challenge #59 ATG w dies ScrapyLand sells, A Bit More Tme to Craft #37 ATG (2/14), Fussy and Fancy Fridays #180 Fussy and Fancy (2/16), Crafting with an Attitude February ATG, Crafting by Designs February ATG, Moo-Mania and More Carnival/Mardi Gras, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends ATG and Crafty Friends Girly.

The Outlawz Sunday CAS Add an Animal

I'm so happy to be Guest designing for the Outlawz Sunday CAS challenge again this week. We're celebrating our love for animals, so we'd love to see one on your project, any theme.  Big surprise that I've used a kitty, eh?  I've gotten tons of new dies lately so this gave me a chance to again dip into the bunch. The kitty is from a set of 3 from the Frantic Stamper and the lovely heart ribbon is Die-namites.  I've also used a Spellbinders square, scalloped square and heart behind the cat embossed with a Cuttlebug heart folder.  The paw print border is a punch by ek Success.  Look Ma, no coloring! Thanks again to the Outlawz for allowing me to join them again this week. There's a new challenge every day of the week, all month long, so come join the forum and play along.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art February Linky challenge, SUYP (Cats only) Furrything Goes,  Simon Says Monday Pets Corner, Dies R Us Challenge #66 Hearts,  Scrapy Land Challenge #59 ATG w dies ScrapyLand sells, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends and Simon Says Wednesday Color of Love. 

Celebrating with Fiki

My friend Fiki from Bad Kitty's Craft Room is celebrating 5 years of blogging and drew these adorable party cats as a freebie.  I'm a little late for the party because I had a hard time deciding what colors to choose, and have to admit I messed up several times, but I wanted to join in and show my appreciation of her talent and friendship.  I tried to get some fur texture using both Copics and pencils, then fussy cut and added them to a computer generated layered background using digi papers from AMBillustrations.  Thank you so much Fiki for your sweet kitties and congratulations on your Blogoversary.  xx

I'm entering this in the SUYP Furrything Goes, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Creative Knockouts Birthday Wishes, and Simon Says Monday Pets Corner.

Love and Romance from The East Wind

Welcome to the first Blog challenge of 2017 at The East Wind.  Our theme this time is Love and Romance, how perfect for Valentine's Day.  Bet you can't guess who this is for, (wink wink) and for once I'm ahead of the game.  As soon as I saw the gorgeous Aurora 'be my Valentine' I knew she'd be THE ONE for MY ONE and our perfect Love Story.  (P.S. She's on sale for just $2.00 for Valentine's Day)  I'm thrilled to be using my new Santa's Book dies from Precious Marieke, (so much more versatile than just for Christmas, don'tcha think?) to make a book shaped card.  I've added a heart shaped doily, some epoxy hearts and I little bow I've cut from trim.  My original thought was to make it a lot more frilly, but then decided he'd prefer it this way.

Here's a closeup of the gorgeous Aurora 'be my Valentine'.  She's colored with Copics with some epoxy hearts over the center one in her hands and the little one to the left in her hair.  Big surprise it's red, eh?  And although it took me quite a bit of time, it was really fun to color.  Unky draws such gorgeous hair and her eyes are so expressive and full of love.  I hope he can see that when he looks into my eyes, even after all this time.

The sentiment, both inside and out was computer generated using the Storybook Font.  More epoxy hearts and a satin heart bookmark so he can always find my loving words and remember our very special Love Story.  I hope you feel the same about the love of your life.

My DT sisters have more gorgeous inspiration and we hope you join in our new Love and Romance Challenge at The East Wind.

New releases now come out each Wednesday and there is a special limited time "package deal" for all of the February releases at one low price (and before they all are available individually) HERE. 

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Unky's Coloring Therapy

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Craft Rocket It's a Love Thing (2/14), Come and Get It 3 or More Layers, February Classic Design Team Open ATG, CCC Digi Creations #66 Add a Heart (2/13), LTSCB February #94 Who Loves You, Baby!, House of Cards Feb. Love Theme and/or Colors, Crafty Friends #50 Girly (2/09), Creatilicious ATG/optional Add Some Hearts (2/14), Simon Says Wednesday Color of Love, Crafting from the Heart ATG (2/5), Tuesday Throwdown #328 Love Notes(2/6), the Outlawz Monday Greetings Everything is Love challenge, TTRCD ATG Week of January 30th, Digistamps4Joy ATG/optional Red for V-day, Dies R Us Challenge #66 Hearts (2/13)  and the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Tic Tac Toe (using top row, Red, Punch or Dies and Heart).