Wags and Whiskers Blog Hop

Wags and Whiskers is having a blog hop to showcase their second release and the images are just gorgeous (and there are prizes along the way as well).  If you love the work of Crissy Armstrong you will definitely want to go check them out!

 

Soft Pencil Thursday

Wow, it's already Thursday again ~ I can't believe how fast the days go by this time of year ~ and it is time for our weekly Soft Pencil challenge.  This week we were given the image "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to use (and I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw this adorable image) ~ is it not the cutest?!?  Then we had to pair it with our favorite Christmas color combo.  Well, I am loving the non-traditional color schemes lately, so I chose a pale blue and pale pink combo and the Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses pack worked perfectly with that.   

I colored the image in with copics and then added lots of stickles to it ~ after all, you have to have glistening snow right?  The image was then cut out with my nesties, since I used the largest size to cut the image I had to free cut the outer layer, but in the end it all worked out ok.   The edge of the sentiment was colored with RV00 to add a little contrast and then the pearls were colored to match.  The snowflakes were covered in stickles and then a little rhinestone was placed in the centers.   


Be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team (links on the left hand side of my blog), and see what they came up with.
    


Well, Winter is officially here ~ on Tuesday it started snowing, and we ended up with a lot of snow, so the kids got their first snow day yesterday and were they excited!  They had a blast playing in the snow and sledding.  I guess we should have put up the Christmas tree since we haven't gotten around to that yet, but there is always this weekend....Today we woke up to below zero temps and a wind chill of -25, which is expected to last most of the day..... 

I would also like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Clearly Inspired - Winter Theme 
Crafty Calendar - Winter Sparkle 
Crafty Cardmakers - "Alternative Christmas"  (non traditional colors)
Creative Inspirations - Non-traditional Christmas Colors 
Creatalicious - Something for Christmas with snowflakes and lots of sparkle
Cute Daisy May - "Twinkle" (stars, glitter or anything twinkly)
Digital Tuesday - Christmas Song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" 
Friday Sketchers - sketch 
Kaboodle Doodles - Snowflakes
Papertake - Red and Green must not be seen (although I hope my lime green Christmas tree is ok since it isn't the traditional green) 
Paper Cutz - use a hand stamped or digi Christmas image
Pile it On - "Tinsel Town" - use glitter
Simon Says Stamp - "Let it Snow" 
Stamp Something - Glitzy Somethings 
The Pink Elephant - Use your favorite Christmas Colors
Whimsy Stamps - Use Die Cuts


Thanks for looking and I hope you stay warm where you are!




Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Soft Pencil (digi image); sentiment - CC Designs (Winter kit)
Ink/Coloring: Copics (E00, E01, R20, RV000, RV00, RV10, R32, R35, R37, B000, B00, B01, YG03, YG05, Y06, E31, E33, E35, E51, E53, E55, E57, N01, N1, N3, 0); Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - Basic Grey (Eskimo Kisses)
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Light Pink); Self Adhesive Pearls (Michael's) - colored with RV00; Stickles (Stardust)
Tools:  Snowflake Punch (EK Success); Nesties Labels 3

Soft Pencil Thursday

As some of you already know, I was recently asked to join the Soft Pencil Design Team and today is my first post as a team member.  I discovered Elizabeth's adorable images awhile back, and really enjoy working with them, so I'm thrilled to be a part of the Design Team.  

Our challenge this week was to use one of Elizabeth's new calendar images and to use two or more layers on your project.  The image I got to work with is Thinking of 2010, and I thought I'd show it to you as it comes so you can see the possibilities with digital stamps.   

I had a few ideas in my mind, but in the end decided on this:

A calendar with removable monthly inserts.  I took a wood picture frame and painted it with Acrylic paint, added DP and sanded the edges.  The cat was printed out on some of the same DP, cut out and affixed to the frame.  Since my printer doesn't work too well on SU cardstock I printed the 2010 thought bubble on my normal white paper, colored it in with RV00 and then added stickles to the outside edges of it.  And, since I needed some little bubbles leading up to the thought, I added a few pearls.  A flower finished off the frame.  

Now for the calendar part....

I added another one of Elizabeth's images to each month.  For this particular one, I used Welcome Winter.    


I think this will end up on my daughter's desk.


Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Thinking of 2010 calendar and Welcome Winter - Soft Pencil (digi image)
Ink/Coloring: Copics R00, Acrylic Paint
Paper: Pretty In Pink; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - SU
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Light Pink); Self Adhesive Pearls (Michael's); Flowers (Prima); Stickles (Stardust)
Tools:  Border Punch

Club Anime Sketch Challenge #4 and Guest DT Call

It is time for another monthly sketch challenge over at Club Anime, and make sure you read this post to the end as there is an announcement.  This was a fun sketch to work with: 

And here is my interpretation of it:

 

I chose this image because it reminds me of my kids in the winter.  We have a huge hill in the front of our house which turns into the kids sled hill in the winter, so I just had to put the "Let it Snow" saying on there  ~ and living in Wisconsin we will more get more than enough, although we haven't had any yet.....

Last year on December 3rd, I was a chaperone on a field trip with Alicia's class to a one room schoolhouse and it was snowing so bad they couldn't even walk to one of the buildings they were supposed to go see because of all the snow.  Tyler went on the same field trip yesterday, and he was lucky ~ no snow at all.

OK, back to my card....I colored the image with my copics and decided to make patterns on both of their sweaters with the blender pen {LOVE that marker!}.  The image was cut out and placed on the embossed and stickled (is that even a word LOL!) circle.  More stickles were then added for snow.  The little snowflakes are actually the punchouts from the snowflake border punch ~ I just added little gems to the centers and they made the perfect embellishment.  The scalloped edge is the opening of the card, something I don't do too often, but I should because than it makes me finish the inside up right away!  

Would you like a discount on InStyle Stamps?  For every purchase you make at InStyle Stamps (using this link) you will receive an automatic 5% discount on your purchase!

Now I also mentioned a Guest Design Team Call....well, how would you like to be a guest designer in January and February for InStyle Stamps and work with these fantastic images?  All you have to do is join in our challenge this month and link up your creation with Mr. Linky.  You have until 11:59PM EST on December 26th to enter.  Good luck!

This card is also for the following challenges:
Charisma Cardz - Anything Christmas
Color Create - Green Red and White - optional extra - Christmas 
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Weather 
Creative Card Crew - Christmas 
Creatalicious - Use snowflakes and glitter
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Red and Green
Cute Daisy May - Use gems 
Dare You to Digi Stamp - Glitter 
Digital Tuesdays - Christmas Sparkle 
Hand Full of Stamps - No plain ribbon
Kaboodle Doodles - Snowflakes 
Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
Pollycraft - Christmas theme
Sophisticat Challenges - Snowflakes and sparkle 
Stamp with Fun - Christmas
Stamp Scrap and Doodle - Christmas 
The Corrosive Challenge - Red and Green
The Pink Elephant - Use your favorite coloring medium (Copics) 
Two Red Bananas - Christmas or Winter


Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Leang and Sei  In Style Stamps (digi image);  Sentiment - Winter Sentiments (CC Designs) 
Ink/Coloring: Copics (E00, E01, E02, E21, E25, E27, E40, E41, E42, E43, R00, R20, R21, R22, R24, R27, R29, Y21, Y23, Y26, Y28, G20, G21, G24, G28, N0, N2, N4, N6, 0); Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Garden Green; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - DCWV (Christmas Stack)
Embellishments:  Stitched Ribbon; Self Adhesive Rhinestones (Michael's); Stickles (Stardust)
Tools:  Circle Punches and Scallop Border Punch; Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle Punch; Snowflake Border Punch (EK Success); Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dots)

Love You

This week the sketch challenge over at Sweet and Sassy was one that I absolutely loved so I had to fit it in this week.  It also had a spin to it where you had to use stitching ~ and yes, I still haven't had the courage to pull out the big sewing machine, besides, it is much easier to change your marker color than to change your thread and bobbin.......

Anyways, I used this sweet Vanessa image and paired it up with the beautiful Bo Bunny Paper.  This  is the same line of papers we used on Ashley's Valentine box earlier this year ~ a favorite of mine back then and still a favorite of mine now! 

I'm cutting this short because I have to get this posted to enter the Sweet and Sassy Challenge.  This card is also for the challenge at Creative Card Crew - Favorite Things (which is pretty much all of it LOL!)


Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Vanessa - InStyle Stamps (digi image);  sentiment - Studio G
Ink/Coloring: Copics (E00, E01, E02, R20, R21, RV10, RV11, RV13, G40, G82, G85, E25, E27, 0); Memento Tuxedo Black; Zig Memory Writer (Black)
Paper: Basic Black; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - Bo Bunny
Embellishments:  Gingham Ribbon; Self Adhesive Rhinestones (Michael's); Flowers (Prima); Brad; Jewelry Bead Cap (Michael's) 
Tools:  Oval and Scallop Oval Punches; Border Punch and Branch Punch (Martha Stewart)

ISS Blog Hop

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Not only is today Black Friday, but it is also the day for the InStyle Stamps monthly blog hop. Now, I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate going out to stores on Black Friday, too crowded for my comfort, so, I can't think of anything better than to sit back and enjoy what wonderful creations the DT has in store for you.

You should have arrived from Julie's blog, but if not, please head on over to the InStyle Stamps blog to start at the beginning.

Our theme this month was ornaments. I had a lot of different ornament ideas, but in the end decided to use my Memory Glass that I had sitting neglected for about 2 years now. To go along with the ornament, I also made an ornament shaped card.

I colored this beautiful angel, Kimi, with copics and then painted her wings with Angel Wings Shimmerz ~ now how appropriate is that. I also added it to the edge of the image panel, the edge of the sentiment panel and to the designer paper.& Then to make her sparkle more, I added stickles to the edges of her "dress".  The pearls were colored with RV11 to match and then some organdy ribbon was added to finish it off.  The ornament has a heavier silver wired ribbon for hanging.

Here is a close up of the card to capture the shimmer and sparkle:

And here is the ornament:

Your next stop is Mary and I know she will have some fabulous eye candy for you. AT the end of the hop, you should end up back at InStyle Stamps where we would like you to vote for your favorite project. The DT member that receives the most votes will win a prize AND just for voting you also have the chance to win a prize!

This card is also for the following challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers - "Clear as Day" - can't get any clearer than glass
Charisma Cardz - Anything Christmas
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas Gifts
Crafty Creations - Christmas Themed
Dancing in Pajamas - Any December Holiday
Dare You to Digi Stamp - glitter
Everybody Art - Christmas
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Christmas themed
Gingersnap Creations - GC31 Color - Monochromatic
Paper Cutz  - Anything goes
Papertake  - "Christmas Crackers" - Christmas themed
Pollycraft -  - Christmas Theme
Susie's Sassy Designs  - Pink and Sparkly
Whimsy Stamps  - Christmas Creations
Thanks for visiting and have a fantastic day! :)


Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Kimi - InStyle Stamps (digi image);  sentiment - CC Designs - Winter kit
Ink/Coloring: Copics (E00, E01, E02, R20, E31, E33, E35, E37, RV000, RV00, RV10, RV11, B01, B02, B04); Mememto Tuxedo Black
Paper: Rose Romance Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - DCWV (Christmas Stack)
Embellishments:  Stickles (Stardust); Self Adhesive Pearls~colored with Copic RV11 (Michael's); Shimmerz (Angel Wings); Narrow Pink Orandy Ribbon (JoAnn's), Wider Pink Organdy Ribbon (SU), Silver Ribbon (Offray)
Tools: Memory Glass (Ranger); Memory Foil Tape - Silver (Ranger); Nesties Labels 4

Santa Girl

This is my second post for today so be sure to check out my Thanksgiving card on the post below.   


I ordered the Winter Kit from CC Designs and used the Santa Emma, presents and a sentiment from the set (although I'm not sure of the proper names of these yet).   

I tried to add a bunch of shimmer/bling to this card. I embossed the white panel with the Snowflakes folder and then painted the raised snowflakes with Shimmerz.  The bows on the presents are covered in stickles and the fur trim on her outfit and hat are done with Flower Soft in Polar White and then covered in stickles.  The belt buckle is colored with a metallic silver pen.  The top snowflake and rhinestone were colored my RV23 copic to match the pink paper and the little rhinestones used on the sentiment. 


Here is a close up to try and catch some of the shimmer on this card:

I think this card may go to one of my daughter's this year.  

This card is being entered into the following challenges:
Allsorts - Something for a Child
Bee Crafty - Colors 
Charisma Cardz - Merry and Bright 
Crafty Calendar - Weather 
Crafty Creations - Snow
Creatalicious Challenges - Something for Christmas, use snowflakes and lots of sparkle 
Creative Belli Blog - Christmas Embellishments 
Creative Inspirations - New or Neglected (new - stamps, shimmerz; neglected- Snowflake embellishment - had for at least a year, and the Polar Soft - had for awhile and never used)
Cute Card Thursday - Glitter me Silly
Cute Daisy May - "Touchy touchy" - Add texture
Die Cut Dreams - Santa
Friday Sketchers - sketch
Magical Crafts Fornightly Challenge - Santa image, sparkles, ribbon (do the bows on the presents count?), Christmas
Paper Cutz - Use stamped image
Secret Crafter - 4 Seasons (Winter) 

The Corrosive Challenge - Emboss something

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  CC Designs - Winter kit
Ink/Coloring: Copics (E00, E01, R20, R22, R24, R27, R29, N2, N4, N6, N8, E55, E57, E59, RV21, RV23, YG01, YG03, Yg05, G21, B02, B04); Mememto Tuxedo Black; Marvy Metallic Gel Pen (Silver)
Paper: Pretty In Pink, Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - Provo Craft (Christmas Stack)
Embellishments:  Flower Soft (Polar White); Stickles (Stardust); Snowflake embellishment (Jolee's); Self Adhesive Rhinestones (Michael's); Shimmerz (Angel Wings)
Tools: Circle Punches; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Snowflakes); EK Success Border Punch