Soft Pencil Thursday

As I promised last week, here is a sneak peek of Soft Pencil's new image ~ "Happy Sailors" ~ that will be available tomorrow ~ isn't this cute? 

Since this is a water themed card, I used my go to Basic Grey Lime Rickey paper ~ not sure what I am going to do when it is all gone....  I kept the layout for this one really simple, just adding buttons to the corners.  With all the buttons I have I can't believe how hard it was to find 4 white ones ~ almost all of my "white" buttons are actually pearlized ones...who knew?  I added the sentiment in a scalloped oval to make it look like a cloud in the sky and just rounded the corners of the image.  

Stop by and visit the rest of the DT to see what they did with this adorable image (links are on the left of my blog).  

Remember that we will be having another blog hop on May 27th, and it's a big one with both the Design Team and customers participating! 

Have a wonderful day :)

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps: Happy Sailors - Soft Pencil (digi image); Sentiment: Anya Says (TGF)
Ink/Coloring:  Night of Navy; Copics
Paper:  Night of Navy;Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - Basic Grey (Lime Rickey)
Embellishments:  Buttons (from stash); DMC Floss
Tools:  Oval and Scallop Oval Punch; Corner Rounder

Soft Pencil Thursday

Today I have to pick up Ashley early from school and get her ready for her Ballet Recital dress rehearsal.  I hate to pull her out of school early, but she has to be in full make-up, hair done (I hope I can get her hair flat and in a good bun, especially since today at school it was Crazy Hair Day), in her outfit and on stage ready to go at 4:30, and we'd never make it otherwise.  I am hoping she doesn't have homework, as it looks like we will be getting home quite late. 
 
It's time to show you one of Soft Pencil's new images - Flowers for My Bunny Mom.  I love this image and how versatile it is ~ you can use it for Mother's Day, Birthday, Friendship, Spring, Thinking of You and much more!

The rest of the DT has some wonderful eye candy to share with you as well, so please stop by and visit them (links are on the left of my blog).  

Head on over to Paper Craft Planet to see the current challenge.  You have until Tuesday, May 18th to enter and the lucky winner will receive a $10 voucher to the store.

Be sure to check back next Thursday when we will be showing you a new image that will be available the following day!  We are also having another blog hop on May 27th, and this one will be big ~ both the Design Team and customers will be participating!

I am entering the following challenges with this card:

Taylored Expressions - Sketch
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - Anything Goes
Easy Craft Projects - Spring
Catch the Bug - "Flower Power"
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Color Challenge
Cupcake Inspiration Challenge - Inspiration
Pile It On - "Cute and Cuddly"
Crafty Angels - "One for the Girls"
The Crazy Challenge - "Cute and Cuddly"
Clearly Inspired - "Flower"
Creatalicious Challenge - Something with Flowers and Wings
Whoopsi Daisy - "As You Like It"
My Time to Craft - "Too Cute"
ABC Challenge - U is for Unused - big brads, ribbon, Designer papers
Creative Belli Blog - Hole Punches - can place eyelets or brads in the holes which is what I did - old neglected items - big brads and the ribbon
Inky Impressions - "Summer Creations"
Little Red Wagon - Brads
Meljen's - Flowers and Blooms




Have a wonderful day :)


Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps: Flowers for My Bunny Mom  - Soft Pencil (digi image); Sentiment: Amy R Women set (CC Designs)
Ink/Coloring:  Pumpkin Pie; Copics (N0, N1, N2, N3, B000, RV14, RV17, YR15, Y04, R20, G0000, G000, G00, G02, G03, G05, G07, YG05)
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie; Chip;Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - TPC Studio (Sunny Bunny line)
Embellishments:  Ribbon (American Crafts); Rhinestones (Michaels); Big Brads (Making Memories)
Tools:  Word Window Punch; Nesties

Soft Pencil Birthday Blog Hop

I am so happy that Elizabeth has asked me back as a Guest Designer and especially glad that it happens to be in May since Soft Pencil is one year old this month and I get to take part in their Birthday Celebration Blog Hop!  Now you can't have a Birthday without presents......so each of us have the image that we used on our project up for grabs!  You should have arrived here from Lisa's blog, but if not, please head back to the Soft Pencil blog to start the Birthday hop at the beginning.  
 

For my card I used Lilly ~ I just love Elizabeth's darling girls, and Lilly is one of my favorites!  I colored her with copics, added some shimmerz to her flower and then cut her with a flower shaped nestie.  I drew a pink line to make a border and then added shimmerz to this outside border (as well as on the sentiment border) just to add some interest.  The shimmerz doesn't show up real well in this photo, but if you look at the peek at the beginning of the post you can see it on the flower.  I added some pearls to each of the scallops and then in the 4 corners as well as a pearl heart pin to the flower.

So, how would you like to win Lilly?  All you need to do is leave me a comment by Sunday, May 8th at 8:00PM EST.  All winners will be posted Monday on the Soft Pencil Blog.  

Your next stop is Betty but be sure to leave a comment before you go!  

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Oh Alice - "For a Child"
One Stitch at a Time - card for a child
Stamp With Us - Birthday
Stamptacular - "A Celebration for Moms" - use a female image
The Corrosive Challenge - Birthday
Crafty Angels - 1 Ribbon, 2 Papers, 3 Flowers (the flowers are layered - 1 silk and 2 thin organza type)
Incy Wincy - Anything Goes
The Crazy Challenege - Bling, bling, bling
A Crafty Little Place - sketch
Everybody Art Challenge - Pastel Colors
Creative Belli Blog - "Birthday" - use something old/neglected - the DP and the ribbons
Fab N' Funky - "Show us Your Fancy Edge" - border punches
Little Red Wagon - Pink and Green
Simon Says Stamp - "Birthday's/Celebrations"
Whoopsi Daisy - "As You Like It" 
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Wedding or Birthday
Delightful Sketches - "Pull out Your Punches" 
Paper Play Challenges - stamp/digi image and bling


Have wonderful day :)

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Lilly (digi image) - Soft Pencil; Sentiment - Amy R - All Women Sentiments (CC Designs) 
Ink/Coloring: Copics (E00, E01, E11, R000, R01, R20, R21, E35, E37, E39, Y0000, Y01, YG07)
Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - My Mind's Eye (Penny Lane)
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Michaels); Pearls (Michael's); Pin (JoAnns); Flowers (Prima); Brad; Shimmerz (Angel Wings)
Tools: Border Punch; Label Punch; Nesties

Soft Pencil Thursday

This week is we are doing things a little bit different ~ instead of the entire DT having the same image to showcase, we were divided into three groups and each group was given an image to use.  I got to use this adorable Mermaid (and I can't wait to see what the other two images were).  Our challenge this week was to use our favorite coloring medium, and well, I didn't have to give that any thought, mine is copics hands down ~  I still don't know how I managed so long without these wonderful markers! 

I had picked up this DP awhile back from my LSS (for a whole 15 cents!) thinking it would be perfect for a beachy theme (and I just love the colors).  When I saw my image this week I knew right away that this is the paper I would use.  I matched it up with some Cool Caribbean and Sahara Sand card stock and love how it looks together.  I also swiped some white ink across the DP and the Cool Caribbean Card stock circle. I colored the mermaid with the feather blending technique to make her match the DP.  Her head was cut out and placed on dimensionals and her fin is also raised up.  I added some rhinestones for her necklace and of course a bit of glitter to her tail.  A trio of little pearls colored with my copic added to the corner and some wavy trim and it was done.  Notice I pulled out the sewing machine again? Well, actually I just moved it over since I never put it away yet.....  This time I tried a zig zag stitch.  When it came time to stitch the circle I was afraid it would be awful....it's hard enough trying to stitch a straight line, but a circle....  well, it isn't perfect ~ and that's ok, it's handmade ;) ~ it turned out a lot better than I had anticipated. I also ran two lines of stitching across the circle without the thread to add a bit of interest to the cardstock.

Be sure to visit the rest of the DT (links are on the left side) and see their wonderful creations.  We'd love to have you join in on our challenges over at Paper Craft Planet ~ they are every Saturday.  You can still get in on the current challenge that ends tomorrow night.  Each week, one lucky winner will receive a $10 voucher to the Soft Pencil Store.

I am entering the following challenges with this card:
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Dazzle Us 
Bee Crafty - "Sew Cute" - use stitching 
One Stitch at a Time - Stitching
Paper Sundae's - "Distressing" 
Stamp With Fun - Stitching 
Mojo Monday - Sketch
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Use Distress Inks (if you have them otherwise use anything ~ I don't have any of these so copics it is), pearls and Glitter 
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Ribbons and Sparkle
Cute Card Thursday - "Ribbontastic" - use a little ribbon or a lot


Have a wonderful day :)


Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Mermaid  - Soft Pencil (digi image)  
Ink/Coloring:  Palette (New Canvas); Copics (E00, E01, E11, R20, Y21, Y23, Y26, E31,BG01, BG10, BG32)
Paper:  Cool Caribbean, Sahara Sand; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - Bound and Determined
Embellishments:  Stickles (Eucalyptus); Pearls (colored with Copic BG01) and Rhinestones (Recollections); Ribbon (Flirty)
Tools:  Sewing Machine; CM Cutting System; Dimensionals

Soft Pencil Thursday

This week we were challenged to make something other than a card using the Bichitos Set.  This set comes with so many adorable images ~ butterflies, a dragonfly, a snail, a caterpillar and this cute ladybug that I used to make a little wall hanging for my very own Love Bug.

I started out using a large coaster and covered it with a cardstock circle bordered with none other than my Martha Stewart border punch.  I saw someone else had done this with this punch, so I had to play around with it a bit, but it is really easy to do and I LOVE how it looks!  I colored the image with copics and highlighted it with Dazzling Diamonds.  Instead of using the antennae that comes with the image, I used some beaded wire sticks (heck if I know what they are really called LOL!), bent them and attached them to the back of the ladybug's head.  The entire image was then put on with dimensionals.  The letter beads (which were colored with a copic) are wired alternately with black beads.  I finally got ahold of a Bow Easy (and yes it is!) this weekend so I used it for the bow and added a charm that was also colored with a copic.  I can't wait to share this with my daughter! 


Be sure to visit the rest of the DT (links are on the left side) and see their wonderful creations.  We'd love to have you join in on our challenges over at Paper Craft Planet ~ they are every Saturday.  You can still get in on the current challenge that ends tomorrow night.  Each week, one lucky winner will receive a $10 voucher to the Soft Pencil Store.

Have a wonderful day :)

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Bichitos Set  - Soft Pencil (digi image)  
Ink/Coloring:  Copics (R11, R21, R23, 110)
Paper:  Basic Black, Pretty In Pink; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - DCWV (All Dressed Up)
Embellishments:  Dazzling Diamonds; Organdy Ribbon (Offray); Charm (unknown); Alphabet Beads; Black Beaded Wires (unknown)
Tools:  Martha Stewart Border Punch; CM Cutting System

Soft Pencil Thursday

This week we were challenged to make a "Spring" Card (tutorial on SCS) along with the image Be Mine. 

I had never made a "Spring" card before, so although it was a bit of a challenge for me this week it was also fun to try something different.  I printed the image on DP and then printed it again twice on white cardstock.  Michu was cut out and paper pieced onto the DP.  I added stitching for his whiskers with DMC floss and then put his paws (which were again cut out) on with dimensionals.  The red DP was embossed with the Swiss Dots folder and then sanded so the white came through.  I really like how this turned out.       

Be sure to visit the rest of the DT (links are on the left side) as I know they will have some wonderful eye candy to share with you as well.  We'd love to have you join in on our challenges over at Paper Craft Planet ~ they are every Saturday and you still have until tomorrow night to get in on the current challenge where the lucky winner will receive a $10 voucher to the store.

Be sure to visit the Soft Pencil store to pick up those last minute Valentine's Day images!

I am entering this card in the following challenges: 
Dare You to Digi Stamp - Hearts/Valentine's
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Hearts 
Raise the Bar - "Heart to Heart Talk" - use hearts
Stamp Something - Love Somethings
Stampin for the Weekend- Valentine's Themed
Bee Crafty - "Romance"
Crazy 4 Challenges - "Be My Valentine"
Die Cut Dreams - Have a Heart
Pile It On - To the one you love
Stamp with Fun - Hearts
Crafty Cardmakers - Digital Delights - use something digital (image)
Creative Inspirations - Valentine - Red and Black
Digital Ink - Valentine's
Incy Wincy - Pink or Red and Black
Double Dutch - Make a Valentine
Little Paper Shop - Red, Black and White
Gingersnap Creations Chestnut GC41 - Romance
The Pink Elephant - "Mushy Gushy Valentine"
Creative Card Crew - Valentine's
Die Cuts R Us - "Love"
Digital Tuesdays- "All About the Animals"
Everybody Art Challenge - Valentine
My Time to Craft - Hearts and Kisses
Easy Craft Projects - "Valentine's Theme for a Man
Dancing in Pajamas - Week 2 Paper Piecing
Tuesday Taggers - Love is all Around
ABC Challenge - N is for New - image and technique
Creative Inspirations - "Anyone for Leftovers" - use leftover papers (Christmas DP pieces)
Simon Says Stamp - "Love"
Delightful Sketches and Challenges - Love


Have a wonderful day :)

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Be Mine - Soft Pencil (digi image)  
Ink/Coloring:  Copics (T0, T2, R21)
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - Provo Craft (Christmas Stack)
Embellishments:  DMC Embroidery Floss
Tools:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dots); Sanding Block; Dimensionals; Martha Stewart Border Punch

Soft Pencil Thursday

This week we were challenged to use a 1-2-3 recipe of our choice along with the image Two Musicians. 

My recipe is 1 ribbon, 2 Designer Papers and 3 Pearls.  When I saw this image I knew I wanted to use a sentiment I picked up recently, but since it didn't fit on the front, I finished off the inside of the card and placed the sentiment there.     

 

Once again I used papers from K&Company's KaZoo line, but I don't think I've used the same papers yet ~ there are so many wonderful patterns in there and they are double sided so twice the fun!

The rest of the DT has some wonderful eye candy to share with you as well, so please stop by and visit them (links are on the left of my blog).  We'd love to have you join in on our challenges over at Paper Craft Planet ~ they are every Saturday and not only do you have a head start on the upcoming challenge (1, 2, 3 recipe of your choice), you still have until tomorrow night to get in on the current challenge where the lucky winner will receive a $10 voucher to the store.

Be sure to visit the store as Elizabeth has added a lot of cute images for Valentine's Day!

I am entering this card in the following challenges: 
Dare You to Digi Stamp - Hearts/Valentine's
Creative Belli Blog - Hearts 
Bee Crafty - Romance
Secret Crafter - Hearts
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle - Open theme
Magical Crafts Fornightly - Valentine's
The Corrosive Challenge - Love
Crafty Cardmakers - Hearts and Romance
Sophisticat Challenges - LOVE
ABC Designs - I Love You Sweetheart
Creative Card Crew - Valentine's
Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge - Sketch 
Papertake - Love
Dancing in Pajama's - Picture inspiration - love theme
Alphabet Challenge Blog - N is for New (image, sentiment stamp) 
ABC Challenge - Use any sketch 
Gingersnap Creations Chestnut GC41 - Romance
La La Land Crafts - Hearts
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Valentine's or Love
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Hearts
Delightful Sketches and Challenges- Love
Lili of the Valley - Valentine's
Double Dutch - "Be My Valentine" 
Easy Craft Projects - "Valentine's Theme for a Man


Have a wonderful day :)

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps: Two Musicians  - Soft Pencil (digi image); Sentiment: Outside : A Happy Heart, Inside: Hampton Art
Ink/Coloring:  Memento Rich Cocoa; Copics (E31, E33, E34, E35, E51, C0, C1, C2, C3, R20, RV10, RV11)
Paper:  Chocolate Chip;Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - K&Company (KaZoo)
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Chocolate); Pearls-Chocolate (Kaiser); Button
Tools:  Word Window Punch; Nesties; Martha Stewart Border Punch

Soft Pencil Thursday

This week we were challenged to make a Friendship card using the image of Amy, Michu and Ratiny.  Elizabeth made this because of the many requests she received to turn her logo into a digital image.

.

I love the soft colors of this paper from K & Company.  I've had it for quite some time and this is the first I've used it (yes, I am a paper addict).  I followed this weeks sketch over at Cupcake Craft Challenge, but rotated it to fit my image ~ another sketch for the keep file. 

The rest of the DT has some wonderful eye candy to share with you as well, so please stop by and visit them (links are on the left of my blog).  We'd love to have you join in on our challenges over at Paper Craft Planet ~ they are every Saturday and not only do you have a head start on the upcoming challenge, you still have until tomorrow night to get in on the current challenge where the lucky winner will receive a $10 voucher to the store.  

In addition to the Cupcake Craft Challenge, I am also entering the following:
Raise the Bar - "Debut Day" - use something brand new and debut it - DP and image
Cupcake Inspiration Challenge - took the soft colors from this and the swirls and flowers
Stamp Scrap and Doodle - "Girly"
The Corrosive Challenge - "Let's Go Digi" - use a digi image
Incy Wincy Designs - "Color Me Wonderful" - use your favorite coloring medium (Copics)
Sophisticat Challenges - "Spring"
A Spoon Full of Sugar - "Lots of Layering"

Have a wonderful day :)

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Amy, Michu and Ratiny - Soft Pencil (digi image); Sentiment - Amy R Friend Sentiments (CC Designs)
Ink/Coloring:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics (E00, E01, R20, RV42, BG10, BG11, BG13, E33, E35, E40, E41, E42, N0, N1, N2, N3, E70, E71, YR31, Y32, G40)
Paper:  Blush Blossom, Barely Banana; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - K&Company (Wild Raspberry)
Embellishments:  Organdy (JoAnn's); Self Adhesive Pearls (Michael's)
Tools:  Nesties, Marvy Mega Scallop Circle Punch

Soft Pencil Thursday

This week we were challenged to use our favorite sketch.  Now I don't know about you, but asking me to use my favorite sketch is like asking me to pick which child is my favorite ~ it simply can't be done.  However, I have chosen a sketch that I used already this week, and have used in the past as well as variations of it, so it is one of my favorites.  The image we are using this week is A Lovely Couple and they are just that! 

Soft Pencil has a brand new store { softpencilshop.blogspot.com } and a brand new look.  It's really easy to navigate and Elizabeth has added some adorable new images that are perfect for Valentine's Day, or just to say "I Love You" anytime of the year. 


I know that the rest of the DT has some amazing creations to share with you as well, so please visit them and you may just find your next favorite sketch!  Come and join in on our challenges over at Paper Craft Planet ~ they are every Saturday and there is still time to get in on the current challenge where the lucky winner will receive a $10 voucher to the store.  

I am entering this in the following Challenges:
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - NEW - new image and tag nesties
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Used the frosting colors and the brown from the cupcakes
Crafty Cardmakers - "What's New?" - Use something new - image and tag nesties
ABC Challenge - L is for layering
Creative Inspirations - "New Year New Products" - Image, tag nesties
Papertake - Sketch



Have a wonderful day :)

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:   A Lovely Couple (digi image); Sentiment - Studio G
Ink/Coloring:  Copics (E00, E01, E02, R20, Y21, Y23, Y26, YR12, YR14, YR15, YG93, YG95, YG97, R30, R32, R35, E25, E27, E44, E47, E77, E79; Prussian Blue (Color Box Chalk Ink)
Paper: Real Red; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - SU (Summer Picnic)
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Flirty); Dew Drops
Tools:  Nesties 

Soft Pencil Thursday

This morning we woke up to some more snow and are currently under a winter storm warning and are expecting it to snow until at least midnight tonight.  We are supposed to end up with 8"-12".  This week Ashley is Student of the Week and I have to go to school for the last part of the day to read to her class.  I love doing things at school with the kids, but unfortunately it means I need to actually go out and drive in this mess (I really do not like driving in snow and only do it if absolutely necessary). 

Now for our weekly challenge at Soft Pencil.  We were challenged to use the colors Red, Olive Green and Ivory or Cream.  The image we are using this week is Two Birds and Two Cats.  Look at Michu and Michula enjoying their time together ~ and those lovebirds on top the kite ~ cute!

I have to admit, these colors were hard for me to use, as I automatically think Christmas, so I chose a DP that had these colors, but also a bit of blue in it plus the flowers helped get me past the Christmas mode.  The ivory/cream color was replaced with white as I had nothing to use in this color that actually matched, BUT I did color Michu with this color in mind.  For the sky I tried something new and used a stipple brush instead of a sponge.  I like the look of this ~ it is more uniform than what I get with sponging.  When making this card I had to wonder, when did those mini glue dots get larger?  I never had a problem using them with dew drops before, they were always the perfect size, but the new boxes of mini glue dots I have are all too big for dew drops (and no I didn't buy the wrong size, the boxes are exactly the same) ~ I want the old size back! 


Be sure to visit the rest of the DT to see their take on this challenge! 

I am entering this card for the following challenges:

Pile It On - Anything Digital
Crafty Cardmakers - Your favorite new products from 2009 - Copics, Nesties, Digi Images, Soft Pencil (adorable images!) 
Cute Daisy May - Love
Sophisticat Challenges - Fancy Borders
Copic Buzz - Use Ribbon
Digital Tuesdays - Valentine card for someone you love
Papertake - New Beginnings - can use new crafty items - new image and nesties
ABC Challenge - L is for Layers
Cute Card Thursday - All new - can use new crafty items - new image and nesties
Hand Full of Stamps - Say it With Flowers- Floral DP


Have a wonderful day :)


Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:   Two Birds and Two Cats - Soft Pencil (digi image); Sentiment - Studio G
Ink/Coloring:  Copics (N0, N1, N2, E41, E42, E43, R20, R24, R27, R29, B21, B23, G21, G24, 0; Bashful Blue, Real Red
Paper: Real Red; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - SU (Summer Picnic)
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Red); Dew Drops
Tools:  Oval and Scallop Oval Punches; Martha Stewart Border Punch; Nesties (Curved Rectangles); Stipple Brush

Soft Pencil Wednesday

After the holiday break it is time for our weekly Soft Pencil challenge.  This week we were given the adorable image "We Made a Snowman".  Another image of Elizabeth's that I just love.   And our challenge was to add sparkle, glitter, flock or liquid applique.  

I have a box of DCWV cards that I always forget about, so I decided to use the striped one for this card.  I added some DP panels and then the main image which is colored with copics.  For the glitter I used some Martha Stewart glitter I recently got from Michael's (couldn't pass it up at 70% off) ~ "Snow glitter" was used for the snow (and this stuff is awesome ~ when you use it, it really does look like snowflakes coming out of the jar ~ I love it)!  I used the coarse crystal glitter for the snowman, falling snow and the snow balls.


I know this card qualifies for a few challenges, but I don't have the time to link them right now, so hopefully I'll be able to pop on later tonight and update.        




Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:   We Made a Snowman - Soft Pencil (digi image); Sentiment - Winter Kit (CC Designs)
Ink/Coloring:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics; Bashful Blue
Paper: Striped Card - DCWV; Bashful Blue, Gable Green; Gina K Pure Luxury White; DP - SU Paper pack
Embellishments:  Gingham Ribbon (Light Blue); Glitters (Martha Stewart)
Tools:  Circle Punches

Soft Pencil Thursday

It is again time for our weekly Soft Pencil challenge.  This week we were given the mandala image "Divine Creation" to use.  When I first saw it I had intended to use the image as flowers with a button center, but then changed my mind and came up with this:   

The clean and simple looks is something I don't really do too often, but I thought it worked well with this image.  I made patterned paper out of the image and then placed little silver gems in the centers.  A simple monogram, velvet ribbon and a black embossed panel complete the card.  This was a very quick card to do, and I think a set of these would make a wonderful gift. 




Sorry about the not so great picture ~ it looks about as good as I feel right now ~ not too hot LOL!   I took so many pictures, but the embossing didn't show up at all.  Well I finally ended up getting the embossing to be visible but now the top part isn't as crisp as it should be and looks a bit gray.  

It has definitely been hectic around here lately.  Alicia was home sick Friday and Ashley and Trevor were home sick yesterday (so much for my day of Christmas shopping I had planned).  Monday I had a two hour dentist appointment and then that night was parent night at Ballet followed by Tyler's Cub Scout Christmas party, last night was Tyler's Christmas program and tonight I am headed off to the Fire Dept with my Daisies to deliver the cookies we made on Saturday.  Then of course my loving kids had to so kindly share their cold or whatever it is they have with me.  I started with a sore throat on Monday and now my head is all congested ~ hoping we are all better by Christmas!

I am also entering this in the Whimsy Stamps Challenge of black and white.    
   

Recipe ~ all items SU unless indicated
Stamps:  Divine Creation Mandala - Soft Pencil (digi image); Letterpress Alphabet
Ink/Coloring:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Basic Black; Gina K Pure Luxury White
Embellishments:  Velvet Ribbon (Dashes, Dots and Checks - Michael's); Self Adhesive Gems (Michael's)
Tools:  Nesties Labels 8; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dots)

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
Gingersnap Creations - GC33 Chestnut - Winter Wonderland 
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