12/30/12

Thank U!

I made a very special thank you card for one of my daughter's best friends; they are the cutest group of girls. There are 5 in all that hang out together and this year they organized a Christmas meal and gift exchange. Everyone wrote a list of gifts they would like, couldn't spend more than $20, then they drew names - so each girl had a list of what everyone else wanted, but then they only had to buy for the name they drew...that way no one knew who had whose name. Cute eh? For their Christmas meal, they were each responsible for a meal item - they had fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls and pumpkin pie...not bad for girls ages 13-14 (and please note, they cooked it all themselves, no help from adults)!!

Anyway, Kaity-bug got a great Nike shirt and you know...handwritten thank you's seem to have become a thing of the past and I hate that; hence I set out to make a special card for Kaitlyn to give her friend. If you can't guess, her friends fave color is pink - I tried to mix lots of pink with a bit of chocolate! :D

The layout is MOJO273; the focal point is a doily distressed in Spun Sugar and Tattered Rose; the other layers were also distressed. The pink ribbon (a very light pink was a gift); I tied on a 3-looped chocolate twine bow and added a pink prima flower. The flower has chunky glitter on the bottom petals, so I added some glossy accents and even more, finer glitter on all the other petals - seriously, what girl doesn't want some sparkle? I added a little "thank" tag from PTI's tiny tags, then die cut the "U" from Verve's I Heart U die set and embossed with large polka dots. I then used the DTP technique to apply Memento Angel Pink ink to the embossed dots - so cool IRL. I mounted the "U" with dimensionals. I left the inside blank so Kaity-bug would have plenty of room to write.

Thanks for popping in - here's wishing YOU a very Happy New Year!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: PTI Little Tags
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush and Dark Chocolate, DP by MME (Lost and Found)
Ink: Memento Angel Pink, PTI Dark Chocolate, Distress Inks in Tattered Rose, Spun Sugar and Old Paper
Accessories: doily, misc. ribbon, PTI tiny tags die, Verve I Heart U die, Cuttlebug embossing folder, pink rhinestones, chocolate twine

Challenges:
  MOJO273

12/25/12

Merry Christmas

Remember THIS post over at Cupcake Inspirations? I had printed this fab Frosty/Santa image from DRS Designs, colored it and then finished the card last week. LOVE this image! A total CAS layout with a bit of stitching around the outside and some zig zag over the "Merry Christmas" tag. I added some 'puffy stuff' to Santa's fur and that's it.

Inside
This card is for all of YOU - thank you for visiting throughout 2012; I appreciate each and every one of you so much!

Hoping your holidays are filled with unending joy and treasured moments!


Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: DRS Designs Santa/Frosty, MFT Tis the Season
Papers: PTI Scarlet Jewel, Fine Linen, DP by Carta Bella
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, PTI Scarlet Jewel
Accessories: Copics, nesties, Lil Inkers banner die, puffy stuff, Janome Sew Mini, dimensional black enamel

12/24/12

Something's Fishy

A great stamp set from MFT Stamps - Something's Fishy - these a la modes always make me giggle!! Layout is MFTWSC103 - great layout; I used paper for the scallops and added some faux stitching around the scallops as well as just below the diagonal stripes - gives it a bit more definition.

Peek at the inside (do those scallops look like gills - LOL)!!
Thanks for stopping by - hope you have a joyous holiday season!!

Hugs, ~M.


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps:  MFT Stamps a la modes Something's Fishy
Papers:  PTI Aqua Mist and Summer Sunrise, MFT Whip Cream, DP by MME
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  nesties, Copics, colored pencils, MS border punch (inside), PTI Soft Stone ribbon, Copic multi-liner


12/19/12

Crafty Creations - BLOG HOP

The Crafty Creations teams are having some fun this week...and until January 2 with a fabulous Blog Hop featuring seasonal tags! We will have 4 prizes over the next 2 weeks. We will chose TWO WINNERS from the challenge entries AND if you visit all the designers and leave them some lovin', we will draw TWO MORE WINNERS from the comments!

I had a great time making THESE tags a week or so ago; but now I have another batch of tags! :D

This image is from Floppy Latte Designs - talk about cute! I colored each image with Copics and colored pencils, fussy cut them, added glossy accents to the berries and then mounted each onto a tag I created using Verve's Tagged Rectangle Die - I cut two pieces, once from Kraft card stock and one from designer paper. I glued them together and edged each one with Old Paper distress ink - I wanted a bit of a vintage feel. To keep them moving, I did everything in assembly line fashion, keeping the color scheme the same. I cut 6 snowflakes from the same DP and adhered them behind the fussy cut image; I stamped the "to:" in Memento Rich Cocoa ink.


I have to admit, these tags took much longer than I expected, but I love the finished product! I tied on some misc. buttons I had on hand and some chocolate twine to finish them off.


Thanks for popping in; be sure to stop by the Crafty Creations blog so you don't miss a single stop along the hop...but just in case, here's the entire list:



Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Floppy Latte Designs digital tags
Papers: PTI Kraft, DP by MME
Ink: Old Paper Distress Ink, Mement Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Verve Tagged Rectangle Die, glossy accents, Copics, colored pencils, chocolate twine, misc. buttons

Challenges:
  The Pink Elephant 

12/18/12

TLT - ANYTHING goes....

Oh my goodness, it is the TLT's last post for 2012...HOW DID WE GET TO THE END OF DECEMBER? Gosh, what a quick ride - that saying "time flies as you get older" seems so true here lately - but you KNOW the #'s don't change on my birfday, yes? :D We're taking an extended break until February; but with a challenge of "Anything Goes"; you should plan to play along every single week till February!

I used one of the Christmas Delight digital images - Handbag Tree Delight. Isn't it the cutest? GAH; love these images!! The layout is Karen's fab Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #174. Loved playing with this pad of DP from My Mind's Eye - it's an older one, but I love the colors within!

L@@K -  I used Old Paper distress ink and was able to actually 'sponge' the edges without it looking horrific - yeah, learned a little trick this weekend and it made all the difference! Yeah me!!

Sneek peak of inside

Thanks for stopping by; hope you'll join the fun over at the TLT blog; we love seeing your creations!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: LCI Digi Handbag Tree Delight
Papers: PTI Fresh Linen, Scarlet Jewel, DP by MME
Ink: Old Paper Distress Ink
Accessories: Nesties, Copics, MFT mini label dies, PTI small scalloped die, MS arch border punch, Janome Sew Mini

Challenges:
  SSSC174
  PanPastel - Challenge 49 
  Quirky Crafts - Challenge 26 
  Stamptacular - Challenge 194 
  Stampavie - Challenge 183

12/10/12

TLT - Sparkalicious!

Myspace Glitter Graphics - http://www.sparklee.com

I missed out last week on the Ladybug's Sparkalicious debut (must be an "across the ocean kinda thing, cuz I spell it differently-LOL)...but I wasn't going to completely miss out! I mean, really - what girl doesn't love some sparkle??? You know, the kind that ends up in your hair, on your face, on your clothes and in places you didn't even KNOW glitter could go - HA HA HA!!

We were challenged to use Nikki running with Buttercup and make sure we had some "sparkle" going on! I used Dazzling Diamonds and some clear rock crystal glitter - love all the sparkle! I also used puffy white paint for Nikki's hat, coat fur and the trees before applying the various glitter; that way when I applied heat, it became a bit puffy/raised. Nice 3D effect! I also cut a Spellbinder snowflake and applied glitter ONLY where the DP shown through the die (you can click to enlarge the pictures). The image was colored with Copics and colored pencils. The layout is Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #173.


And it's not too late, Kerry (Ladybug Crafts Ink) is having an amazing sale on stamps - be sure to check it out!!

Thanks for stopping by - it's not too late to show us your sparkalicious creations!!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: LCI Nikki Running with Buttercup
Papers: PTI Fresh Linen and Pure Poppy, DP by MME
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Nesties, Copics, colored pencils, SU! Dazzling Diamonds, misc, rock crystal glitter, PTI pure poppy button

Challenges:
  SSSC173
  TPE178
  Papertake Weekly - Snow White 

12/9/12

CIC 190

Welcome bag to another week at Cupcake Inspirations! This week we are sponsored by DRS Designs - gah, LOVE their digi images!! I have one and hope to color it up this week; it's adorable!!! But for this challenge, I wanted to finish up a Christmas gift and complete some gift tags.  But first, our adorable inspiration photo:


I think those entire images are edible - look at the oreos for a hat - adorable! So...as you can see, I didn't use a snowman, instead I used SNOWFLAKES which we use to make a snowman...tricky eh? HA - not, but it finished my Christmas gift theme. :D

I'll give a brief explanation because I have TONS of pictures to share!! I made 4 tags using a super old ellison die; I rounded the bottom of each tag. I also cut 2 pieces per tag - one of Fresh Linen card stock; the other of designer paper (Carte Bella) Each piece of designer paper was stamped with a 2nd generation snowflakes from PTI's Snowflake Serenade. Then I used Spellbinders to cut some snowflakes, edged all the papers with various inks, tied on some buttons and twine and a strip of the opposite paper to each tag; stamped the back with Scarlet Jewel ink, "to:, from:, and more 2nd generation snowflakes". Glued the two pieces of each tag together and tied on some twine.
Glassine bag with tags inside
Glassine bag and two full tags

4 gift tags


Back of tags

Up close of Glassine Bag - look at the super cute wavy button!
Thanks for stopping by; hope you enjoyed the tags and decorated glassine bag using the SSS188 layout. Stop over at Cupcake Inspirations and join the fun this week!!

Hugs,



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: PTI Snowflake Serenade
Papers: PTI Fresh Linen, DP by Carte Bella
Ink: VersaMagic Sahara Sand, Jumbo Java, PTI Vintage Cream and Scarlet Jewel, Distress Ink
Accessories: Ellison die, glassine bag, jute twine, buttons, chocolate twine

Challenges:
  Cupcake Inspirations
  The Sweet Stop

12/5/12

Crafty Creations - Winter Scene

This week at Crafty Creations, we're creating Winter Scenes! I used an image I have had FOR-EH-VER - yep; that long at least. Cute little snowman from Whipper Snapper Designs, just like Jingle Balls (gah, love that image)!! And this little snowman is just as cute!

I paper pieced his coat then colored the rest of the image with Copics and colored pencils. The layout comes from Jen's Sketch For You To Try (last one EVER; ugh, makes me so sad, I absolutely adore Jen's sketches!!!).

To complete my little scene, I added a Charlie Brown tree (looks just like one, doesn't it) and a sweet little cardinal (my fave bird)!

I added glossy accents to the snowman's nose and buttons and some black dimensional drops for the eyes.


Thanks for stopping by; hope you'll join us this week and show off YOUR Winter Scene!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Snowman
Papers: PTI Scarlet Jewel, DP by Carta Belle
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMagic
Accessories: Copics, nesties, colored pencils, Glossy Accents, black dimensional accents, PTI die (bird)

Challenges:
  Sketch For You To Try
dec2012sketch
  Creative Inspirations
  BLD Challenge 35 
  C4C165 
  My Time to Craft 
  The Squirrel and the Fox 


Previous SFYTT:
  January
  February
  March
  April
  May
  June
  July
  August
  September
  October
  Novemver

12/2/12

Jingle Balls

Welcome back for another fun week at Cupcake Inspirations!


We are sponsored this week by (their colors are SO RICH)!!:


Check out the amazing prize:


Now for our Inspiration Cupcake:


And here's my interpretation using Jingle Balls from Whipper Snapper Designs (oh how this image makes me giggle)!! I used Maraschino and Cappuccino twine - their colors are so rich!


Thanks for stopping by; hope you'll join the fun this week at Cupcake Inspirations

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Jingle Balls, PTI Tag It Set
Papers: PTI Pure Poppy, True Black, Copic XPress It, 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa, PTI Pure Poppy
Accessories: Copics, Maraschino and Cappuccino twin from The Twinery, PTI Die, colored pencils, white gel pen

Challenges:
  Cupcake Inspirations
  The Ribbon Girl
  Unique Crafters Challenge Blog
  Oozack 
  Hooked on Craft Challenges
  

11/26/12

Be Kind This Year...

give Prozac!

HA - isn't that hysterical? Love Stella from Bugaboo images - and what a great sentiment! I used Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #172; some new papers from Carta Bella and a bit of fluffy white stuff. Oh yes, I used  my white gel pen to add a design to Stella's outfit and finished the front with a double loop with some PTI Kraft ribbon. I finished the inside with more DP, a couple Verve dies and the sentiment.

Inside with sentiment
Thanks for stopping by - hope you have a GREAT week!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Bugaboo Digi Images - Stella and Prozac
Papers: PTI Pure Poppy, Copic XPress It, Carta Bella DP
Ink: VersaMagic
Accessories: Copics, nesties, Heidi Swapp distressor, corner chomper,, fluffy stuff, PTI Kraft ribbon, Verve dies

Challenges:
  SSSC172
  Hiding in My Craft Room
  Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Christmas
  Wags 'N Whiskers - Christmas

11/25/12

CIC 188 - Go Forth and Eat Cake!


Cupcake Inspirations is sponsored this week by:


Jellypark is my range of digital craft products which include digital craft stamps, decoupage sheets, clip art and printable party supplies. Instant downloads after purchase and a wide range of fun images to use in all your papercraft projects over and over again!
I have a lovely Design Team working with me who create beautiful samples with the products to give you lots of craft inspiration and we run two craft challenge blogs, Jellypark Friends for adults and Jellypark Juniors which is for 16 years and under.
~Claire Keay, freelance illustrator


Now for our Inspiration Cupcake:



I needed a birthday card this week and reached for a stamp set I have had for ages - the Cat's Pajama "Forget About the Cake" - these images are always worth a chuckle...or two!

I used this week's Mojo layout - MOJO268.

Inside: (You're not getting older...you're getting A LOT older.)
Thanks for stopping by - hope you'll join us at Cupcake Inspirations this week! Make it a great one!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: The Cat's Pajama Forget About the Cake
Papers: PTI Pure Poppy, Simply Chartreuse, and Hawaiian Shores, MFT Whip Cream, Copic XPress It, DP by MME
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Pure Poppy
Accessories: Copics, nesties, misc. gem, white gel pen, Spica glitter pen

Challenges:
  MOJO268