Super Sweet Sunshine -- for Oddball Art

June 15!  It's time for a new challenge at the Oddball Art Challenge blog!   For the next month, the theme is 'Here Comes the Sun' (incorporate a sun somewhere on your project).   I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some summertime sun!

Here's  image #144 - I Scream Love:

I printed image #144 - I Scream Love on watercolor paper, then colored it with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and a water brush. 

I cut the funky sun out on my Silhouette Cameo with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The dies are from Top Dog Dies.  The sentiment is from Joy's Life Stamps.  Teal glimmer trim is from Close To My Heart. Papers for this card are from Doodlebug Designs.  I used my super hand We R Memory Keepers scalloped corner chomper on this, too.

Some Useful Links:)
Company Website ♥ http://www.oddballartco.com
Art Blog ♥ http://oddballartco.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page ♥ http://www.facebook.com/oddballartco
Facebook Friend Page ♥ http://www.facebook.com/oddballart
Twitter ♥ http://www.twitter.com/oddballartco
Flickr ♥ http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddballartco
Zazzle ♥ http://www.zazzle.com/oddballartco
Fine Art America ♥ http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/lizzy-love
Tumblr ♥ http://www.oddballartco.tumblr.com

There's also an Anything Goes challenge on Facebook.  Check it out here.

Need/want/gotta have more Oddball Art Stamps?  Use discount code DTJULIE10 to get 10% off anything in the Etsy Store!  Woohoo hoo!

Just for You & Boo

I'm putting a couple cards up quick before the evening gets too busy.  I managed to squeeze these both in at the end of the month for progressive challenges.  First, for the Outlawz Progressive Challenge:

This image is from Nicecrane.  I was given it free because I participate in last month's challenge.  Thanks!  I colored her with Copics, then used a couple Spellbinders dies to cut her out.  The sentiment is part of a stamp set from Hot Off the Press.  All papers, including the DP, are from Close To My Heart. The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  It is part of the Celebrations Bundle.  I used my We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper on this, too.

The second card will be entered in the Gerda Steiner Progressive Challenge.  I enjoy both these challenges very much, and try not to miss them.

This cute digi, Mouse on a Broom, was also a freebie, because I participate in last month's challenge.  I colored it with Copic markers, then used a variety of Lifestyle Crafts circle dies to make the card.  Papers are from Close To My Heart, the sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company. 

I'd like to enter these in the following challenges:
Outlawz Progressive Freebie -- September
Gerda Steiner's Progressive Challenge -- September
TTCRD -- ATG

The Sky's the Limit -- for Julia Spiri Stamps

It's time for a new challenge at the Julia Spiri Challenge blog. The  theme for our second challenge is 'Girls, Girls, Girls'.  Since Julia Spiri has some of the cutest girl images in the world, take the opportunity to use of them to increase your chances to win a better prize!

This is Girl on a Swing, and she's colored with Copic markers.  I used 2 sizes of a Spellbinders label die to cut her out and back it.

Backing paper and the sentiment are from Pink Paislee - Prairie Hill Collection.  Paper behind the image is from We R Memory Keepers.  I also used their scalloped corner chopper. The card base is Bazzill card stock.  There's Webster's Pages lace trim, and 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon on here.  Although it's hard to see in the picture, I also used a Spica glitter clear pen on the sun and the clip in her hair.

Please join us at the Julia Spiri Challenge blog for our 'Girls, girls, girls' challenge.  It will last 2 weeks. I'd love to see your creations!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Craft-Dee Bowz -- ATG with a handmade bow
Crafting from the Heart -- Always ATG
Craft Your Passion -- ATG
D.L. Art -- Sept. linky party
Through the Craftroom Door -- ATG

Hugs from Hootie and I-- for Crafty Sentiments

I'm posting today for Crafty Sentiments Inspirational Blog.  I have a tutorial to share on using a die cut in a different way.

First, the finished card, then, how I did it:

I used Crafty Sentiments Designs digital image  Hootie -- Rain, Rain, Go Away on this card.  He's ready for spring, that Hootie!

Here's how I made the card.

I started by coloring my image.  I almost always have the papers I plan to use close by to match the colors to it.  This image is colored with Copic markers.

Then, I chose what dies I wanted to use.  You can use this technique with a variety of shapes -- circles, square, oval, rectangle.  I chose stitched rectangles by Lawn Fawn.  

I cut out the image with a large stitched rectangle, and placed it where I thought it would be.  It is not glued at this point, just set there.

Then, I placed a smaller stitched rectangle on the front of the card, using the inside image as a guide.  The inside one isn't glued because it's easier to adjust the inside one at the end, if needed.  Notice, I used washi tape to anchor my die -- works great!

Don't forget to open up your card before you run it through your die cut machine ;)

 After you've cut the front, you can fasten the inside in, using whatever adhesive you prefer.  

Now, the fun of decorating the outside of the card begins.  I kept the embellishing to a minimum, preferring to leave the focus on the adorable Hootie image and die cut card front.

The designer paper is We R Memory Keepers Storytime 6x6 pad.  The raindrop gems are from Studio G.  The die cut "hugs" sentiment is from Lawn Fawn.  I also used my trusty We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper on this.

Hugs to you from Hootie and I!

A Tulip Hello -- for Eureka Stamps

It's Monday, and time for a new challenge at Eureka Stamps. This week, our theme is "Spring Flowers".  It's a bit early for them yet in Wisconsin, but I can dream!

The whole design team used the same Eureka Stamps digi this week -- Tulips (digi28502).  

I used Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils on this card.  There are several Spellbinder dies used on this card.  I used 3 Girl JAM tie dye ribbon, some Lawn Fawn Let's Polka 6x6 paper, and my favorite We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper.

Join us this week at Eureka Stamps with your 'Spring Flowers' creations.  I'd love to see what you make! 

The Light of Christmas -- for Inspiration Destination

It's Wednesday, and time for a new challenge at Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog (IDCB).  As always, it's anything goes.  One of our sponsors this week is Crafty Sentiments.  I had fun with this one!

This Crafty Sentiments Designs digi is called Harriet with Lantern. I colored her with Copic markers.  The sentiment was computer generated.  I used a Spellbinders die to cut the image out.  The designer papers are from Close To My Heart. They are from the Yuletide Carol paper pack.  The glitter trim and glitter domes are also from CTMH. I used a We R Memory Keepers scallop Corner Chomper on several of the corners.

I hope you join us this week at IDCB.  Link up anything!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments -- Christmas

Let Your Dreams Set Sail! for My Scrap Chick

It seems I'm drawn to frogs and umbrellas lately.  Maybe it's the unusually rainy weather we're having, or the thousands of frogs I hear croaking from the lake across the road every evening.  They're so loud, some nights it's hard to fall asleep -- but in a good way, if that makes sense?!?

The rain and those frogs were the inspiration behind today's card for My Scrap Chick:

Just two frogs, sailing along in their own patriotic umbrella. Since it's so close to July 4th, I thought they might as well be Patriotic on their sailing adventure!

This My Scrap Chick cutting file is called "Rainy Day Kids" and it has some delightful patterns to cut out.  I cut this card out on my Silhouette Cameo.  I used designer papers from We R Memory Keepers.  The sentiment is a stamp from Unity Stamp Company.  The enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye.  All solid color card stock is from Close To My Heart.

Here's a closeup of the sentiment:

I have a giveaway going on, celebrating several events: I wrote my 500th blog post yesterday, I'm close to 400 followers on my blog, and I have 100 "likes" on my Facebook page, Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers.  To celebrate all those things,  I'm having a giveaway:  I have some Timeless Twine, some 3 Girl JAM ribbon, a Unity stamp set, a Close To My Heart stamp set, some Pinque Peacock embellishments, a 6x6 paper pad, and various embellishments that I need a home for. I also have two generous sponsors:  DigiStamps4Joy is giving a $10 gift certificate to the store, and The Cutting Cafe is offering any 3 sets.  WOW! If you'd like to be eligible to win, please leave a comment on any of my blog posts between now and July 6.  I'll draw a winner on my birthday.  It's my day, and you get the present!  I'd also love it if you "like" my Facebook page and follow my blog, if you don't already. 

Have fun!

So, off you go -- let your dreams set sail!

I'd like it enter this card in:

Creative Cutting Challenge -- 4th of July

A Patriotic Firefly? for My Scrap Chick

Looking for Unity Friends with Flair?  Please click here:

Hello, crafty friends.  It's Friday! And I'm posting today for My Scrap Chick.  I've always liked fireflies.  When I was growing up, we couldn't go barefoot until the fireflies were out, so they were a sure sign of summer. So, when I found this firefly pattern in the My Scrap Chick store, I got very excited! (it can be purchased separately, or part of the Bugs & Things & Dragonfly Wings set).  Since we're approaching Independence Day, I made it a Patriotic firefly.  Why not?

The flag the firefly is holding is from the  My Scrap Chick Patriotic Family set.  The design of the card uses a sketch from My Scrap Chick Card Essentials Volume 2.

Papers for this card are from We R Memory Keepers (designer paper) and Close To My Heart (card stock).  The sentiment is from Close To My Heart.

I hope this puts you in a patriotic mood!  God bless America!

All Things Spring Blog Hop with 3 Girl JAM

The whole 3 Girl JAM team is hopping today.  We're introducing a new ribbon bundle, and kicking off a new month-long challenge.  In case you just stumbled across the hop, you'll want to start at the 3 Girl JAM blog.  You should have arrived here from the talented Marji's blog. I know you've found tons of inspiration along the way from this fantastic 3 Girl JAM team.

I've been making many thank you cards lately.  This is one of them that I gave to a good friend who helped me out over and over again after my father recently died.  She's been my rock.  I wanted it to be spring-like, yet subdued.

I used both colors in the new 3 Girl JAM LG Bundle (lemon lime and grey gray) There's also some lace peaking out under the gathered gray, from the Distressed Lace bundle. 

Here's a close up of the sentiment.

All the stamps are from Unity Stamp Company.

Want to see a close up of the Flair button?  It ties the whole card together, doesn't it?

That beautiful Flair button is also from 3 Girl JAM. There's lots of great choices in the Thank You Flair assortment. The button matched the "Good Day Sunshine" We R Memory Keepers" paper to perfection.
I have a little blog candy I'd like to offer you today.  I love this design team and the products I get to design with.  If you'd like some of it for yourself (some ribbon, a Flair button, some vintage buttons), follow my blog and leave a comment.  That's all you have to do to win.  I'll announce the winner on Thursday, April 3 -- my day to post on the 3 Girl JAM blog.
Want some ribbon, Flair, lace, and other goodies of your own?  Use  coupon code SPRING25 at check out for your chance to save 25% on everything!

Before you hop on to the beautiful and talented Jessica's blog, I want to remind you all to check out the 3 Girl JAM blog for your chance to win a prize. Also, visit the 3 Girl JAM Challenge blog for our current challenge, "All Things Spring".  You have the month of April to make anything spring related, with ribbon and link up.  The rules are on the blog.  OK, hop ON!