Butterfly Thank You -- For Bugaboo Stamps

It's Saturday (yea!) and there's a new challenge that starts today at Catch The Bug Challenges.  Today, and for the next week, there is an Anything Goes challenge happening. You could possibly win 10 images from your choice in the Bugaboo Stamps Store!  How great is that?!?

I recently needed a thank you card for friends that made my husband and I a grilled turkey dinner one Saturday afternoon.  Just because they are great people.  So, I looked through the Bugaboo Stamps Store and found the perfect image -- Butterfly Thank You.

I colored the Butterfly Thank You with Lyra Rembrandt pencils on Kraft.  The Butterfly Thank You image comes with a blank image too, so you can fill in whatever sentiment you'd like. 

Once I got the Butterfly Thank You image colored and fussy cut, I needed to find the perfect papers to bring out the colors of the flowers.  I found them at We Are 3 Digital Shop.  These are 2 papers from the Glorious paper pack. 

Catch the Bug Challenge Blog has a new challenge every Saturday, and there are new fabulous prizes every week.  Come join us! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Lemon Shortbread Challenge -- ATG
TTCRD -- ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG
Polkadoodles -- ATG

Wishing You Sunshine -- for Bugaboo Stamps

Today is Oldie but Goodie day for Bugaboo Stamps.  Some of the favorite digis that maybe haven't seen some love in a while are featured on the Catch the Bug Blog.

I love to color flowers, especially this time of year, and while I don't get out my colored pencils very often, when I do, I like to pair them with Kraft paper.  That's what I did with the Bugaboo Stamps digital image, Make it Snappy Floral Mom's Day:

This image comes with 2 versions.  The other one says, "Happy Mother's Day" at the top.  You can see some cute examples of what others have done if you put MISFloralMomsDay in the search at Bugaboo Stamps (or just click the link provided, of course). 

I used Lyra Rembrandt pencils on Kraft for this image.   I'd almost forgotten I had them, so they were fun to play with -- nice and smooth and easy to layer with.  The floral background paper is from  Close To My Heart.  The Sunshine sentiment and the stamped"wishing you" are a set from Crafter's Companion.

I hope you visit the Catch the Bug Blog today to see what the other talented Bugaboo Stamps designer are featuring on Oldie but Goodie Thursday.  You won't be disappointed!

Autumn Greetings -- All Dressed Up Facebook Challenge

Autumn -- my second most favorite time of the year!  I love spring, with it's pastel colors and hints of warmer weather, and I love Fall for the vibrant colors.  I just don't like what comes AFTER Fall!

This month, for the All Dressed Up Facebook Challenge, the theme is Autumn Colors.  Those earth tones are so great to blend!  I decided to get out my colored pencils (which I definitely need more practice with) to make this month's DT inspiration:

I used the All Dressed Up Stamps digital image, Woodland Bird.  I thought it worked well for Fall colors, with those mushrooms it's perching on for the night.  I love his little nightcap.  Wendy comes up with the cutest touches on her stamps!

The leaf background paper is digital, and was found at Snap Click Supply.  The sentiment, also digital, is from the We Are 3 Digital Shop.  It is part of the Itty Bitty Autumn Sentiment Set. The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. I used a Spellbinders die set to create the card base and the layers. 

Check out the All Dressed Up Facebook Group to find this month's challenge, and other great inspiration.   You'll find another great challenge on the All Dressed Up Blog to check out, too. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG
Allsorts Challenge -- Autumn Glory

Happy Fall, Y'all! A Bugaboo Stamps Tutorial (Tutor-y'all?)

Hello, fellow stamp lovers!  As part of my duties as a guest designer for Bugaboo Stamps, I have the honor of making a monthly tutorial.  This month, being in full Fall mode (it is officially Fall now, right?!?), I'm sharing a technique I like to use for embellishing leaves I use on cards and 3D projects.

First, I'll show you the finished card, then, I'll take you step-by-step through the process of embellishing the leaves.

This card uses the digi, Pumpkin Crow (only $1 in the shop!!!!):

Now, for my secret in creating this (hopefully) realistic looking leaves.

I make a bunch of these at a time because it is a bit time consuming.

Cut your leaves out however you prefer -- electronic cutter, with dies, whatever your preferred method is.  I happen to have a Sizzix die that cuts a bunch for me at once.  I ran it through twice to get all of them that I painted for this demo.  It's probably enough to get me through all Fall.  You'll also need watercolors of your choice  -- this can be watercolor pencils, crayons, actual watercolors, it doesn't matter.  I used watercolor crayons here.  

Here's a picture of my supplies:

You can see my pile of leaves and twigs that I'm going to paint.  I just cut them out of white card stock.  They are so small that they don't really warp, so I save my watercolor paper for larger projects. There's my watercolor crayons (I prefer Caran D'ache Neocolor II) in the colors I used on the leaves, a couple of brushes, a glass of water, and some liquid pearls to add some sheen to my leaves.  There's also a piece of glass on the bottom of it all.  That's my palette.

Now, let's get painting.  Here's my palette, and my first leaves, ready to paint:

I really like using this piece of glass for a palette.  I can scribble my crayon colors on it, and have my liquid pearls there ready to apply.  When I run short of a color, I scribble some more down.  When I'm ready to switch to another color palette, it cleans up quickly with a sanitary wipe.  

This can all be done with a water brush, but I prefer paint brushes because I keep my bush fairly dry.  I either pinch it dry with my fingers, or keep a towel in my lap, and dry it with that.  

OK!  First leaves -- painted.  After I apply the color, I put a THIN coat of Liquid Pearls on the top with water and a paint brush to give the leaves a nice sheen.  You can used this same technique with glitter glues like Stickles.  It looks really nice on snowflakes!

I start out with my lightest colors first so I don't need to change my water.  I work in the basement with no sink, so I don't want to have to keep running up and down the stairs.  Starting light and working to dark saves me steps.  

Here's all my painted and pearled foliage: 

Unfortunately, it's hard to see the pretty pearl sheen on the leaves in the pictures, but when you see the card in real life, it adds a very pretty touch.

Here's the card once more, then a few details about the card itself:

I colored the Pumpkin Crow with Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils.  It had been awhile since I broke out of the Copic mold, so I figured it was time! 

Papers and sentiment on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Fall Sentiment set.   Papers are from the Thankful paper collection (pumpkins) and Birthday Bouquet.

I hope you visit the Catch the Bug blog often.  There is soooo much going on there!  Challenges, Oldies but Goodies, Humor Me Wednesday, New Releases, and of course, Freebie Friday! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Always Fun Challenges -- ATG
Crafty Cardmakers -- Autumn Colors
Cutie Pie Challenge -- Shades of Autumn
MMM Challenge -- Fall Colors
D.L. Art -- September Linky party

Fabulous Friend -- for Scribbles Designs

September 23 -- that means it's the day I post on the Scribbles Designs blog.  It's my day for a little Scribbles Designs inspiration.

I found this really fun owl in the shop, complete with sentiment and frame, and I decided to color it up and create with it.  I really like how it turned out! 

I used Fab Friend to create this: 

I colored Fab Friend with Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils.  I colored the leaves with Caran D'ache Neocolor II artist crayons and Liquid Pearls.  They were cut out with a die from Sizzix.  The papers are from Echo Park.  

There are many wonderful designs in the Scribbles Designs Store, and they are priced VERY reasonably (plus, lots of freebies!).  Check them out!  There's also a monthly challenge to check out on the Scribbles Designs Blog.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Crafter's Castle -- optional Fall 
Send a Smile 4 Kids -- Fall Cards 4 Kids

What Does PC Stand For? A New Release at Bugaboo Stamps

It's Tuesday, and that's new release day at Bugaboo Stamps.  I whipped up this card in a hurry yesterday, in-between packing, errands, and cooking -- all getting ready for a trip to Mayo in Rochester, hoping to find some relief for the peripheral neuropathy I've experienced from chemo.  I'm leaving early this morning.

OK.  So, the sentiment on this card just cracks me up.  I've felt like this more than once!

This digi is called Crabby Cathy - PC, and I colored her very simply with Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils on Kraft paper.  

The designer papers are long retired, from Close To My Heart.  The glittered stars are from my stash.  The glimmer trim is from Close To My Heart.

Check out the Catch the Bug Blog to see the other cute creations that the design team made with Crabby Cathy - PC, then grab her for yourself.  There must be someone in your circle of friends and family that would enjoy this!  

Find the Beauty in Small Things -- for MHKDesigns

Hello, crafty friends!  Happy Tuesday!  I am sharing on the MHKDesigns blog today.  I have a card that I really, really like!  I want to show you how it turned out:

I created this card using the MHKDesigns Beauty Digital Stamp Set.   Aren't those delicate flowers exquisite?

I colored the flower from the MHKDesigns Beauty digital set with Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils.  I printed my image on smooth card stock, so I wanted a very creamy based pencil.  The sentiment is also from the MHKDesigns Beauty set. 

Papers for this card, also from MHKDesigns,  are the new Rosy Posy digital paper set.  They are a little touch of Springtime!

The card was created using some cutting dies from Craftin' Desert Divas and Paper Wishes (sentiment die).  The pearl bling was from my stash, and the ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.   I used a We R Memory Keepers scallop corner chomper on this card also. 

Beauty Digital Stamp Set

Rosy Posy Digital Paper Set

Have you entered this month's MHKDesigns challenge yet?  It's Anything Goes if you use an MHKDesigns image.  Pick out your favorite, make a project, and link up with us!  We have great prizes and I'd love to see what you make!  Make sure to visit the MHKDesigns blog often for great inspiration from Mynn and her talented design team and guest designers!  Don't forget about the MHKDesigners & Friends Facebook Group for even more inspiration, news, and friendship.  Then, there is the MHKDesign newsletter.  Sign up for it, also!  You won't want to miss the discounts!

Hope! an MHKDesigns New Release

Hope is a thing with feathers.  Or, as Emily Dickinson says,  "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops at all."  

One of my all-time favorite poems!  It's also the theme of today's New Release at MHKDesigns.  Hope is also what keeps me as a cancer patient going.  There's much hope in this whole process.  I took great satisfaction in creating today's card using the MHKDesigns Fanciful Feathers stamp set. 

I super sized one of the feathers in the set (there are some amazing ones!) so it would be the focus, then added the sentiment in big, bold letters so it couldn't be missed.   I wanted the feather to be bright, cheerful, full of vibrant life.  Papers on this card are MHKDesigns Fully Feathered digital papers. 

Fanciful Feathers Stamp Set

Fully Feathered Digital Papers

The wooden bird is from Close To My Heart.  The dies used on the card are from Craftin' Desert Divas.  

There's still one more day of New Releases at MHKDesigns.  You'll find them all in the Etsy Shop here. 

Friendships are life's greatest perks -- an MHKDesigns New Release

Day 3 of the December New Releases at MHKDesigns.  I hope you've had a chance to visit each designers blogs each day, along with the MHKDesigns blog to see the guest designers because it's been so inspirational! All of the new releases can be found in the MHKDesigns Etsy Shop.  Today's New Release is really fun -- Stitched Tea Party digital stamp set!

There are several very cute "tea" themed images (or coffee) in this set.  I used just the tea pot, printed in on Kraft paper, and once again, colored it with colored pencils -- a favorite technique of mine.  Since we had a stitched theme going, I used a stitched die to cut out the image.  Designer papers on this card are MHKDesigns Worn Weathered Pink digital papers.

 Stitched Tea Party

Worn & Weathered Pink

The dies used on this card -- stitched die is from Lawn Fawn.  All others are from Hot Off the Press. Here's another view where you can see the acrylic piece that holds the 2 panels together.  I saved it from some packaging.

There's still 2 more days of New Releases, so stay tuned!  Isn't this fun?!?

I am Grateful -- a MHKDesigns New Release

Day 2!  Day 2 of chemo, day 2 of MHKDesigns December new releases.  Pray that chemo is going smoothly for me!  Somehow, today's New Release at MHKDesigns, Realistic Roses, is a very fitting theme for a cancer patient.  I love the sentiment on this card:

I used one of the sentiments, and the beautiful rose design from the Realistic Roses digital stamp set on this card.  I'm a big fan of Kraft paper and colored pencils, and that's what I used here.  Designer papers on this card are from MHKDesigns Stenciled Roses digital papers.

Realistic Roses

Stenciled Roses

Make sure you check out the MHKDesigns blog and each of the other designer's blogs from now through Friday to see each of the fantastic New Releases!  There's a wonderful Facebook group, too -- MHKDesigners & Friends.

Hello Friend! an MHKDesigns New Release

It's New Release week at MHKDesigns, and Wow!  This is going to be fun!  All the designer and guest designers have fantastic projects to inspire you.  I couldn't possibly pick a favorite of the new releases.  One is as wonderful as the next!

Today's new release is Pretty Petunias Digital Stamp Set: 

I used the Petunia from the set, colored it with Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils, and fussy cut. The sentiment is also from the set.  Papers on this card use the Stenciled Roses Digital Paper Pack. 

Make sure you check out the MHKDesigns blog and each of the other designer's blogs from now through Friday to see each of the fantastic New Releases!  There's a wonderful Facebook group, too -- MHKDesigners & Friends.

Pretty Petunias

Stenciled Roses

Fabulous & Beautiful -- for MHKDesigns

Happy Monday, everyone!  A week ago today, I had my first chemo treatment.  Two weeks off, and I'll have another.  Interesting changes, this chemo makes in your body, but I'm plugging on!

Today starts a new challenge at MHKDesigns.  The Nov/December challenge is now underway.  There's an inspiration board you can use, or, if you use an MHKDesigns image, it's Anything Goes!!!

First, my card, then a pic of the inspiration board I used:

I used the MHKDesigns Fabulously Fall digital stamp set to create this card.  I colored the blackberry branch from the Fabulously Fall set with Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils.  The designer paper behind the image is an MHKDesigns digital paper -- Deck the Halls

Challenge inspiration board

Fabulous Fall

Deck the Halls

I hope you join us this month at MHKDesigns!  I'd love to see what you make!

Lo, I am with you always....for MHKDesigns

Hello, crafty friends!  It has been quite a week.  As some of you know, I have recently been diagnosed with Lymphoma.  I finally got to see an oncologist this week.  It has been a whirlwind --having even more tests, a minor surgical procedure to get a port put in, some training done, and everything ready to begin chemotherapy.  I'm ready!  Let's beat this!  

I'm posting today for MHKDesigns, and I made a card to help me through the rough times I'm experiencing.  It was created using one of my favorite Bible verses -- Matthew 18:20...

I used the beautiful MHKDesigns set, Mum's the Word on this card.  

Taking the mum image from the Mum digital stamp set, I colored it with Lyra Rembrandt color pencils.  Background papers, also from MHKDesigns, are French Country.  I seem to use these papers often.  They are beautiful for flowers, and I do love to color flowers!

I cut the card base out on my Silhouette Cameo, and used some stitched oval dies from Die-namics to complete the card.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.

Mum's the Word

French Country

You'll find these and many more beautiful digital sets in the MHKDesigns Etsy Store. There's a challenge going on on the MHKDesigns blog, and tons of inspiration on the blog, too. Lastly, there's an MHKDesigners & Friends Facebook group you don't want to miss for even more inspiration and news!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you a Happy Holiday -- MHK Designs New Release, Day 3

It's day 3 of New Releases at MHK Designs.  Make sure you visit the MHK Designs blog to find out how to win today's set - and the whole new release - for yourself! Today's release is very vintage and very Christmas.  It's about beauty and memories, and I love it!

Here's what I created with Wonderful Wreath: 

I love colored pencils on Kraft.  This wreath was a joy to color up because it was already quite shaded, so it was as if it had "guidelines" for me to color.  Great fun!  I placed one of the sentiments from the Wonderful Wreath set smack dab in the middle of the wreath.  There was empty space there, and it seemed the place for it.  I added some red rhinestones, too, to add a bit more sparkle.

The shaped card base is a file from Pretty Paper Pretty Ribbons, cut out on my Silhouette Cameo.  The designer paper is from MHK Designs - Simply Seasonal.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.

Wonderful Wreath

Simply Seasonal digital papers

Come back again tomorrow for day 4 of the New Releases.  You won't be disappointed!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- October Linky Party
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- add Sparkle or bling
IDCB -- ATG
The Pencil Case -- ATG

Wishing My Friend a Wonderful Day -- an MHK Designs New Release

Woohoo!  It's New Release week at MHK Designs! It's going to be great!  Each of the next 5 days, you'll find the new releases, plus tons of wonderful inspiration, on the MHKDesigns blog and the other designer's blogs.  Start here to find out how you can win these wonderful sets for yourself! 

Today's new release is Chicken In, and it's a great one!  I combined several of the stamps from the set to create this:

There are some of my favorite things on this card -- chicken wire background, strawberry plants, colored pencil on Kraft, twine, card for a friend with a vintage sentiment.  This card came together very fast, and I love the look!

Set used:

Chicken In

Come back tomorrow for day 2!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- October Linky Party
IDCB -- ATG
TTCRD -- ATG
The Pencil Case -- ATG

Simply Delightful Christmas -- for Great Impressions Stamps

It's Friday! Yea!  That means I'm posting today for Great Impressions Stamps.  This week, Great Impressions Stamps is sponsoring the MOD Squad challenge blog, where the theme is "For the Birds".

I love flamingos.  How can a bird be so pink and still survive in the wild?  I think they are just awesome!  But, flamingos in Santa hats?  Well, that is simply delightful!

This card uses 2 rubber stamps from Great Impressions Stamps -- G446 Holiday Flamingos and C426 Simply Delightful.

I colored G446 Holiday Flamingos with Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils, then stamped the C426 Simply Delightful sentiment directly onto the colored image. 

The papers and vellum embellishments are from Close To My Heart.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  I used an edge die on 2 of the papers -- by Hot Off the Press.

Great Impressions Stamps has a monthly challenge going on that just started. It's Anything Goes.  Come join us! 

Check out the many awesome stamps in the Great Impressions Online Store.  You'll find free shipping on orders over $25!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
MOD Squad Challenge -- For the Birds

IDCB -- ATG

Sunny Day Challenge -- ATG

Not Just Cards -- ATG

Critters & Creatures Linky Party 8 -- ATG

You are totally fabulous! For MHKDesigns

Greetings, crafty friends!  It's time for the September/October challenge on the MHKDesigns Challenge blog.  I love the colors of fall, so this month's inspiration board was great fun!

Using the colors in this board, I created this:

Isn't this fun?!?  I used the Fabulously Fall Digital Stamp set to create this.  The acorn and the fabulous sentiment are both part of the set.  The papers on this card are also from MHKDesigns, and are found in the Etsy Shop.  They are from the Fabulously Fall and Country Farm digital papers. 

I used the Fabulously Fall digi stamp set and printed it on some hand pressed paper I've had for years.  Then, I used Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils on the acorn to shade it. I attached this layer to the card base with a Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (stapler). The layered edges were made with dies from Paper Wishes/Hot Off the Press. The sequins are from Close To My Heart. 

I hope you join in this month's challenge at MHKDesigns.  You have a whole month!  The theme is anything goes if you use an MHKDesigns image, and the mood board is available for any other image you might want to use.  Come join us!