Easter Eggs...

This Penny Black image and the eggs have been colored with Copics in a monochromatic scheme of  Yellow-greens.  The "Flower Girl" was stamped twice, cut, sculpted and mounted on foam tape for dimension.  A single layer of  the eggs was applied using the same process.  Coordinating layers of  K &  Company  DP from the "Citronella" Collection were used for the background.

CHALLENGES:
iCopicWeekly #75: “Yellow-greens”

Penny Black Challenge #194: “Easter Eggstravaganza”

Craft Your Passion #103: "Monochromatic"
CMC Challenge #39: "Anything Goes
Simon Says Challenge: "Anything Goes"
Everybody Art Challenge #186: "Sketch"

IMAGES:  The focal image is "Flower Girl" from Penny Black; the multi-eggs from PSX; the single egg from the Happy Stamper

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is from K & Company "Citronella"; 

base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: gold foil has been applied to the eggs with Duo Glue.

INKS: The images are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics:

No dress!!!

 Bling!  Not something I usually do to this degree... colorful DP, ribbon, flowers and Kandi.  Not something Mo's little Tom-boy is use to either!  Definitely me in grade school - I had one skirt I would wear and my poor Mom had to wash it about every other day so I would have something clean to wear.  Mo Manning's "Bossy" sure lends herself to that memory.

The main image was printed on Neenah, colored with Copics, fancy cut with edges colored with grey ink, sculpted and floated on foam tape.  I used two different designer papers, flowers tinted with Copics, Kandi added for centers and finally a ribbon.

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

DP2 Challenge #127: "Bling It On"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Mo Manning / Digital Pencil Too

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is from Basic Grey's "Out of Print" collection; base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: centers of the flowers are "Kandi"; the rest of the embellishments from my stash.

INKS: The image is printed & colored with Copics:

Winner! "Happy Spring..."

Spring - green, green grass, flowers, shorts and the Easter Egg hunts my Dad would create with his clues in rhyme.  This Sassy Cheryl image brings back those good childhood memories!

I colored the image with Copics and added the sneaky little bunny running to hide from her.  The image panel is layered on DP and I added the brads, circle tag and the polka dot ribbon to embellish.

This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #107: "Think Spring" WINNER!
Simon Says: "Let's Play Bingo" (Brads, tag & Ribbon)
The Stamp Man Challenge: "Bingo Card/ Recipe" (Green, Circle & Ribbon)
IMAGES:  The focal image, "Wanna Be Bunny Girl" is from Sassy Cherly's; the small "Cottontail" is from All Night Media.
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is from Basic Grey's "Oliver" Collection; base CS is from my endless stash.
EMBELLISHMENTS: metal, green brads and the ribbon from my stash.
INKS: The bunny image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & the girl is printed off my Cannon and colored with Copics: 

In Our Hearts Forever...

The background and frame are created with the new complimentary combo of a cling stamp and embossing folder from Sissix and Hero Arts.  This particular "Textured Impression" is called "Stripes and Frame".  I stamped it twice - on blue and white CS and then ran the blue base CS through my Cuttlebug.  I cut out the white frame, stamped it with my message and punched slots in the ends for my ribbon.




This image is called "Best Friends" by Deb Strain from Stampington and Co. It has been stamped twice & colored with Copics, fancy cut, sculpted from the back & floated on the background with foam tape. 

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

Craft Your Passion #102: "Just Sentiments"

Everybody Art Challenge #185: "Friendship"

IMAGES:  The background image is "Stripes and Frame", a Textured Impression from Sissix & Hero Arts.  The Sentiment is from a 1994 stamp from Country Impressions.  "Best Friends" is by Deb Strain from Stampington and Co.

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel;  base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: 

City Bird...

 I hand carved this bird image, colored direct to rubber with Marvy Markers, stamped and then colored with Copics to deepen the colors.  The bird was masked and the skyline was stamped "behind" it with grey ink.  Edges were sponged with Distress Inks and a Micron 05 ink pen in brown was used to add a few lines of detail. 

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:
CMC Copic Challenge #39: "Anything Goes"

Less is More Week 59: "Masking"

Gingerwood: "Spring Bird"  WINNER

IMAGES:  I hand carved the focal image of the bird; the background image is Hero Arts' "Newspaper Skyline"

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel;  base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: Marvy Markers: black, burnt umber and red;  Copics: Y02, E01 & 43.  The "Newspaper Skyline" was stamped with  Marvy Matchables; edges with Distress Inks: "Weathered Wood"

Spring Flowers...

I think this is a digital image... I don't have a clue where I got it.  If you know the source, leave me a comment!  It's a great image for practicing shadows and shading.

On the light green base card stock I used the background stamp "Large Canvas Stripes" from Hero Arts with Versamark and clear EP.  The image was colored with Copics and cut out, sculpted from the back and finally floated on foam tape to maintain it's curvature.  Orange twine was tied around the can to add extra dimension.

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

iCopicWeekly Challenge #74: “Flower Challenge”

IMAGES:  The focal image is source unknown - from one of my classes?

PAPER:   base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The image is colored with Copics: B91, 93, 95, 97; YG21, 61, 63; Y02, 06; YR61, 65, 68, 18.

Singing in the Rain...

 Mo Manning's "Singing in the Rain" image is perfect for us right now... it has been raining solid for over a week.  Printed out on Neenah, colored with Copics, mounted on the blue CS and then on DP.  Buttons were punched or diecut, embroidery thread sewn thru the button holes and tied in bows.  Button brads were put on each corner.  The image panel and most of the buttons were mounted on foam tape.

This card should be eligible for the following 

CHALLENGES:

DP2 Challenge #126: "Buttons and Bows"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Mo Manning at DP2

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is from K & Company Citronella Collection, base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: Buttons are made with a Martha Stewart punch and Sizzlet dies.

INKS: The image is  printed & colored with Copics:

Vintage Dress-up...

 Love this little lady.  Colored with Copics and edges sponged with  Distress Inks, the image panel is mounted on Basic Grey DP from the Little Black Dress Collection.  A button and a lace punched strip were added for embellishment.

In this close up you can also see the pearls and bracelet which were made with Enamel Accents.

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

PennyBlack Saturday Challenge #193: “This, That and the Other”

Basic Grey Challenge #65: "Mother's Day / Girlie"

Stamp Man Challenge: Vintage Theme

IMAGES:  The focal image is a retired image from Penny Black

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is from Basic Grey: The Little Black Dress collection; the base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: Pearls were made with Inkssentials White Enamel Accents.

INKS: Distressed edges done with Ranger "Old Paper" Distress Ink. The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: R20; E50, 51, 53, 41, 43; YR 61, 65, 68

A Flower for you...

This Sassy Cheryl image has been colored with Copics using the Violet family and put on a Violet card.  It's been embellished with brads, lace from a Martha Stewart punch and a file label on which I wrote "for you".

The close up shows the gold spots in the center of the flower which were created with Duo Glue and Antique Gold foil.  Very shiny and pretty!

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

iCopic Weekly Challenge #73: "Use the V family"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Sassy Cheryl's

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel;  base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: Lace Punch by Martha Stewart, brads I made 

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: Y02, 04, 06, 19;  E02, 04, 08, 13, 15, 18, 50, 51, 53; YG01, 05, R20; V12, 15, 17.

Sweet Day...

Something New!!  I just found that some of my all time favorite images by artist Mo Manning are now being sold by Penny Black!  I ordered every one in the new catalog - I LOVE that I can now get them in rubber... because, after all, I am RubberMAD!

I colored her with Copics, masked her and stamped a "Kanji Poem" for the background, inked the edges with Distress Inks and mounted the panel on foam tape.




This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

PennyBlack Challenge #192: “The Young Ones”

Simon Says: "a Bit of Green"

IMAGES:  The focal image is by Mo Manning from Penny Black; "Kanji Poem" is from Hero Arts

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel;  base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The background and the edging are done with Distress Inks.  The focal image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics:  

St. Paddy's...

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This is a Paper Shelter digi that I colored with Copics and mounted on DP.  Love this paper - looks like rolling Irish countryside to me.  The Martha Stewart fence punch and punched flowers plus gold brads embellish the card.

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

Simon Says: "a Bit of Green"
Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #106: "Wearin of the Green"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from The Paper Shelter

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is scraps and the base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: Fence punch is a Martha Stewart.

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: 

For my special girl...

 "The Forgotten Gift" is a digi from Sassy Cheryl's which  I colored with Copics.  Then, following  the sketch Jackie did for Sassy Cheryl's Blog,  I used double sided DP with the grid on one side and the large polka dots on the other.  Embellishments included a wide pink ribbon for the 2nd stripe and finished up with "Candi" for the dots on the bottom.
TIP:  I am using only white Candi these days because I found out how beautifully Copics color them and then they match perfectly!  Saves on buying all the different colors!!

The close-up shows the white dots added with a white pen.














This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:

Sassy Cheryl's Weekly Challenge # 105: "Sketch Time"

Simon Says: "Special Girl" Challenge

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Sassy Cheryl

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP and base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: 

Neutrals...

I am not happy with this - I always thought I leaned heavily toward a clean and simple style.  Guess I haven't... I am struggling to meet the challenge of the paper artists in this style of stamping.  So with this entry in the Less is More Challenge, I am cutting back even more.  I am uncomfortable still...

I want so badly to add some ribbon or brads in the lower right or upper left corner!
With this card I used two stamps, and only one ink - Walnut Stain from Distress Inks.  "Cathedral" by Stampington and Company includes the text to the right in the image.  This was stamped once on the base CS and then on scrap paper.  I then took a brush damp with water and pulled the ink into the image to give it a watercolor look. The image is then cut out and attached with foam tape.

Sooooooooo... could not stand it!  I went back and re-created this card with the elements that are more comfortable for me.  So although I will enter the card above in the challenge for Less is More -

 the following is the one I like:

I am going to keep trying the Less is More Challenges... 

I am determined to find a comfort zone with a clean and simple style too.

CHALLENGES:

Less Is More Challenge Week 57: "Neutrals"

IMAGES:  The focal images are "Cathedral" by Stampington and Company and  "Telephone Lines" from Impression Obsession.

PAPER:  base CS is from my endless stash & the Cathedral CS from scraps.

INKS: The image is stamped with Ranger's Distress Ink: "Walnut Stain"

Spring has Sprung...

This is a great image to color and made a good one for a "Double Z-card / First Signs of Spring" challenge for Quirky Crafts.  I chose my colors from the Designer Papers from K & Company.
The Z-card is amazingly simple to make after following the tutorial Kevin wrote on his site - Free Printables.  The idea is to use two A2 cards and attach the right side to the left side of the two open cards - making a double layered back of a single card.  Then with the new right and left sides - fold back to the crease on each side and make the Zs.  (See the photo below).  I used light wt. CS to decrease the bulk of the card.

The bunny was colored with Copics and I made this close-up so you can find the little mouse!

The several layers and the colors of spring make this card eligible for the following 

CHALLENGES:

Quirky Crafts Challenge 5: "The First Signs of Spring - Double Z Card
Cute Card Thursday Challenge 206: "Signs of Spring"
The Pink Elephant: TPE 138 - "Let's See Those Layers"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from a collection purchased years ago... unfortunately I have no record of the company.

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is from K & Company: "Citronella" collection, base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics:  

Tired already...

Here's my Easter Bunny after laying all those eggs!  At least a promise of  Spring with the colors and flowers.

The image is actually from an Alice in Wonderland collection by Mo Manning.  You know how I feel about her images!!  I used Copics and textured the fur to make him "fuzzy-wuzzy". 

The watch and chain are metallic foil and the flowers are the only embellishments.


CHALLENGES: 
Digital Tuesday Challenge #149: "Leap Year, Things that Leap"
Stamp Man Challenge: "Colors of Spring / Easter"
CMC Challenge #38: "Fuzzy-Wuzzy, Furry Animal Antics"
IMAGES:  The focal image is from Mo Manning at Digital Pencil Too
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is from collection, base CS is from my endless stash.
EMBELLISHMENTS: Duo Glue & foil for the watch and chain; flowers made with Martha Stewart Punches
INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics:

Happy Day...

 I make soooo many birthday cards - and this Sassy Cheryl digi is a great image for me.  Fun to color and obviously delivers the message.

I grabbed scraps from my endless stash for the background.  This designer paper looked like exploding fireworks celebrating the occasion to me.  There was just enough of the blue DP for the sentiment punched layer and the five punched "dots" on the upper left corner.

 This close up shows the dots I have added to the headband and dress.  This was done with Duo Glue applied with a "Fine Liner Calligraphy Pen" from ArtQuest.  Once dry and still tacky, I applied the foil so the dots are extremely shiny and multicolored.

CHALLENGES:

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #104: "Are you Seeing Spots?"

Simon Says: Anything Goes

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Sassy Cheryl; the sentiment is by Hero Arts

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP and the base CS is from my endless stash of scraps.

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: 

Hey Friend...

"Hey You..."  I love how this Mo Manning image can be shouting so many things - You're a star - Congratulations - Happy Birthday - Long distance Hello, etc. And it can be my answer for hard to fill male card needs.

I colored the image with Copics, distressed the edge of the panel and layered it on the DP.

A tag was added and brads and twine were used for simple embellishments.  These Mo images really stand on their own and don't need  much else going on.

CHALLENGES:

DP2 Challenge #124: "Anything Goes with a Mo Image"
Simon Says: "Anything Goes"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Mo Manning at Digital Pencil Too

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP and the base CS are from my endless stash.

INKS: Ranger Distress Ink used for the edging and the image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: