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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Copy Cat...


Digi Darla's Challenge Blog gave us a freebie this week and the challenge is for every entry to use it!  I thought it would be fun to see so many variations all of the same image.

TECHNIQUE
I printed it out twice and colored with Copics.  From one copy, the flower, leaf, his head and his arms were fussy cut and sculpted from the back.  These sculpted parts were then added to the base (colored with a dark grey to increase the "shadow" effect).   Foam tape was used to achieve dimension.  I tied ribbon around the image panel and layered it on the DP background.  A sentiment from Hero Arts was added and "Candi" for the center of the flower.

 This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Digi Darla Challenge #73 - Copy Cat
Eclectic EllapuAnything Goes
613 Ave C #30 - Anything Goes
OSAAT #174 - Anything Goes
Pile it On #30 - Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish #170 - Friendship
Diva's by Design - Favorite color combo (Salmon & green)
Simon Says Wed Challenge - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

SUPPLIES
IMAGES:  The focal image is a freebie from Digi Darla; sentiment is by Hero Arts.
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is from the "Indie Bloom" collection by Basic Grey; base CS is Georgia Pacific
EMBELLISHMENTS: Ribbon is from stash; center of the flower is "Candi" colored with Copics.
INKS: the image was printed on a Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:




May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!
~ginny

Monday, July 29, 2013

Glutinous Mouse...




OMGosh!  This image by the sponsor Doodle Pantry was the focus of my card this go around... and then I found this sentiment (a freebie from Ginger's House) and the whole concept clicked for me on a personal level!  I LOVE cherries and I can hog out (mouse out doesn't seem to work) to the point I can make my self sick... I mean SICK!  (TMI)
Bottom line - love that sentiment, especially with this image.
I made this card for the new Monday "3-D" Challenge for Craft Your Passion.   Check out the details of the rules, some uber examples by the Design Team and enter your own card before next Sunday night by clicking HERE.

TECHNIQUE
For my background I used a cherry image digi paper that came with the focal image from Doodle Pantry.  I added the Washi tape at the bottom and the top.  The image was printed out twice, colored with Copics and certain cherries were fussy cut, sculpted and added to the top with foam tape to achieve the 3-D look.   I should have 3-D'd his fat tummy!  The focal image panel has had embossed lines added all around the edges to create a frame and then three nail heads added to the corner for balance.  The punched sentiment element and it's mat were finally layered in with the focal image panel.

This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Clear it Out - International (red and white for Canada's flag and cherries from our North West states) plus Washi tape
Top Tip Tues #106 - Spooled items (Washi tape)
Papertake Weekly - Dies or Punches (punched sentiment and mat)
Simon Says - Summer food & drink (cherries!!!)
613 Ave C #30 - Anything Goes
OSAAT #174 - Anything Goes
Pile It On #30 - Anything Goes


SUPPLIES
IMAGES:  The focal image is "Cherry Nice Mice" by Doodle Pantry;  Quote is a freebie from Ginger House (super fun Word Art there!)
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is digital from Doodle Pantry also; base CS is Georgia Pacific
EMBELLISHMENTS: Red & white Washi tape from stash; Sentiment & mat punched using Marvy Uchida punches; nail heads from stash.
INKS:  the images were printed on a Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:



May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Steampunk Owl...

Today is my first post as 
Guest Designer for The Basic Grey Challenge Blogand I am thrilled!   
This challenge is a simple theme... "Make a Tag" (use a Basic Grey product and identify it).  The challenge will be for 2 weeks - so if you want to play, get your tag in by Friday, August 9.

TECHNIQUE:
The two papers I chose are from Basic Grey's "Little Black Dress" collection -  I covered the tag with the first and stamped the "Steampunk Owl" on the second.  I also stamped one of my favorite embellishments  -  the wonderful "pin" on the corner.  On separate CS, I stamped the "Femail Art" sign and the compass.  All the edges have been inked with Distress Inks and gold foil was added to the compass, watch and buckles.  (Details of products used are below.) TIP: The "Ribbon" at the top of the tag was created by tearing a used dryer sheet in strips and then inking it with Distress Inks... they were gathered together and tied with a twine bow.


This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Beyond Grey #35 - The Sky is the Limit
Pile It On - Thinking of you/Just Because
Top Tip Tues. #106 - Spooled Items (twine bow) + TIP
Divas by Design - Anything Goes
LEJ Designs #63 - Cute, Cute, Cute (I think that owl is CUTE!)
Paper Take Weekly - Dies or Punches (base tag is a die cut)
The Paper Shelter #122 - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbon #54 - Anything Goes with Ribbon (handmade ribbon from dryer sheets)
Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Goes RUNNER UP WINNER

SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES
IMAGES:  The focal image is Steampunk Owl from Stampendous; pin is Country Impressions; "Femail Art" is from Stamp Francisco; Compass is PSX
PAPER:  DP is from Basic Grey's "Little Black Dress Collection";  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images of the compass and sign; base tag is a die.
EMBELLISHMENTS: Gold foil was applied using Duo Glue; tag's ribbon handmade using recycled dryer sheets stained with "Tea Dye" Distress Ink.
INKS: Distress Inks (Old Paper, Tea Dye & Walnut Stain) were used to distress the edges;  The images are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics:







May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

White on White Sympathy...


TECHNIQUE
White on White is always elegant in my mind - and always appropriate for a sympathy card.  I ran the base card thru my Cuttlebug with a flowered embossing folder.  The image from Robyn's Fetish was printed out three times so I could sculpt the petals and give the card dimension.  I used a die cut for the smaller flowers on top.  The corners were rounded, an oval punch for the sentiment and a double slot punch over the stems allowed me to "tie" the stems together with my ribbon.  The final step was to elevate the image panel on foam tape on to the base card.

This card has been created for inspiration for the AUD SENTIMENTS Challenge #85 - (Thinking of You &/or Sympathy).  We are now mid challenge so you have another week to get your creative effort entered!  I so encourage you to go check out what the design team has put together for you HERE and to find the rules and closing date of the challenge.

This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
613 Ave C #29 - Anything Goes
OSAAT #173 - Use Your Favorite (white on white for Sympathy cards)
Divas by Design - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Dies or punches ( die cut flowers, punches for the sentiment oval and corner rounder)
The Paper Shelter #122 - Anything Goes

SUPPLIES
IMAGES:  The focal image is "Pretty Flowers" from Robyn's Fetish; the die cut flowers on top are from a Sizzix die; "With Sympathy" is from River City Rubber Works.
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; base CS is Georgia Pacific
EMBELLISHMENTS: background is embossed using a Cuttlebug flower embossing folder; ribbon is stash; oval punch for the sentiment.
INKS:  the image was printed on a Canon PIXMA printer; the stamped sentiment used  Versa Fine Onyx Black

May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny

Monday, July 22, 2013

Balloons for a Birthday Bear...



For me, a fairly clean and simple design.  The balloons have been paper pieced from the DP, and as you can see from the angle shot below, were sculpted to give dimension and fastened down with foam tape to the original balloons.  The bear itself is colored with Copics and left flat.  That image panel and the base card both have been framed with embossed lines using a Scor-It.  The only other embellishment is the shear, wide, purple ribbon wrapped around the DP mat.


This card is for the new Monday Craft Your Passion Challenge 172 - "Happy Birthday".  This image (Birthday Bear 02) is from our Sponsor - Birdie Brown and you can see this one and her other images by clicking on her name. Some delightful samples have been prepared by the CYP Design Team - I recommend a kickstart for your Mojo by checking them out HERE!  Due date for your entry is Sunday, July 28 - so go get creative!

This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Top Tip Tuesday #105 - Hexagons or CIRCLES (balloons and dots)
Lej Designs #62 - Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter - Clean and Simple
Crafty Ribbon #53 - Clean and Simple + ribbon
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
613 Ave C #29 - Anything Goes
OSAAT #173 - Use Your Favorite... (my Copics!)
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Birthdays



SUPPLIES
IMAGES:  The focal image is by Birdie Brown
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is from Basic Grey, "Soleil" collection; base CS is Georgia Pacific
EMBELLISHMENTS: Ribbon is from stash, a Scor-It was used to emboss the frame lines.
INKS:  the image was printed on a Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:










May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Fly-butter...



Every once in awhile I see an image that really grabs my attention... this was a freebie from A Day for Daisies.  When I was little, I transposed names all the time - like Fly-butter and ball-muds.  so to me this is a Fly-butter!  And I've made a "Just Because" card... just because!

TECHNIQUE
My fly-butter needed a branch to sit on so I drew one with a Micron pen and added Zentangle leaves (Poke-root) to the end - also the feelers on the dragonfly.  Both images were colored with Copics.  I inked the edges of all three layers, wrapped a lacy ribbon around the 2nd panel and taped everything down.  For the finishing details I added a half black pearl to his eye, three larger black pearls to the corner, glitter and eyes to the dragonfly.

 This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
A Day for Dasies #74 - Use a Die (Dragonfly from Sizzix die)
LEJ Designs #62 - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room DoorAnything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu - Purple & Butterfly (with ribbon and bling!) TOP FIVE
613 Ave C #29 - Anything Goes
OSAAT #173 - Use Your Favorite... (current favorite digi!)
Pile it On - Just Because

SUPPLIES
IMAGES:  The focal image is from A Day for Daisies. 
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is from K & Company's "Sweet Nectar" Collection; base CS is Georgia Pacific
EMBELLISHMENTS: Dragon fly is from a Sizzix die cut; glitter on dragonfly's wings is Icicle Stickles & his eye is Inkssentials Enamel Accents - black; a Micron Pen 01 was used to hand draw the branch and leaves using a "Zentangle" called "Poke-root"; black pearls and ribbon are from stash. 
INKS: Distress Inks (Milled Lavender,Shabby Shutter and Peeled Paint) were used on the panel edges; the image was printed on a Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:
May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!
~ginny

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Amelia Lee - congratulations!

Wahoo!  Amelia Lee graduated from Montana University and as part of my Graduation present for my uber smart, talented and beautiful niece, I am giving her (what else), announcements.  
OMG!  Shoot me now!  I am one of those who NEVER makes two cards the same.  Can't handle it! And for some odd reason, I committed myself to 25 of these.   It took me days to just come up with the design that was somewhat simple.  And WEEKS to get them all together.  Today I packed them all up with envelopes and sent them off.  "Lawdy have mercy!", as my Granny used to say.  I will never do that again. 

TECHNIQUE Started with a navy blue base CS, then a light blue panel that had been run thru a Cuttlebug with a "brick" Embossing Folder.  I added a strip of gold ribbon and taped the ends to the back then taped the panel down. I used another very short strip of the ribbon to tie (and glue) a knot at the bottom of the ribbon.  Next the image was printed out and colored with Copics.  I was not happy with the plain look, so I added gold foil to her horn and gold dots to her "aura" to help with the celebratory nature.  After measuring off the image panel with the three portions "out of the box", I only had to fussy cut those three areas.  A gold medallion was die cut from a heavy gold CS which was the fist major issue that I ran into... the punch pretty much ripped the edge of the CS leaving white core showing - I solved that by using a Copic to color all the exposed white areas.  Second, I ran out of enough gold CS so I cut all the medallions in half and carefully fit them under the image panel so the corners would not show.  The third and fourth issue I had were that I ran out of ribbon for all the knots and had to use a different gold ribbon and then finally, after all was said and done, the cut edges began to fray.  Like I said, shoot me now.  The last detail was the sentiment punched out with an SU punch and a mat.

This card should be eligible for the following

CHALLENGES:
ALBC - Die-ing for it
Crafty Ribbon #52 - Anything Goes with ribbon
2 Sisters #152 - Make it Sparkle
OSAAT #172 - Use a digi
 LEJ Designs #62 - Anything Goes
Sassy Cheryl #175 - Out Door Fun and Games (celebrating at an outdoor graduation - what could be more fun??)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES
IMAGES:  The focal image is by Sassy Cheryl; the sentiment is a "Mini - word" self inking stamp.
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; base and gold CS are from stash
EMBELLISHMENTS: Sentiment and mat are from SU punches; ribbon is from stash; gold foil applied using Duo Glue; medallion is die-cut. 
INKS: the image was printed on a Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:

 May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny

Monday, July 15, 2013

GG Thanks You!



Monday morning - Craft Your Passion is doing a "Thank You" (for any occasion) challenge
due by next Sunday, 7/21.  I love these where the theme is so wide open I can go any direction!  

The sponsors this go around are Whimsy Stamps & Robin's Nest
but it is not necessary to use one of their images in your card.

 
 
TECHNIQUE
After choosing the image and the DP for the background, I colored the image and the "Candi" (in the four corners) with Copics - matching colors from the DP. (TIP:  If you are coloring your image first and THEN trying to find DP to match, I encourage you to reverse the process and choose a background first & pull your colors for your image from that palette!  That was a real "duh" moment when someone taught me that!) The frame was doodled with a Micron pen.  I attached the background panel and then elevated the focal image panel on foam tape - attached the sentiment and the Candi on the corners.  I punched a slot in the fold at the top of the card and fed thru my ribbon - finished with a double bow.  As always, I used up my scraps of DP on the inside.  (My way of preventing a build-up of papers on my desk that I can't bear to throw away!)

If your mojo is not kicking into gear - click on the Craft Your Passion DESIGN TEAM to see their wonderful inspiration.  Oh, and how about a "Thank you comment" for their "Thank yous" while you are there!  

This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Thru the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Old(Granma), New(digi), Borrowed, Blue(her outfit, phone & eye shadow)
Crafty Ribbon #52 - Anything Goes with Ribbon
613 Ave C #28 - Anything Goes
OSAAT #172 - Use a Digi
Sentimental Sunday #163 - You've Been Framed
SUPPLIES
IMAGES:  The focal image is "Coffee Grandma" by Digi Darla; sentiment is from Stampendous.
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is from stash; base CS is Georgia Pacific
EMBELLISHMENTS: ribbon from stash; Candi for the four corners have been colored with Copics; frame around the focal image is hand drawn.
INKS:  the image was printed on 
Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:



May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!
~ginny 

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

In only TWO words...


I am absolutely delighted out of my skull to announce 
that this will be my first post for the Aud Sentiments Design Team!  
I am one lucky girl to be able to play with this group of very talented paper artists.

My first challenge is for a "Two Word" sentiment - and you are encouraged to be creative beyond the basic "Happy Birthday" that comes so easily to mind.  We are now in the second and final week of the fortnight challenge which will end Tuesday, July 16.  It is such an easy challenge, I encourage you to whip something up - even as many as 5 entries - and get them in the draw for a prize from our sponsor Bugaboo

TECHNIQUE:
I chose this image digi called "Brat Cupcake Cart" provided by our sponsor - and I printed out three copies so I could do some paper sculpture with him.  The background DP from Basic Grey's "Soleil" collection was chosen next so that I could determine my colors.  I tore an end off and taped both pieces to my base CS.  The images were then colored with Copics (oh how I love those pens!), fussy cut the appropriate pieces & colored all the edges with a dark color.  Finally I sculpted them from the back and mounted each piece with foam tape and glue (some edges of some pieces need to be stuck flat on the image to enhance the sculpted look - such as the bottom of the cupcake.)  The balloon and the cherries have had Diamond Glaze applied.  The corners of the focal image panel & mat were punched with a "Ticket Stub" Corner Chomper.  I pierced the edge with a piercing tool and then stitched it using bookbinders' Waxed Linen.  The sentiment was punched and matted and put on foam tape for dimension.  My final detail was the Candi - colored with my Copics and attached to three corners of the image.
Below you can see a peek at the inside in which I am able to use up the leftover pieces of DP.


This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Totally Papercrafts - Let's Hear it for the Boys
613 Ave C #27 - Anything Goes
Pile it On #27 - Food
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Old (very old rubber stamp sentiment), New (new digi for me), Blue (his pants)



SUPPLIES
IMAGES:  The focal image is "Brat Cupcake Cart" by Bugaboo; sentiment is a very old stamp from Azadi Earles.
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is from Basic Grey's "Soleil" collection; base CS is stash.
EMBELLISHMENTS: "Candi" was colored with Copics to match the DP; Diamond Glaze was used on the balloon and the cherries; waxed linen book binding thread was used in the stitching; a Making Memories Corner Chomper was used to punch the "Ticket Stub" corners.
INKS:  the image was printed out three times on a Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:







May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny

Monday, July 8, 2013

Patchwork Farmland...

A couple of months ago I was flying over Iowa and loving the beauty of the patchwork fields.  The colors, different shades of greens and browns, are so incredibly beautiful!   
So when Craft Your Passion wanted a "Patchwork background" for this Monday's challenge - that is what came to mind.
TECHNIQUE
Started with a white base card and used Distress Ink to color the edges.  Another panel was cut to support the fields of patchwork.  From my scrap pile I rescued coordinating green papers large enough to make the strip I needed.  I glued down the edge of four strips to the base panel and then wove the other strips in at a right degree angle.  Once the strips were taped together, the new patchwork panel was cut down to a size somewhat smaller than A2 and attached to the base card.
The cottage and the mouse images were colored with Copics & fussy cut.  I used two mouse images & sculpted them, layering a 2nd head and hat on the first.  the mouse and the sentiment were mounted on foam tape for dimension.  The flowers and cows were created using punches.  Specific supplies used are listed below.
The rest of the CYP Design Team has many more delightful samples of patchwork used in their artwork (HERE).  Get your version in by Sunday July 14 and try for the prize from our Sponsors!


This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (+ animal =cows!)
Thru the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Totally Papercrafts - Let's hear it for the Boys
613 Ave. C #27 - Anything Goes

SUPPLIES:
IMAGES:  The cottage is "Fairy Tale Cottage" by The Sugar Kissed Cottage; "Hello" is an SU stamp; the mouse is "Mouse Country" from Simple Pleasures
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the images; DP is from the scrap pile; base CS is Georgia Pacific
EMBELLISHMENTS: Cows and flowers are from very old small punches
INKS: Distress Inks were used to create the faux frame; the digi was printed on a Canon PIXMA printer and the mouse was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black.  Both were colored with Copics:


May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny

Monday, July 1, 2013

Good ole' Red, White and Blue...

I found a spool of this wire edged  ribbon and had to grab it for my 4th of July cards... and then a flag waving girl from Just Some Lines that fits perfectly.

This will be my inspiration card for Monday's new challenge at Craft Your Passion - "Red, White & Blue".   Get your take on the theme in no later than Sunday, July 7... and to get some great ideas, go check out the versions of the CYP Design Team!




TECHNIQUE:
I trimmed a blue panel for both the inside and front of the card.  This allowed me to wrap the wire edged ribbon around the panel and fasten with tape on the back before mounting on the front.  The image was printed out twice and colored with Copics - one copy was punched out with the scalloped circle and the 2nd was cut into pieces to sculpt and layer on the base piece.  the head, shirt and flag are elevated on foam tape to create dimension.  Edges of the scalloped circle were inked with Distress Inks and two brads anchor it thru the ribbon and to the blue panel.
The inside panel has been stamped with stars using clear ink and then embossed with clear EP.  (TIP: For those of you who haven't tried this old technique... this is an easy way to make a background - the clear ink and clear embossing powder leaves a mark that is just a shade darker than the background CS.  A handy tool when you can't find matching papers.)

This card should be eligible for the following
CHALLENGES:
2 Sisters #150 - Stripes
Thru the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
PaperTake Weekly - Sketch
Simon Says  - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #50 - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Paper Shelter #118 - Buttons or Brads
Sisterhood of Crafters - Stars and Stripes
Sentimental Sunday #161 - All things Digital WON
613 Ave C #26 - Natl. Colors
One Step at a Time #170 - Anything Goes
Pile it On #26 - Bling
Beyond Grey - Anything Goes + Photo Inspiration (Red, White & Blue)
Just Some Lines - Anything Goes with a JSL image

SUPPLIES:
IMAGES:  The focal image is from Just Some Lines"Believe" is a self inking "Mini Word"; "Just Because" is from Hanko
PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image;  base CS is Georgia Pacific; blue CS is stash.
EMBELLISHMENTS: Wire edged "flag"Ribbon is from Michaels; brads are from stash; scalloped circle is a Marvy punch.
INKS: "Stormy Sky" Distress Ink was used to edge the scalloped circle; the image was printed on a Canon PIXMA printer & colored with Copics:
May you color with abandon, create wildly and always make what amuses you!

~ginny