WINNER: Love is in the Air...

Easy, but very different because of these great images from PSX of the Queen and King of Hearts.  They were stamped and cut out, colored with Copics.  The base CS was stamped with one of my favorite heart stamp images and embossed with clear EP - making a great textured background.

Finally red "Jewels" were added to the center of the flowers.

CHALLENGES:

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #101: "Be My Valentine"

Simon Says Challenge: "Love is in the Air"
Craft Your Passion Challenge #96: Anything Goes - no pattern paper WINNER!

IMAGES:  The focal images are from PSX and the sentiment from STAMP IN THE HAND

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: R22, 24, 27, 29, 39; W1, 3

Iris Folding Heart...

This Penny Black image is half of a set - this one called "Best Man".  The card design is a CASE of the card done by Debby on the Penny Black "CASE It Challenge".  My card will lend itself to Valentine's Day, Birthdays, Congratulations... and except for the effort put into the Iris Folding  could be classified as "Clean and Simple".  

The background panel has been Cuttlebugged, the Iris Fold Heart was made with a punch and DP with a shiny silver foil "Iris" and the Penny Black image colored with Copics.  A purple ribbon was added to pick up the colors in the heart and in his vest and bow tie.

CHALLENGES:

Penny Black Challenge #187: “CASE It" based on Debby's card

iCopic Weekly #68: “Heart Challenge”

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Penny Black

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is from Paper Studio’s “Back to Basics” collection, base CS is from my endless stash.

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

Forever Friends...

In a Blue mood I guess... two in a row at any rate.  I love this Teddy Bear with one eye hanging by a thread - and yet loved still!  Designer paper has a shimmery embossed design, image panel is edged with Distress Inks, a punched fence and flowers with glitter glue in the centers plus a ribbon are added for interest.

CHALLENGES:

Craft Your Passion Challenge #95: "Beary Sweet"

Sassy Cheryl's #100 Challenge: "Punch and Something Shimmery"
IMAGES:  The focal image is from Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamps;

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel;  DP is from DCWV Premium Stacks: "Tahiti Beach Stack"; base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: Ribbon from my stash; Punches are Martha Stewart

INKS: Edges are inked with Distress Ink: "Frayed Burlap", the image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics:

Whoops again...

Fun image to color!  This is "Whoops" from Sassy Cheryl's - useful for "Sorry's" to "Late for your Birthday" to "I've got a secret" to whatever!

Made with two designer papers on the base CS, focal image colored with Copics & framed with a black layer, punched flowers & black pearls added to embellish... done!  Easy Peasy!

CHALLENGES: Digital Tuesday's Challenge #145: "Red, White and Black"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Sassy Cheryl

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP Basic Grey’s “Little Black Dress” collection and The Paper Studio's "Back to Basics", base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The image is colored with Copics: 

Parrot Love...

To tie in with the "Red" theme I chose this DP from The Paper Studio.  Then to provide some white background to better show off the birds I took a small piece of left over CS, ran it thru the Cuttlebug, tied my red ribbon around it and layered it on the base card.  The birds and hearts were colored with Copics, cut out, sculpted from the back and then mounted with foam tape to give them dimension.

CHALLENGES:

iCopic Weekly Challenge #67: "Red Love"

Simon Says Challenge: "Animal Antics"

The Paper Shelter Challenge #49: "Love is in the Air"
CMC Color M Creative #36: "Colors of Love"

IMAGES:  The focal image is a digi from FreePrintables

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; The Paper Studio - "Back to Basics" collection; base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The image is colored with Copics: 

Dinosaur love...

Free Printables is a great resource for a thousand different needs from documents to free images.  Right now they are offering free Valentine images in color book format and free printable Valentines.  Actually everything there is free!  Check it out if you need a kid's Valentine digi like this Dinosaur.

Directions:  There is Basic Grey DP from the "Lauderdale" collection as a background layer, the image panel is colored with Copics and then I used two colors of Distress Inks to shade the background.  The button image is punched out and embroidery thread tied thru it and finally glitter glue added to the hearts for detail.

CHALLENGES: Free Printables Valentine's Day Contest

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Free Printables

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP Basic Grey’s “Lauderdale”, base CS is from my endless stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS: The button is punched with a Martha Stewart punch and clear Glitter Glue used on the hearts.

INKS: Tim Holtz Distress Inks for the background and the image is printed out & colored with Copics: 

Floral Time...

Penny Black retired image again... this one is sooo much fun to color!  The details of the layers of her clothes and then the stylized quilted flower in the background made this a little more time consuming.  First, the base CS is covered with "Newsprint" in a very light brown Distress Ink.

Gold details were added to the clock with glue and foil and a ribbon was added for texture.  The camera is not picking up the colors consistently - the ribbon actually matches the roses in her skirt.

CHALLENGES:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 186: Floral Frenzy

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Penny Black – retired image; background is stamped with “Newsprint” from Impression Obsession

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

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

Sassy Swirls...

TECHNIQUE:

This top fold base card was stamped with "Fancy Swirls" by Hero Arts .  The Sassy Cheryl Digi called "The Forgotten Gift" is a fun birthday image and easily colored with Copics.  Swirls were added to the corners of the image panel in a light blue ink to mimic the dark blue swirls of the background.  The image was then layered on dark blue and ribbon & pearls added for embellishments.

CHALLENGES: 

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #99: "Brown & Lt. Blue"

The Paper Shelter Challenge: "Pearls and Swirls"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamps; "Fancy Swirls" are from Hero Arts.

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

EMBELLISHMENTS: Ribbon from my stash, pearls are from Hero Arts.

INKS: Edges are inked with Distress Ink, the image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics:

Frosty greeting...

This card starts with the base A-2 card with a left side fold.  The front is then folded back to the left to meet the first fold/crease. DP has been punched with a lattice design along the edge and mounted on the inside and the 1/4 front of the base card.

The close-up here shows the background DP with lattice punch, the wonderful "Frosty Wind" image from Mo Manning and the detail of the snow and faux brads covered with shiny foil..  It's a really wonderfully detailed image that is fun to color and embellish.  The relationship with her little bird friend and her seed offering suggests a New Beginning.  The edges of the panels are distressed with Distress Inks.

The image panel is mounted on a background and then attached to that 1/4 portion of the front of the card. You can see the fold details in this next picture.

CHALLENGES: 

Simon Says: "Anything Goes"

Color Me Creative Copic Challenge #35: "Frosty, icy, cold projects"

Digital Tuesday Challenge #144:"A New Beginning"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Mo Manning

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP is Basic Grey, base CS is from my endless stash.
PUNCHES:  Martha Stewart's lattice punch and a ticket stub punch from "Making Memories" punch(?)

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: E50, 51, 53, R20, BG70, 72, 75, 78, G20, 21, 24, 29, E00, 01, 02, 13, 15, 18, C3

Winner! Playing Dress-up...

So Cool... I won the iCopic Weekly Challenge with this one!

Talk about some of my favorite things!  Love this retired Penny Black image I was able to locate, Copics, Distress Inks and using Duo Glue and foils with my Calligrapher Fine Liner to embellish!

 Using the Blue-Violets with moss green is pleasing to me.  I picked up the colors from the Basic Grey background.

The embellishments of the pearl jewelry and the heart pin on the bow don't show even in the close-up - but they are delightfully shiny with coordinating foils.  And finally the swirls on the corners of the image panel to frame the image.

CHALLENGES: 

Basic Grey Challenge #61: "Favorite Things"

iCopic Weekly Challenge #66: "BV Color Family" WINNER!
Everybody Art Challenge #177: "Swirls"
Penny Black Saturday Challenge: "Crafty Bargains"

IMAGES:  The focal image is retired from Penny Black

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel; DP Basic Grey’s “Oliver”, base CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: The edges of the image panel and the background paper are distressed with Distress Inks, the focal image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black  & colored with Copics:

WINNER! Queen of Hearts...

Two challenges caught my eye this week and inspired me to print out my Mo Manning "Queen of Hearts". 

First was a "Monochromatic" Sir Stampalot challenge (see details of challenges below) and I chose to color the Queen with reds, of course! Even her skin tones are shades from the same red color.(also detailed below) 

Second, Quietfire does a yearly "Queen of Hearts" Challenge... I think this works!

The background of the base card was stamped with one of my favorite heart stamps using clear ink and clear embossing powder to create shiny red on red texture.  The same heart stamped three times with red ink, clear embossed, cut out and then mounted on foam tape for dimension were added to the lower corner. The sentiment "Who Loves Ya?" was stamped and punched with a "File Tab" punch.  A red metallic ribbon and red studs were also added at this stage to reflect some of the focal image reds.

CHALLENGES: 

Quietfire - "Queen of Hearts" Challenge  WINNER! 

Sir Stampalot Challenge: "Monochromatic"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Mo Manning; heart is from Stamp in the Hand; "Who Loves Ya" sentiment is from Stamp Mania 1998; inside sentiment is from Inkadinkadoo - "Happy Valentine's Day" 

PAPER:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Wt. used for the image panel;  base CS is from my endless stash.
EMBELLISHMENTS: Hero Hues gems from Hero Arts; "File Tab" punch by McGill

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

Monkey Heart...

I love Mo Manning's images... have you guessed that yet??  This monkey is so versatile - I can add a heart, a sentiment, another image of any kind in his hand and it is easy and fun to to color with Copics.  I added the faux stitching (for the current challenge) which is a Tim Holtz stamp that might be staples(?) or even looks like Xs as in kisses in this context.  Specific sources are listed below.

A little bit of a close-up to show the Copic coloring for the fur, fabric, shading and the heart.

CHALLENGES: Mo's Challenge Blog: Challenge #118 - "Faux Stitching"

IMAGES:  The monkey focal image is from Mo Manning, the heart is a 1992 Stamp in the Hand and the faux stitches are from Stampers Anonymous.

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:

Train full of love...

Train stamped & colored with Copics, mounted on DP and a red panel - red brads holding the set together.  Top of the 2nd car was cut open with a craft knife and the bottom of the heart image was inserted & the top mounted on foam tape. Layered panels and a red ribbon with yellow polka dots adds a little texture and dimension.  Just a fun little Valentines Day card good for kids or men who are kids at heart!

CHALLENGES: Simon Says Stamping Challenge: "Spots &/or Stripes"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from ??

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

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics; Tim Holtz Distress Inks for distressing the panels.

On a simple Note...

A fast, clean and simple note card for whatever reason...  using scraps off the corner of my desk (where I shove all the left overs)!  The striped background is on CS that is smaller than an A2 size - but is perfect for a regular letter envelope.  The oval tag was stamped on a background made with Distress Ink refills dropped on a craft sheet.  Placing a scrap in the ink and moving it around a bit allows for some beautiful and colorful backgrounds.  "Just Saying Hello" is a separate stamp.  Finishing touches include Duo Glue & foil in the leaves of the flourish, a ribbon on the tag & distressing the edges of the card with some of the left over ink on the craft sheet.  Ever so frugal, eh?

CHALLENGES: Simon Says Stamp Challenge: "Spots &/or Stripes"

IMAGES:  The  background is "Large Canvas Stripes" by Hero Arts; the oval "Journaling Tag" by Stampology; the sentiment is "Saying Hello" by Hero Arts.

PAPER:   CS is from my endless stash.

INKS: Ranger / Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint & Tumbled Glass.  Images are stamped with Versamark black ink.

New Puppy...

Playing with scraps left on my desk again... 

TTT: Top Tip - I keep using the pieces till they are so small I don't freak at throwing them away. I use larger pieces for backgrounds either on the front or for a panel behind the message panel on the inside.  Smaller pieces are great for pennants, layers behind the sentiment, or even as texture pieces... see the long slender piece at the top of the front?  I mounted it on foam tape and layered it in a space that needed filler when the pennants were mounted too low.  Now it looks like the pennants are supported by this "beam".

The background and the pennants are from Basic Grey and the newsprint is a new stamp from Impression Obsession stamped on white scraps.  The pennants are floated on foam tape and attached to Baker's twine.  The focal image, "Bronte's Kisses" is from Mo Manning.  It has been printed on Neenah, colored with Copics, cut out, sculpted and floated on foam tape.

CHALLENGES:  
Mo's Challenge Blog #116: "Anything Goes"; 
Simon Says Challenge: "New Something";
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge #67 - "Anything Goes" and a TTT: Top Tip;
Bearly Mine Challange #26: anything Goes
Basic Grey Challenge #60: "Something New"

IMAGES:  The focal image is "Bronte's Kisses" from Mo Manning;  "Newsprint" is a new background stamp from Impression Obsession

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

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

Cream and Gold...

This is a a favorite Irish dancer from Mo Manning that I have colored to meet the gold, cream and white requirements for the CMC Challenge #33 and the Paper Shelter Chalenge #45.  Embellishments included details on the headband and dress done with Duo glue & gold foil, gold and cream ribbon threaded thru a strip punched with a Martha Stewart punch, and a punched flower from the same gold CS layered behind the image panel.  

A close up of the dress detail shows the sparkly gold foil. 

CHALLENGES: CMC Copic Challenge #33: "Holiday Joy - in golds, creams and white";  and The Paper Shelter Challenge #45: "Anything Goes"

IMAGES:  The focal image of the Little Irish Dancer is from Mo Manning

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: 

Squirrel's Winter gift...

Love the colors in this card - traditional Christmas colors, but with a twist.  Clean and simple - with only the Basic Grey DP background, a simple plaid ribbon and the focal image panel layered on red.

CHALLENGES:
Everybody Art Challenge # 174: “Snow”
Bearly Mine Challenge #26: "Anything Goes"

IMAGES:  The focal image is from Mo Manning

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

INKS: The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics: C1 & 3; R20, 24, 27 & 29; YG91, 93, 95 & 97; E35, 37, & 39; B0000.

Ornamental Mimi...

One last Christmas card... I liked this one.  The focal image was stamped and then masked, then the green pine sprigs were stamped "behind" the ornament with "Pine" Distress Inks as a base. The main image was colored with Copics, mounted on a dark green panel and then on the base card.  The sentiment was stamped, punched out and floated with foam tape at the bottom. Embellishments include the Martha Stewart punched "lace" on the left, a silver heart brad securing a loop of ribbon, Duo Glue/ foil on the stars and top on the ball and finally glitter glue was applied to the wings.

CHALLENGES: Simon Says Challenge: ”Anything goes”

IMAGES:  The focal image - "Ornamental Mimi" is from Hero Arts,  "Fresh Pine" stamp is from Posh Impressions

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

INKS: The focal image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black & colored with Copics, pine sprigs stamped with Distress Inks.

Urchin with Bird...

This Digi-image from Mo Manning called "Urchin with Bird" is a great NewYear's image I think.  Love the layers - definitely fun to color!  The white base card has a tri-fold and is covered with Basic Grey paper that was punched with the Martha Stewart trellis punch. Next added is the silver elastic ribbon on the front side panel.  The image is colored with Copics, the corners "Ticket Stub" punched, and that panel is mounted on a solid color panel that coordinates with the Basic Grey.  The embellishing bling consists of four faux brads made with Duo Glue and foil as were the snow flakes.  Below is the card opened so you can see the appearance with the side tri-fold and the lattice punch on the inside.

CHALLENGES: DP2 Challenge #114: “Punch 0r Dies”; Simon Says Challenge: ”Bingo Card” (with Multifold, Ribbon & Punches); iCopic Weekly Challenge #62: “New Year’s Bling”; Basic Grey Challenge #59: “Anything Goes”; Digital Tuesday Challenge #141: “Winter Wonderland”

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

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

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