Thursday, December 30, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 63



Welcoming the New Year!


The challenge at Mo's this week is "Bless the Beasts and Children". We were to use images of children and animals in our projects. This was an easy one as Mo has so many cute images of children with animals of all kinds! You could also merge images.




I've used the image of Bella and Bronte as babies. Aren't they cute?!
This post is short and sweet as I'm really late finishing this card. I've been on school vacation for the holidays and really haven't felt much like coloring. I think something must be wrong with me! My Muse has deserted me, and I'm just not motivated at all. I'd better get going soon because I need to make a lot of cards! My stock is very low, and my customers are asking for more birthday, get well, and sympathy cards. 


Tools: Copics, Gold  and Silver Spica pens, Cuttlebug with Embossing folder and Swirl die from Marianne, Slice, Martha Stewart Branch punch, Sewing machine, Glue dots

Papers: SU! Summer Sun, Glorious Green, Neenah smooth white, Gold metallic,  Dotted DP

Embellishments: Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts


Here's another card using the same image.



Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug with Circle and  Lacey Circle Nesties, Star punch, Slice, Spica pens

Papers: SU! Real Red, Pacific Point Blue, Barely Banana CS, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey DP, Gold metallic CS

Embellishments: Rhinestone brad, Prima flower, Gold metallic ribbon

Have fun and join us in Mo's Challenge this week for a chance to win an image from Mo!

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!



My Very Last Christmas Card for 2010!




I realized that I had one more card to make this year. I had made pouch boxes to put money gifts in, but came up one short. I had this adorable little bear all colored up, so I've used him instead of making another pouch.
This is one of Rick Dennis's wonderful little bears. He has such a sweet face and so much personality. Rick does adorable bunnies and other animals, too. You'll see more of them in the spring! 
Rick is looking for more members for his design team. (I'm already a member.)  It's a six month commitment with only one project required per month. Check out his blog for more information if you're interested. Also check out his Etsy shop to see more of his images.

Images: Bear by Rick St Dennis, Holly branches for DZ Doodles
Sentiment from Ladybug and Friends

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Nesties, MS Branch and Snowflake punches, Nellie Snellen Embossing leaf punch set, Crystal Effects, Line tape, Glue dots

Papers: SU! Real Red and Confetti CS, Neenah smooth white, Green gingham DP, Doily, Gold metallic CS

Embellishments: Red pearl cabochons, Red roses from Wild Orchid Crafts

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Happy New Year!
Elaine

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 62



Fantasy!



This week's theme is Fantasy/ Fairy Tales. I've used one of Mo's plump, womanly fairies,"Fairy 3".
I love this image! I always imagine she must be saying, "Do these wings make my butt look big?"!
I'm really not too happy with the way I've colored her, but, with all the holiday preparations, I just didn't have time to make another card. I do like the colors, though! I think blue and yellow are always cheerful.

Image: "Fairy 3" from Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, Gold and Clear Spica pens, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch, Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set, Mounting tape, Glue dots

Papers: SU! Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Brocade Blue, Garden Green, Neenah smooth white, Martha Stewart DP

Embellishments: Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Satin Ribbon, Wing Charm, Pearl cabochons


We'd love to see some of your "fantastic" work! Make something wonderful with one of Mo's great images and enter the challenge for a chance to win!

Thanks for dropping by!
Elaine

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Joy and Sorrow


The other day I had to make two cards for two very different reasons. I was asked by co-workers to make a wedding card and a sympathy card.  While I was making those, I decided to make a baby card, so I guess I covered all the bases.

 Oh, Baby!

This card uses Mo's new "Baby Girl" with wispy hair. She Also comes with curly hair or bald.
I cropped a digital sentiment and rearranged the words so that it would read "lovely little blessing".




Image: "Baby Girl" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from Tameko

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Corner rounder, Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set, Mounting tape, Glue dots

Papers: Neenah smooth white, PTI White, Pink gingham DP

Embellishments: Picot satin ribbon, Silk flower, Pink pearl cabochons, Gathered lace trim

In Sympathy

I never seem to have enough sympathy cards on hand, because, given the choice, I'd much rather make cards for birthdays or other happy reasons. Unfortunately, death is part of life, so every once in a while I'll sit down and make a few. 



This one uses a gladiola image I got or free somewhere. I wish artists would put a small signature on their images or name the files in some way that would make it easier to give credit! 
I love glads! They are my birth month flower and they last so long as cut flowers. They also come in almost every color of the rainbow!

Image: Digital Gladiolas

Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Mounting tape

Papers: SU! Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey Capella DP

Embellishments: Lace, Satin Ribbon, Pearl cabochons


Oh, Happy Day!

This is so pretty IRL, but appears a little washed out in the picture. The digital image is Mo Manning's "Bride and Groom".  It's a great image and surprisingly easy to color. I've used my favorite "Out-of-the-Box" technique to highlight her train.


Image: "Bride and Groom" from Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Nesties., Mounting tape, Martha Stewart Leaf, Branch, and  wide lace punches

Papers: SU! Blush Blossom and Certainly Celery, PTI Cream, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey Capella DP

Embellishments: Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Satin Ribbon, Pearl cabochons

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Mo'sChallenge # 61



Winter's Coming!

Winter Wonderland  is the theme for Mo's Challenge this week! We haven't had more than a few flurries so far here in Central  New Hampshire, but I know it's coming! England has been blanketed already, and the snow is several feet deep in California's Sierra Nevada range,so I guess we've been lucky so far.
 My husband took up skiing two years ago, at the age of 67, and he's looking forward to the first major snow of the winter so that he can hit the slopes again. Our youngest son and our grandchildren all ski or snowboard, too.  I can look forward to time alone to color when they all head north!




I used Mo's "Snowman" as my image. There are so many snowman images and stamps out there, but he's one of my favorites! I put him 'inside' a snow globe by merging the two images. (I have no idea where I got the globe even after an extensive web search! If it looks familiar to you, please let me know.).
I covered the globe with VersaMark, sprinkled it with clear embossing powder, and used my heat gun on it. I did it twice to get a smooth finish. By happy accident, there were a few grains of white detail powder mixed in with my last bit of clear powder, so it came out looking like tiny snow flakes all over the image. I don't know how it happened, but I think it looks great!

Images: "Snowman"from Mo's Digital Pencil, Unknown snow globe, Digital sentiment from Lady Bug and Friends. 

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Quickcutz swirl die, Circle punches, Martha Stewart Branch and Snowflake border punch, Nellie Snellen Embossing leaf punch set, mounting tape, Clear embossing powder, VersaMark pad.
Papers: SU!  Sage Shadow and Garden Green, PTI Vanilla, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey DP.

So, get all warm and cozy and create your own Winter Wonderland using one of Mo's images for a chance to win in Mo's Challenge this week.



Primitive Style



Here's a Christmas card with a primitive look. I think this style is so far out that it's coming back in again! This is a free image from Cheryl Seslar. (I can't, for the life of me, find the site again) There were many images of this type....Raggedy dolls, Santas, angels, etc. The word 'chimney' on the image was incorrectly spelled 'chimeny'.... probably on purpose.... but I couldn't use it that way, so I brought it into my PrintMaster  program and fixed it. 
I aged the edges of the image panel by using the direct-to-paper method, rubbing a Caramel ink pad around the edges, then used a small spotted stamp and the same ink to create the look of age spots on the paper.

Image: primitive stocking by Cheryl Seslar, SU! Itty Bitty Backrounds

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Corner rounder, SU! Creamy Caramel ink pad

Papers: SU! Old Olive and Marigold Morning, Neenah smooth white, Chatterbox DP

Embellishments: Crocheted flower, Buttons, Natural hemp, Ribbon scraps


Thanks for dropping by!
Elaine

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Mo's Challenge #60!

Royal Flush!

Our challenge this week is to use "Glitz and Glitter". I chose to use Mo's great image,  "Queen of Hearts" from her Alice in Wonderland series. This old battle-axe is large and in charge!
 



The glitz comes from the gold metallic swirls, and the glitter, though not really visible in the photo, is from black and gold Spica pens, that give it just a hint of shine. I hope to get a better picture if the sun ever shines around here again!

Inside it says, "Not another birthday! Guess you'll just have to 'deal' with  it!"

Images: "Queen of Hearts" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Read and black Spica pens, Cuttlebug with Quickcutz swirl die, SU! Oval punch, Martha Stewart Heart border punch

Papers: SU! Real Red, and Basic Black, Neenah smooth white, Gold Metallic CS

Embellishments: Mini playing cards, Gold brad

So get fancy, and show us all your finery! 
Enter Mo's Challenge for a chance to win an image from Mo



Another "Queen of Hearts"



This card uses an image from another great digital artist, Rick St. Dennis. I made the card for him to feature on his blog promoting the Operation Write Home blog hop. At this time OWH is looking for Valentine's Day cards, hence the very early Valentine theme! The cards are sent in bulk to overseas bases so that the soldiers can choose one to send home to loved ones. Check them out...it's a wonderful organization.

Rick is in the process of getting together a design team to help promote his digital designs. I think his images are adorable and have made several cards with them. He's chosen me as a member of his DT and is looking to add a few  more designers. Check out his blog for more information. He also has a line of rubber stamps made by I Brake for Stamps.

 Image: "Queen of Hearts"  from Rick St. Dennis
  Tools: Copics, MS Border punch, SU! Heart punches, Cuttlebug with Creative Craft embossing folder,  Gold metallic pen, White gel pen

 Paper:  DP by Paper Pizazz, SU! Real Red CS, Neenah smooth white CS

 Embellishments: Pearl hearts and hat pin, beads and pearls, Satin Ribbon

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 59



My Head's in a Swirl!



I'm so late getting this post up that it's almost time for the next one! Thanksgiving Day just seemed to consume me this year. We had fifteen  people here on Wednesday night to have pizza and make our traditional 'apple turkeys'. This is something that started when our 36 year old son made them at school when he was in second grade. They are made out of a Red Delicious apple, cranberries, raisins, and marshmallows, all held together with toothpicks. They're really cute and some are used to decorate the table on the holiday. The kids have fun trying to outdo each other with their masterpieces!

We had a crowd of fourteen on the day itself. It was a wonderful time filled with laughter and too much food.  We had two turkeys, one roasted and one fried, all the usual trimmings, and I made seven homemade pies to top off the meal!

The challenge this week was to use swirls or flourishes on our projects
I don't do 'fancy' well, so this was a real challenge for me.
I always seem to go a bit overboard, and things never look quite right to me.

After I had photographed this card, I removed the star charm, and wished that I hadn't put a bow on it. I think it's a bit 'busy' for my taste, although it has grown on me. I think things always look better when some time has passed, and you can look at it more objectively.

This is one of my favorites of all of Mo's Christmas images. It's called "Boughs for the Wreath". I cut the oval using the "out-of-the-box" technique so that the little guy would be the focus. I love the way he's looking back over his shoulder, don't you?

Images: "Bringing Home the Boughs" From Mo's Digital Pencil, Digital Sentiment from Ladybug and Friends.

Tools: Copic Markers, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, Quickcutz Swirl die, Cuttlebug with Nestabilities, SU! Oval punch.

Papers:  SU! Soft Sage and Riding Hood Red, Neenah smooth white, Metallic gold CS, Basic Grey DP.

Embellishments: Grosgrain ribbon, Natural cotton lace, Star charm,  Frosted Lace Stickles.

I hope you'll join us  week and use a bit of flourish or swirl on your project!




Here's another Christmas card using Mo's "Not Even a Mouse" .  Isn't this the sweetest image?
 I've had it for over a year, and this is the first time I've gotten around to coloring it.

I used the Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Snowflake punches under the image panel. The sizes they recommend just didn't work for this card, so I started out with the 5" square, punched it out,  then cut and over-lapped it, covering the joint with satin ribbon. I love using the little punched out snowflakes as embellishments.

I also love making these poinsettias with the embossing leaf punch set from Nellie Snellen. They are quick and inexpensive to make and really add a lot to a card. I just punch a tiny circle and glue the leaves down on it, over-lapping some, then glue some green leaves in back. I finish them off by either punching a small hole and threading the stems of paper stamens through to the back, or using a small punched flower and pearl or gold cabochon for the centers, as I did with these.

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Mo's Challenge #58

  

Punch it!

The challenge this week is to use three punches on your creation. This wasn't a difficult one for me...I think I have at least a gazillion punches! I really am obsessed with them!


I'm sorry if this picture's a bit washed out. I didn't get this card done until after sundown tonight and had to use a flash instead of the natural light that I prefer. 

 I used "Employee # 3355" from Mo's set of two adorable little Christmas elves. I had to have this set as soon as I saw it (but then,  I 'have to have' all of Mo's images!). They have such personality and are such fun to color!
I used Nellie Snellen's  embossing leaf set to make the poinsettias. The leaves were glued on to a small circle of CS and finished with paper stamens


Images: "Employee # 3355" from Mo's Digital Pencil , Digital  "Merry Christmas" (unknown)

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, MS Branch and Snowflake punches, Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set, Glue Dots

Papers: SU! Real Red, Garden Green, Green Galore, and Certainly Celery CS, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey "Jovial" DP

Embellishments: Gold and Pearl cabochons, Paper stamens, Natural cotton lace

The Three Bears at Christmas


Here's another card using the same poinsettias. The sweet bears are a free digital from Cuddly Buddly. They were easy to color. I think multiples of this card would be a snap to make, although I only make a card once.  Mass-producing would bore me to death!

Images: Bears from Cuddly Buddly,  Free digital sentiment from Zany Not Crazy
Tools: Copics, White gel pen , Gold metallic pen, Nellie Snellen Leaf set

Paper: SU! Real Red, Glorious Green, Garden Green CS, Neenah smooth white, Paper Pizazz  DP

Embellishments: Red pearl cabochons, Paper stamens


Let's see how well you can punch! We want to be "knocked out" by your beautiful creations using three punches and one of Mo's  great images!

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine

Monday, November 15, 2010

More Christmas Cards!



Never Enough!

All my Christmas cards are one-of-a-kind, so it takes me forever to get enough done to send to distant family and friends. Add to that the fact that my DIL has asked for some to sell in her store, and I don't think I'll ever be finished!


A Memorable Visit with Santa!




I think a lot of us with small children or grand-kids can relate to this scene! Most kids love the idea of visiting Santa, until they are face to face....then the crying begins!

I love this adorable image. It certainly tells a story!  It was so much fun to color, too,  but a bit time consuming with all the little details.


Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, Circle punches, MS Snowflake chain punch,  Frosted Lace Stickles

Paper: SU!Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Bazzill textured brown, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey "Jovial" DP

Embellishments: Recycled  Red satin bow (My three grandchildren saved the bows that were on big lollipops they got because, "Mimi can use them on her cards.")

Red Poinsettia



This pretty flower and greeting are two of several digital Christmas images and sentiments offered free from Ladybug.
It was a joy to color, and I love the way it turned out.
Black isn't a color I would usually use for Christmas, but the new Basic Grey "Jovial" collection is 
so beautiful! In fact, the design with the black ground is my favorite!

Images: Image and Sentiment from Ladybug and Friends

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, MS Zig-Zag border punch, Quickcutz swirl die


Papers: SU! Basic Black, Ruby Red, Old Olive CS,  Metallic gold CS, Basic Grey "Jovial" DP

Embellishments: Rhinestones, Stitched grosgrain ribbon

Glad you stopped by!
Elaine

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 57

  

I Can See Right Through You!

The challenge this week is to use acetate or vellum on your project or card.  I haven't used either in quite some time, but I remembered loving  flowers I once made using vellum and white embossing powder. 



I used  "Kai in a Tub" for my image...such a happy little baby! I used little pearl cabochons in three different sizes for the bubbles.
The flowers and leaves were made using rubber stamps. They were stamped on vellum card stock with VersaMark and sprinkled with white detail embossing powder. After carefully heating the powder (vellum can scorch easily!), I colored the back of each flower and leaf with Copics and cut them out. I used the yellow brads to attach the flowers and Glue Dots to adhere the leaves.
The embossing folder is one of three pretty Craft Concepts designs that I ordered from Cuddly Buddly

I really like how this turned out!

Images: "Kai in a Tub" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Large flower by Stampendous, Small flower from SU! set "Natural Beauty"
Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug with Embossing folder, Corner rounder, Mounting tape, Glue Dots

Paper: SU! Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink, Vellum CS, Neenah smooth white, PTI white

Embellishments: Brads, Pearl cabochons

So get out your acetate or vellum and make something wonderful for Mo's Challenge using an image from Mo's Digital Pencil. We can't wait to see what you make!

Thanks for dropping by!
Elaine




Thursday, November 4, 2010

Mo's Challenge #56

Pockets!

This week the challenge is "Pockets"....to be interpreted any way you choose.
I was going to do a real pocket card, but instead I've taken the easy way out...these two both have pockets in their pants! 
Yeah, it's lame, I know!


Actually, the zig-zag border is a shallow pocket which I intended for a sentiment tag, but I couldn't get it to look right and just  abandoned the idea.  

This is an engagement card for our youngest son, who has finally found the woman he wants to spend his life with.  He's 32 and has been looking to settle down for several years...just couldn't find the "one"..... until now!



This was taken by one of his buddies just as he was asking her to marry him. They are on the summit of  Mt Morgan in the Ashland Wilderness of New Hampshire, overlooking Squam Lake, which was the location for the filming of On Golden Pond.. They had spent the day hiking and enjoying the scenery...she had no idea that the whole day was planned around this moment!
Isn't it wonderful that they'll have this gorgeous picture to look back on for years to come?!

Now, about the card.....

Images: "Just a Knot" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Rainbow Trout from The Happy Stamper,
Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, MS Ziz-zag border punch, Circle punches, Mounting tape, Sewing machine

Papers: SU! More Mustard, Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery, unknown Maroon, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey Pyrus DP

Now let's see how you'll interpret this challenge! Make something wonderful using one of Mo's images and enter Mo's Challenge for a chance to win!

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Mo's Challenge #55




Pick a Season!


The challenge Dawn has for us this month is to use one of Mo's images to make a card or project that reflects one of the four seasons. With summer and half of autumn behind us and the rest of autumn and the long winter still ahead of us, I chose spring. 




I've used Mo's fantastic image of the Mad Hatter from her Alice in Wonderland series. Isn't he fun?!
I just love the look of movement and all his zaniness. ( Is that a word? LOL!)

I've heard that the term "as mad as a hatter" came into use because hatters used mercury to cure the pelts used to make hats, and inhaling the fumes over the years caused neurological damage resulting in confusion and 'madness'.

The inside of this card will say, " A Very Merry Un-birthday to You!".  I'll probably send it to my younger sister, because I never manage to get a birthday card off to her when it is her birthday!
The left hand inside will have the Mad Hatter quote, " No wonder you're late. Why this watch is exactly two days too slow."


Image: Mad Hatter from Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor Pencils, White gel pen, Gold metallic pen, MS Checkerboard border punch, Mounting Tape, Circle Punch, Nellie Snellen Embossing Leaf punch set

Papers: SU! Melon Mambo, Barely Banana, Gable Green, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey DP

Embellishments: Coiled flowers, Gathered gingham ribbon (Reasonable Ribbon), Pearl heart cabochons, Pearl heart hat pin (Wild Orchid Crafts)



So, pick your favorite season and your favorite Mo image and join us in Mo's Challenge for a chance to win a wonderful image from Mo's Digital Pencil!

Thanks for dropping by!
Elaine

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 54



Mother Earth
Our hostess for the month of October, Dawn, has asked us to use earth tones on our projects for this challenge. This is right up my alley...I love the earthy, warm colors, and they're perfect for the Thanksgiving cards I still need to make!



I love Mo's scarecrow from her Wizard of Oz series! He's just the happiest, goofiest guy and wonderful  for fall cards.
In a departure from my usual habit, I colored him first, then found that the Pyrus papers from Basic Grey were a great complement to him. That collection is beautiful, and I could have used any one of them for this card...I had a difficult time choosing!

Images: Scarecrow from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from SU!

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, Cuttlebug with Nesties (Scalloped Oval, Plain Oval, Sunflower)  Quickcutz Swirls, and MFT Die-namics Button Quartet , Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set,  Mounting Tape

Paper: SU! More Mustard, Really Rust, Old Olive, Garden Green, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey Pyrus and Origins DP

Embellishments:  Natural Hemp, Pearl cabochons

This one should be easy! So make something wonderful in earthy colors using one of Mo's fabulous images and join the fun at Mo's Challenge Blog!  
We'll be waiting!

Thanks for visiting,
Elaine


Thursday, October 14, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 53


A New Start

"Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it."
Anne Shirley





A Simple Sketch

Dawn is our hostess for this week in Mo's Challenge Blog, and she has this wonderful and versatile sketch for us to use.
 



I chose the image "Prince Edward Island"  for this card. It's Mo's version of the literary character, Anne Shirley, from Ann of Green Gables

I loved coloring this image, especially her old-fashioned carpet satchel! You can really go wild with color on those, although I chose a more muted palette this time.
The flowers in the foreground are the last of the black-eyed Susans and zinnias from the yard. There's not much left blooming after a few cold nights.

 I just got the new 6" x 6" pads from Basic Grey: Jovial and Pyrus. You must know by now that I have an affinity for BG papers, but these two are just the prettiest collections ever! Usually there are a couple of designs in a pad that I just have trouble warming to, but I love every one of these papers!
I've used a design from the Pyrus collection on this card. To me, it looks like a wallpaper you might find in an old Cape-style house On P.E.I.


Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with narrow embossing folder and Nesties Sunflower dies, Sponge daubers, Distressing tool, Dimensional dot, Glue Dots

Papers: SU! More Mustard, Really Rust, Summer Sun, Certainly Celery, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey Pyrus DP

Have fun with the sketch and enter your creation in Mo's Challenge for a chance to win an image from Mo!

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine

Monday, October 11, 2010

We Have a Winner!

And the winner is...... 
# 28, Mervi!

Thanks to all who took the time to comment and help us celebrate the one year anniversary of Mo's Challenge Blog! I hope you've all had as much fun as I have had with Mo's sweet images over the past year. She's always coming up with something new and wonderful!

Please continue to play along. We have lots more interesting challenges in store for the coming months.

Thanks for stopping in!
Elaine

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Two Cards....Two Looks

Scroll down for the Rainbow Challenge!

Autumn in Provence


I love this image! Her dark, curly hair reminds me of our daughter's when she lets it grow long. Everyone else has always said how much they envy her gorgeous mane, but she always hated it when she was younger. Now she knows how to deal with it and somewhat tame her abundant curls.
This little girl makes me think of the French countryside. This time I actually colored the image before going through my DP and was pleasantly surprised to find this perfect Basic Grey paper. I think it's from their Marrakesh line.

Images: Sadie with Apples from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with embossing folder, Martha Stewart Cosmo punch, SU! Oval and Label punches, Nellie Snellen Embossing Leaf punch set, Slice with Vintage Findings design card,  Mounting tape, Glue Dots, Distressing tool

Papers: SU! Wild Wasabi, More Mustard, Really Rust, Garden Green, Basic Grey Marrakesh DP, Neenah smooth white

Embellishments, Corduroy button brads, Pearl cabochons, Fringe trim


In the Arms of an Angel


I was thrilled to see this image when Mo first came out with it. People were always asking for pet sympathy cards, and I never found any images that I thought were really right. I think this one is just perfect! 
There are four different versions....two with long hair; this one holding a kitten and another holding a puppy., and two curly-haired angels with a puppy and a kitten. All of them are just as sweet!

Images: Angel from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment stamp from SU!

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Nesties, CM Oval-cutting system, Mounting tape, SU! Bashful Blue ink pad,  Dauber

Papers: SU! Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery CS, Martha Stewart DP, Neenah smooth white

Embellishments:  Satin ribbon, Pearl strands, Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and Paper doilies (both daubed with Bashful Blue ink)

Thanks for dropping in for a visit!
Elaine

Friday, October 8, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!



I've been making Thanksgiving cards to send to our distant relatives this year. I found a  digital artist named Rick St. Dennis who has some really cute, unusual images. All the designs in these four cards are from his Thanksgiving sheet. 

The Pie Baker


 What's your favorite pie! I love them all! I make six different kinds for Thanksgiving...all with homemade crusts. Yum!
I was going to color this little lady's dress gray, but remembered from our trips to Massachusetts'  Plimouth Plantation living museum (Yes, it's spelled with an 'i'!) that the pilgrims wore bright colors...it was the Puritans who dressed so drably.

Images: Pilgrim from Rick St. Dennis, Computer-generated sentiment
  
Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Martha Stewart Branch border punch, Nellie Snellen flower and leaf embossing punch sets, SU! Oval punch, Mounting tape, Glue Dots

Paper: SU! Sage Shadow, River Rock, Blush Blossom, Vanilla, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey Capella DP

Embellishments: Grosgrain ribbon, Brads (colored with Copic marker)

Thanksgiving Bounty

I loved coloring this classic cornucopia! My husband fills one every year as a decoration for the sill of our dining room bay window. The grand-kids can hardly wait to tear into it when the meal is over!



 Images: Greeting and Cornucopia from Rick St. Dennis

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Distressing tool, Martha Stewart Zig-Zag border punch

Paper: SU! Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Bazzill Textured Toffee, Neenah smooth white CS

Embellishments: Ribbon Slide, Grosgrain ribbon, Natural hemp

Native Wampanoag Mother



 I love her fringed doe skin dress! This card was fun to make because I love all the autumn colors. The leaves here in New Hampshire weren't very bright this fall due to the unusually hot, dry summer we had, so I have to get my fix somehow!

Images: Native American from Rick St. Dennis, Computer-generated sentiment (hiding behind the miniature vine wreath)

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Leaf dies and Nesties, Martha Stewart Branch border punch.

Papers: SU! More Mustard, Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel,  Bazzill textured Toffee, Neenah smooth white CS

Embellishments: Buttons, Linen Thread

Apples for Sale



Apples are such an iconic fruit for this time of year! They're fun to color, too!
I used three layers of UTEE on this image and cracked the glaze a bit near the sentiment.

Images: Apple Bucket and Sentiment from Rick St. Dennis

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Nesties,Martha Stewart Checkerboard border punch, Nellie Snellin Embossing Leaf and Flower punch sets, Corner rounder, mounting Tape, Glue Dots, UTEE, VersaMark stamp pad

Papers: SU! Real Red and Old Olive, Bazzill textured Toffee, Neenah smooth white CS, Green gingham DP

Embellishments: Prima flowers ( red colored with Copic marker), Brads

Check out Rick's Etsy store for more cute images!

Thanks for stopping for a visit!
Elaine

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 52

And the winner is...... 
# 28, Mervi!

Thanks to all who took the time to comment and help us celebrate the one year anniversary of Mo's Challenge Blog! I hope you've all had as much fun as I have had with Mo's sweet images over the past year. She's always coming up with  new and wonderful!
Please continue to play along. We have lots more interesting challenges in store for the coming months.

This week we are celebrating the one year anniversary of Mo's Challenge Blog! The theme for the week is

Colors of the Rainbow

Each of us was assigned a color to use in creating our project for  the Challenge.

If you've come from Peggy's blog and  her wonderful orange objet de' art, you're on the right track!

 My Piece of the Rainbow!



I got yellow! The first thing I did was to pull out every paper, ribbon, and embellishment I had in yellow. Then it was just a matter of finding which items blended well before assembling the card.
I think this is the first time I've ever made a card without using even one piece of SU! card stock! They really don't have much of a selection when it comes to yellow, although I haven't seen the new daffodil yet. I used several different shades of textured Bazzill paper, the lightest of which  is called "Pollen". 
The image is one of a set of five little fairies from Mo's Digital Pencil.  They are all in different poses and are all equally as sweet as this little one.
I love yellow, but when I went looking around the house for something to use as a prop while photographing this card, I  found that, aside from card-making supplies,  I don't own a single yellow item ! Very odd!
  
Images: Little Fairies from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from SU!

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Yellow stamp pad, White gel pen, Gold and Silver Spica pens, Cuttlebug with Nesties, SU! Oval punch, Martha Stewart Hydrangea and Branch punches, Mounting tape, Glue Dots, Tacky Tape

Papers: Bazzill Textured card stock in shades of yellow, Neenah smooth white

Embellishments: Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts (colored with Copic marker), Pearl cabochons, Narrow satin ribbon, Lace, Star charm

Enjoy the rest of the hop and try your hand at creating something using one of Mo's images in your favorite color of the rainbow!
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Leave a comment on my blog. I'll be choosing someone at random to win a free image from Mo's Digital Pencil!
You have until 12:00 PM  EST,  Sunday, October 10th, to leave me a comment to be entered to win the image.
Of course, you have until Wednesday to enter a rainbow card in Mo's Challenge Blog  for a chance to win an image there!
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Your next stop on the hop will be Paola and her gorgeous green creation!

Here's the list in case you lose your way!
Dawn red
Peggy orange
Elaine (me!) yellow
Paola green
Cathy blue
Sheila purple
Lisa indigo
Lydia violet
 Thanks for stopping by!
Elaine

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 51


Altered Coasters

This is Paola's last week as our hostess, and she asked for altered projects. I really had to rack my brain for this one! I couldn't get to town to buy anything to use, and then I remembered I had bought some square coasters quite some time ago...all I had to do was remember where I'd put them! After tearing things apart, I found them in a drawer right next to my work desk!



This is a little accordion photo album. I thought it would be fun for our granddaughter to use to put small school pictures in. There are eight pages for photos inside.


( I apologize.... these photos aren't the best quality. It's just been too gloomy here  recently to take photographs in natural light.)

The album  was made by cutting out ovals in two 4" square coasters, one for the front and one for the back. I covered both with the patterned paper, first marking the oval openings and snipping the insides, then gluing it to the coasters and folding and gluing the tabs to the inside. Next I glued the colored images in each of the openings. My next step was to adhere a length of grosgrain ribbon to the back of the front coaster, making sure to leave the left hand tail longer than the right, and then glue another uncut coaster to cover all the 'ugly'!. I did the same to the back, but no ribbon this time.
I cut two pieces of craft card stock 11 1/2" x  3 3/4". These were scored every 3 3/4", folded, and the two middle panels were over-lapped and glued together. The end panels were then glued to the inside of both the front and back covers. I stamped a few swirls and appropriate words on each inside page. 
The front and back were decorated, and it was done!
This could be done using any theme. Wouldn't it make a great grandma brag book, or a small remembrance for a special occasion?!
Don't be afraid to ask any questions if I haven't made these directions clear enough!

Images: Trinity and Harvard from Mo's Digital Pencil

 Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Chipboard coasters, Glue Dots, Tacky Tape

Papers:  SU! Only Orange, Neena smooth white, Unknown plaid DP

Embellishments: Pearl cabochons, Copper metallic cord, Grosgrain ribbon, Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts


Enter your creation in Mo's Challenge for a chance to win one of Mo's  fantastic images!
I'm anxious to see what you all come up with!
So glad you stopped in!
Elaine

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Mo's Challenge #50



Bling's the Thing!

The challenge Paola has for us this week is to use anything that sparkles and shines! This is a stretch for me as I'm not one that goes for glitz and glitter. I don't even wear a wedding band! 
 It's just so messy, too! By the time I'm done, I sparkle more than the card!



I need more Christmas cards, so I used Mo's "Sika & Shiya" image and some non-traditional colors taken from the Basic Grey paper. I used some of the snowflakes that were punched out of the border design as decoration. The image was cut out using my favorite 'Out-of-the-Box' technique and raised up with mounting tape. I applied a bit of glitter along the label edges.
I've had this image for over a year, and I think this may be the first time I've used it! I think I'll make another card but do it in the usual reds and greens for a completely different look. 

Images: "Sika & Shiya" from Mo's Digital Pencil, SU! Sentiment (a very old set called "Great Greetings")

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Snowflake set, Cuttlebug with Nestie label, Mounting tape, Glue Dots, VersaMark ink, Silver EP, Heat gun

Paper: SU! Rose Red, Cool Caribbean, Neena smooth white, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses DP

Embellishments: Glitter, Silver ribbon, Tiny rhinestones, Rhinestone brad

So get out your glitziest stash and join us in Mo's Challenge this week for a chance to win a wonderful image from Mo! We're waiting!

Elaine

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sympathy Cards


Lovely Scenery


Unfortunately, it's a fact of life that we all have the need for sympathy cards on occasion. They are my least favorite cards to make, but I've found some pretty scenic images that I've really enjoyed coloring, and they make wonderful cards for expressing condolences.



This first card uses a beautiful free image from Digital Two for Tuesday. They have a lovely image of an old mill with a waterwheel as well.  I really love this homey scene! It's very versatile and could be used for other happier occasions, too. It would be perfect for Mother's Day, birthdays or for someone moving into a new home, to name a few.

Images: Scene from  Digital Two for Tuesday, Sentiment from Paper Garden Projects

Paper: SU! Blush Blossom , Sage Shadow,  Dusty Durango, Wlid Wasabi, Neena smooth white

 Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Martha Stewart border punch, Creative Menories oval-cutting system, Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set, Glue Dots

Embellishments: Prima Rose, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, Pearl  cabochons, Heart charm, Narrow satin ribbon
 



This pretty bridge scene is from Imag-e-nation. They have a few more scenic digital images that are equally as nice.
This card is going to a family friend who lost his father very recently.

Images: Scene from Imag-e-nation, SU! Canvas BG stamo, Sentiment from Paper Garden Project

Tools: Copics, White gel pen, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Spellbinder Large Label die and Quikcutz Swirl die, Mounting tape

Paper: SU! Going Gray and Buckaroo Blue card stock, Neena smooth white, Metallic gold CS

Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Pearl cabochons

I hope you don't have any sad occassions to use these images, but they would certainly do for happier times, too.

Thanks for dropping by!
Elaine

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Mo's Challenge #49


Bright White

Paola's challenge for us this week is a bright white card with a colored image. I chose to use "Clara", Mo's image of the little girl from the Nutcracker ballet. I think it will make a lovely Christmas card.
 


Images: "Clara" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from SU! Warm Words set

Papers: PTI and Neena white, Gold metalic

Tools: Cuttlebug with embossing folders and Nestie Snowflakes die, Martha Stewart Snowflake and Snowflake Border punches, SU! small oval punch, Mounting tape, Glue Dots, VersaMark ink, Gold embosssing powder

Embellishments: Lace from Wild Orchid Crafts, Satin Ribbon, Tiny pearl cabochons, Satin ribbon


Now it's your turn! Show us your white card or project and enter Mo's Challenge for a chance to win a great image from Mo!