Thursday, March 31, 2011

Mo's Challenge #76




Buttons and Bows

Pat is our hostess this month, and she has asked for projects that have at least one button and one bow. I think this is going to be an easy one for everybody!

 
I've used "Baby and Bunny".  I think this image is so adorable....just look at that cute little bum!
My DIL has asked for more baby cards to sell in her store, so I've been trying to keep her supplied. I love making baby cards, but I don't personally have much need for them, and the girls at school don't buy many either. This way I get to have my fun, and don't have to hang on to the cards forever!

Image: "Baby and Bunny" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Mounting tape, Sewing needle

Papers: SU! Sage Shadow and Soft Sky, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey "Olivia" DP

Embellishments: Gingham ribbon, Buttons, Lace trim, Narrow satin ribbon


I hope you'll join us in Mo's Challenge this week! We're looking forward to seeing your wonderful creations!

 Thanks for visiting!
Elaine



Thursday, March 24, 2011

Mo's Challenge # 75



What an Attitude!


Pat, our hostess for this month, wants us all to show some attitude! Mo has so many fun images that do just that, so it was easy to choose one that fit the theme. I think all of us on the team picked different images to work with!



I made this card with my younger sister's birthday in mind, even though it's not until June. 
She used to work with the Dallas Cowboys, as a travel agent, and one day a player's wife and children came into her office. One of the little girls proceeded to tell my sister that it was her birthday that day. 
Her mother stopped her and said, "No, honey. You know your birthday isn't today."
The little one turned to my sister, glaring, and hissed through clenched teeth, "AH SAID, it's mah birfday!" Now that's ATTITUDE!
My sister just about fell over laughing!
It's now a family joke, and so the inside of this card is going to say, "AH SAID, it's yo birfday!"

Image: Tasha (Available singly or as one of a set of four little terrors called "Two All"!)

Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Nellie Snellen Embossing leaf punch set, Mounting tape

Papers: SU! Melon Mambo, Neenah smooth white, PTI White, Gingham DP

Embellishments: Grosgrain ribbon, Pearl cabochons, Mulberry flowers

So make a card or project using one of Mo's great images and show us some attitude for Mo's Challenge this week!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Mo's Challenge #74



Let's Hear it for the Boys!

This week our Challenge hostess, Pat, has asked that we make cards for the men or boys in our lives. 
 I  love making masculine cards. They are always easier for me than girly cards, as I'm not a frilly type at all!



I chose this image of Scrooge called "Merry Christmas to You"
My husband and I just filed our taxes this week, and , as usual, we owe Uncle a chunk of money again! I can definitely relate to the scowl on old Ebeneezer's face!

The inside says, ".....but try to relax and enjoy it anyway!
Happy Birthday!"

Images: "Merry Christmas to You" from Mo's Digital Pencil , Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Crimper, SU! Label punch, Distressing tool, Mounting tape

Papers: SU! Garden Green and Kraft, Neenah smooth white, Bazzill textured mocha, Basic Grey DP

Embellishments: Decorative paper clip, Brads

Check out the inspiration from the rest of the team, grab an image from Mo's, and join us in this week's challenge. 

Bear with Me!

I made this card for my husband's brother for his birthday. He and his wife live in a small mountain town in the Sierras, so I thought the bear image would be appropriate.
This card is a bit bigger than my usual 5" x 7" cards, measuring 5 1/2" x 8".
The other day someone asked me if I ever made A2 sized cards anymore.  I can't imagine going back to that size. They seem so tiny to me now! I really enjoy working in the larger format.



Images: Digital  Bear Cub (unknown source), Digital Ticket Sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Nesties, MS Branch punch, Mounting tape

Papers: SU! Really Rust, Always Artichoke, and Certainly Celery, Bazzill textured brown, Neenah smooth white, Gold Metallic CS, Basic Grey Pyrus DP

Embellishments: Corduroy brads

Thanks for stopping by!
Elaine

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

They Come in Threes



Good things and bad things are said to come in threes. I don't know if it's true or not, but here are three new sympathy cards I finished yesterday.

Vintage Sunflowers


I love the look of sunflowers, and this vintage image from Digital Two for Tuesday is so pretty! I enjoyed making this card even though it's for a sad occasion.

The oval window was cut out of the green CS using Nesties, and the lighter green frame was cut using two oval  Nesties, one slightly larger than the other. The CS was then mounted on the image panel using mounting tape to give it dimension. 
The flowers were made with Prima daisies and corduroy button brads which were colored with a Copic marker.

Images: Free digital sunflower image from Digital Two for Tuesday, Sentiment is part of a dollar stamp from Michaels (omitting technique)

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Swiss dot embossing folder, Nesties, and Marianne leaf die, Circle punches, Black SU! marker

Papers: SU! Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Vanilla, and More Mustard

Embellishments: Satin ribbon, Prima daisies, Corduroy buttons


Dainty Columbines
 


Columbine come in other colors including yellow, white,  purples, and even peach , but this is my favorite type.  I shaded the inside of the circular frame with blue to give it more depth.


Images: Digital coloring book columbine, Digital sentiment from Jenete's Sentiments 2


Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencilMartha Stewart Punch Around the Page punch set


Papers: SU! Bashful Blue and Marvelous Melon, Neenah smooth white, PTI white


Embellishments: Satin ribbon, silver flower charm, pearl cabochons


I've entered this in the Papertake Weekly Challenge, Triple Tastic, use three of something.

Aster Frame


I love this image! It was a joy to color. I love the color combination of greens and purples or lavender.


Images: Digital coloring book aster frame, Digital sentiment from Paper Garden Project


Tools: Copics, Distressing tool, Ribbon slot punch


Papers: SU! Orchid Opulence, Bazzill textured mauve, Neenah smooth white, Recollections gingham DP


Embellishments: Satin ribbon, Pearl cabochons


Thanks for visiting!
Elaine


Thursday, March 10, 2011

Mo's Challenge # 73



The Wearin' Of the Green!

Pat asked us to create cards or projects using green this week. No, it doesn't have to be a St. Patrick's Day card unless you want to it to be!



I've used "Heidi". Isn't she cute?! I can almost hear yodeling!
She's part of Mo's series of literary characters that includes, among others,  Ann of Green Gables, Grimm's Red Riding Hood,  images from A Christmas Carol  , and The Wizard of Oz  characters.
 I used the little church as a prop because it reminds me of the little mountain church that Heidi and her grandfather attended.


Tools, Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Nesties Daisy dies, Mounting tape, Glue Dots, Flower Soft, Tacky Tape

Papers: SU! Certainly Celery, Neenah smooth White, Paper Trey Ink white, Bazzill textured brown, Basic Grey DP

Embellishments: Gingham ribbon, Daisy brad

I hope you'll play along with us in this week's challenge!
Be sure to check out what the other DT members have created.



St. Paddy Bear

Here's a  St. Patrick's Day card I made for a customer of my DIL's store for a little girl whose birthday is on March 17th.



The sweet little Irish bear is from Sassy Cheryl.
I made the little posy by gathering some ruffled lace into a circle, threading the stem of a tiny rose through the center of a Prima daisy, then trough the center of the lace. I tied some narrow satin ribbon into a bow around the stem, and threaded the stem through the card front, securing it on the back with some Sookwang tacky tape. I made the decorative pin by threading tiny pearls and a  butterfly bead onto a pearl flower-headed pin and securing it all with Superglue. I glued a small pearl bead onto the point for safety.

Images: Bear from Sassy Cheryl, Digital Sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, Tacky Tape, Superglue

Papers: SU! Garden Green and Green Galore, Neenah smooth white,
Recollections green gingham DP

Embellishments: Ribbon, Lace trim, Ruffled lace,Prima daisy, Tiny rose, Pearls, Hat pin, Butterfly bead

Thanks for stopping by!
 Elaine

Monday, March 7, 2011

In Sympathy



Out of Necessity


My daughter is a visiting nurse, and when one of her elderly patients dies, she cleans me out of sympathy cards. She was here today, but I only had two, and she wanted to send cards to four of the patient's relatives. These two cards should satisfy her needs.
I've said before that I'd rather make cards for happy occasions, so, when I have to make sympathy cards, I try to make several at a time.


I collect both full-sized and miniature Salmon Falls salt-glazed pottery, so I had to have this stamp
when I saw it!
The fat little pitcher in the photo is part of my collection.

Image: Tulips in Salt-glazed pitcher from Fred She Said

Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug with Nestie, VersaMark pad, Clear embossing powder, Tacky Tape

Papers: SU! Barely Banana and Brocade Blue, Neenah smooth white, Gingham DP

Embellishments: Paper Doilies, Satin Ribbon, Pear cabochons

Quick and Easy


This card went together very quickly. That's unusual for me as I usually obsess over every little detail whenever I make a card!
The twig frame is from a site called Gathering Leaves. She offers her digis for private use only, but she has some very nice, classic images. Unfortunately, I've lost all my bookmarks and can't provide a link.


Image: Twig Frame from Gathering Leaves, Digital sentiment from Paper GardenProjects

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil,Martha Stewart Border punch

Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Pearl cabochons

Papers: SU! Pretty in Pink and Gable Green, Neenah smooth white, Martha Stewart DP

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine





Friday, March 4, 2011

Clippings by Rick St. Dennis


Tissue Box Cover


The challenge for Rick's team was to create 3D objects using images from his "Clippings" sets.
The image I've used here is part of that series of little flower people.
Besides the iris, the various sets include roses, daisies, orchids, and many other flowers.
I merged two iris here, but you could achieve the same effect by printing two images separately and layering them on top of each other after coloring and cutting them out.


The back side looks the same as the front, and the other two sides have embossed scalloped ovals decorated with paper flowers. I colored the purple ones with a Copic marker to coordinate with the irises. I didn't have any in my stash that were the right color.


I think it would have looked cute to have different flower people on all four sides, too! In fact, I just might have to make another one and do that!

I came up with the pattern for this myself. I just measured the box of tissue, cut a 12" x 12" piece of card stock into two 5 1/2" strips (the height of the box) ,  and scored them at 4 3/8" and 8 3/4" (for the sides) . That left shorter 3 1/4" pieces on the end of each strip which were used to adhere the two strips together to fit around the box. I used 1/8" two-sided tape to secure all the pieces.

I made a cover by cutting a square of CS just 1/8" bigger than the top of the box plus two inches to allow for a 1" lip all around. I scored all sides at 1".  I cut out the proper sized oval on the top using my Cuttlebug and oval Nestabilities die. The lid was too wide to fit through the machine, so I folded one of the sides UP so that it would fit, but wouldn't get cut. I snipped along one fold at each corner, and folded the tabs in and taped them to make finish lid. The bottom of the cover was left open.
Then it was just a matter of decorating it with ribbon, paper borders, flowers, lace and, of course, my images.
Our little granddaughter has already claimed it for herself, and, of course, I said yes!

Head on over to Rick's Etsy shop and check out all his fun images. I think you'll find a lot that you'll like!  Drop by his blog to see what the other Design Team members have created!


The Wearin' O' the Green!


This is another of Rick's images. It comes in a sheet of spring designs that include an Easter bunny, a couple of little girls in Easter garb, and a cute Valentine image, as well as sentiments.

The big shamrock was made using three punched hearts which were run through the Cuttlebug in an embossing folder, then gilded along the edges, The small shamrocks were made with tiny punched hearts.

Image: Leprechaun from Rick St. Dennis

Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug with Nesties and Embossing folders, Heart punches, Mounting tape, Gold EP, VersaMark pad, Heat gun

Papers: SU! Garden Green, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey DP

Embellishments: Gold pearl cabochons, Grosgrain ribbon


Check out what my fellow team members have created on Rick's Blog!

 Glad you stopped by to visit!
Elaine

Waiting for Spring!



Spring Holidays

We are still buried in snow, but thoughts of spring are keeping me going. It's so much fun to make cards for all the upcoming holidays....the colors just make me happy!



This is a new Easter image from Mo called " Bella and Bronte at Easter." Isn't it cute?!
I love green and lavender together...it's such a nice combination for spring!
The little straw hat in the picture is a pin that I made several years ago. I must have had it in my mind while I was coloring Bella's hat.

Image: "Bella and Bronte at Easter"  from Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Martha Stewart Hydrangea, Ribbon Slot, and Branch border punches, Mounting tape

Papers: SU! Gable Green, Bazzill textured lavender, Neenah smooth white, Green Gingham DP

Embellishments: Grosgrain ribbon, Pearl cabochons
I've entered this in the Stamp Something Challenge....go digital.
Also Charisma Cardz Challenge...four-legged friends
Creative Belli Blog...Animals
Dutch Dare Card Challenges...Who's in the Zoo?

The Easter Bunny


Don't you just love this image?! It's the first of a new series of digital nature sets from Angels Landing. Once in a while it's nice to work with more realistic images, especially when they are as well-drawn as these! This card is a bit fancy for my taste, but  you can get away with fancy at Easter! I do want to do another with a more earthy look, though.
There is a coloring guide for this image on the site, but, unfortunately, I didn't have most of the colors that were used. I still like the way it came out, though.
I was sure that the digital DP  I used came from Jak Heath's blog, but couldn't find it to link it. She has a lot of other  really nice designs, though, so check her out.


Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Glue dots, Tacky tape

Papers: SU! Opulent Orchid, Bazzill Textured Mauve, Neenah smooth white, Digital DP (?)

Embellishments: Lace from Wild Orchid Crafts, Ribbon flowers, Satin ribbon, Flower charm


Blue Birds



Not a holiday card, of course, but it makes me think of spring. I have to force myself to make sympathy cards, so I try to make more than one when I find it necessary. I've already sent the other one out, so no picture of that one. 

I love this image! It's public domain art that I believe came from Digital Two for Tuesday. She has so many pretty vintage images available in digital form. New ones are offered every Tuesday.

I'm still trying to master Dorcas's sky technique with Prismacolor pencils. Not there yet, but I think it's getting better!
Image: From Digital Two for Tuesday, SU! Sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Mounting tape,
Tacky tape, Black ink pad

Papers: SU! Sage Shadow and Bashful Blue, Neenah smooth white, Martha Stewart DP

Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Dragonfly charm, Pearl cabochons, Ruffled lace, Pearls on a string

Thanks for dropping in for a visit!
Elaine

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Mo's Challenge # 72



Oh, Baby!

Our task from our hostess this week , Pat,  was to make a baby card using one of Mo's images. It's very timely because my daughter-in-law has requested baby cards to sell in her store. 



I chose "Mother to Be " for my Challenge card. (There is also a wonderful African American version.) I just love the serene look on her face. Of course, once the baby arrives, that look will be gone and replaced with one that's tired and frenzied!
For the second time in recent weeks, I colored the image first, then looked for matching embellishments and papers! I really have to stop doing that! I was lucky again this time, though, due to my vast collection of papers, ribbons, and other "stuff"! 
 The lace posies were made by gathering five inches of 7/8th inch ruffled lace with a basting stitch and threading the rose stems through the centers. I also slipped the stems through the ribbon flags before securing them to the card front.



Tools: Copics, Tacky Tape, Needle and thread

Papers: SU! Guava and Banana, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey DP

Embellishments: Rick rack, Grosgrain ribbon, Ruffled lace, Tiny roses

So get in the baby groove and make a card for this week's Challenge for a chance to win an image from Mo's Digital Pencil.

Thanks for visiting!
Elaine