Mo's Challenge # 67

Warm All Over!

It's been blasted cold all over the USA recently, and I think we could all use a little warmth! As hostess for  Mo's Challenge this week, I'm asking for cards or projects using a warm color palette of reds, oranges, and yellows  with a neutral. 

I've used Mo's "Darn It!" for my card. I think it will make a perfect masculine Get Well card.

 

The inside says: "Sorry to hear that you're not well. Hope you're on the mend very soon."

Images: "Darn It!" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Hand-written sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil,  Martha Stewart Zig-zag punch, Oval punches, Cuttlebug with PTI Button die, Mounting tape, Distressing tool, Needle

Papers: SU!Marigold Morning, Only Orange, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey DPs

Embellishments: Natural hemp

So, bring on the warmth and make a card or project using one of Mo's great images for a chance to win!

Thanks for stopping by!

Elaine

Sweet Valentine

Toby Tumble

I've fallen in love with this little character from Cuddly Buddly! He's supposed to be a little bunny, although he's not like any bunny I've ever seen! Well, no matter what he is, he's just the sweetest little thing ever and a joy to color!

The little red flowers were made by shaping and layering the blossoms from the  Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch, and were finished off with tiny pearls.

Image: "Just Because" from Cuddly Buddly

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor Pencils, Martha Stewart Heart border, Lattice heart, and Hydrangea punches, Corner rounder, Cuttlebug with Marianne die, Mounting tape, Glue dots

Papers: SU! Real Red, Neenah smooth white, PTI white, Spotted DP (?)

Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Hear and 'love' charms, Silk ribbon leaves, Pearl cabochons

I'll be buying more of these images for sure! He's available as a stamp for those of you who like rubber, and as colored decoupage sheets, too!

Thanks for dropping by!
Elaine

Mo's Challenge 66

Around the World

This week the theme is "Around the World" which can be interpreted a couple of ways. When I originally thought of the theme, I pictured using any of Mo's wonderful ethnic images of children in their native dress. She has so many; American Indian, Inuit, Swiss, Peruvian, Jamaican, Japanese, Mexican, and Chinese are a few that I can think of. Realizing that not everyone has one of those images, I've broadened it to include the choice of a card done in the colors of a country's flag using any of Mo's images. 

My card uses Mo's adorable little Rastafarian, "Dante & His Drum".  I've kept it pretty much unadorned to focus on the image.

The inside says, " Hope your birthday is smokin'!"

Images: Dante & His Drum from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Distressing tool

Papers: SU! More Mustard, Neenah smooth white, Bazzill textured brown, Basic Grey Max & Whiskers DP

Embellishments: None!

I learned a bit about  Rastafarian beliefs while doing  research in order to color the image properly.  It was started in Jamaica in the 1930's by Marcus Garvey as part of the "Back to Africa" movement. Members believe that the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was the divine Messiah, although he did not encourage the idea, and remained a lifelong Christian.

  Rastas are pacifists and vegetarians. True believers smoke 'ganga', or marijuana, only for religious or medical reasons, and not for recreational purposes. Pretenders have given the group a bad image by adopting the outer trappings but not the peaceful  philosophies of the religion. Only 1% of Jamaicans identify themselves as Rastafarian.

Their traditional colors have special meaning to them. One interpretation is that the black represents Africa, red is for the blood of all living things, gold is for all the world's treasures, and green represents the Earth.

Of course, the most famous Rastafarian was Bob Marley, Reggae singer and songwriter, who died in 1981.

So there's a little history lesson! Now let's see how you'll interpret the theme at Mo's Challenge this week , and celebrate the diversity that makes this world such a special place! Grab one of Mo's images and get going!

Thanks for visiting!

Elaine

More Valentines!

Love Makes the World Go 'Round!

I'm having so much fun! Now if Mo would only draw some more images for this holiday!

Big Hearted!

This is "Shy Valentine James". This image is available in three other versions, Nessa, Lila, and Jason., and they are all adorable!

Image: From Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Marianne die, Corner rounder, Glue dots, Tacky tape

Papers: SU! Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Neenah smooth white, K & Co. DP

Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Ribbon flower

Here's Nessie!

This is James' female counterpart. The other two images are of an African-American boy and girl.

Image: "Shy Valentine Nessa" from Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Martha Stewart punches, Mounting tape

papers: SU! Brocade Blue, Pirouette Pink, and Melon Mambo, Neenah smooth white, PTI white, Martha Stewart DP

Embellishments: Pearl cabochons

Everlasting Love

I may give this to my husband (If it doesn't sell first! LOL!)

I think it's a really cute image, and it comes with several extra images that can be merged with it, so it could be used for many occasions.

The 'silver' hearts are cut from a soda can! I was sharpening the punch and thought they looked pretty good!

Images: "Kisses for My Sweet" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Martha Stewart punches, Cuttlebug with embossing folder, Sewing machine, Tacky tape

Papers: SU! Melon Mambo, and Pretty in Pink, Neenah smooth white, PTI white

Embellishments: Satin flower trim, Pearl cabochons

I'm still working on Valentine's Day cards, so I'll have more over the next couple of weeks.
Thanks for dropping in for a visit!
Elaine

Hearts & Flowers

Be My Valentine!

I love Valentine's Day with all the pink, red, and white, the lace, hearts, and flowers! I'm not usually someone who goes for frills, but I make an exception for this holiday!

My daughter-in-law sells my cards in her shop, and has been after me for Valentines. I recently sat down and colored a bunch of images, then started putting the cards together. The following are just a few that I've finished so far. More to come in the next week!

Gingham Galore!

The inside reads, " I love you almost as much as I love my dog. Happy Valentine's Day!"

 

Images: "Bella Hearts Bronte" from Mo's Digital Pencil. 

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Martha Stewart Border punch, Mounting tape

Papers: SU! Pretty in Pink, Mambo Melon, Neenah smooth white, Gingham DP

Embellishments: Daisy lace trim, Ruffled gingham ribbon, Prima Sprites flowers, Brads

Love Grows!

 This card uses Mo's image "Sprout" which is only one of several images from various artists available for a donation to aid a stamper who is going through a difficult time. It is not for sale in Mo's shop, but can be purchased here along with the others.  Read more about it on  Jak's Blog and purchase the package to support a good cause.

The inside reads: "My love for you grows with every passing day. Happy Valentine's Day!"

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

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Marianne and Nesties dies and Embossing folders, Heart punches, Mounting tape, Black ink

Papers: SU! Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Neenah smooth white, Yellow gingham DP

Embellishments: Pearl cabochons, Striped satin ribbon, Heart pin with pearls and  beads

Cupid Cutie

Images: "Cupid in Love" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics,  Cuttlebug with Embossing folder, Mounting tape, Scalloped circle punch (for roses)

Papers: SU! Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Neenah smooth white, PTI White

Embellishments: Double ruffled pink gingham ribbon, Heart brads, Hand-made roses

Last One (for now)

For this card I used an image from Rick St. Dennis. Rick is getting a design team together to showcase his wonderful images. You can see the details here on his blog. I've already signed on, and he's looking for five more designers.

 

Image: Cupid from Rick St. Dennis

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Swirls embossing folder, Nesties, and Marianne dies, Martha Stewart Leaf punch, Glue Dots, VersaMark, Gold Embossing powder, Spica pens, Heat gun

Papers" SU! Real Red, Sparkly white, Gold Metallic, White textured CS

Embellishments: Roses, Pearl cabochons, Jesse James button (shank removed)

Mo's Challenge # 65

It's Playtime!

This is my second week as hostess for Mo's Challenge during the month of January, and I chose the theme of "Playtime".  I love toys, don't you? I fondly remember my childhood dolls and stuffed animals that seemed so alive to me and allowed my imagination to fly! I still have my very first stuffed animal. It's actually older than I am...... it is a furry, little gray donkey given to my mother before I was born. Its been well-loved and has lost all its fur, mane, and both of its eyes!

This  is "Some Tea", a sweet image of a little girl having a tea party with her toy bunny. I took the colors from the Basic Grey paper from the "Olivia" collection.

Image: "Some Tea" from Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Tacky Tape, Glue Dots

Papers: SU! Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Neenah smooth white, Basic Grey "Olivia" DP

Embellishments: Daisy lace, Pearl cabochons, Paper doily

So take a walk down memory lane to the time when your only responsibility was to  play and make-believe. Make a card using one of Mo's adorable images of kids and their toys and enter for a chance to win. We'll be waiting  for you to come out and play!

Mo's Challenge #64

Let's go Retro!

I'm the hostess for this month's challenges, and I thought it might be fun to have a retro theme.

I don't think there's anything more retro than childrens'  wallpaper and fabric from days gone by. The image I've used is Mo's boy version of "Tuesday's Child". The baseball themed image in the background is a computer  print-out of a fabric sample from the 50's. If you do a search for vintage fabrics or wallpaper, you'll come up with lots of ideas!

I cut out a circle using a Nesties die and my Cuttlebug. I added the 'stitching' with a fine-tipped red marker and 'dirtied' the edges with a marker. The sentiment is from an SU! set called "Warmest Regards".

Images: Tuesday's Child from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from SU!'s "Warmest Regards"

Tools: Copics, Mounting tape, Martha Stewart border punch, Computer, Cuttlebug, Nesties, Red marker

Papers: SU! Real Red, Going Gray, Pacific Point Blue, Neenah smooth white, Computer print-out of vintage fabric swatch

Embellishments: Brads, Ribbon

I hope you'll join us this week with your take on retro design. Use vintage fabric, colors, or themes from the 30's through the 50's with one of Mo's great images and enter Mo's Challenge for a chance to win one of her wonderful images!

Cowboy Up!

Howdy, Ya'll!

  I think this goofy little cowpoke is cute! He was easy and fun to color, too. I used a white gel pen to put a pattern on his bandanna. I'm always disappointed whenever I buy one of those pens. They never seem to work well for me, and they dry out so fast! I couldn't get a really 'white' look for the design, but I guess it gave somewhat the effect I was trying for. 

I didn't have a silver  star brad or loopy brad, so I pressed them into a VersaMark pad, dipped them in silver embossing powder, and hit them with my heat gun. Now everything matches!

I love making faux tooled leather. I ran caramel colored CS  through a paisley embossing folder, then daubed on rust and caramel ink. I think it makes a nice addition to a masculine card.

The inside says, " Heard your 'giddy-up and go' got up and went! Hope you're feeling better soon!"

Image: Cowboy, unknown source (If anyone knows where it's from, please let me know!), Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Cuttlebug with Paisley embossing folder, SU! Creamy Caramel and Really Rust ink pads, VersaMark pad, Silver embossing powder, Heat gun, Mounting tape, Dauber

Papers: SU! Ruby Red, Basic Gray, and Creamy Caramel CS, Neenah smooth white, GDC DP

Embellishments: Red mini brads, Star brad, Loopy Brad, Screw brads, Natural twine, Silver cowboy charm

Thanks for dropping in!

Elaine