Make Your Own Flowers with YNS

I'm super excited to be the hostess for 

Challenge #26 at Your Next Stamp.  

And I'm challenging you to 

Make Your Own Flowers 

on your card or project. 

 I've only recently started making my own flowers, and I think it's so much fun to do and adds such a nice touch to my cards.  You can search for lot's of tutorial on creating your own flowers with ribbon, felt and of course paper.  For my flower I've used my Accents Essentials Cricut cartridge and cut 5 flower shapes.  I stacked all of the shapes and then used my paper piercer to make a hole in the centers.   I used a small white brad to secure them all together.  Next is the fun part, you just start crumpling them up, twisting and fluffing until you like it.   I find lightweight paper gives the best results when doing this.

I'm really thrilled over how this card turned out.  So many pretty embellishments, from the flourish bling to the gorgeous crochet lace, not to mention the designer paper.  The DP is ancient, no really.  It's about 10 years old.  I made a calendar/day planner using this paper and loved it so much that I've hoarded the last few sheets for just that right project.  (LOL)  I thought it was perfect for Bubbly Fun Fhiona.

I also tried a technique that's new to me by creating a dotted background around my image.  You can see a video showing you how to do it HERE.  I was nervous that I was going to ruin my image the whole time, LOL.  But I'm really happy with the way that it turned out.  It's a little hard to tell but I've put Glossy Accents on the shampoo bottle, half pearls as bubbles and popped up the image panel to give added dimension.

Now you know that you want to come and play along with our Make Your Own Flower challenge at Your Next Stamp.  And we have 2 prizes for you to win.  One lucky winner chosen by random will receive $10 in YNS Stamp Bucks and the Winner Blinkie for their blog.  And the Top Pick Winner will receive $5 in YNS Stamp Bucks along with the Top Pick Blinkie for their blog.  (You must use a YNS image to be eligible for the Top Pick prize)  Our challenge will run for the next 2 weeks so you have lots of time to enter!!

Challenges:

Copic Creations = #35 Shading on or around images

Incy Wincy Designs = #61 Anything Goes

Paper Play Time = #18 Water

Crazy 4 Challenges = #56 Bling

Crafty Calendar Challenge = #12 Blue & Flowers

Charisma Cardz = #38 Anything Goes

Delightful Sketches = Make it Sparkle

Paper Romance = #17 Make your own flowers

Tuesday Throwdown = #19 Punches

Lollipop Crafts = #9 Glitter Sparkle Gems
Creative Cottage Challenge = #24 Bling it On
Lil Red Wagon = #48 Make Your Own Embellishment

 I apologize for not visiting anyone's blogs lately.  I've had lots going on with my family and I've just not had the time.  But I'm almost back into the swing of things and hope to be by to visit everyone real soon.  

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Wendy

Recipe:

Stamp: Your Next Stamp (Bubbly Fun Fhiona)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

DP: EK Success (Laura Ashley)

Pearls and Rhinestone Flourish: Recollections

Border Punch: Martha Stewart (Doily Lace)

Glossy Accents & Dimensionals

Crochet Lace: Unknown

Flower: Accent Essentials Cricut Cartridge

Copics Used:

Hair: E35, YR23, Y23

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R00

B97, B95, B91, BV04, BV02, BV000, B000, C1, C2, Colorless Blender

Whiff of Joy Thank You

  We are celebrating our 2nd anniversary this week at the Whiff of Joy challenge blog.  So this week we as a team are saying thank you to so many people: our followers for making the challenge what it is, our past and present design team members for all their beautiful creations and our generous sponsors, Simon Says Stamp and of course Katharina the owner of Whiff of Joy for her continued support of the challenge blog.

 I chose to use Willow with Cookies as my Thank You image.  I've just always thought of "thank you" whenever I've seen this sweet girl offering a big warm plate of yummy cookies.  I also think it would make a great tag attached to some homemade goodies.     Please join us and make your own thank you card using a Whiff of Joy image and you could win a $25 Gift Certificate from Simon Says Stamp.  Make sure to check out the other gorgeous work created by our very talented DT.

Since this is such a special thank you, I really hate that this is one of my least favorite cards ever.  The coloring is just a mess and I really should have recolored this image but I was simply too tired and running short of time so I had to use it. Not to mention the card design just never would turn out the way I was picturing it in my head.  But I do love that big flat bow!!!  I'm going to do more of those.

Sorry no close up....I just didn't like it!!  :(

And I'll update later with the Copic's and the Recipe.  

Again I'm doing this really late, and I need to get to bed!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Wendy

Recipe:

Too Cute To Spook!

Good Morning!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  

It's Sunday which means it's another challenge at Paper Sundaes.  This week we are sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and we'd like to see your Fall or Halloween Colors.

My entire card was designed around using that big black Prima flower.  (I decided after much too long, that showing half the flower was good enough, LOL)  This is another poor Tilda that just saw ink for the very first time after sitting on my shelf for over a year.  (shame on me!)  And this poor girl almost didn't make it on the card at all.  I was so disappointed over how the green in her dress was coming out that I almost crumpled her up and put it in the trash.  Only because I was really tired did I decide to make it work.  I like her, but I don't LOVE her...know what I mean?  I was so tired that I even forgot to add any shading to the outside of her body and I think she looks "naked".  LOL  

Challenges:

The Secret Crafter = #101 Anything Goes

Alphabet Challenge = U is for Unused (The black flower)

Creative Card Crew = Fall or Autumn

A Spoon Full of Sugar = #121 Fall into Autumn

Magnolia Stamp Lovers = Halloween challenge thru 9/25

Let's Ink it Up = # 3 Favorite Stamp + Charm
Color Me Copic = #4 Straight Hair Tutorial by Amy Young

Copic's Used:

Shirt/Socks: YR24, Y15, Y11

Apron: G99, G94, YG95, YG23, Colorless Blender

Skirt: YR14, Y19, YG23, 100, C3

Hairbows: YR18, YR14

Skin: R20, R00, E11, E00, E50

Hair/Shoes: C9, C7, C5, C3, C1

Broom: E29, E35, Y26, YR21, Y21

Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy

Recipe: 

Stamp: Magnolia (Tilda with Broom)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

DP: My Mind's Eye (Boo to You)

Border Punch: Martha Stewart (Iron Gate)

Flower: Prima

Charm: Making Memories (Halloween)

Dimensionals

Guest Designer for 7 Kids College Fund!!

**Second Post for the day

Scroll Down for my YNS Challenge project**

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am today to be Guest Designing for 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog!!!  Not only is it seriously my favorite place to shop, but their DT consists of some of my most favorite Designers!!

The challenge this week to create a fall card using this 

sketch designed by Suzanne Dean.

Well now that I'm writing up my post, I realize that I left off the sentiment.  I am the worst at sentiments.  If you notice, most of my cards don't have sentiments.  (Making a mental note to do better on this....)  And I guess I took the sketch a little too literally with the leafs and flowers!! Can you believe this is the first time that this Tilda has ever been inked up?  I've had her for a year now and I haven't given her any love.  :(  But it reminded me how fun coloring Tilda can be so you will be seeing more Magnolia projects from me soon.

Challenges:

Lexi's Creations = #22 Flower Power

Wee Memories = #22 Fall into Autumn

Allsorts Challenges = #69 Colors of Autumn

Totally Paper Crafts = #33 Lets Go Dotty

Totally Gorjuss = #47 Flower

Magnolia Stamp Lovers = Halloween Challenge
Paper Play Challenges = #36 Autumn is Comin'
Marks Finest Papers = #20 Fall Colors
A Spoon Full of Sugar = #121 Fall into Autumn
Creative Card Crew = Fall or Autumn

Copic's Used:

Outfit/Hat/Shoes: W7, W5, W3, W1

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R00

Pumpkins: YR18, YR14, YR12, YR00

Hair: E35, YR23, Y23

Buckle: Y26

Top/Lace/Socks: BG0000

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wendy

Recipe:

Stamp: Magnolia (Witch Tilda with Pumpkins)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: My Mind's Eye (The Spider's Web)

Jewels: K & Company (Fall Harvest)

Nestibilities: Circle

Cricut: Accent Essentials Cartridge (Circles 3 3/4" & 4")

Flower/Leafs: Ashland Fall Floral (Michael's)

Thanksgiving Place Card

Good Morning Everyone!!  It's time for another Your Next Stamp Challenge (#25) and this time the very talented Sylvia is challenging us to make a Thank You/Thanksgiving card or project.   

I'm very excited about this challenge.  I decided to try something new.... Thanksgiving Place card.  I had sooo much fun doing it that I've decided that I will start a new tradition and make place cards each year for everyone.  Each year we have Thanksgiving dinner at my Mom's house and as mine and my sisters families have grown there are now 13 of us.  That's a lot of place cards, but I think I can do it!!  :)  

I've used the super adorable Acorn Fall Fun stamp which I cut out and popped up with dimensional dots.    The fall leafs are from a fall foliage pick that I bought at Michael's and the acorns are real.  My 3 yr. old son was the inspiration for this project.  He found all these acorns at the park the other day and kept bringing them to me to keep.  I was about to empty my pockets before we got in the car when I had an idea on how I could use them!!!  He later asked for his own "Acorn Tree", LOL.

The place card is actually a tent card that I adapted the shape and size.  I didn't want the place card to "flatten out" and not stand up if it got heavy or handled too much.  It's very sturdy.

I hope you will play along with us at Your Next Stamp for your chance to win some great prizes!!

1.  Winner - One lucky winner, chosen by random will win $10 in YNS Bucks (to spend on YNS stamps) and the Winner Blinkie to display on their blog.

2.  Top Pick - One lucky entry, chosen by Karen, will win $5 in YNS Bucks (to spend on YNS stamps) and the Top Pick Blinkie to display on their blog.  (You must use a YNS stamp on your project to be eligible for this prize)

Copic's Used:

Acorn Top: E39, E57, YR31, E31

Acorn: E57, E39, E35, E31, YG01, E30

Squirrel: E25, E35, E31, E50

Challenges:

Allsorts Challenges = #69 Colors of Autumn
Paperplay Challenges = #36 Autumn is Comin'
Charisma Cards = #36 Try Something New
Wee Memories = #22 Fall into Autumn

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Wendy

Happy Anniversary Eddie!

My Wedding Anniversary is early next month so I thought it would be wise to get a card done for my husband a little bit early so that I wouldn't feel so rushed.  And as luck would have it, I'm able to use it for my Paper Sundae's DT card for this week.  Our sponsor is Belle's n' Whistles and our challenge is to use 3 or more embellishments.  I had to keep the embellishments scaled down to just the 3 items since this will be going to my husband. I didn't think he'd like glitter, lace and all things sparkly all over his card!!  LOL

Challenges:

Paper Romance = #15 Clean & Simple

Creative Cottage = #22 Celebrations

Copic Creations = #34 Pleats or Folds

Color me Copic = Straight hair tutorial by Amy

**I'll come back tomorrow and list the Copic's and the recipe - It's late and I'm ready to go to bed!!***

Copic's Used:

GIRL

Pants: E43, E42, E41

Top: R85, R83, R81, RV000

Shirt: E25, E35, E31, E50

Shoes: E25, E35, E31

Hair: E29, E47, E57, E35, E31

Heart: R89, R59, R46, R14

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R00

BOY

Pants: E25, E35, E31

Vest: YR24, YR23, Y21, E50, Colorless Blender

Shirt: E34, E31, E30, E50

Shoes: C3, E42, E41

Hair: E57, E25, E35, Y21, E31, E50

Bouquet: G99, YG95, YG00

Thanks for stopping by!!

Wendy

Recipe: Stamp: Belle's n Whistles (Sweet Love)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI (White & Vintage Cream) October Afternoon (Thrift Shop)

Pearls: Recollections

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug (Heart Blocks)

Sewing Machine

Ric Rak: Unknown

Ticket: Tim Holtz

Nestibilities: Circle

Cricut: Accent Essentials Cartridge (Circle 3 3/4")

Elisabeth Bell's Catch of the Day!!

THIS IS MY SECOND POST OF THE DAY ~ SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE!!

Here she is....the new Elisabeth Bell Digital Stamp September release, Catch of the Day.  Isn't she so sweet?!?  This little baby girl is actually based on a photo of Elisabeth's own daughter.  Little girls are so silly.  I know my little 2 year old Brookie is dressed up in some crazy get-up a few times a day.  Right now her favorite thing is wearing her brother's (he's 3) Buzz Lightyear underwear and her butterfly wings.   Yep, no pants.  Just the underwear.  She says they ARE pants and believe me there is noooo arguing with this girl!!  While wearing this little outfit she's carrying a purse, wearing my shoes and talking on a phone.  Sometimes that "phone" can be an actual ROCK she found outside.  But a phone it is.  She has gotten lucky before and found Mommy's cell phone and I've caught her having a nice little chat with Daddy at work.  LOL  All the while I thought she was just pretending again.  LOL

Having my little girl in mind while making this card I chose DP that had very soft and girly colors.  It's not my usual style but it was fun to get out of my comfort zone and just let loose and play!!  The image was very inspiring!!  LOL  My daughter has a shopping cart that looks exactly like this one!

I hope you love the new release as much as I do.  And if you'd like, you can get your own digital image of Catch of the Day right HERE.

Challenges:

Creative Inspirations = #77 Lace & Sparkle (Her tail is all sparkles)

Crafty Creations = #84 Transportation (Grocery Cart, LOL)

Sorry I honestly didn't even write the Copic's down for this one!!

Have a great weekend!!

Wendy

YNS - Ellie Loves Gardening

Good Morning Everyone!!

Hope you are enjoying your Friday.  I can't believe just how fast this week has flown by.

Today I want to share with you Ellie Loves Gardening.  Isn't she just adorable?!?!  This is one of my favorite images from Your Next Stamp.  Honestly I've had this card made for awhile now and am just now showing it to you.  See that FABOULOUS stitching on this card????  That was done by my very sweet Hubby!!!  Remember this post when he bought me my new sewing machine and gave me a little sewing lesson?  Well, this is the card that HE sew'd to show me how to do it.  Didn't he do a great job?!?!  He was so funny.  He made me leave the room while he sewed it because I was making him nervous!!  LOL  He'll probably scold me later for oversharing with you all  :)  LOL

Not sure what happened to this photo.  The colors are all washed out.  The dots on her cap are actually a dark burgundy red color.

I don't have my notebook handy right now so I can't list my Copics.  :(

Sorry for the quick post but I'm off to go pick up the kids from Nana's.  Later I'll be over at YNS Paper Craft Planet Group if you'd like to stop by and chat with me!

And I don't want to forget that there is a sale going on right now...Go check it out!!

Thanks,

Wendy

Recipe:

Stamp: Your Next Stamp (Ellie Loves Gardening)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: DCWV (The Green Stack)

Nestibilities: Labels One

Ribbon, Button & Twine: Papertrey Ink

The Last Rays of Summer

 Like most of you, my cards will begin to take on those warmer and deeper earth tone colors with the change of season.  However, here in Florida it's not even close to Autumn, regardless what the calendar says.  But for those of you who have already began to feel the crisp and cooler days of fall; I give you my little Florida girl, soaking up the last rays of summer!!  Isn't her outfit adorable?!?!  Both the butterfly and the half pearls were both originally white.  They were colored to match my card with my Copic markers...don't you just love that you can do that?!?!?  

The Whiff of Joy Challenge Blog's new challenge this week is to use LAYERS.....at least 2.  Come on now, most of us use 2 or more with every card so this challenge will be super duper easy!!  I hope you will come over and play along with us.

Challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday = #75 Distress It
Pile It On = #35 Pile on Layers
Our Daily Bread = #28 Forgotten Embellishments (butterfly)
Color Throwdown = #109 Turquoise, Melon, Pear & Daffodil
Sir Stampalot = September Challenge -All Distressed

Copic's Used:

Hair: E29, E47, E57, E35, Y26, E31, E50

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R00, R20

Jeans: B97, B95, B91

Top: Y26, Y21, Y11, YG17, YG23, YG01, Y16, YR21, G07, YG03, BG0000

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Wendy

Recipe: Stamp: Whiff of Joy (Willow in the Summer Breeze)

Paper: October Afternoon (Thrift Shop)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up (Yo-Yo Yellow), VersaMagic Chalk Ink (Pumpkin Spice)

        Tim Holtz (Vintage Photo)

Nestibilities: Oval and Scalloped Oval

Pearls: Recollections (Colored orange with my copics)

Butterfly: (Unknown - colored orange with my copics)

Taking a Copic Poll

Good Morning Everyone!!  
I'm considering not listing the Copic Markers that I use with each of my projects. It's time consuming, but I don't mind if I know that it's something that the majority of you appreciate. I know that when I first began to use Copic's and even now when I see a beautifully colored image I look to see what colors they used. Sometimes I've found some of my favorite blending colors this way.

So do me a favor and cast a vote as to whether you would like for me to continue. I'll leave the poll up until September 30th and let the majority rule!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Wendy

Blog Award!!

I received this award from my very funny blogging buddy Faye.  If you've never been to Faye's blog, you really must go for a visit.  Her posts give me a giggle every time not to mention her creations are just beautiful!!  Thank you so much Faye for thinking of me!!  :)

I'm also suppose to tell you 3 things about myself:

**  I'm addicted to making lists.  To Do Lists -  To Buy Lists -

Lists of my Lists.  I LOVE checking things off lists.  LOL

**  I'm a speed reader and I LOVE reading!!

**  I hate taking medicine and will suffer rather than take something.

Pass it on to 5 People

Kerri

Nana

Kate

Annika

Paula

Post my favorite photo

Thanks for stopping by!!

Wendy

Ghoulish Greetings!!

I'm so excited about our challenge this week over at Paper Sundaes.  We would like for you to create a project using  Mixed Mediums.  Which means use your Copics and chalk like I did or colored pencils, distressing ink or watercolors.  Doesn't matter which two mediums, just use at least two.

And we have an awesome sponsor this week.... 

My Creative Classroom.  

 They are offering a $25 gift certificate to one lucky winner!!
I'm so excited for you all....wish I could win!!  :)

Maybe I'm a little bit freaky but the second I saw this Kraftin' Kimmie image, Zelda the Zombie, I HAD to have her!!!  There was no waiting (I'm on a bit of a spending freeze right now), had to have her right NOW!!  I just think she's the most adorable zombie and best Halloween image EVER!!  I love her.  I really really love her!!  :)  She's colored with Copic markers and I used chalk inks to create her background.   Those are my mixed mediums.    

 ***By the way, never use Copic markers over any other medium.  It will ruin the tip of the marker.  You can put other mediums on top of a image colored with Copic's but just not the other way around.  Don't want anyone ruining their markers***

Challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday = #75 Distress it (Sanded spiderweb after embossing it)

All That Scraps = Lace (The black lace ribbon behind image)

Bee Crafty = #37 Anything Goes

Charisma Cards = #35 Inspired by Song (Monster Mash - Bobby Picket **had to look that one up)

Cute Card Thursday = #128 Material Girl

I know that not many people do Halloween cards, but I do.  I send them out to our family and close friends ever year.  I always dress the kids up in their costumes before I mail them all out and include a photo along with the card.  Everyone loves seeing what the kids will be for Halloween that year.

 I also love to have us all dress up in a coordinating theme.  

This year the babies got to pick and they chose....Toy Story 3!  

Here's this years cast of characters:

Brooke (2) = Jessie

Nathan (3) = Buzz Lightyear

Amanda (10) = Little Bo Peep

Michael (11) = Woody

Mommy = Barbie

Daddy = Ken

It's going to be so fun!!  And don't worry, I'll post pictures for you all to see!!  LOL

Here's a photo of last year

Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf

My mom and sister actually made that wolf costume for me

 (remember my lack of sewing skills, LOL) and it was AWESOME!!!    

Check out the Big Bad Wolf with the Binkie!!  LOL

So what does your family do for Halloween??  I'd love to know!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope those of you in the States are enjoying your Labor Day Weekend!!

Wendy

Recipe:

Stamp: Kraftin' Kimmie (Zelda the Zombie)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMagic Chalk Ink (Wheat & Pumpkin Spice)

Paper: Basic Grey (Eerie)

Border Punch: Martha Stewart (Iron Gate)

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Spiderweb

Ribbon: Unknown

Dimensionals

Copic's Used:

Hair: C9, C7, C3, C3, C1, Colorless Blender

Skin: V12, V01, V000, C2 (Eyes E31 & Colorless Blender)

Shirt: YR24, YR14, YR21, E34, Colorless Blender

Pants: G99, G94, YG95, YG00, Colorless Blender

Elisabeth Bell Sneak Peek & Giveaway!

Hmmmm....What could it be?!?!?

Well it's adorable I can assure you.  Yep, I've seen it and I've got it in my hot little hands.  (Insert Evil little laugh!!!)  LOL

And here's the fun part! For a chance to win this NEW digi', let us know what you think this digi' is of. Leave your answer HERE and mention this Give Away on your blog, linking back to the post on the Elisabeth Bell DT Blog.

Whoever is the first to get the most correct answer will win this digi' - simple! The winner's name will be announced on Saturday September 4th at noon Arizona time on the Elisabeth Bell DT Blog. 

There will be a new Sneaky Peek of this sweet new digi every 2 days so check back HERE on Saturday at noon for the next little peek of the September digi release! There will be a giveaway every 2 days until the September 10th release so there are lots of chances to win!!

Good luck!


Wendy