Happy Harvest

Happy Sunday!!  I'm designing with the Sundae Girls this week for the Paper Sundaes Halloween/Fall challenge.  This weeks sponsor is Simon Says Stamp where you can find the images that I've used here on my card from CC Designs - Emma with Pumpkins, Butterfly Fence and Pumpkins. 

Keeping the card design simple, I've used some older DP from Basic Grey (Mellow) and MFT's Solid Bracket Border and Cloud Die-namics.  The sentiment cloud along with Emma and her little cart were cut out and popped up with foam tape for dimension.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Finishing Touch

I'm posting on a Sunday and that can only mean that I'm designing for Paper Sundae's this week.

This week's challenge is being sponsored by My Favorite Things!!  

And if you're a fan of My Favorite Things like I am then you have probably noticed that most of the designers' cards are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.  So this weeks challenge is to finish the inside...give your card that finishing touch!!  For my image, I've used Oh Baby! a'la mode as well as the Tag You're It and Sweet Stack Labels Die-namics.  The designer paper is My Mind's Eye (Lost & Found - Madison Ave.)  

 I have to admit, I always tell myself that I'm going to decorate the inside of my cards but I rarely do.  I LOVE the way a card that has been decorated on the inside looks...polished, that extra little touch.  And isn't that what handmade is all about?!?!   That little extra touch?  Normally I've taken so darn long to complete the card itself that I don't have the time to do the inside as well.  BUT, I think you will see from the beautiful samples the other Sundae Girls have for you this week, that it doesn't have to be fancy to have that finishing touch.  Starting now, I'm really going to work a little harder to give my creations that little something extra.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

OMG

OMG is right...for the last week the whole family has come down with the stomach flu, and today is my turn!!  Isn't that the way it always happens?   Anyways, let me get on with my post so that I can go back to bed.  :(  

Today I'm participating as a DT member for Paper Sundaes.  The challenge today is a Sundae bar... choosing 2 or more of the toppings/ design elements.  Click HERE for all the details.  I chose to use buttons and banners for my card.  I used a stamp from The Greeting Farm - Cheeky Chat which you can find at this weeks sponsor, Simon Says Stamp.  I think I've mentioned before my "girl crush" on these sweet Cheeky girls, I just LOVE coloring them!!  I used DP from My Mind's Eye - Happy Go Lucky and machine stitched the background panel.  The banner was created using a die from My Favorite Things and the letters were cut using my Cricut.  And the buttons are from Papertrey Ink and of course she needed a little bit of sparkle so I used my favorite, Star Dust Stickles.

Before I go I want to let you guys know that Paper Sundae's is having a DT call.  

Click HERE for all the details on how to apply.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Congrats Girlie

It's a Girlie Girl kind of day over at Paper Sundaes.  

I was so excited to create a DT sample for Paper Sundaes this week when I heard that the sponsor was My Favorite Things.  I'm a huge fan of their Die-namic dies and adorable images. 

The image that I've used is Cheers from MFT's a'la modes collection.  I added a scalloped border with  with MFT's Die-namic - Scalloped Scallop. The DP used for the card as well as her paper pieced dress is from My Mind's Eye - Hattie.  The image panel was cut to have her champagne glass come "out of the box" and was given a thick coat of Glossy Accents for shine.  The pearls were all colored with a Copic YR24 to match and finished off with a pretty little yellow gold bow.

Challenges:

Our Craft Lounge = #69 Color Challenge (Yellow, Blue & Neutral)

Dutch Dare Card = #116 Recipe (3 papers, 2 embellish, 1 image)

Pals Paper Arts = #97 Signature Style (Non Fussy Simple Layers(

Crafts & Me = #38 Stamp Something

The Paper Shelter = #17 Celebrate

Clear it Out = Paper Piecing

Paper Take Weekly = Anything Goes

I hope you'll check out the other Sundae Girls "Girlie Girl" creations and then submit your own.

**This card is my 1st entry into Open Auditions for Paper Craft's Gallery Idol 2011 Competition :)  Wish me Luck!!**

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

For You

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!  

I think this is my most favorite Tilda EVER!!  Her name is Tilda With Balloon, and she's part of the adorable Magnolia - So Special Collection.  I just love her hair and the shy little tilt of her head...pure sweetness!!  You can purchase yours online at 7 Kids College Fund who also has the NEW Rainbow Collection on pre-order!!  Have you seen it?!?!  OMGosh!!  This Rainbow Collection just may be CUTEST yet!!    

  And can you believe it?!?!  I actually managed to color a shade of blonde that I LOVE!!  If you've followed my blog for awhile then you will know that I never color hair blonde because I can never seem to find THE right blonde.  All of my blonde attempts end up brunettes.  :)  And in case anyone is curious, let me share with you the insane amount of Copic's I used... E50, E41, E31, YR31, Y26, E34 and a touch of YR20.  See?  Told ya it was insane!!  LOL  

This is also my first card with a banner and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.  I of course LOVE everyone else's cards with banners, and HAD to have a banner die to try it myself.  I found it very difficult to incorporate it into the layout and could only manage to fit 3 pennants even though the card size is a 5 1/2" square. I spent an embarrassing amount of time fiddling with the arrangement until I felt like it didn't look awkward. But I was determined to include a banner on THIS card!!  LOL  So hopefully I managed to make it work design wise.   

  

Challenges:

Paper and Such = #1 Birthday Cards

Craft Your Passion = #58 Cutie Patootie

Stamping Scrapping Challenge = Birthday's

Little Miss Muffet = #9 Tags or Banners

Southern Girls Challenge = Let's hear it for the girls

Magnolia Down Under = #96 Your Favorite Things (Tilda image)

I've created this card especially for Christine, my DT sister and friend over at Paper Sundae's.  She's just turned 40 and to celebrate, her best friend Shana is hosting a giveaway and card campaign.  If you make and send a card to Christine by May 21st you will be entered to win one of 2 gift certificates to any Paper Sundae's sponsors online store.  Be sure to click HERE for all the details and to enter.





Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a moment to leave me a comment.  It mean so much to me!!  :)

Thoughts of You

Hi Everyone!!  Happy Sunday!

If I'm posting on a Sunday then that means that I'm designing for Paper Sundae's this week!!

  This week's challenge is to color your image using your favorite hair color combo.  It doesn't have to be Copic's, any medium will do...Promarkers, Prismacolor pencils, Distressing inks you name it.

I've of course used my Copic's.  I'm sure most of you have noticed that when I'm coloring hair (boys or girls) I tend to do brunette.  And my favorite hair color combo was put together purely by accident... I was trying to find my perfect blonde.  LOL   I still haven't found my perfect blonde so if you have a combo that you love...please leave me a comment and share yours with me!!

My colors are:  E50, E31, E35, E25

 I've had a few requests lately to share some tips on my coloring so I thought this would be a great time to talk about how I color hair.  Of course there are as many techniques as their are colorists, so by no means is my way the best, etc.  

  When I list the Copics that I've used, I always list them in the order that I use them.  And I always color dark to light.  The only exception to that is when I'm coloring hair.  (So you will see that I've listed my colors starting with the lightest color)  When coloring hair I do this because it's more difficult for me to "see" where I want my light/shine to be so this keeps me from messing up.  LOL  I completely color in the hair with E50 (the lightest color).  After choosing my light source I color the hair in sections.   First I find the known darker places first.  Such as the crown of the head, around headbands or bows, closest to the face or body, and flowing hair that has bends to it such as curls.  With the remaining colors I use soft and short flicking strokes with the tip of my marker...always going with the direction of the hair.  And if you ever find that you've not left enough light when you're coloring don't worry...just add MORE dark.  It will make the light/shine look lighter. And remember with hair it's perfectly okay to have lines in your coloring you really don't want to blend too much. The lines will appear as strands of hair and give your image a more realistic look.  But if you do like the hair colors to be blended...just remember to leave distinct lighter areas, that will give the hair more depth and bring it to life.

I've used a digital image from from Wee Stamps, Sweet Blossom.  She's just precious!!  I had to have her because I love the way that hair is blowing in the wind and her little crossed ankles.  Too CUTE!!   I've also colored her using Cryogen White cardstock. (It has a hint of shimmer in the paper) The DP is from My Mind's Eye, Quite Contrary collection, Little Miss Muffet.  I've used Spellbinder's Labels 10 and Classic Oval for the image panel which is popped up using foam tape.  Her blouse was sparkled using Shimmerz and Stickles together to create a very sheer appearance.  Tiny rhinestones were added to her headband and blouse for just a little more bling!!  :)

Challenges:

Ai Factory = #78 Anything Goes

CCEE Stampers = #117 Add a butterfly

Charisma Cards = #17 April Showers/May Flowers

Southern Girls = Green & Blue

Amber's Crafts & Stuff = #7 Use a digital stamp

I hope you will take a moment to view the Sundae Girls fantastic design team samples and link your project using your favorite hair color combo.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Childhood Memories

There is another awesome sponsor this week at Paper Sundae's...Mo Manning.  And since she has some of the CUTEST images of children, this weeks challenge is naturally...

~ Childhood Memories ~

This naughty boy is, Sam in Trouble.  And it was THE perfect image to make a coloring box for my son Nathan. Some of you may remember that I made THIS coloring box for Brooke and had promised to make one for Nathan too.  

He loves it and is taking very good care of it too, although he's not very interested in coloring right now.  He is all about his ABC's - actually obsessed would be more accurate.  LOL!!   He carries around his notebook and green sharpie pen and writes his letters everyday - ALL.  DAY.  LONG!!   Next we will be working on writing real words and not just letters.  For now the only word he can write is his name and he can write that like no-body's business!!  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll take a moment and peek over at the Paper Sundae's blog to see all the gorgeous Childhood Memory inspiration the Sundae Girls have for you!!

Well, we are off to Disney with my Mom and Dad today.  Our Disney passes are expiring at the end of the month so I am squeezing in as many days as I can.  

Spring Blossoms

It's Sunday and that means a new challenge at Paper Sundae's

~ Spring Blossoms ~

And the sponsor is one of my favorite stamp companies, Lili of the Valley.  

So of course I HAD to design this week!! LOL

I know, I know.  My card doesn't look very springy.  Guess it's the mood I'm in.  But hey, he is holding flowers so that has to count right?  This sweet little bear is Teddy with Bouquet.  I've left a sentiment off so that it could be used for almost any occasion.  I really distressed up all the edges and inked them all up with Vintage Photo.  The DP is Linen Closet from DCWV.  I decided to go with a brown monochromatic color scheme and give it a old photograph quality since there weren't any springy colors in my paper to draw from.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll take a moment and peek over at the Paper Sundae's blog to see all the gorgeous Spring Blossom inspiration the Sundae Girls have for you!!

Paper Sundaes - Keep It Simple

I am so excited to be playing with my girls this week at Paper Sundae's.  

The challenge this week is 

~ Keep it Simple ~

and is being sponsored by My Favorite Things.

I was getting ready to make my DT card when I saw this week sketch at MFT and thought it was went perfectly with this week's simple theme.  My image is a la modes, Something's Fishy and I've kept things fairly simple with embossed cardstock and only 1 small piece of Basic Grey, Origins DP.  I've paper pieced the fish and drew a frame around the image as I've seen Jodi Collins do and couldn't wait to try for myself.  The ribbon I've had in my stash forever but could never seem to find the right project to use it.  Super excited to see it finally used!!   The sentiment is a digi from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps with a little Stickles along the edge for a little sparkle and fun.

Challenges:

My Favorite Things = #10 Sketch

One Stop Craft = #122 Clean & Simple

Crafty Catz = #73 Yellow & Green

Raise The Bar = 57 G.R.E.E.N. 

(Girl, Rhinestones, Embossing, Embellishment, Nestie)

Stamping with the Dragon = St Patrick'd Day (Color combo)

Meljen's = #49 Green

Paper Play = #10 Shades of Green/Good Luck

Creative Card Crew = No Flowers

Simon Says Stamp = Anything Goes

Going Grey w/Scrap Creations = Going Green

Click HERE to check out the Paper Sundae's Girls DT creations and then link up your SIMPLE project!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By the way ~ I had a wonderful time last week at Suzanne Dean Copic class.  The highlight was meeting my friend Tracy in person and spending the day with her.  We have so much in common it's almost freaky!!  It's so nice when you meet someone and you just "click".   She and I were cutting up and laughing the whole time that we were for sure the "bad table"!!  LOL  I hope Suzanne didn't find us to be too obnoxious!!   Hopefully Tracy and I can hang out together again real soon.  I wish I had a photo to share with you, but in my excitement I forgot my camera.  :(

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wendy

Love Shack ~ Baby!!

Happy Birthday 1st Birthday Paper Sundae's!!!

To celebrate we're having a blog hop.  And what's a blog hop without prizes?  Well, we have SIX (6) different prizes for you to win.  All you need to do is collect a word when you visit each Sundae Girl, to complete the secret phrase and enter your answer on the Paper Sundae's blog comments (the last stop).  And to further entice you to play along, you'll even find a few Sundae Girls giving away yummy candy too.  

I'm the FIRST stop on the hop!!  :)      

Our challenge for this week is extra special ~ we would like for you to choose your favorite Paper Sundae's challenge from the past year.  

I've chosen our 3rd challenge - Valentines!!

This is one of the newest images just released by 

Your Next Stamp, Love Shack!!

I could not wait to play with this image when I saw it!!!  I knew that I wanted to keep it clean and simple so I decided to paper piece the entire image rather than color it.  I used Copic's E43 for shading on the house and that was it.  The hearts coming out of the chimney are mounted on foam dots as is the main image panel.  

Now next on our hop is my friend TRACY.  You're in for a treat because all of her cards are gorgeous!!  But before you go, please don't forget to leave me a comment and to collect your word.  My word is THANK.

Here's a complete list of participants if you get lost along the way.

                                                                            

Wendy

Tracy

Pattie

Lisa

Karina

Gloria

Fiona

Danielle

Crystal

Alica

Shana

Christine

Paper Sundae's 

Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Wendy

Circle Circle Dot Dot

Now you've got your cootie shot!!  LOL

I swear, the whole time I was making this for Paper Sundae's challenge this week ~ CIRCLES ~ that little rhyme was going through my head the entire time.  Can you tell I hang out with children too much?  This week we have one of my favorite stamp company as our sponsor...

Lili of the Valley is having a new release this coming Tuesday (01-11-11) and I plan to get more than a few for myself.      :)  And the Sundae girls are lucky enough to have a few of the LOTV design team girls to join us this week too.  So you don't want to miss the amazing inspiration this week at Paper Sundaes.

This card is another of the male birthday cards that I need for this month.  Lucky for me, it came together rather easily.  I just pulled out everything I owned that was a circle and used it all.  LOL  Again, trying to keep it simple since it's for a man.  I think I'll be sending this one to my dad :)

Challenges:
Make it Colorful Warm or Cool Colors (Cool)
Sweet Stampin Challenge= Try something different (no DP)
Raise The Bar= #48 Photo Inspiration
Cute Card Thursday= #146 Out with the Old (Ribbon)
Aud Sentiments = #19 2 Word Sentiment
Speedy The Cat's= #37 Embossing
Do You Stack Up? = #1 Cute as a Button
Delightful Challenges = Buttons
Paperplay = #11 Clean & Simple

Sorry I don't have the Copic's listed.  My son was trying to "help" me and he put them all away for mommy when I walked away from my desk.  :(

Before I leave you, I wanted to let you know that 7 Kids College Fund will now be carrying Sew Easy products from We R Memory Keepers!!  

They are currently on pre-order HERE.  If you can't sew or don't want to drag out your machine these projects will give you the same look.  Which reminds me that I haven't stitched on a card in FOREVER!!  But it's because my sewing is less than stellar, so these products would be perfect for me!!  LOL

Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Wendy

For Baby

It's Sunday and I'm guest designing again for Paper Sundaes.

Meljen's Designs is sponsoring this weeks challenge which is 

 Anything But A Square.

I know, I know.  This looks like a square right?  Nope!!  See?

Pin It

I've made a super sweet gift card holder for a friends baby shower gift.  Isn't it the sweetest thing?!?! Well, I can't take credit.  My blogging buddy Kerri made this same gift card holder and I copied her's I loved it so much.  You can see her's HERE.  

The gift card holder is a template from Perfect Presentations, My Little Bag.  I just love the way it opens.  You could even include some little candies or other small goodies inside as well.  The brown ribbon I used for the handle has a shimmery gold thread through the satin.   It turned out to be the perfect match for this little project.  It's has such a pretty sparkle in real life.

I used Basic Grey's mini magnets to keep it closed.  (I just took the picture before I put them on)  The image is a freebie that is offered for joining Meljen's Papercraft Planet Group.  After I colored the image I cut it out and popped it up on foam dots on the embossed panel.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wendy

Recipe:

Stamp: Meljen Designs Digital Freebie - Lion

Template: Perfect Presentations - My Little Bag

DP: DCWV Nana's Nursery's Boy

Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots

Nestabilities: Circle & Large Scalloped Circle

Ribbon: Unknown

Dimensionals

Sentiment: Computer Generated- AdineKirnberg Script

Copics:  I'll update later...don't have my notebook, it's downstairs and I'm too lazy!!

No Peeking!!

I'm so excited to be Guest Designing with my girls at Paper Sundae's this week!!  

This week's challenge is to Adorn Those Corners.  

You can use pearls, buttons, bling, stamps, corner rounder, etc...  (I finally was able to use these cute little metal photo corners I've had for seriously 8 + years!! )

 And our fabulous sponsor of this challenge is  

They have a HUGE selection of Magnolia's.

Which is where you can find Sneaky Tilda, Unwrapped Tilda ,Wedding Tilda and the Christmas Tree (which seems to be sold out at the moment).  

I was inspired a few weeks ago to create a door hanger for when you're wrapping gifts when I saw a little wooden sign in Cracker Barrel (A Country Restaurant) that said "Wrapping in Progress...No Peeking!"  I knew right away that I would use my Unwrapped Tilda and Christmas Tree.  But a few days later I saw Mindy Baxter's card where she grouped a few Tilda's together like this and decided that the more Tilda's the merrier!!  :)

Here you can see it hanging on my craft closet door.

I thought this would take me FOREVER to color and started becoming intimidated by it.  So I sat down one evening after dinner and just started coloring while chatting my husband.  It did take me almost 3 hours but I was finished just in time to put the kids to bed.  The next morning I put everything together and added some sparkle!  I wish you could see this in real life.  When the light hits the Christmas tree it looks like it's lit up and shining, it's so beautiful.    I only added Stickles on their hair bows, the Christmas tree and the ribbons on the packages.  I really didn't want to over do it.  The sentiment is computer generated and has Stickles along the edge too.  I also used my last sheet of Bo Bunny ('Tis the Season) DP.  :(

Challenges:

Totally Gorjuss = #58 Oh Christmas Tree

One Stop Craft = #108 Christmas Cuties

Stampin For The Weekend = #51 Winter

Craft Challenge = #78 Christmas Present Project

Charismacardz = #47 One For The Girls

A Spoonfull of Sugar = #131 Anything Goes

Pear Tree Designs = #27 Colorful

Really Reasonable Ribbon = #12 Christmas

Copic's Used:

I promise to update later...or you can email me.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Wendy

Recipe:

One For MY Boy!!

Good Morning!!  It's time for another Paper Sundae challenge!!

This weeks challenge is One For The Boys!!  

And this week is being sponsored by 

They carry a huge line of The Greeting Farm stamps and I used Oliver from the My Favorite Things set. I love his sweet little face and that little fish bowl.

This card is for my son, Nathan in celebration of his 1st pets.  Three little goldfish that are black, calico & gold.   He originally wanted to name them Big Fish, Little Fish & Fishy.  (Yes, I'm really serious.  LOL)  I asked begged him to PLEASE give it a little more thought.  So while playing in the bathtub he decided on Pirate, Paint and Mermaid.  LOL  (Mermaid is actually Brooke's fish)  He loves to watch them, talk to them and feed them all day long.  He wants me to move their tank so that they can watch TV.  He thinks they're bored.  :)

Sadly, this is my last post as a regular

 DT member for Paper Sundaes.  :(  

I'm needing a little more time with my babies right now so I've decided to only guest design for the next few months.  BUT there are some terrific and very talented new girls on the team, and I hope very much that you will pay them a visit.  

Challenges:

Copic's Used:

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R00

Jacket/Shoes: E37, E34, E31, E29

Jeans: B26, B23, B21

Shirt: YR18, YR14, YR12

Hair: E29, E49, E37, E47, E25, E35, Y26, E31

Fish & Bowl: YR04, YR00, B00, B000

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Wendy

Recipe:

Stamp: The Greeting Farm - Oliver (My Favorite Things)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

DP: Recollections (Autumn)

Glossy Accents

Natural Woman

Our challenge this week at Paper Sundae's is to create a card or project using a Woman image with the added element of Nature.  I chose SNOW as my nature element.

Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Wags n' Whiskers.

  I was generously given this beautiful image Laila to design with.  I've been seeing all these beautiful Christmas/Winter fairies and wanted to try to do one myself.

Since I was busy last week getting ready for my trip, I needed a quick card design to get this card done.  I chose to try a Joy Fold card for the first time.  My first attempts at anything never go fast so I don't know what possessed me (LOL) but I'm so glad it did it because it really was fast and so much fun.  You're going to see more Joy Folds from me in the near future.  (My husband just wonders if the recipients of these type of cards will know how to "open" them without tearing them up!!)  I don't know why he has to stress me out with those type of questions!!!  LOL  

I've used My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas DP with a PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream card base that I embossed with my Cuttlebug snowflake folder.  Because I didn't want the back of the embossing to show, I added a single layer behind the card itself so that you don't see it when you turn the card over.  I adapted my card size from the tutorial you can find on HERE.  I cut a tiny piece of foam that came in the snowflake brads packaging to Pop it up so that it can be used to hold the card closed, but still allow it to be opened.  (If they don't tear it up like my husband thinks they will...Grrrr)  

Don't forget, Paper Sundae's is currently holding a DT Call.  You have until this Tuesday, Oct 26th to apply!!  You'll get to work with a bunch of super cool chicks (like me, LOL) and receive occasional freebies too. Click HERE for details and to apply, but you need to HURRY!!!

Challenges:
Totally Gorjuss = #53 Sparkle
Fussy & Fancy = #22 Winter Wonderland

Copic's Used:
Dress: BG75, BG72, BG10, BG0000
Wings: BG18, BG13, BG11, BG0000, Colorless Blender
Skin: E11, E00, E50, R00
Hair: BG72, BG10, BG0000
Outline/Background: N0, C1, C2, BG0000, BG10

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoy your Sunday!
Wendy
Recipe:
Stamp: Wags n' Whiskers (Lalia)
DP: My Mind's Eye (Signature Christmas)
Paper: PaperTrey Ink (White Cardstock)
Brad: The Paper Studio - Spare Parts
Shimmerz: Pixie Dust
Stickles: Star Dust