New Natalie from The Stamping Boutique

Okay, I love these new images from Tracey at the Stamping Boutique ... Maybe because it reminds me of my daughter so much.  I colored this one with Copics and then added some Glossy Accents to her eyes and a few of the ornaments.  I used the scallop border punch on the sides to go along with Tracey's rendition of the lace.  I punched the corners with a snowflake corner punch & wanted the white card base to show through, so left it after I added a ribbon.  This one's a darling.  If I hadn't already stamped the back with "Operation Write Home", I might be tempted to keep it, lol.

Thanks for stopping by!

Some fun with The Stamping Boutique

Okay, been playing with my Stamping Boutique images this week and weekend ...

This card was made with Tracey's new "Jade" digital image.   After coloring her with Copics, I added some white gel pen then some glossy accents to her eyes, pony holders and shoes then finished off with some pink glitter gel pen to her bag that looks like it came from "Pink".  I'm patiently awaiting another new one, "Sami" ... another cute image. 

Keep 'em coming, Tracey - no pressure tho (wink, wink).

Thanks for stopping by!

Couple of Stamping Boutique samples

This first card is made from a digital image from The Stamping Boutique for a challenge with a Rain theme.  I couldn't think outside the box on this, so I stuck with Audrey and her umbrella.  She was colored with Copics then I added some glossy accents to her puddle and the rain drops, and some clear glitter gel pen to her buttons and the sparkles.  The sentiment is computer generated.

This second one was inspired by the Splitcoast Stampers' Ways to Use it challenge for today - to create a Holiday inspired card ... This is a newer image out by The Stamping Boutique, so I wanted to give it a go.  Santa was colored with Copics and then I added some Glossy Accents to his glasses, belt buckle and boots before finished off with some clear glitter gel pen on the sparkles.  I added some black 'n white Bakers twine and a burgundy button before finishing with the sentiment.  I'm going to add this to my Operation Write Home stash.  I really should send that box along pretty soon.

Anyway - thanks for coming by again ... Love to hear what you have to say.

Splitcoast Challenges

For yesterday's Sketch challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers ...

This was my first attempt ... Had in mind an idea - didn't turn out the way I planned (even tho I still like it), so I tried another one - Consider these my Rough Draft and Final Copy, lol.

I used the Stampin' Up Just Believe set for both.  In the one on the right, I created the middle layers by 'stamping off' rose red randomly to create a designer paper.  The main panel was stamped directly then sponged with some celery before matting and adding a rose ribbon.

This second one was made by inking up the image then sponging on some celery down at the bottom to give it some color differentiation.  I used the long oval Nesties then one of those mat cutters to get a closer margin on my kraft mat.  Designer paper is from Basic Grey's Bittersweet (bittersweet that I'm nearing the end of my pack); matting on pretty in pink and finishing off with a pink grosgrain ribbon and some half pearls.

I do think the 2nd is a more polished look, but I still like the first attempt, too

Thanks for popping in for a Look-See ...

Name that Odd Girl Monkey

Some Odd Girl is having a 'Name that Monkey' Contest.

For more details, click on the blinkie below ... 

Color Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers

Today's Color Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers was to use Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze and Wild Wasabi. 

The background on this first card was made by stamping various snowflakes from the Snow Burst set in baja ink on baja cardstock randomly.  I then sponged the edges with baja to set it off.  I used the canvas stamped in baja on vanilla with a few more snowflakes randomly placed around the perimeter.  Once it was done, I added some Diamond Stickles to the ornaments to make them pop. 

My second card was made with the same color palette, but I used a digital image from The Stamping Boutique and followed the challenge from yesterday's post from Scrap It With a Song - specifically, Rob Thomas' Little Wonders.  The Stamping Boutique is sponsoring this weeks challenge, so head on over.  I've been itching to work on this image, so yesterday's challenge seemed to be the ticket!

I tried to used my Copics that closely matched the color combination of the day.  The background on this 2nd one was made by stamping an all over cloud image in baja ink on baja cardstock.  I wanted to keep the back of the card the blue, so I sponged around the edges before adding this to the baja base.  The sentiment is computer generated.

Thanks for popping in ... I'd love to hear what you think!  Have a great day.

Scrap it with a Song

Today over at Scrap it With a Song, they've chosen the song "These Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas. And SURPRISE ... The Stamping Boutique was asked to sponsor this week's challenge.

I'm a huge Rob Thomas fan, so I know this song well. Plus, it's in the movie, Meet the Robinson's. I had to chose this image of the sleeping fairy baby for my choice. I colored with Copics and dazzled it with clear glitter gel pen. The sentiment was computer generated.

Hope you get a chance to play!  Thanks for stopping by!

Having some fun on Sunday

After Recreational football games this weekend, was fun to get some stamping in last night.

This first card ws made with a digital image from The Stamping Boutique called Serenity. I colored her with Copics and enhanced with some white gel pen and some clear glitter gel pen on the sparkles that Tracey, the artist, adds to her images. I love this wide daffodil ribbon from Stampin' Up. I knotted it with some white organdy and added a butterfly - was inspired by her wingspan.

I love Tracey's entire Enchantment Line.  Love the whimsical fairies she creates.  Can't wait for more to come.

For this second card - I think I was on a fairy kick, huh? - I used a digital image from Mo Manning's Digital Pencil Too.  This Tuesday's Child was colored with Copics.  I added some pink glitter gel pen to the bottom edges of her wings to make it shine a bit.  The sentiment is from Create by TLC , they have a fabulous selection of sentiments - you should head on over there. Lots of freebies, too!

For this last one, I went a little funky. This fun monster is a digital image from The Stamping Boutique also. I colored him with Copics, then used my colorless blender to randomly dot to give his skin a mottled effect. I added some glossy accents to his eyes (even the ones floating on his antennae) to give them a googly-eye type of look. I used Halloween colors of floss to thread my black buttons and then finished off wth some black Stickles to the scalloped edge of the razzleberry.

My darling daughter is now 15, so not sure who I'm going to give these Halloween cards to ... But they sure are fun to make !

Thanks for stopping by !

Copic Muskateers Blog Challenge #3

The Copic Muskateers Blog Challenge #3 is to create a card using some of the marvelous work put out by Create with TLC found here. Specifically, the sentiment "Being Fabulous is hard work, but somebody's gotta do it", which was offered as a Freebie on August 16, 2010. The image on this first one is from the Digi Doodle Shop from their Shoe Set. I pulled the sentiment into the digital image so I didn't have separate panels.

This second card was made using the same sentiment and an image from Digital Two For Tuesday, called Pretty2 by creativemindofsylvie. I did the same thing with the sentiment, incorporating it into the image panel.


I need to get some of my rubber stamps out one of these days, but I'm just having such a blast coloring these images in with my Copics - my new true love, lol. Can't wait for the Intermediate Copic class coming up next month ... "I'm so excited ... I just can't hide it ... I'm about to lose control ... " Well, maybe not, lol. At least this time, there's no CHA going on next door, so I won't spend all my moolah!

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to!

Paper Craft Planet - via The Stamping Boutique

Tomorrow, September 18th, Paper Craft Planet will be hosting a Digi-Day sponsored by The Stamping Boutique.  See my previous post for specific details.

I'll be at football games all day tomorrow, so wanted to get a couple of my cards up as soon as I finished.  This little gem is the Ice Princess from Tracey Malnofski's Candy Land line, which will be showcased on tomorrow's Digi-Day from 2-4 at PCP.

I colored her in with Copics and then added a thin layer of diamond Stickles to her cape and crown as well as some gold Stickles to Tracey's sparklies.  I affixed the panels of Basic Grey Bittersweet papers to the base via sewing machine.  You can't really see if because of the bow, but I punched a slot to thread the ribbon up through to tie the bow.  I finished with a corner punch combo of chocolate and pink before adding white half pearls.  She's a real beauty!

This next one is a holiday inspired Candy Land card.  Once again, I colored with Copics then added some crystal accents to the suckers, jellybeans and cherries.  I'm starting to sneak from my sewing stash, hence the lace trim.  Who came out with this Bakers Twine - I'm loving it.  It makes something initially dressy into something more accessible.  (Am I talking of a clothing line here, lol).  Anyway, I love how this turned out.  I'm not sure yet which sentiment I want to put on it, but will affix something before I send it on to Operation Write Home, I'm sure.

Go check out Tracey's other work at The Stamping Boutique's storefront. Oh, and make sure you stop by Paper Craft Planet's The Stamping Boutique Group tomorrow from 2-4 !

In the meantime, here's another image from The Stamping Boutique ... Frankie ... Who could be scared of this guy - he's so stinkin' cute!  I colored this with Copics and found some halloween colored ribbon hardware that matched my Old Olive ribbon to a T, so had to use it.  Love this background paper.  Can't tell, but it's embossed where the spider webs are .. Very cool.  I'm telling you, you need to go take a peek at Tracey's digital images - they're too cute !

Thanks for stopping by.

Paper Craft Planet Digi Day sponsored by The Stamping Boutique

The Stamping Boutique Digi Image Day on Paper Craft Planet

The gals over at The Stamping Boutique have decided to try something new on Paper Craft Planet with you all...how does a digital image day sound to you? This will be our very first time doing this with PCP and we're all super excited, so excited that Tracey has been working hard to put together an awesome winter image release just in time for our first digi day with you all.

Think back to when you were little...what was your favorite game? I'm not talking about computer games or video games...I'm talking about a good, old fashioned, family night fun board kind of game. I ask this question not only because this is the theme for our very first digi image day but also because the theme for the image release is Candy Land Winter. Do we have you interested now? You can't even imagine what fabulous images she has come up with so you will have to join us to see for yourself. Some lucky winner will actually win the entire release so be sure to take a look at the details below and mark your calanders. Here are the details:

The Stamping Boutique Digi Image Day

Theme: Game Night (Candy Land Winter)

Where: on PCP at The Stamping Boutique group page

When: September 18th, Saturday

Time: 2PM to 4PM

What to Bring: your crafting supplies

What will be supplied: free new release images, lots of great chatter and prizes

How to join in the fun: become a member of The Stamping Boutique on Paper Craft Planet (and the main blog too if you want) and on the day of the digi image day there will be a discussion set up just for us to chat and get the challenges ... so when you're there just stop by and say hello so we know your ready to play!

We are all excited about this and hope that you all will join us for the fun. We guarentee you are going to LOVE this new set of images from Tracey Malnofski, artist extraordinaire at The Stamping Boutique.  You can check out all her amazing images HERE in the meantime.

We will be doing 3 challenges and playing 1 game...so you have 4 chances to win some awesome prizes from The Stamping Boutique.

The Stamping Boutique remembers 9/11

Welcome to The Stamping Boutique's Remember 9/11 Blog Hop. 

Who doesn't remember where they were or what they were doing on that fateful day?  In honor of the troops who continue to provide us with protection, we are inspired by Operation Write Home's efforts to supply our troops with cards to send home by participating in this Stamping Boutique Remember 9/11 Blog Hop.  For more details, please visit The Stamping Boutique's blog.

Here is a list of the lovely ladies who you'll be visiting along the way:

You are HERE

Christy

Debbie

Genevieve

April

Stacie

Lorie

Marie

Jenn R.

Jan

Jenn M.

Amanda

For those of you who don't know - Operation Write Home collects cards made by many of us stampers for the service men and women to send home to their family and friends since there aren't any Hallmark type stores where they're stationed.  Operation Write Home has some specific requirements for their cards which can be found on their website.  Just click the highlighted link to find out more.  (For starters - NO GLITTER ... Stickles are okay since they won't typically rub off.  Also - they prefer the standard A2 size cards, but will gladly accept any you wish to donate.)  If you have a stash of cards you don't know what to do with, Operation Write Home would love to take them off your hands.  They typically ask, however, that you include a blank envelope for every card you send.  It's a wonderful way to show the troops some love by allowing them the opportunity to send a card back home. 

This first card was made using a digital image from The Stamping Boutique's blog.  I did draw in some lines on the awareness ribbon so I could color them red/white/blue.

I love this image - See below for the one I did in yellow - Support our Troops!

This next card was made with another image from The Stamping Boutique.  Check it out ... Tracey Malnofski, the artist, has this flag on its own, one with a little girl in front and one with a soldier in front.  They're wonderful.

Be sure to leave comments along your travels ... and make certain you stop by The Stamping Boutique's blog to receive a special gift.  Tracey Malnofski is a wonderful artist and has loads of fun images.

Now, from here, hop on over to Christy's blog

to see what she's up to.  Happy Hopping!

Thanks for stopping by!

Dutch Dare Bookmark Challenge

This bookmark was for today's Dutch Dare Challenge - Back to School. 

The images are from The Stamping Boutique's Back to School line - Pencil, Desk and Apple.  I colored all images with Copics then cut out the apple and school desk to pop them up on dimensionals.  I added a few letters and numbers to the background paper, added a large grommet and some antiqued red gingham ribbon for the pull.

Thanks for looking!

Operation Write Home Sketch #34 Challenge

These cards were all made for this week's Sketch Challenge over at Operation Write Home's Stars & Stamps blog. 

This first one followed exactly - using the yellows.  The ribbon image is from The Stamping Boutique.    I added some yellow stickles to the sentiment panel for a subtle brad effect.  All were colored with Copics . 

This second one is also from The Stamping Boutique.  I love the simplicity of the eagle.... 'nuff said.  I added a dot of crystal accents to his eye - looks very cool in real life.  I added some thread wrapped around the horizontal panel before matting up on dimensionals.

This third one - I can't find the artist where I got it from, I apologize.  I will investigate further & if I find it will post it here.  For the background, I used the wax paper resist technique - ran the wax paper through an embossing folder then ironed off onto a sheet of glossy card stock before sponging all over with brown to create the wood.  I also used some faux stitching & faux paper piercing around the panels before popping them up on dimensionals.

Please stop by Operation Write Home's Stars and Stripes blog to see what else is going on for this upcoming weekend, to commemorate September 11th.

Thanks for peeking in ... Have a GREAT Labor Day - Stay Safe!

Splitcoast's Free For All

For this challenge - "Birds of a Feather" ... we were to add a bird and use a color we're not normally drawn to.  As much as I like turquoise, I'm not a fan of the cardstock in that color family which include Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise and Bermuda Bay.

I chose to go with Bermuda Bay here ... toning it down with some Chocolate. 

I stamped this image from Inkadinkado, from the set Winter Birds, in Versafine Majestic Blue then colored the poinsietta's with Real Red and my Stampin' Up blender pen before adding some yellow Stickles to the centers of the flowers.

The background is white that I ran through my Cuttlebug with the Sizzix Dots, Circles and Swirls (or is it dots, swirls & circles?), then sponged heavily with chocolate.  I finished off with a white satin ribbon to brighten it up a bit ...

Not bad, I suppose, for Bermuda Bay, lol.  What do you think?

Simple One Layer Card

Over at SplitcoastStampers, today's Ways to Use it challenge was to use just one sheet of cardstock instead of adding designer papers, etc.  Instead of adding layers using this one sheet of cardstock, I chose to make  this card with only one half-sheet of Apricot Appeal cardstock and stamp the rest.

First, I stamped the sentiment in chocolate, then masked off with a Post-It cut from the Nesties 4 die and sponged around the shape and the edges of the card front.  I then stamped the images, including the faux stitching stamp, all in Chocolate.  After, I ran the card front through the Cuttlebug using Stampin' Up's Lattice folder.

This was so simple and took very little time (unless you factor in my having to reink my Classic chocolate ink pad with Craft reinker and me not realizing at first why it wasn't absorbing into the ink pad - duh!)  Oh well ... guess it's time for a new chocolate classic ink pad and some reinker, right?

Thanks for stopping by!  Love to know what you think.

Aud Sentiments Challenge

So - "Best Wishes" is the name of the game over at Aud's Sentiments Challenge.

I used the Splitcoast Stampers color challenge for this card as well ... Baja breeze, Melon mambo and More Mustard. 

The image is a digital image from The Stamping Boutique - Snowman Sign.  I wrote in the sentiment.  The image was colored with Copics and I then added some glossy accents to his hat buckle, nose and the shiny spots on his shoes.

The ribbon - argh!  - was dyed.  Took some white grosgrain & held it under a sponge while dragging the ribbon over the melon mambo stamp pad.  I let it air dry for about an hour in a half, but my finger tips are all pink now. 

I'm going to put this card in with my stash to go to Operation Write Home.

So, whatcha think?  Thanks for stopping by!

Crafty Creations Challenge #83

Today's Challenge over at Crafty Creations Challenges was to create a card with white and ONE other color.  And this challenge is sponsored by none other than ... The Stamping Boutique - YAY!  This card was made using the digital image, If the Shoe Fits ... Now that Boots has been 'tampered with', he no longer plays in my shoes, but boy, that used to be his favorite playground!  This image was colored with Copics to match the Pale Plum that Stampin' Up used to carry.

I embossed the background with SU's Lattice folder then the vertical strip with Sizzix Dots folder.  Sewed all panels on white mat w/some pale lavendar thread.  Added 2 rows of lace trim with a satin ribbon over top.  The embossed layers were lightly dusted with pale plum ink. 

I was hesitant at first for this image, but I'm so glad I got it - I think this turned out so precious!

What do you think?

SCS Sketch challenge for today

This cute image came from The Stamping Boutique.  I colored him with Copics and added some Glossy Accents to his eyes and the metal finding on the top of the ornament.  I also added some diamond Stickles to Tracey's sparklies and some white Flower Soft to his pompom.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Best Yet sentiments set.  I used some of the designer paper from Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses paper pack and matted them with green. 

Adding this little fella to my Operation Write Home stack that I'll send along later this month.

Thanks for stopping by for a Peeka Boo !