AngelsLanding.com Gallery - Flowerpot Card

Wow! I can't thank Judi enough for featuring my two cards on her blog. She has decided to add my flowerpot card in her shop gallery.

Thanks Judi for the opportunity to work with your fabulous images!

Here is a link: Simply Flowers and Flowerpot

** COMING SOON **

I will be putting together a tutorial in the next week or so on how to use MS Powerpoint with digital images.

My First Blog Award

It's been a many of firsts for me this week...I received this Friendship blog award from Diane from My Useless Crafts. I just went over to her blog to congratulate her on the award and I was one of the honorable mentions! I am so touched by this and thank Diane for her friendship. Thanks Diane! You are a sweety!

Hop on over to Diane's blog - she is an amazing stamper and shows off loads of great inspiration for all of you Hannah and Riley fans! She recently became a DT member over at the Corrosive Challenge Blog...Hooray for Diane!

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."

1. Diane (right back at yah kiddo)

2. Chris

3. Judi

4. Mel

5. Nancy

6. Lindsay

7. Leslie

8. Rochelle


Thanks to all of these ladies for their creativity and inspiration!

Sheetload for Cards Submission Challenge Blog Post

Below are my sample cards and Beyond the Card item for the second part of the Sheetload of Cards DT call requirements...I am so excited to have been part of this journey. Submissions are due by April 30th. Sheetload will announce the new DT members on May 10.

It would be such an honor to work for Sheetload. Crossing my fingers and anything else I can cross - or does that cancel out crossing just your fingers??? We'll see...

My submission is based on the January issue of Sheetload of Cards

GRANDMOTHER FRAME

Sentiment: Computer Generated; Patterned Paper: K&Company; Cardstock: Unkown (Kraft), Stampin' Up (More Mustard); Flower: Crochet Fleurette, Button: Unkown, Ribbon: Unkown (Vanilla Organdy Ribbon)

* The flower background on the patterned paper takes the place of PP2 *

GRANDMOTHER BIRTHDAY CARD

Stamps: Stampin' Up (Well-Worn Words), GinaK Designs (Take Flight); Sentiment: Computer Generated; Patterned Paper: K&Company; Cardstock: Unkown (Kraft); Stampin' Up (More Mustard); Fiber: On the Surface (Light Neutral); Chipboard: Joann Chipboard Pack (Butterfly); Flower: Crochet Fleurette, Button: Unkown

* Chipboard butterfly used in place of PP2; Sentiment was used rather than an image for CS3; Fiber placed underneath butterfly embellishment *

DRESSMAKER BIRTHDAY CARD 1

Stamps: Stampin' Up (Warmest Regards); Digital Images: Melstampz (Dressmaker, Sewing Pattern Text, Arabesque Keyhole Template), Angel's Landing (Simply Flowers); Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas (Value Paper Pad); Cardstock: The Paper Company (Dark Brown, Vanilla), Unkown (Kraft); Stampin' Up (Ruby Red); Ribbon: Earth Friendly (Crochet Ribbon); Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen); Flower Center: Panacea Decorative Accents (Clear Mini Accents); Ribbon: Offray Spool O' Ribbon (Wine)

DRESSMAKER BIRTHDAY CARD 2

Digital Images: Melstampz (Dressmaker, Sewing Pattern Text, Arabesque Keyhole Template); Sentiment: Computer Generated; Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas (Value Paper Pad); Cardstock: The Paper Company (Dark Brown, Vanilla), Unkown (Kraft); Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen), Stampin' up (Ruby Red); Punch: Martha Stewart (Lace) Flower: Crochet Fleurette; Button: Unkown; Stitching: Janome Mini Sewing Machine (Zigzag)

I THANK GOD FOR YOU

Digital Images: Digiments (Scripture sentiment), Melstampz (Roses, Sewing Pattern Text); Patterned Paper: Magnolia; Cardstock: Unkown (Yellow), Georgia Pacific (White), Unkown (Kraft); Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen), Stampin' up (Ruby Red, Old Olive, Pink Passion); Punch: Stampin' Up (Slit for Scallop Border); Flower Center: Panacea Decorative Accents (Clear Mini Accents); Stitching: Janome Mini Sewing Machine (Zigzag)

* Used the Roses border in place of the ribbon/fiber embellishment *

MOM

Stamps: Stampin Up (Well-Worn Words); Sentiment: Computer Generated; Patterned Paper: Magnolia; Cardstock: Unkown (Kraft); Ink: Tim Holtz Distrss Ink (Antique Linen), Stampin' up (Ruby Red); Punch: Fiskars (Apron Lace); Ribbon: Offray (White Grossgrain); Stitching: Janome Mini Sewing Machine (Zigzag)Chipboard: Joann Chipboard Pack (Butterfly); Button: Unkown; Wire: The Beadery (Craft Wire)

Yay me! I am featured on Angel's Landing Blog!!!

I couldn't stand but share my excitement that two the latest cards I just posted is featured on the Angel's Landing blog as AL Eye Candy. I truly am having so much fun with digital stamps - they are so easy manipulate and resizable is the key....Judi rocks!!!

Thanks Judi for offering some aussie-ome (sorry just had to put an Aussie pun/twist to awesome) image sets. I can't wait to make more cards!

Check out Judi's post here: AL Eye Candy 4-28-09

Don't just sit there...now go click on the link above to browse her blog and shop to get some inspiration. Judi is a very talented crafter (she rocks at watercoloring) and shares very useful tidbits on how to use digital stamps.

Just a quickie...

I have not recieved my prisma color pencils yet (I found another seller on ebay who had 100% feedback) and I am so eager to color with them so for now I am stuck with watercoloring (which I like to do but anxious to try out a new coloring technique). Maybe today??? I am keeping my fingers crossed. If not today, then maybe tomorrow. I am hoping to get my $$$ back from paypal from that crooked seller I bought from the first time. I hope everyone else does too.

Keep posted for more cards and projects...just need to take some pics and upload.

Thanks so much to all of you who visit little ol' me! Laters taters!

LSC217 Have a G-Day Mate! Aussie Style

SCS Challenge

LSC217 Make Yourself at Home

This is another sample from Angel's Landing image set called Aussie Animals. I just love how Judi drew all of the animals - so stinkin' adorable. If you haven't tried going digital yet, you should start now. Check out Judi's online store. I'll definitely be making more cards in the next couple of weeks since these sets offer so many infinite possibilities.

I created this with the Limited Supply Challenge in mind - the colors of the base card are based on the color I have in my craft room - tangerine color.

I have been wanting to make a round scalloped circle card and this was the perfect opportunity. I created the scalloped circle using the Design Studio software and used the largest size at 5 1/2" (note: I used the baby Cricut to cut the scalloped circle). I wanted the scallops to go all the way around so I created a fold at the top with a bone folder and used red tacky tape to adhere it together (snipped off extra edges around the scallops). I used a crop-a-dile to make the smaller circles.

For the innner circles... I created two circles (gray and white with the printed image) with the DS software. With the scalloped circle still on the computer screen, I was able to create two circles and adjust them to the size I wanted so I had the perfect fit. Before cutting, I deleted the scalloped circle so that wouldn't get cut again. Resize the inner circle with the outer circle still on the screen to adjust to right size and delete outer circle. In order to get the printed image in the center of the white panel, I printed her off first on scrap paper to see what size I needed her to be. Normally, I place the piece of cardstock over the image and hold it up to the light so I can see where I want to place the image then carefully place it down on the table and adhere a small piece of tape or you can use repositionable adhesive to keep the circle from moving when placed in the printer. Then voila, you got yourself a koala in the middle of the circle.

For the rest of the card...I adhered microbeads on the center of the flower with some clear liquid glue. I wanted to make this koala girlie so I added a bow on top of the head. To make it look like the koala was holding the flower, I slit a small opening at the top of the left paw and inserted the flower in the opening and placed it how I wanted the flower to fall. I just taped the flower on the back so that it wouldn't move.

I did not put a sentiment on this card yet since I am not sure who to send it to yet...but that is the easy part.

stamps: digi stamps from angel's landing aussie animals, su crackle background stamp paper: white/peach/grey cs ink: going grey, ruby red, only orange, old olive, pastels for cheek color accessories: scotch foam mounting tape, cricut mini monogram cart, design studio, ribbon, microbeads, craft knife, liquid glue, crop-a-dile, thin tacky tape to hold card together

TLC215 Flower Pot

SCS Challenge

TLC215 Flower Pot

It has been so long since I have participated in a Try a New Technique Challenge. I acquired this digital set from Angel's Landing called Simply Flowers and thought this would be the perfect project for these flowers. I made this card in hopes that it will bring Spring here in my neck of the woods. You have to check out Judi's shop - lots of great image sets to choose from. You will be seeing more of these images in other projects.

Some people use MS Word to load and print digital images, but I often find that using MS Powerpoint is alot easier to use and easier to maneuver the image around the page wherever you want like the layering done on this card. I printed off several flowers I wanted to layer and cut them out separately (you can see them layered in the front). Instead of piecing too many flowers behind the others to make it look fuller, I created one image with flowers layered on top of each other. This actually might call for a tutorial since it is easier to see than explain (in a much later post). The bigger layered piece was easier to adhere to the back rather than piecing individual pieces and I was able to create a fuller piece. I watercolored the flowers and added glitter glue in the middle. I added some microbeads to the middle of the pink flower (sorry I am bad with flower names) with clear liquid glue. I double layered the pink flower as well before adding the microbeads. To top it off, I crimped the bottom piece of the pot by cutting off the 2" piece hanging from the pot and adhered it back to the bottom piece with double stick tape. I used a Martha Stewart lace punch for the piece of cardstock that hangs over the pot. To make it look more realistic, I cut and popped up a kookaburra bird (had to look up this little guy online to see how to color him - he really is cute too in real life). I used a grass stamp from The Angel Company called Happy Bug Day (a now retired set) to make the grass so that the little kookaburra had some ground to stand on. To make sure the card stays closed, I wrapped a satin ribbon around it.

Now, I am not a green thumb at all like the rest of my family...so I will stick with these kind of flowers instead - LOL. Plus these will last longer than real ones!

stamps: tac happy bug day for grass, digi stamps from angel's landing simply flowers, paper: kraft/white cs, ink: summer sun, bliss blue, brocade blue, pretty in pink, pink passion, only orange, creamy caramel accessories: scotch foam mounting tape, glitter glue, double stick tape, crimper, ms lace punch, white satin ribbon, aquapainter

MIA

Nothing to post today...

Sorry I have been MIA for the past couple of days...I purchased a set of prismacolor pencils from ebay and after a week of stalking the mailman just found out that I won't be getting my pencils. The seller sent a refund to everyone who bought a set from him with no explanation. But at least I won't have to put a dispute in with paypal or ebay. Now, I just have to find another deal! Aaaarrgghhh! Deep breath!

I am currently working on some things so I promise to post in the next few days. Have just been too tired lately too - gotta get that stamping mojo back! And some prisma pencils!!!!

Hippity Hoppy Easter

First off, I want to wish everyone a Hoppy Easter! I just want to make a quick post today of the cards and Easter gifts I made my son and daughter. I created both cards using digital images created by Mel from melstampz. She offered this cute parahoppers as a freebie - she is so awesome. See the following links to download images:

Parachuting Digi Bunnies
Boy Parahopper
Girl Parahopper

I kept the original size of the bunnies. Not only did Mel share some images, but she went above and beyond the digi images and offered paper piecing pieces for both the boy and girl so you wouldn't have to print the whole image multiple times. But in this case, I chose to paper piece the parachutes with patterned paper. Because the bunnies had small details, I chose to color the bunnies with some colored pencils that I've had since college (Crayola and some generic brand). I can't wait to play with my new prisma colored pencils. DH let me buy the whole kit and kaboodle (colored pencils, stumps, sharpener, colorless blender pencils, etc) for our 10th anniversary! Saawwwweeeeetttt, huh? I've been admiring all of the images colored with colored pencils and prisma pencils came highly recommended (thanks Diane - thanks for the enabling *wink). I thought I would experiment a bit (before my new toys came) and used the tip of a cotton swabs dipped in a little bit of baby oil to blend in the colors a little better (hard to see in the pics) but it did the job. Although I had to be careful to use a clean one for every color because the colors blended altogether creating a mess (don't ask me why I know this?!!!). The bunnies and parachuted were layered for a 3D effect using Scotch mounting tape.

For Easter gifts, I altered 2 electronic banks that I purchased from an Avon rep for a great price of $8 (retails for $16 in Avon catty). She was offering these at such a low price that I decided to get two since my son and daughter have recently been learning about the value of money. There is an electronic counter on the top of the bank which tells them how many coins they have saved. The banks were clear so it was the perfect excuse to alter them. I was planning on giving the banks to them this past Christmas, but the holidays got way too busy. The kids had their own Easter egg hunt here at home this morning and filled some of the eggs with coins so they could get a good start.

I chose to follow the sketch challenge on Dare U 2 Digi stamp...this is a new upcoming challenge blog where you can only use digi images on your cards. They post challenges every Friday. If you love digital images, you should come on over and check it out! Lots of great inspiration and awesome talent.


stamps: disney princess stamps, digi stamps from melstampz, computer generated sentiments paper: white/yellow/purple cs, unkown manufacturer patterned paper ink: bliss blue for sky, colored pencils accessories: scotch foam mounting tape, baby blue and purple wide grossgrain ribbon, buttons, crochet fleurette, string, prima flowers, glue dots, 3D Cars Movie stickers, nestabilities, glitter glue, red tacky tape, electronic banks from Avon

Easter Poem

Here is the poem I found on the internet and used on the cards if anyone wants to use it for last minute Easter cards...

When Easter comes... so does spring,
bringing new life to the world.
The butterfly adorns the fields
gracefully moving among flowers so bold.

The beautiful flowers paint the mind
with their amazing fragrance.
As the birds prepare their nest,
they harmonize in song
celebrating joys of spring and new life.

Just as the spring rains
bring new life to trees and plants,
so did Christ's tears water our soul
giving us life through his death.

We call his act of love "Easter".

Have a Blessed Easter!

Easter Cards Go Digital

Digi stamps are such a rave right now in the stamping world. Many folks are coming up with some awesome designs. I created these cards using digi images from Sketching Stamper. I just love flowers so I bought two of her sets and two individual images.


DAFFODIL EASTER


Card Size: 5 1/2 inch square

The first card is created with the Daffodils image (some inspiration came from sketching stamper's sample on her blog here). Of course, hers came out much more elegant than mine. These flowers just scream Spring to me. This was perfect for an Easter card. It's been a long winter for all us Minnesotans so I wish old man winte would take a break and send out the Spring Fairies (ok, I've watched the movie Tinkerbell way too much - LOL!). I was originally going to layer the flowers for a 3D effect, but I was getting frustrated with the coloring so I went with my all time fave technique, cracked glass. I added some bling with some mini clear decorative accents aka skittles aka dew drops and some glue glitter.

For the inside of the card, I added an Easter poem as well as the same image on cardstock but smaller in size which you can see in the third picture above. This card is going to my hubby's parents. Easter is such a big holiday in there house and we will be missing lots of good food and the traditional flying of the kite (weather permitting).


EASTER EGG WITH PRIMROSES


Card Size: 6 x 5 1/2 inch square

When I saw this other sample from sketching stamper's blog here, I really wanted to create a card with this particular image. Now, even with some patterned paper already chosen for the project, I had a hard time figuring out how I could paper piece or color or how to even make it into a card, but in the end, I divided and conquered! I really like how this one came out. I originally wanted to make an oval card, but wasn't working too well, but kept the size of the printed egg and this is how it turned out (thus the odd size of the card). I really love the bright colors of the flowers and love the complimentary purple cuttlebugged paper piece. I also layered the middle piece twice. For the first layer, I cut out the entire flower bouquet and for the second layer, I only cut out the middle attached flowers (you can see a close-up above). After finishing the card, then I was trying to figure out where to attach the sentiment (computer generated). I finally decided on a place. I added some glitter glue on some of the flowers and sentiment for the final touches.

For the inside the card, I computer generated the poem as in the first card and printed out a lillies as the focal point. I colored in the image, distressed the edges, and added more glitter glue (I love this stuff).

I know the recommended coloring medium for digi images are copics or prismacolor pencils, but since I don't have either of those, I colored with the images with an aquapainter. It works quite well. After printing, I heat set the ink with my embossing gun and after each color added, I heat set every time so that the ink doesn't smear too much. I found that as long as you don't have your brush too wet and don't brush over the lines too much that the ink barely smears (very minor). And if you are mixing colors together, you can't even tell. The more coloring area the image has the better if you are to use the watercoloring method. I think if you have an image with delicate details, you would have to emboss the image so that the ink doesn't run. Now, I jsut read on Pink Petticoat that there is a spray fixative you can buy to set the ink, but I wouldn't know where to buy one here in the US. I also read recently in Memory Makers magazine (May/June issue) that they carry this special product called Strap-N-Tap Perfect printing pouch in their store. It normally retails for $9.95, but currently on sale for $6.95. This is what is says in the description:

This ravioli-shaped pouch eliminates smearing and bleeding and stops ink from resisting on vellum, shiny papers, textured cardstock, and more. It contains an acid-free, talc-free powder that is applied to the paper surface before printing with your inkjet printer or using markers, gel pens and dye stamping inks.

This product might be a great find...will have to post on this at a later date.

I am going to try to work on more cards this week. It's such a good feeling when my son asks me to make him a card for Easter - this just means that how much he appreciates my work. How sweet! I will be working with digi stamps from Mel from stampztoomuch (she is offering some cute bunnies to play with). So stay tuned...

stamps: no stamps used - digi stamps from sketching stamper paper: white/yellow/purple cs ink: antique linen distress ink, garden green, old olive, pretty in pink, pink passion, yoyo yellow, only orange, taken with teal accessories: clear mini decorative accents, aquapainter, scotch foam mounting tape, ultra thick embossing enamel, sponge for distressing, sewing machine, heat gun, glitter glue, cuttlebug heart blocks and swiss dots embossing folders, yellow and purple wide grossgrain ribbon

Crochet Fleurettes

Ok, someone started a thread on SCS about crochet fleurettes and everyone has been generously sharing tips and tutorials. I learned to crochet in Home Economics in elementary school in the Philippines. Yes, they teach that kind of stuff there at an early age. I had to make a complete set of doilies or something like that (well, I kind of cheated and my aunts helped me finish my project because I was too clumsy with the yarn and needle). My late grandmother's hobby and passion was crocheting doilies and blankets. She also taught me a thing or two. After this project, I don't think I tried to pick up a needle and thread for a while until I started my internship for college. My internship was in Pennsylvania and luckily my "honorary aunt" lived close by and I decided to take on crocheting again as a hobby since she was a big crochet-er (is that even a word?) herself. I bought a needle and some yarn...then when I was done with college, I started a career so the whole crocheting thing was put aside again. Until now...

Well, on to the flowers...

I used this diagram from mypicot.com to make the large flower. I only made two layers because otherwise it would be too bulky to put on a project. Maybe too large for a card. Mypicot has a great list of stitch symbols and how to crochet each one so it was a breeze once I got the hang of the stitches again. This one took a while because I had to figure out how to layer the bottom petals and with some patience and research, I found a great tutorial with pics and shows to layer underneath the first layer.

Here is the diagram for the large flower: Irish Flower

Here is the link on how to layer a flower: Layering Flower Technique

Another gal on SCS posted a link of a video tutorial on how to make 5 petal flower (small enough to embellish your cards and even make into barrettes. This is the easiest flower I have ever crocheted. I made about 4 of them within 30 mins.

Here is the link to the video tutorial for the small flower: 5 petal flower

Check out the rest of the tutorials on Little Birdie Secrets...they have some other ones I want to try at a later date. I still have to conquer my crochet rave right now.

ETA: For all of the flowers, I used a size 5 needle and not sure what size thread. I've had this yarn since college - yikes *wince*.

Free Inkadinkado Stamps...They're Here!

I received my free stamps from Inkadinkado last week on either Thursday or Friday - can't remember and finally took a picture of them today. I sent in 3 cards and got 3 wooden stamps back. They are actually pretty nice. They seem to be new releases and one of them retails for at least $13 so Inkadinkado have been pretty generous to us stampers who managed to send in cards for their gallery. My cards aren't in the gallery yet, but hopefully they will show up soon. I am sure they have a whole bunch to upload once the contest is over. I believe it ends on April 15 (packages must be postmarked by this date to qualify).

So here are the Inka beauties that I will have to play with soon...

OMG! I won, I won...the March Sheetload Shoutout

Woo Hoo! I got an email from Alicia this past Saturday that I won the March Sheetload shoutout. Up for grabs were fiskars punches: crest or apron lace and the winner gets to choose one. I chose the Apron Lace since I tend to make more girly cards/projects. I can't wait to play with my new toy!

Make sure to post on your blog for a chance to win for the April Sheetload Shoutout...

April Shout Out to Sheetload of Cards

April 2009 Issue

Here's another shoutout to Sheetload of Cards for the month of April. The Greeting Farm is the sponsor for this month. Up for grabs are some Greeting Farm goodies which they haven't revealed yet (maybe a surprise package of goods???). I don't own any of their images yet, but plan to experiment with their downloads at a later date. They offer such adorable images of Anya and Ian.

Looks like the Sheetload team has a triple challenge up their sleeves. This will be triple the fun creating a card for this month. Here is link: The ShortCuts - SheetLoad of Cards - Cuttlebug Challenge Blog Intersite Challenge!!!

If you have never visited Sheetload of Cards before, this is a good time to start. Every month, Sheetload of Cards publishes a downloadable ezine (in .pdf form) full of inspiring ideas and interpretations for a monthly sketch from their talented group of DT gals. Every month, you will see various sponsors for the sketches as well as challenges for blog candy.

So, what you are waiting for????!!!! Sign-up now for a sheetload of goodness and inspiration!Click on the link to check out the April 2009 issue. Happy Stamping!

Squigglefly's 1st Blog Hop

Downloadable images or digital stamps are so the in thing right now... and Squigglefly offers some of cutest images and for an affordable price. Make sure to hop on over to see Squigglefly's newest images and to check out their new design team. Hop on over to each design team's blog to check out their awesome cards as well as blog candy. You have until this Sunday to comment on all of the blogs.

Meet the Squigglefly Design Team and Blog Hop

ETA: There are some designers who don't have a link to their blogs yet so it would be better to click on the links on each of the dt blogs.

Here is a link to Squigglefly to check out their awesome downloadable digital stamps. Make sure to sign-up for the newsletter while you are there!