Sweet Daisy ~ Sugar Bowl Challenge

 

 

Happy Weekend!    I’ve really liked this Sugar Nellie image, Daisy, for such a long time and finally broke down and bought her!  She’s such a cutie.   My card is for the latest Sugar Bowl Challenge, which features a great sketch ~ with a “please include option” of LACE!     I don’t use lace on my cardz very often – so this was quite the challenge.     I did happen to have some white lace daisies in my stash, from ~ I have absolutely no idea when, where or why!!    

Here’s the sketch we were to follow …

 

 

and, here’s my take on it.

 

 

I added a little Smooch paint in Moonlight to the petals of the flowers in Daisy’s hair to try to make them pop a bit and on her belt.   The DP is from My Mind’s Eye, Just Dreamy 2.   I also used my R27 Copic marker to color the center of each daisy on the lace trim.

They have a fantastic prize of SIX “super sweet,utterly adorable, brand new Manga Sugar Nellies” up for grabs this week!    I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!    🙂

Have a great weekend everyone and take care.   I’ll be back on Monday with two cardz ~ since it will be a double-header Monday ~ Copic Creations AND House Mouse Monday!!    Yay.

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Copics Used:      R000, 20, 24, 27, 30, 32, 35;  RV42;  YG00, 03, 17, 23, 25;  Y11, 21;  E000, 00, 01, 11, 97;  B60;  BG000, 10; W1, 2, 3, 4, 5

InStyle Stamps Blog Hop!

 

Yay!   It’s time for another InStyle Stamps Blog Hop!!   Our theme this month is VALENTINE HEARTS!    For my project, I used one of the newest ISS Anime images – Valentine Ava.    Don’t forget, click on this link to receive a 5 percent discount on your entire InStyle stamps order ~   INSTYLE STAMPS. 

I made a Valentines Day treat gift/pocket card using this awesome tutorial from one of my stamping idols, Rachel Jakes.  

  

 

  

Here’s a side view …

  

 

  

and the inside  ~   Surprise!    🙂

  

 

And,  now on to all the details of this month’s Blog Hop ~  PLEASE be sure to check out ALL the awesome VALENTINE HEARTS projects from the ISS Design Team… 

We are, once again, having a contest ~ make sure you head on over to the InStyle Stamps Blog to vote for your favorite project!   The DT member who gets the most votes will win a prize … and YOU can WIN A PRIZE JUST FOR VOTING!!   The contest will remain open until 11:59pm EST on Saturday, January 30th, and winners will be announced on Sunday.  

Here’s a list of the blog hop participants in order:

Jodi S
Genevieve
Cyndi
Lana
Maylee
Virginia
Cabio
Angelique
Mary  (me!)
Linda
Joy
Janelle
Judy
Raquel
Margie
Julie
Lysa
Piali

 So, if you’re following along  …   your next stop is LINDA’S  awesome blog.    And, don’t forget to stop back at the ISS blog to vote for your favorite DT member project!    

Thanks for stopping by today!    Hope you’re having a great day.

 

 

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Copics Used:   RV00, 11, 29, 32;  R000, 01, 20, 30, 37, 39;  E00, 01, 11, 29, 31, 37, 39, 43, 47, 50, 51, 53; B23; W1, 3, 5

Friendship is the sweetest flower

 

I am such a big fan of Elisabeth Bell ~ if it were possible, I think I would buy every single stamp she’s produced!!   I was really excited to see her new stamps from Ladybug & Friends, now available and in stock at 7 Kids College Fund.    This one is called  Hello Sunshine.  

I was able to follow this week’s Sketch Challenge, No. 265, from SCS ~ what a great sketch!

 

 

I’m afraid the sentiment is a little too large for this card, but I really wanted to use this from an older PTI set, called Green Thumb.   So I actually did a little tweaking of the Sketch to make room for the LARGE sentiment!  And to think,  I was just having a discussion yesterday about how I really have a hard time adding a lot of embellishments to my cards, I don’t like the “busy” look.   I think this one might fit into that category!   lol

The DP is from Basic Grey Origins collection.   The image was colored with Copics, cut out and attached with dimensionals.    Here’s a photo which I’m hoping you can see the layers a little better …

 

Be sure to check out ALL the new Elisabeth Bell images from Ladybug & Friends, I think I’ll take one of each!   🙂

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Copics Used:   Y00, 02, 08, 11, 21;  R20, 22, 30;  YG00, 03;  G12, 14;  E000, 00, 01, 11, 31, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43, 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 97, 99;   W0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8; T1, 3, 5

 

Bunny Ears!

 

I know it’s a little early, but as soon as I saw this new Martha Stewart punch at my LSS, I thought of Tilda!    🙂     And, I thought this particular Tilda would be the perfect one to wear the bunny ears!   

 

 

This is Giggling Tilda, one of my favorites, from Magnolia.   The DP used is from Flair Design ~ The Easter Surprise Collection ~ Bunny Trail.    Ears are by Martha Stewart!    🙂

The Sketch is for the Just Magnolia Challenge, being sponsored by 7 Kids College Fund.

 

Thanks for dropping by today!   

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Copics Used:   V000, 12, 15:  BG01, 10, 11, 23;  B000, 02;  E000, 00, 01, 11, 40, 41, 42, 44; R20, 30;  W1, 2, 3, 4

Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge

 

How’s that for some cool accessories?!  Black and gold shoe, purse and matching hat – all from Skipping Stones Design’s  newest stamp set ~ Well Behaved.   

I just LOVE this matching sentiment from the movie Steel Magnolias!    So true.   🙂

 

 

It’s Tuesday, and time for another Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge.   This week’s Sketch was designed once again by the VERY talented Amy Sheffer of Pickled Paper Design.

 

 

Here’s my card for this Sketch:

 

 

The DP used for my card is from the new Basic Grey Origins 6×6 pad.   The shoes and purse were heat embossed with Gold Super Fine Detail EP on some black glittered cardstock I had in my stash.  The hat was colored with Copics and I then attached a thin ribbon to the center.  Each accessory was then cut out and attached to the center die cut with dimensionals.   I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Nine for this shape.  

I do love this new set ~ Well Behaved ~ if you’re interested, apparently there were some mistakes in the original run of this set, so Heather will be selling them at a reduced rate.    All the details can be found on the Skipping St0nes Design blog.    While you’re there be sure to check out all the awesome cards for this week’s Sketch Challenge by the SSDT.  

Thanks for stopping in today ~ Hope you’re having a good week.

 

 

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Copics Used:   Y00;  YR31:  W0, 1, 3

Luigi has a new home! :)

 

 

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 5 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

 

             2010 January 21     Vicki Sopcak

Mary,

Of course I would LOVE this card…..I LOVE everything you do!!!

Thanks for the opportunity to win.

 

Thank you ALL for your very, very kind comments!!     I really wish I had a Luigi for everyone.    Congrats Vicki!!   

A Gorjuss Girl Amore!

 

So, this card is another try at the Sugarbowl Challenge!   Nope, didn’t win last time.  😦    But, maybe this time!    I’ll keep trying.    The challenge is to follow this awesome Sketch and to include some distressing.

 

I flipped the Sketch for my card  …

 

The DP is from the Basic Grey Sugar Rush collection, now in stock at 7 Kids College Fund.   I used Smooch paint in the color pumpkin to highlight the tiny hearts on her dress & boots and the one in her hair.   My distressing is done with Tim Holtz Distress ink in fired brick ~ I also used the Spellbinders Mega Nestabilites Large Deckled Rectangles for the background shape of the main image.

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Speaking of Gojuss Girls, it was my twin granddaughters, Hailee & Jordynn’s seventh birthday this past weekend.   Since they LOVE the American Girl dolls, they spent the day at the American Girl Place in Chicago.   I had to share these pictures of their trip! 

Imagine the reactions of people seeing these two little cuties walking down Michigan Avenue (the Magic Mile) in downtown Chicago with their dolls and shopping bags!   🙂

 

 

 

 

Thanks for popping in today – Hope you’re having a great weekend!

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Copics Used:   RV09, 19;  R000, 20, 30, 35;  E000, 00, 01, 11;  YR12, 14, 18; W0, 1, 3; C7, 10; T1, 3, 5

Gray Highlighting Around an Image

This tutorial shows how I highlight with Copics and Distress ink around an image when attaching a precolored and cut image.

I REALLY love and highly recommend these particular Copic colors, which were recently added at 7 Kids College Fund ~ T1, T3 & T5, Toner Grays;  Copic 0, Colorless Blender;  Distress Ink in black soot; and Inkessentials stamp pad felt.

 

 

My first step is to use the darkest of the three recommended markers ~ T5 Toner Gray,  and outline around the entire outer edge of the image.

Then using T3 the medium gray, I go over the darker T5 line, going slightly wider.

I then run my lightest marker, T1, over both lines to blend.

And finally, lightening the edges slightly with my Colorless Blender.

For the bottom area to “ground” Luigi, I start again with the darkest marker ~T5  directly around his shoes.

Again going over this and slightly expanding the area with T3.

And, using T1 and 0 (Colorless Blender) going over this to blend.

I also add some Distress Ink to the background after the Copic outlining.   Using a small section of the stamp pad felt, I apply some Distress Ink in black soot around the image. If you’re interested, I have more specific instructions on this technique in this previous tutorial.

Here’s a picture of the Distress Ink highlighting on top of the Copic outlining around Luigi.

And a photo of the completed image.   A more detailed tutorial can be found here which shows each step of the process to complete this particular Luigi card.

That’s it!!   As always, if you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Sentiment & Highlighting of Luigi Tutorial ~ Finally!

 

Please note, this is a BRAND new Luigi card, made specifically for this tutorial.

Yes, it’s true!  After almost TWO weeks I have FINALLY completed the tutorial on how I created the sentiment and applied the highlighting around Luigi!   BTW, Luigi is available here at 7 Kids College Fund.   

I’m really sorry this is being posted so much later than I had anticipated ~ please note, there are 39 photos included with this tutorial and several hours of editing!   Eeek ~ That’s a lot!   🙂    Just a warning!  This is going to be a long one ~ so grab your favorite beverage and get comfy!  

SENTIMENT:

The sentiment was made on my computer using Microsoft Office Word 2007.    The first step, in Word, is to click on INSERT at the top of your screen.

 

Then click on WORDART at the top of your next screen.

When you click on WORDART, this smaller box will appear showing all the different options available.  For this card, I chose the 3rd style on the top row ~ click on it.

You will then be taken to the text editing screen where you can choose your font, font size and whether or not you would like to add Bold or Italics for emphasis.

For this card, I chose the Harrington font, size 16 and Bold.    When finished editing, click OK at the bottom of the text editing box.

You will then see your formatted text in a blue box with a slight curve in the style you originally chose. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look exactly the same, the range of the curve can be changed.    Note, the blue box is strictly for editing purposes, it will not print.

Notice the marks in each corner and the top, bottom and side centers of the blue box?   These are what you use to either increase or decrease the range of the curve or the size.    We’ll start with the range ~  take your cursor and click on the mark at the bottom right, you can then drag (hold your cursor on the mark and move) the box down as far as you would like.   

To see how the text will fit with your stamp, you can now do one of two options ~ the first would be to print out your text to compare it with the size of your stamp and then edit, if needed; 

Or the second, to measure the width of your stamp to determine what the width of your WordArt should be.

As you can see, Luigi is about three inches wide.  

Going back to your computer, you can now use the measuring guide in Word located just above your document on the screen ~  As you can see, the text below is about four inches wide.  Since my stamp is only three inches, I would like to make it a little smaller.   

To do this, click on the right center arrow and once again drag the blue box, this time  towards the left to make the width smaller.   This will NOT affect the curve style.

My WordArt is now about 3 1/2 inches wide.

I’ve printed it out for you to see that it fits much better with my stamp.

Now, time to add the bottom section of the sentiment.   

I measure the combined length of my stamp and the WordArt text  to determine approximately where I would like the lower sentiment placed.  This appears to be about 4 1/2 inches.

 

Back to the computer, this time working with the side measuring guide in Word, shown on the left below –  I hit the ENTER key until my cursor is at the 4 1/2 inch mark on the screen guide, and type in the text.

You can now use your normal editing features to format this text.   I’ve chosen ChopinScript (downloaded from Dafont.com), size 28, Bold and red for my font color.       (Oops, I also added an exclamation point, which wasn’t included above)

Print it out and do one final check with your image to see if it is placed where you would like.   If everything looks good, I then print it on my good cardstock.       Your sentiment is now finished!  Yay.

HIGHLIGHTING:

I usually stamp the image several times.   First on the cardstock printed with the sentiment and again on another piece of cardstock for coloring ~ I cut out my colored image and attach it with dimensionals, this way the highlighting does not affect the coloring of my image.  

  

 For Luigi, I have done a few extra steps – the pizza was colored and cut out separately after applying some Diamond Glaze to the cheese!  Since I like things to be authentic (and I’m a little crazy) I also stamped and cut out the pizza again on some silver foil cardstock for the pizza pan!    🙂    The oven mitts are paper pieced with a smaller check dp.  

  

  

For anyone who might be interested, here are the Copic colors used for each specific area:    T1, 3, 5 for the Hat & Jacket; E000, 00, 01, 11; R20, 30 for Luigi’s skin;  E41, 42, 44, 47 for his Hair and Mustache;  YR20, 31 Cheese;  E07, 08, 09 Pepperoni; E30, 33 Crust; C2, 5, 7 for Luigi’s pants; and W1, 3, 5 for his Shoes.

  

Oh, I almost forgot ~ Since I didn’t have any black buttons for Luigi’s Chef jacket, I colored them with Copics too!   I use stick pins to hold them so I can color a little easier.   (crazy, I know!)  LOL

  

Here are the supplies I used for the highlighting around Luigi.   I REALLY love and highly recommend these particular Copic colors, which were recently added at 7 Kids College Fund ~ T1, T3 & T5, Toner Grays; Copic 0, Colorless Blender; Distress Ink in black soot; and Inkessentials stamp pad felt.

  

My first step is to use my T5 Toner Gray marker to go around the entire outer edge of the image.

Then using T3, I go over the darker T5 line, going slightly wider.

And, then I run my T1 over both lines to blend.

Finally, lightening the edges slightly with my Colorless Blender.

For the bottom area to “ground” Luigi, I start with my T5 again directly around his shoes.

And, again, going over this and slightly expanding the area with T3.

Again, using T1 and 0 (Colorless Blender) going over it to blend.

Now, using a small section of the stamp pad felt, I apply some Distress Ink in black soot around the image.   If you’re interested, I have more specific instructions on this technique in this previous tutorial.

Here’s a picture of the Distress Ink highlighting around Luigi.

 Below is a photo showing that I’ve quickly colored the bottom image and cut the sides with my paper cutter.

I wanted the top to match the shape of my text, so I used this guide.

Voila!

One final step was to highlight around the edges of the cardstock, using Distress Ink in fired brick.    (Again, more specific instructions can be found here.)

A quick photo of the highlighed edges.

I then attach all the extra pieces to the Copic colored Luigi and attach him with dimensionals!

That’s it!!     Whew …       😀        As always, if you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Higher and higher …

  

 

Yep, it’s another cute little bear from Ladybug and Friends called Up and Away.   He’s unfortunately no longer available at 7 Kids, although there are a few other equally cute bears still in stock from Joan Elliott for Ladybug and Friends that can be found here.  

 

 

This guy was colored with Copics, cut out and attached with dimensionals.  His clothes were paper pieced using the matching dp which is from My Mind’s Eye – Love me do and the sentiment is computer generated.    The yellow velvet rik rak is from my stash and I’ve attached a heart brad to a yellow button along with a small red bow.   I think that’s it!    

Thanks for stopping today – It’s almost Friday!!   Yay.

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Copics Used:   E31, 33, 50, 51, 53;  R20, 30, 35;  BG10, 13; Y15; T1, 3, 5; W0, 1

ATS Wednesday Challenge!

 

For anyone who has visited my blog before, you KNOW how much I love C.C. Designs’ images.   Well, imagine my TOTAL surprise and excitement when Christine, the owner of All That Scraps actually contacted me to ask if I would be interested in joining their Wednesday Challenge Design Team!!!    It took about a milli-second for me to reply!    🙂  

Needless to say, here’s my very first ATS Wednesday Challenge card!    YAY!! 

 

 

The challenge this week is to use Red, Pink and Chocolate on your card.   I used cutie pie Winter Emma for my card.   She was colored with Copics, cut out and attached with dimensionals.  The dp is from American Crafts Romance collection ~ I was pretty excited to find this paper in my stash, with all the right colors, AND the “sort of” matching ribbon from Michael’s.   The sentiment is computer generated, using the Angelic War font downloaded from Dafont.com.

 

 

I REALLY hope you can join along in this challenge!   The colors are obviously pretty popular with the upcoming VD holiday.   All the details can be found on the All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge blog.   Please be sure to take a peek at the other DT members’ cards while you’re there AND see what this week’s awesome PRIZE will be!!

Thanks for visiting today!

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Copics Used:   RV00, 02, 06, 25, 29;  R20, 30;  E000, 00, 01, 11, 53, 70, 71, 74, 77, 79;  T1, 3, 5

Sweet or Salty??

 

 

Which is YOUR favorite?   🙂    I’m definitely a “sweet” lover, although I must say, I do enjoy a good Margarita! 

I was recently asked by Heather, the super sweet owner and creator of Skipping Stones Design  if I would be interested in joining her design team!   After one peek at Heather’s hilarious stamps ~ How could I refuse?!   Skipping Stones’  Mission Statement is:  To help papercrafters share the gift of laughter one stamp at a time!    Sounds like my kind of place.   

So, these two cards are my first contribution to Skipping Stones Design’s weekly Tuesday Sketch challenge.   Yay.

The super talented Amy Sheffer of Picked Paper Design  is the Skipping Stones’ Guest Sketch Artist for the month of January and came up with this fun Sketch for today’s challenge …

 

 

Skipping Stones is also releasing a brand new stamp set today called Buns-n-Crunches.  You can see the entire set here and you can find out how the get this new release set FREE!!    

Here’s my card which includes the cinnamon bun and sentiments from this set:

 

 

 

So true!!  I know which is MY choice!   🙂

I had to make this card for an old friend, since it reminded me of the days MANY years ago, shortly after the birth of my youngest son when she and I joined WW and immediately after our meetings, we would go the mall and have Cinnabun!!    lol    I can still recall the smell as you walked into the food court at the mall!  

This “Cinnabun” was colored with Copics and heat embossed with clear EP, then cut out and attached with dimensionals.

I was so excited to use my new stamps from Skipping Stones, that I had to do another card.  This time using stamps from another set (one of my favorites) called Margarita Birthday

 

 

 

Now that’s MY idea of a perfect birthday drink!    🙂      I added some ice clear ROX from Judikins to both the rim of the glass and the salt shaker; I then added some Diamond Glaze on top of the Rox on the salt shaker.   The dp used is from the new Origins 6×6 paper pad.   The limes on the bottom row are stamped with another image from the Margarita Birthday set.  

I hope you’ll take a minute to check out all the fun stamps over at Skipping Stones Design, and the awesome DT cards for this Sketch Challenge!   I think you’ll LOVE what you see  – I know you’ll definitely have a laugh or two!    🙂    

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Copics Used:   Cinnamon Roll:      E11, 13, 15, 17, 25, 30, 31, 34, 50, 51, 53: T1, 3, 5

Margarita:   YG00, 01, 05, 11, 17, 25;  T1, 3, 5

House Mouse Challenge ~ Faux Grid

 

HAPPY HOUSE MOUSE MONDAY!!

Our challenge this week has been brought to us by the nicest lady around, Pat Rose, of the House Mouse Design Team.    Pat chose a faux grid for our challenge.   

Okay, ok so I thought she meant faux quilt ~  Sawrreeeeey!   lol  

This really was a definite CHALLENGE for me!   I was actually a  little upset that my background ended up looking like a quilt …  a nice, warm, cozy quilt – but nonetheless, still a QUILT!    At least I know my sister will love it!    (She makes REAL quilts … real warm, cozy, awesome quilts!)   

But, either way, don’t ya think these guys look too, too darn “cute“?!   They always manage to make me smile, no matter what craziness is going on in the world.  

 

 

 

 

 

So, you probably should check out the REAL faux grid cards over at the House Mouse Challenge blog!   I know you’ll be blown away by the totally amazingly talented HMDT!    And, I hope you can join us for this challenge.   

Each Mr. Mouse was colored with Copics, cut out and attached with dimensionals.  The DP used is from the Basic Grey Nook & Pantry 6×6 paper pad.   The double-sided ribbon is from BoBunny.

Thanks for visiting today ~ Hope your week is off to a great start!

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Copics Used:   E00, 01, 11, 30, 31, 33, 50, 51, 53, 55, 70, 71, 74; R01, 20, 22

Copic Creations Challenge ~ Ethnic Skin Tones

 

 

Time for a new Copic Creations challenge ~ Ethnic Skin Tones.  

Our sponsor is a wonderful children’s book illustrator, who creates some amazingly detailed images ~ Philomena O’Neil.   Phindy is relatively new to the papercrafting world and we’re VERY excited to help showcase her images.   You can read all about her on the Copic Creations challenge blog.  Each CCDT member received one of her images for their card.

This little cutie is named For You.   She definitely reminds me of a typical little “helper” in the garden!

 

 

She was, of course, colored with Copics, cut out and mounted with dimensionals.  I used Distress broken china for the background highlighting.   The DP is from the Basic Grey lemonade collection.   Spellbinders Mega Nestability Labels Eight  was used to cut out the image background on this card.   The sentiment is from the PTI flower garden sentiments set.

 

 

I hope you can stop at the Copic Creations blog to take a peek at the AWESOME cards by the super talented Design Team ~ You won’t be disappointed!

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Copics Used:   R30, 32, 81, 83, 85;  YG01, 03, 23, 25;  Y00, 08, 11, 15;  E11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 25, 31, 50, 51, 53;  W0, 1; C3, 5, 10;  T1, 3, 5

Special Delivery!

 

[Sorry this posted so late!   I had the wrong time scheduled!!!]

It’s time for a few sneak peeks of some new images at InStyle Stamps.   This super cutie is Kristina!   And, she will be available tomorrow at the InStyle Stamps store!   Be sure to check out the ISS blog to see all the new images and all the GORGEOUS cards from the ISSDT!    Here’s my card with Kristina and her VERY special Valentine’s Day delivery …

 

 

I have to tell you, I couldn’t bear the thought of making another RED or PINK card!!     I’m a little Valentined out.    🙂    So, I thought this new paper from Basic Grey’s Sugar Rush collection was just what I needed to take a break!      I did add some little red heart brads in the corners and used some Martha Stewart polka dot red paper which has been punched with ~ what else? ~ a Martha Stewart heart edge punch!    The sentiment is computer generated and cut with a Spellbinders tag die.

 

 

Thanks for visiting today!    Hope you’re enjoying the heat wave ~ We actually reached 30 degrees here in Wisconsin!!    Woo hoo!

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Copics Used:   RV000, 09, 29; R000, 11, 20, 30, 81, 83, 85; YR21, 23, 24, 31; Y00, 11, 21; E000, 00, 01, 11; B21, 23, 60, 63; T1, 3, 5; W4; C10