Simply Betty and My First Side Step Card

Yep...you read that right.  My first side step card.  How I  have managed to not make one before now is beyond me!  I have to admit that I thought it would be far more complicated to create than it was.  The fact that it will still fit in a normal sized envelope makes me really happy!  I found this easy tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers.  Now that I have made one, I am sure I will be making plenty more!

The reason I decided to try my first side step card is because of a challenge going on over at Simply Betty Stamps.  I have recently fallen in love with these beautiful, big-eyed ladies.  I actually won Winter Rio in a fun Facebook game that we recently played in the Simply B Stamps Fan Group.  The challenge for Winter Rio is anything but a square.  I really hope this side step card qualifies!  Winter Rio is actually part of a set called Winter Beauties. You can choose to use one or all six for the challenge!  However, each stamp has its own requirements.  If you use all six, you are eligible for a special prize!  You in digi form!  The challenge runs through December 26th, so get to work!

The stamp comes with the sentiment I used as well.  I really love the style of Betty's sentiments.  The papers I used are digital and are in the Winter Wishes Fat Quarter Bundle from Nitwit Collections.  I love that they look like fabric!

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Spellbinders Snowflake Pendants
Spellbinders Floral Ovals
Spellbinders Classic Ovals small
Stampin' Up! Large Decorative Label punch
Stampin' Up! rhinestones
Martha Stewart Lace Heart border punch
Recollections Pearls
The Twinery Cappuccino baker's twine

So Excited!

Why am I so excited you ask?  Well, DeNami Design currently has a sketch challenge on the blog.  I haven't played in a DeNami challenge in FOREVER!  DeNami Design is one of my favorite rubber stamp companies and I was so happy to play in another challenge.  Lucky for me, it was a sketch challenge.  It doesn't get any better than that!

So this was the sketch we were given.

And this is my interpretation of the sketch.  I love the way this came together!  I used the Medium Curly Christmas Tree and just colored in the ornaments.  It is hard to see in the picture, but I used Copic Spica pens to add some sparkle.  I have been hoarding saving those little cookie cutter buttons for a special project.  I think it adds a great touch.

Card Measures 4.5" x 4.25"
Stampin' Up! - Curly Cute stamp set
Stampin' Up! -  Lucky Stars textured impressions folder
Dress it Up - A Keepsake Christmas button set

It's Magic! Hidden Elements

The challenge this week at Meljen's Designs is to incorporate a hidden element on your card.  This is always so much fun to do!  There are so many different ways to incorporate this challenge into a project.  I hope you will enjoy what I have created for you.

I used the new image Ghoulie Girl Cupcake as the main image for my card.  I bet you are thinking, "but you didn't even color it!!"  Nope...but we will get to the reason why.  I also used Trick or Treat Bag and Bottle of Poison as embellishments.  Quilted Boo is a the top on the tab.  Wait...why is there a tab?! A tab usually means pulling!  So let's get to pulling that tab!

Oh my gosh!  What is happening?!  Let's keep pulling that tab!!

And there she is in all of her Copic colored glory! =)

I thought you might want a little video show and tell as well!

The magic of this card is in the construction.  I can't take the credit though.  I had seen one years ago at a convention.  I forgot until this challenge, so I had to find instructions.  Card Making Magic had a great tutorial for making one.  You have to convert from metric measurements if you don't use them, but it wasn't hard.  You use a 12 x 12 sheet of card stock and divide it into thirds (4" each).  A little trimming and gluing and you are done!

I hope you will join us this week with your own hidden elements!

Card measures 5" x 6"

Melted pony bead enamel dots

Paper Studio paper rose sprayed with Copic ABS
Martha Stewart Drippy Goo border punch

Ribbon from my stash

It's Sketch Time!

Oh my poor neglected blog!  It is a direct result of my poor neglected craft space!  It has been a crazy time at my house and with the holidays coming, I am happy to have a bit of a break before the next round of mayhem!  We have a sketch for you this week at Meljen's Designs created by our teamie Amy.  It is great for Halloween cards because it has lots of lovely layers to showcase all of your favorite papers you only get to pull out for a short time each year!

When I saw Fuzzy Monster Cupcake in the new release images, I fell in love!  I knew he would be one of the first images I colored up and here he is!

Unusual for me, I stayed pretty true to the sketch.  I had a completely different look in mind, but you know how those things go!  The card took on a life of its own and dictated the end result.  I am sure I will find a use for all of the other bits that I cut first.

Card measures 5" x 5"
Ribbon from my stash

Zap Pow Has a New Release

Such exciting news!  Zap Pow Designs has a new digital stamp release and I was asked to be a designer for them!  I got to make a few cards with some of the new images from the release.  Their designs are so quirky and cute!  I love them!  Check out their shop for a bunch of other quirky and cute designs.

This little guy is so sweet!  He is Birthday Bot.  I used actual binary code to create the sentiment!  So nerdy and fun!

This is Happy Happy Happy Birthday.  I always love the topsy turvy kind of cakes and this one fits the bill!

Last but not least is Espressoly Yours.  I love coffee and coffee images.  So of course I loved this one!

Pop on over and check out their shop.  I know you will find something that fits your quirky side too. =)

Krafty Guest Challenge

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is having another Krafty Guest challenge and I am going to throw my hat in the ring! I just got a couple of new goodies from Kraftin' Kimmie, so I was very excited to get a chance to play with them.

I used a Rochelle Anne Miller set called I {heart} You.  This little bunny is so adorable!  It is colored with Copics and it comes with the sentiment I used on the card.

I am also going to enter this card in the Saturday Challenge because it is Anything Goes!  Come join the fun!

The shop has so many wonderful characters and adorable animals.  Go check it out and find your next shipment of happy mail!

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
eyelet hearts, pearls, and buttons from my stash

Mini Fairy and a Mini Blog Hop

Christy, the artist behind the wonderful images at Tiddly Inks, had a great idea.  In the Tiddly Inks Group on Facebook is the chance to participate in a mini blog hop.  Each picture in the album has the artist's blog in the comments.  Hop around and see the great inspiration!  One of the mini hop participants will win the new fairy release at Tiddly Inks.  I decided to join in on the fun even though I don't have all of my favorite things to work with.  You can play along until August 23rd, so pop in and join us.

I used Dandylion Pixie.  When I saw this stamp, I totally fell in love with her!  I hope she counts as a fairy...she has wings!!  Because of the size of the stamp overall, she ended up being very small.  She is around  1.75 inches.  Coloring with Copics was tricky, but I love how she turned out!  I had to use a spray fixitive because my printer here bleeds.  It added some texture that took some getting used to as well.  The best part of crafting away from my primary crafty space is that I can't just reach for all of my favorites.  I am using supplies that I tend to overlook.  It has been a chance to step outside of my crafty comfort zone.

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
American Crafts ribbon
Stampin' Up! Sweet & Simple stamp set
Jolee's Boutique flowers
butterfly button from my stash (could be Jesse James/Dress It Up)

Splat!

The challenge this week at Meljen's Designs is simply...Splat!  The idea is to use ink, paint, or ink mist on your project.  I was not expecting to make a project for this challenge so I really had to do some searching.  I am still away from my crafty space which is where all of my mists are!  I tried making some marbled paper using the shaving cream technique, but the colors were just not combining in a way that I liked!  I finally found something I could use.  I had a piece of glossy cardstock that I had applied ink to using a rubber brayer!  Whew!

I used the image Unicorn's Rest and colored it with Copics.  You can see the glossy panel behind the stamp.

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Recollections decorative border
American Traditions L'il Charms
American Crafts ribbon

Rocket Boy

The current challenge at Tiddly Inks is Let's Hear It for the Boys.  I usually struggle to come up with an idea when making cards for boys, but I found an adorable image at Tiddly Inks and I had the perfect paper to go with him! 

The image is Rocket Boy.  I saw him and just had to have him!  He is currently on sale on the Tiddly Inks website.

I am away from my primary crafty space.  I have some supplies here and I brought the paper and cardstock for this card with me.  I don't have any of my dies or embossing folders though.  I had to improvise a little on cutting out the image.  I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out over all.  Maybe I should try crafting like this more often!  

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"

ribbon and snaps from my stash

Cuddle Up!

I have an adorable card to share with you.  I discovered an artist, Rachelle Anne Miller, and I love her illustrations!  Some of her artwork is also available in rubber stamp form and I bought a few from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.  This one is Cuddle Up and Keep Warm.

The stamp is colored with Copics.  It is a fairly large stamp so the card had to be large.  I doodled some stitching around he background paper to simulate the stitching on the patches.  I think it makes an adorable get well card.  I followed a sketch from a Facebook challenge in the Kit and Clowder group.  If you love to color, this is the group for you.  Everyone is so supportive and encouraging, not to mention the best of enablers!!  I am also entering this in the Wonderful Wednesday challenge at the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog.

Card measures 5.5" x 5.5"
Spellbinders Blossom 3
The Paper Studio ribbon
flowers from my stash
Making Memories Looking Glass sentiment circle

Getting Inky With Tiddly Inks

One of the things I love about Facebook is the opportunity to talk to people from all over the world.  You find out what their interests are and some of those interests may become yours.  I have joined a group that is passionate about coloring using all different mediums.  They are also passionate about digital stamps!  I had no idea how many companies exist!! One of the stamp companies I have discovered is Tiddly Inks.  Now, you may have already heard of them, but I had not and talk about adorable images.  I am totally over the moon about them right now.  Crazy thing...they just announced a design team call...and I am throwing caution to the wind and submitting for it!!

I made this card using Wryn Birthday Girl.   I even pulled out my sewing machine for a little stitching around the panel. The sentiment was a free download from Papercraft Magazines.

See!!  I told you they were adorable.  You should check out the rest of the shop for yourself! They have a couple of freebies to get you started.  If digital stamps are not your thing, you can shop their clear stamps! If challenges are your thing, they also have a challenge blog, so there is lots of fun to be had!

I am crossing all of my toes and fingers (once I am done typing) that my name will be listed in the announcement!  Good luck to those of you who are also throwing your name into the hat. =)

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Spellbinders Classic Ovals Small & Classic Scalloped Ovals Small
The Paper Studio lace trim
Basic Grey Buttons
Recollections pearls
Ribbon from my stash

Wish Big!

The current challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is to create a project with a birthday theme.  I don't have many Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps yet, but I did get Dancing Dylan in my last order as a freebie.  I combined her with a sentiment that makes a perfect birthday card!

I colored her with Copics.  I am working hard to whittle down my scrap pile, so I am pleased to say that almost every piece used was a scrap!

I am also entering this in the Wednesday Anything Goes.  Hopefully that is allowed!  I will be away from my crafty space for over a week!

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Lifestyle Crafts nesting circles
Lifestyle Crafts nesting scalloped circles
Stampin' Up! Short & Sweet stamp set

New Beginnings V2.0

I wanted to get a card in for Mo's current challenge and how funny that the theme is new beginnings as well!  I found Maurie Manning's images a long time ago and Sumpin's Wrong was one of the first ones I bought.  I finally feel like I can do it justice. =)

I have had this card idea rolling around for a while, but it still took me forever to put it all together!  The little bits always seem to trip me up.  The stamp is colored with Copic's and I paper pieced the shirt.  I had this idea in my head that I wanted his shirt to be tan plaid.  Couldn't exactly tell you why though.  With all of the paper I own, can you believe I did not have the right color?!  I went in search online and found this gorgeous tan plaid digital paper on Granny Enchanted.  There are a lot of wonderful kits and freebies!  If you love paper, this is definitely the place for you!  The great thing about the digital paper is I could reduce the size of the plaid to fit the scale of the shirt and then use a larger version for the background paper!

Now I just have to wait for someone to have a little boy so I can give them this card. =)

Card measures 5" x 5"
Spellbinders Decorative Labels One
DeNami Design Congratulations
Basic Grey button (blue)
ribbon, lace, and buttons from my stash

New Beginnings

The Saturday challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is New Beginnings.  I couldn't come up with an idea, and then it struck me out of the blue this afternoon!  I am skidding in by the seat of my pants, but better late than never!

I used this adorable stamp by Rachelle Anne Miller called Bear Hugs.  It is a Valentine's Day stamp so I just wasn't thinking of it as a stamp for a baby card.  I think it work perfectly!  I kept the colors neutral because at the moment I don't know anyone having a baby. =P

I am going to link this up for the Krafty Guest challenge too.  You can never have too many entries...right?!

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Stampin' Up! ribbon
Queen & Co Chic Charms Baby Cakes
Lace from my stash

In Love With La La Land

I have finally gotten an La La Land Crafts image.  I have seen them for a while, but never gotten around to owning any.  That changed the other day when I bought Paper Doll Marci.

I colored her with Copics and a few Triart markers.  The flower is one I crocheted myself and I added a vintage button.

Since I can enter multiple times in the Kraftin' Kimmie Krafty Guest contest, I am going to link this up over there as well.  Did I tell you I would love to play along?!

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
All My Memories zipper pull

Hugs on Acetate

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is looking for a few Krafty Guests to play with them over the coming months.  I decided to give it a go!  You don't have to use a KKS image to play, but if you have them, show them off!  I just got a few in the mail...well...not just.  I have had them for a little while and not had a chance to play.  So now is the perfect time!

I used Jayne and colored her with Copics.  She is retired so if you love her, better go get her!  Wouldn't you know...as I was coloring my E000 marker ran out!  I couldn't finish coloring her legs!  I was so happy with what I had done so far, that I decided to crop the stamp and put it on the card.  This was my first go at an acetate card and I am pretty happy with the way it turned out.  It isn't easy to photograph though!  I stamped the DeNami Design sentiment from the Heartfelt Greetings set with StazOn directly onto the acetate.

And since it is Wednesday and the new Wonderful Wednesday challenge is up, I am going to add my project there as well!

Fingers crossed for the Krafty Guest spot!  I think it would be so much fun to play along!

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
LifeStyle Crafts Nesting Circles
Basic Grey buttons
Recollections Gems
DeNami Design Heartfelt Greetings Petit Four