Tiptoe Through the Tulips

The challenge at Meljen's Designs this week is to use only solid cardstock.  Patterned paper is not allowed this week.  Sounds easy doesn't it...not so much.  I often rely on patterned paper to add a bit of texture or punch to a solid area.  I had to come up with other ways to get the same punch.

I used the image Tulip Buggies and colored with Prismacolor pencils blended with baby oil.

I created the panel by spraying my Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls embossing folder with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Patina and Frost.  I used that to emboss a piece of white cardstock.  I embossed the background using my Cuttlebug as well.  I created faux stitching with a white Signo gel pen.

In case you haven't heard, Melissa Jenkins, owner of Meljen's Designs has opened her very own shop.  All of her images are 50% off until tomorrow!  You can also participate in a blog hop to celebrate and could win 4 images!  The design team came up with some wonderful inspiration.  Go check it out!

Card measures 4.25" 5.5"
Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls embossing folder; Swiss Dots embossing folder
Dew Drops by The Robin's Nest
ribbon and flowers from my stash

Going Nuts at the Playground

This week the challenge at Pike's Playground is Yummy in the Tummy:  use any of Dustin's images that depict a food item.

While I may not find this food item tasty, this little guy certainly does!  It actually feels like fall here today, so I was inspired to use some fall colors.  I am not sure it will last, but I will take it for as long as I can get it.  We posted 100 degrees on Friday!

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Lifestyle Crafts nesting circles and scallops
Stampin' Up Little Somethings stamp set
DeNami Design Teeny Swiss Dot
1/16" hole punch
ribbon and ric rac from my stash

Last Guest Designer Post

It is with a heavy heart that I post my last Meljen's guest designer post.  I have had so much fun trying to come up with projects to share each week.  I love the versatility of Meljen's Designs and have so much fun using them.

My project this week has a trash to treasure kind of story.  My father-in-law gave one of the boys a belt clip.  It came in this awful tin.

I hear the words "You can throw it away.  I don't want it."  My ears perk up and I immediately rescue this ugly tin from certain doom. 

I knew I could use a Meljen's image and turn that tired tin into something fabulous!

I used the image Little Girl Bear Hugs and colored it using Prismacolor pencils blended with baby oil.  I used papers from the Basic Grey Hopscotch pad so they would all have the same color and feel.  I added some lace trim, ric rac and ribbon to the top.  My hubby told me it was a bit busy, so I figured it was just right!

I want to thank everyone for visiting me today and each Saturday this month.  I look forward to seeing what the next guest designer has to offer!



Blast from the Past!

This week the challenge at Meljen's Designs is so easy!  Simply post the first project you made using a Meljen's Designs image.  Coincidentally, my first Meljen's project was also my very first blog post!  I was selected in the top five and Flickr wouldn't allow the picture to be copied!  All they could use was a thumbnail and it was sooooo tiny!  I decided it would be easier to share if I started a blog.

I created this card for the Operation Write Home challenge, so this card has since been sent to Sandy to be included in one of the many packages that OWH sends to troops to use to keep in touch with their loved ones.  It is a wonderful organization and I hope to send another package soon.

I used Monkey Toes and paper pieced the image using design paper and vanilla cardstock that I darkened with some Crumb Cake ink.  I created the box using another piece of vanilla cardstock tinted with ink.  I stamped the background of the card using a clear stamp set with sentiments that look like postage.  It has the cancellation watermark too.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the company and no longer have the packaging!

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder
ribbon from Stampin' Up!

Sparkle, Glitter and Shine

That is the challenge this week at Meljen's Designs...sparkle, glitter and shine.  I don't often use glitter.  I make a complete mess when I use it, but I broke out a vial of it for this challenge.

I used the image Cherry Mouse colored with Prismacolor pencils and then blended with baby oil.  I applied Crystal Lacquer to the cherry and covered it with glitter.  It gives a raised effect to the cherry.  I also used some Terrifically Tacky Tape and applied glitter to the background on the embossed stripes.  Last but not least, I dabbed a button on my glue pad and then applied some glitter to that too.

Now if you will excuse me...I need to try to get the glitter off of my face.

Card measures 4.5" x 4"
Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions embossing folder-Stripes
Martha Stewart glitter-Garnet
Spellbinders Labels One dies
Ribbon from my stash

Sweetest Ever!

This month the challenge at DeNami Design is a sketch created by the one and only Nami!

DeNami has changed from having 2 challenges a month to only one each month. I have discovered this causes some extreme procrastination! I made myself sit down and make this card before I had to skid in by the seat of my pants again.

I turned the sketch on it's side and used N133 Polka Dot Background for a tone on tone design.  I used K55 Ice Cream Cone and colored two of the scoops, the cone, and the cherry using Copics.  The other three scoops are pieced using the foil wrapper from a piece of chocolate.  I stamped the image on the foil using StazOn and cut out each of the scoops I wanted to use then glued them to the original stamped image.

Here is a close up of the foil scoops.

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Ribbon & sentiment-Stampin' Up!

Button, Button...Who's Got the Button?!

The theme for the challenge at Pike's Playground this week is to use buttons.  I saw an awesome button border on Britta Swiderski's blog during a recent blog hop at DeNami Design.  I wanted to try that technique for this challenge.

I used some buttons from my stash that created a monochromatic border.  I colored the image using Prismacolor Premier pencils and blended them with baby oil.

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Sentiment-Stampin' Up! Everyday Grettings set
Ribbon & twine from my stash