Anything Goes!

I love an Anything Goes challenge!  That is the current challenge at Meljen's Designs.  Although I do sometime struggle to come up with a layout.  I know.  I know.  There are a lot of fabulous sketches to borrow from out there, but I love to come up with my own ideas.  Although sometimes I do love to follow a sketch.

I used Candy Cane Sled Mouse because I simply ADORE Meljen's Designs mice.  I colored the image with Copics and wanted to try to add some texture to the snow, but was afraid.  So even though he has a little shadow, he still looks like he is floating.  Maybe someday I will be brave enough to add backgrounds to my images!!  The polka dot paper is actually glittered and covered with a clear coat, so it has a glossy, glittery shine to it.  Unfortunately, it is really difficult to capture that in a picture.   The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards and came from a stash that I won from Enfys (pronounced En-vis) over on the Going Buggy blog.

If you don't fancy coloring your images yourself, the shop currently has a special on all precolored Christmas images.  You get 25% off and don't even have to use a coupon code.  Just shop, checkout, and BOOM you have ready to use images for that pile of Christmas cards you haven't made yet.  (Oh wait...that's me...)

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Spellbinders Create-A-Flake Four
Craftwork Cards sentiments
Stampin' Up! white baker's twin
Glitter button from my stash

Marshmallow Snowman...Finally!

This week at Meljen's Designs, we have a sketch challenge.  This was the perfect opportunity to use my Marshmallow Snowman image that I mistakenly colored for the Critter challenge.  I am so excited to be able to share him with you.

I colored him using Copic markers.  Not an easy thing to do when coloring white, but I love the way he turned out.  I had to cut the circle out of the square that he was in originally, but thankfully I didn't lose any of the details.  I used the same color scheme as the original card since he was colored to match.  A little embossing and a few embellishments and it's done!

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Stampin' Up Snow Burst embossing folder
Snowflake embellishments from my stash

Brown and Orange

You can't look very far without seeing brown and orange this time of year and that is our challenge theme this week at Meljen's Designs.

I used the adorable image Scarecrow Mouse from the newest release and colored him with Copics.  Check out all of the newest images in the shop.  While you are there, check out all of the colored images.  They are on sale for 25% off until Christmas Day.  Just what you need to get those holiday cards done and out of the way!

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"

Lifestyle Crafts Doily Circles

Pearls, brads, ribbon, & raffia from my stash

Critters

Well...you know...it always helps to be sure of a challenge theme BEFORE you finish your card.  The challenge theme this week is Critters.  You can use any Meljen's Designs animal image.  However, a snowman is not an animal.  And that is what my card originally had as an image.  So what to do?  Use one of the adorable colored Meljen's Designs images.  These precolored images are perfect for when you need a card and time is of the essence!

I pulled off the snowman and snowflake ribbon and put on red ribbon and the colored version of Cherry Mouse.  Don't worry!  You will get a chance to see the snowman image.  He is WAY too cute.

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Stampin' Up! ribbon
Rhinestones, button, twine & felt heart from my stash

A Double Creature Feature!

Hello everyone!  I am here with a project that is doing double duty.  It is my design team day post and Meljen's Designs and I am being featured on the Created from Color website.

I used Zombie Stella and of course colored her with Copics.  I didn't have the greens I wanted for her skin, so I had to improvise and give her a green tinge.  We played Tic Tac Toe for our theme this month and I used Ribbon, Brads, & Pearls.  These are a few of my favorite things!

Created from Color teaches a wonderful Basic Copic class that I just finished.  We had to color an image before any instruction and the same image after completing the class.  They asked if I would allow my before and after images to be featured on the website!  How could I possibly say no?!  I really enjoyed this class and the best part besides the two wonderful instructors, Melissa Andrew and Kristy Dalman (yes...THE Kristy of Some Odd Girl!), was that I could do it at my own pace.  If I wasn't feeling crafty, that was okay.  I could catch up when I was.  Even if you don't want to take the class, check out their website.  They always have great tutorials and inspiration from around the web.

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Ribbon, brad, & pearls from my stash

Missing You

With my hubby away, the challenge this week is right up my alley!  Your project must have a Missing You theme.  I wanted to use the newest releases but they were all for Halloween.  What's a girl to do?!  Why get punny of course!

I colored the image, Jar of Eyeballs, using Copic markers.  The sentiment was computer generated because I certainly don't have a stamp THAT punny.  This card will be winging it's way across the Atlantic to my special someone that "eye" can't wait to see!!

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder
Stampin' Up cotton twill ribbon
brads and pearls from my stash

Harvest Bounty

The theme at Meljen's Designs is Anything Goes.  This is always a favorite since you can do whatever you want.  Just make sure you use a Meljen's Designs image!

This image is Harvest Bounty, one of the new images in the shop.  I colored it using Copic markers.  I struggled a little trying to get this card to come together, but I am pretty happy with the final result.

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Martha Stewart Swirling Lace border punch
Twine & pearls from my stash

Hot Water!

The challenge at Meljen's Designs is Funny Bone:  use a funny verse or poem on your project.  I knew I wanted to use this image from the new release, but I just didn't know what to pair it with.  Then I found this quote online and thought it was perfect!

I colored Witchy Brew using my Copic markers.  Yes...I am back to trying to get along with my Copics.  In fact, I have fallen in love with them all over again!  I took an online class on the Created From Color website.  Loved it!!  I can't wait for the advanced class to start.

Card measures 4.5" x 4.5"
Martha Stewart Drippy Goo border punch
Ribbon, pearls, & rhinestone star from my stash

Back to School at Meljen's Designs

Wow...September already!  Where does the time go?!  The theme of the challenge this week at Meljen's Designs is Back to School.  Our area went back to school two weeks ago already!

I just loved this Little Wizard Mouse image from the September release.  I thought he was perfect for a back to school challenge.  I colored him using Copic markers.  Yes...I am back to trying to use Copics.  I have been taking an online class from Created by Color and have found the courage to break them out again.  It turns out...paper is super important!  Most of my frustration using Copic markers stemmed from the paper I was using.  Thanks Kristy and Melissa for a great class.

You should check out the rest of the new release images in the shop.  You won't be disappointed!

Card measures 4.25" x 5.5"
Spellbinders Star Circle die
American Crafts pearl brad
ribbon and pearls from my stash

Let's Roll!

It's time for a new challenge at Meljen's Designs.  This week we have a fabby, fun sketch for you to play with!

I used one of the new images for my project.  I fell in love with Happy Sushi as soon as I saw it!  It really made me smile!  You can find it in the shop along with all of the other new images for August.

Of course I had to use Wild Wasabi cardstock from Stampin' Up!  It was most appropriate.  I colored the image using Prismacolor pencils.  The card is actually embossed, but I can never seem to get it to show up in my pictures!  The sentiment is computer generated.

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions embossing folder - Stripes
American Crafts brad
ribbon from my stash

Bold Bright and Beautiful Blog Hop

Sorry everyone!  Not sure what happened!  I must have scheduled the post for the wrong time!!

Welcome to your next stop on the DeNami blog hop.  You should have come here from Jennifer's blog.  I am sure her inspiration was divine!  If you didn't come from Jennifer's blog and would like to start at the beginning, just hop to the DeNami Design blog.

For my project I used one of the boldest DeNami stamps I have, Small Solid Sweet Daisy.  It is retired, but is still available in the shop.

I knew I wanted to use bright summer colors, but I couldn't decide on what colors to use.  I knew orange and yellow, but needed the third color to set them off.  I was trying a pink and it just wasn't the look I was going for.  Then I looked down at my hands and saw my Jamberry Nails nail shields!  That was the inspiration I needed!

I also used the Assorted Greetings stamp set for the sentiment.

I hope you enjoyed my creation!  I haven't had much time to be creative, so it was nice to have a chance to play!

The next stop on your hop is Glenda.  I am sure you can't wait to see what she has in store for you!  But before you go be sure to comment on each blog along the way.  There are 2 $20 gift certificates up for grabs for 2 lucky commenters.  You have until 11:59 pm PST, Monday, August 13th to get your comments in.  There is also 1 certificate for one lucky participant (design team ineligible).

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"

Up for a New Challenge Blog?

Meljen's Designs is sponsoring Songbird Challenges in their debut challenge.  The challenges are for cardmakers with a musical theme.  Challenges begin on Monday and run for two weeks.

I used Little Piano from Meljen's Designs and paper pieced it.  Since the paper is black, I had to reverse the image in word and print it on the backside of the paper.  I colored the heart with Prismacolor pencils.  The sentiment is computer generated and I and cut the banner shape.

Right now Meljen's Designs is having a Half-Price sale until August 15th!  Pop over to the shop and fill your cart today!

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Spellbinders Picot Circles die
Ribbon, Flowers, & pearls from my stash

Sunshine and Smiles

The challenge at Meljen's Designs this week is anything goes!  Always a favorite!  My project this week is a sunny and bright one.

I used Summer Sun from this month's release.  You can find it in the shop.  I colored the image using Prismacolor pencils.  The sentiment is a stamp from Stampin' Up!.  I used brads, twine and die cuts to embellish this card in bright sunny colors.

Card measures 5.5" x 4.25"
Lifestyle crafts Circle Dies
Spellbinders Label One dies
Stampin' Up! Calypso Coral baker's twine
Stampin' Up! Adorning Accents Edgelits Die
Stampin' Up! Everyday Expressions
Brads from my stash

Gift Card Tin

Hello everyone!  It is challenge time again on the Meljen's Designs blog.  This week the challenge is Happy Birthday!  I was preparing to make a card, but I came across this tin that I have had for ages.

I am not even sure where it came from!  It is hinged at the top and measures 3.5" x 3.25".  It is the perfect size for a gift card.

I got to work transforming this tin into something a bit more fun.

What do you think?  I used Piggy Bank from this month's new release.  I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up! and is raised with foam.  I originally started with a much larger image, and during the construction, I changed my mind!  The advantage of digital stamps is I didn't have to choose a different image.  I just printed a smaller one and kept on creating!

You can find this image as well as the rest of the new releases in the shop.  There are 11 new images for this month and they are all amazing!

Tin measures 3.5" x 3.25"
Lifestyle Crafts circle and scalloped circle dies
Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder
Stampin' Up! Mini Mates stamp set
ribbon, flowers, and pearl from my stash

Bookmark Do-Over!

Hello everyone!  The challenge at Meljen's Designs is to create a bookmark this week.  This bookmark probably looks familiar to you.  I made one a while back and it was ruined when my coffee spilled on it.  This challenge gave me the opportunity to replace it.

I colored Mushroom Mouse using Prismacolor pencils.  The letters were alphabet punches that I got as a Mother's Day gift ages ago.  Like the last bookmark, I put small pieces of magnet tape on both sides on the inside so it won't slip from the page.  I forgot to take a picture so this is a picture from the original bookmark.

Come join us this week for a fun challenge!

Martha Stewart Swirling Lace border punch
alphabet punches by The Paper Studio
Lifestyle Crafts circle & scalloped circle dies
rickrack from my stash