Copic Colour Challenge #49

Yes, this is my second post of the evening!  I actually did two challenge cards today, both on the first day of the challenges!  It's not that I'm that organized, just needed to get ahead of the next couple of days.  Besides, the color scheme at Copic Colour Challenge #49 was just too good to pass up!   Here it is:

I had a couple of illustrations pop into my head right away and I chose the beautiful "Christening" by Mo Manning.  Then I put together an ivory card with subtle embellishments and pearls.

Materials:

Papers:  Ivory card stock from PaperTrey, scrap from K&Company

Prima Flowers with rose centers embellished with tiny stick-on pearls

Antique lace (I don't remember where I got it --- sorry)

Stick-on medium pearls

Cross charm

Cuttlebug Bloom Dots embossing folder

I love this illustration, as I do all of Mo's work!  I wish I knew a new baby girl to give this to!  There are some beautiful projects over at Copic Colour Challenge --- hop on over for a look!

Thank you for stopping by again! 

Whiff of Joy Challenge #64 --- Gio's Sketch

Here it is Wednesday already!  Wednesday brings one of my favorite challenge blogs:  Whiff of Joy!  This week the remarkable Gio has a sketch for us.  I've been coloring lots of images for Valentine's Day and one of my favorites is Melinda Blowing Kisses.  I turned the sketch 90 degrees and had lots of fun with lots of goodies!

Melinda is colored with Copics.  The papers are all from my scrap stash.  For the corners I couldn't wait to use my new Martha Stewart extra-wide border punch.  Each corner is one punch pattern of the "Floral Vine".  I added more heart kisses with sparkly stick-ons.  The photo doesn't show it well, but the XOXOX is a metal charm that I framed in black card stock cut with the Nestabilities dies.

Here is Gio's sketch:

If you think her sketch is terrific, wait till you see her card and all the others from the DT!!  Hop on over to Whiff of Joy Challenge Blog for a look!  Don't forget to play along --- there's a great prize this week!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you are having a wonderful week.

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #3 --- All That Glitters

It seems our pleasant "heat wave" was short-lived.  Now we have cold winds and snow flurries, with a forecast for snow in a couple of days.  So, making a Christmas card in January doesn't seen so unusual.  Actually, I like making Christmas cards anytime, which is why I love the Bah! Humbug! challenge blog.  This week the theme is to make a glittery card.  I can do that!

This card came together quite fast, with no mess.  Like Max on the BH design team, I like the free samples from Dover Publications, and chose this lovely vintage illustration of children decorating a Christmas tree with the music for "O Christmas Tree" behind it.  For the glittery part I avoided the mess and used glitter paper background and glitter ribbon.  The card blank is Kraft paper.  Easy and elegant!  I can do more of these!

If one of your New Year's resolutions was to get a head start on Christmas cards, you will love Bah! Humbug!  Imagine, one card per week beginning now and you can have 45 cards done before December 1!  Besides, it's fun!

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your week is off to a great start!

Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge #20 --- Ger's Sketch

First, thank you to all who joined our last sketch challenge!  So many wonderful projects!  We appreciate how much the participation has grown and it is thanks to all of you for helping to spread the word about Sunday Sketch and Stamp.

The past two weeks have flown by and it is time for another challenge at Sunday Sketch and Stamp!  Our very own Ger is the designer of this week's sketch and I know I had great fun with it!  In keeping with the Valentine theme that I have been in lately, I have just such a card.  The image is "Tom with Hearts" from Crafts 4 Eternity digital stamps.  I printed 2 images and cut one out for a 3D layer.  I colored both images with Copics, the lower image a shade darker to add more depth. 

The patterned paper is from the $1.00 bins at Target; buttons from a assorted packages at Walmart; and the ribbon from my stash.  I used my Nestabilities rounds for the die cuts.

I just love this little guy.  Do you suppose the balloons are for his first real Valentine?

Now, here is Ger's great sketch:

I know I'll keep this in my sketch book for future use!  So........ whatcha waitin' for?  I can't wait to see your creations over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp!

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you have a great week!

Whiff of Joy Challenge #63 --- Recipes for Card

Finally Friday!  I hope everyone has a terrific weekend planned.  It's been a busy week and certainly went by faster than the past couple of weeks when we were under an Artic Blast of sub-zero temperatures.

Whiff of Joy Challenge this week offers 2 recipes to follow:

#1 4 patterned papers, 3 bling, 2 flowers

or

#2 3 patterned papers, 2 bling , 1 flower

Because my colored image is actually 2 images masked together I chose recipe #2 for a little more simplicity.

I love the wingback chair from a 2008 WOJ collection.  I masked the Willow with Valentine from the 2009 winter collection for an illustration of a shy and feminine Valentine.  The finished look resembles a scene in a parlor with one patterned paper for the "wallpaper" and two more positioned like rugs under the chair.  For the two blings I have the red and gold rhinestone scroll on the right and the heart charm in the upper left corner.  The scroll of rhinestones and the lone flower are from Prima.  It was really hard to put only one flower on the card.  I like groupings of blossoms, but the flowered pattern of the paper balances out.  Other tools used:  Copics for the image, Martha Stewart border punch and Nestibilities label die.

Whiff of Joy Challenge is one of my regular weekly posts.  I love the images, of course, and the Design Team always has such amazing projects.  Be sure to pop over and take a look.  The participants are pretty amazing, too!

Thank you for stopping by!  Your visits are always appreciated.

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #15 --- Color Challenge

When I saw Mo's Digital Pencil challenge this morning I knew I could get my project done today! I had just colored an image that fit the theme perfectly!  All I had to do was make the card!  Here's the color challenge:

I colored this adorable "Abby Celebrating" with Copics BV0000, BV00, BV04, BV08, BV11 and a touch of BV29.  So when I saw the color challenge I thought, "this will work!"  I had picked out the patterned papers from Basic Grey's Wisteria Collection, so it was just a matter of building the card.  I keep a stash of  my favorite sketches so I modified one of my favorites and Voila! --- done! The rhinestones complement the movement of her skirt, my favorite thing about this illustration.  The flowers are stripped from a stem of silk flowers from Walmart.  I used beaded embellies and rhinestone brads for the centers of the flowers. 

I must say, I am lovin't this card! You just can't go wrong with talent like Mo's and beautiful papers like BG!

Thank you for stopping by!  I invite you to leave your comments and be sure to hop over to Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge to see the DT's fabulous creations.

Busy Beauties Valentines

It's been awhile since I posted a Busy Beauties image, but you will will be seeing more soon!  That's right!  Carolyn and Thomas have been busy with new releases.  Stay tuned for more! 

In the meantime, I've been working on Valentine cards these days and BB has adorable images for the LOVE-liest day of the year.  Here is  Rosey and Randy who look like they are definitely ready to exchange Valentine cards! 

These little darlins' are colored with Copics. The card is made from shimmery red card stock. I made the card for a type 10 envelope for something different.  It also gave me a chance to show off this beautiful new deep border punch from Martha Stewart.  Have you seen all the fabulous new punches and other products from MS?  Wow!  But I digress... the little paper heart doilies that I found in the Target $1.00 bins make a romantic background, surrounded by Mulberry Street paper flowers with fun brad centers.

Thank you all for stopping by!  It's midweek already and I hope it's a good week for you.

Mo Manning Lady Bug "Bye Bye" and a Big Surprise

Happy Tuesday!  Another week is quickly underway!

I have another new favorite to show you tonight.  When I started shopping at Mo Manning's Digital Pencil Shop I was like a kid in a candy store!  There was one illustration in particular that I knew I had to have.  It is called "Bye bye", the precious little tyke on her tricycle, pedaling away as fast as she can.  My adorable, and energetic, grandniece is turning three at the end of this month.  She's a high-octane blondie, often in pigtails, and loves pink.

This is the card I made for her birthday.  I used my Copics and papers from the Basic Grey June Bug Collection.  I put the little lady bug buttons in my stash when I bought them on clearance at Walmart (12 for $1.00 --- woo hoo!).  The ribbons were also in my stash and the sentiment is a Cuttlebug die cut.

Now, here's the big surprise:  Browsing through Walmart, after I had the card finished, I found this 2-piece child's overnighter and backpack set!  How fun is this?  Perfect gift for our little gal on the go.  She lives 500 miles away, but I hope to be there for her party next weekend. 

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope your week is going well!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #2 --- Using New or Nearly New Stash

For the second challenge at Bah! Humbug! the theme is to use new or nearly new stash to make a Christmas card.  I have several images already colored for Christmas, but didn't get onto cards.  So, I pulled out this Whiff of Joy image.  Actually it is two images in one.  The "Sled Packed with Gifts" and "Freezing Willow" images were new for this winter/Christmas season.  I stamped Willow, then masked her so I could stamp the sled for her to sit on. 

The image is colored with Copics on PaperTrey white card stock, inked with Memento Tuxedo Black.  The papers are actually from my 2008 Christmas stash, but I don't remember the collection.  Scraps are scraps!  The foam glitter snowflakes were from the kids crafts area at Michael's and the glittery icicle "grass" is from the floral department at Michael's. 

I have to say that Bah! Humbug! is probably going to be my best incentive for getting a head start on Christmas cards for 2010.  Thanks to Ann, Irene, and Max for such a great challenge idea!

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate your visits and comments and look forward to visiting your blog, too.

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #14 --- Lisa's Sketch

Happy Monday, everyone!  I hope you had a great weekend and had time for some crafting.  I am starting off the new week with my card for Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #14. Lisa gave us a lovely sketch to work with and I had just colored an image that would look great on it.  "Cara Chatting" is a fun image of a teenager doing what she loves most:  chatting on her cell phone.  Having lovely teenaged nieces, I can see them both in this image!

Cara is colored with Copics, then cut out and mounted on ovals cut with Nestibilities.  The papers used are all from the Basic Grey Wisteria collection.  The brads in the upper right corner are also BG Wisteria.

This lovely sketch is so fun to work with and I am sure to use it again!  Thanks, Lisa!

I hope you visit Mo's Digital Pencil and take a look at the fabulous projects by the design team.  Don't forget the participants -- they are a talented bunch, too!

I'm very glad you stopped by today and hope you come back again.  Feel free to leave your comments so I can meet you and visit your blog as well.

Barb

In God We Trust

Colour Create Challenge 36 --- Kraft, Blue and White

The Colour Create Challenge this week is to use Kraft, Blue and White.  The possibilities are endless!  Add to that the bonus of textures.  That goes without saying --- one of my favorite things!  So, using this adorable Sarah Kay image I added buttons for flowers and the Bloom Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder for more texture.. 

The image is colored with Copics and cut out with rectangle Nestibilities.  The scalloped Nestibilities die was used to cut the perfect frame from Basic Grey Marrakesh collection. Buttons are from my stash and the stems are simple twine.

To see some really amazing cards be sure to hop over to Colour Create.  The DT and participants are so talented!

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope your day is blooming with good things!

Barb

In God We Trust

Bah! Humbug! A Christmas Challenge Blog

Oh. My. Gosh!  Two days in a row, two posts!  I guess I am making up for lost time when my studio was too cold to work in.  Also, for 2010 I want to seek out more challenges and try new images and styles.  This challenge, Bah! Humbug! will also help me keep on track to meet my goal for Christmas cards.  Christmas cards?  Yep!  For the 2009 season I made nearly 250 cards, most after September 1.  My goal this year is to have most of them done by September 1.

Thanks to my dear friend Chrissie I found Bah! Humbug! which is a Christmas card challenge blog and this week is their first challenge.  The theme is "recycle", taking old cards and bringing them back to life.  I've had a stack of such cards that I've been wanting to recycle so there is no time like the present!

I love front doors, especially all decked out for the holidays.  The picture was trimmed off the old front, then layered on a scrap of red card stock.  Using a card blank made from Paper Trey classic ivory, I finished off the front with some pretty ribbon. 

The greeting on the inside was actually on the front of the original card.  I used the Nestabilities corner dies to create a festive frame inside.  This recycling old cards is great fun!  I can't wait to do more!

If you love Christmas all year 'round; if you want an incentive to get a head start on Christmas cards; and if you like fun challenges, hop on over to Bah! Humbug!  They have some great incentives, too!

Thanks for stopping by --- again!

Barb

In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy Challenge #62 --- Jane's Sketch

It's not often that I get a card made on the first day of a challenge, but when I saw Jane's sketch for the Whiff of Joy Challenge this week, I knew immediately which image I was going to use. 

I colored this gorgeous Bride Willow as soon as I received it and have had it in my file of colored images for just the right project.  Jane's sketch, with the diagonal "sash" of ribbon or other media, brought to mind a veil.

I did try using white tulle for the sash, but it was just too stiff.  I do like how the ribbon worked out though.  The easel card is one of my favorite presentations, so that meant doing a bit more than just the front of a card.  No problem!  I have lots of embellies that I get from the bridal department at Michael's.  Did you know that you can get bunches of small flowers and pre-made bows at a really reasonable price in the bridal department?  Great clearance items there, too!

Ok, for more on the details:

Cardstock:  Report Cover stock from Paper Plus office supplies (still looking for a handier source)

Image colored with Copic B0000 in the dress and a variety of YRs for the hair.

Flower Soft "Sweet Pea"

Circles and flower die cuts from Nestabilities

Sentiment, cross, and doves from K&Company wedding 3d stickers

White flowers and ribbons from the Michael's bridal department

Jane provided us with a very challenging sketch, but, as you can see by the DT and the participants, some of the most creative artists in the blogosphere have risen to the challenge in an awesome way.  Be sure to hop over to WOJ and take a look, then add yours to the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope yours is a joy-filled day.

Barb

In God We Trust

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #13 --- Happy Birthday!

Believe it or not, this is indeed the second post tonight!  I've just been so excited about all the new images that have come my way recently!  For this post I am entering the Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge for the first time.  Today I colored my first Mo Manning images and can't wait to do more!  I am crazy about them!

Those of you who follow my blog know that I love, love, love Copics and use them nearly exclusively.  Tonight is no different, except that I have changed up my style of coloring somewhat for these images.  I also hope to try other media, also, especially water color.  But for now, here is my card for the challenge:

Meet Jack and Ginger.  Per the theme for this challenge it looks like Jack is about to present Ginger with some birthday daisies.  Don't they look sweet?  They remind me of my aunt and uncle who, at 88 and 89 years young do still hold hands and look at each other so lovingly.

Close up shows more of the details.  The designer paper is from the Basic Grey Origins stack and the flowers from Paper Studio Spare Parts.  I replaced the centers with pearl brads. 

The sentiment is actually from The Print Shop Pro Publisher.  I wish I could write sentiments like this!

Thank you so much for stopping by and looking at both of my cards today.  I expect you'll be seeing more of Jack and Ginger, as well as many of the wonderful art from Mo Manning, in the near future.  Did I mention these are digital stamps?  Oh, my, yes!!  Instant gratification -- love it!

Have a colorful day!

Barb

In God We Trust

Busy Beauties Schoolgirl Lolita --- Go For It!

The Busy Beauties January 2010 release has so many terrific images that I am still coloring and creating projects!  Tonight I am showing "Schoolgirl Lolita" who is holding a report card marked "A+".  This is so appropriate because all of the images are top notch and there is something there for everyone! 

I colored Lolita with Copics and used the Basic Grey "June Bug" stack for the dp.  A border by Martha Stewart, ribbon and flowers from my stash, and a charm exclaiming "Go For It!"  finished off this very simple card. 

Now I can't wait to give it to a very deserving girl!

We had our Busy Beauties blog hop last weekend.  If you followed along have you checked to see if you are a winner?  Stacie at Craft Princess is the winner from my blog.  Hop over to Carolyn's for the complete list.  If you missed the blog hop you can still look at all the goodies by starting here with my post. 

Thank you for stopping by!  Your visits and comments are always welcome and appreciated!

Barb

In God We Trust

Whiff of Joy Challenge #61 --- Color Combo Red and Aqua

Getting back on track with my favorite challenges, and probably some new ones, too!  The first challenge of 2010 for Whiff of Joy is the color combo red and aqua.  This has become one of my favorite color schemes, so it wasn't hard to come up with a project.  Especially when I have the fabulous Winter 2009 Stamp Kit from Whiff of Joy to work with.  For my card I used the beautiful Festive Winter Willow.  With Valentine's Day coming up I replaced the holly berries with a couple of heart embellies.

Willow was colored with Copics BG10, BG18, BG75, R27, R29.  I use a combination of E00 and E02 for the skin and the hair is shades of sepia.  The background dp is K&Company.  Paper flowers are from a variety of beauties in my stash and the beaded center of the large flower is from K&Company.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you like this project! Your comments are most welcome and appreciated.  The Whiff of Joy DT is made up of incredibly talented ladies.  Be sure to jog over there for a look.... and submit your project, too!

Barb

In God We Trust

Busy Beauties Blog Hop Winners to be Announced Tonight at 9:00 ET

We had a wonderful turnout for the Busy Beauties January Release Blog Hop!  The winners of the yummy prizes will be posted on Carolyn's blog tonight at 9:00 eastern time.  So many prizes and so many winners!  Woo hoo!

Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge #19 --- Clare's Sketch

Happy New Year, everyone!  Here we are with the first Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge of 2010!  Clare has a fabulous sketch for us to use this fortnight.  Before I reveal the sketch and my card, I just want to thank everyone for participating in our 2009 challenges.  We just started off a few months ago and, thanks to support from awesome crafters like you, we have grown rapidly and having a great time!  I hope you continue to join us in the coming year, because it just gets better and better!

Now, here is Clare's wonderful sketch:

And here is my take on her sketch.  The sketch was a lot of fun and definitely a keeper!

The image is from the Sophisticated Ladies collections at Rubbernecker Stamp Company.  I have several of these images and love them all.  She is colored with Copics.  I don't mention this as often as I should, but I have to tell you that I get fantastic results using the white cardstock from Papertrey Ink and stamp the images with Memento Tuxedo Black.  I don't have to set the ink with heat and there is no bleeding with the Copics.  The cardstock is smooth and very sturdy at 110 lbs. 

All of the designer paper is from the gorgeous new "Belle Cafe" stack from DCWV.  With a Parisian influence, right down to a beret-capped dachshund, it was a great choice to go with this sophistacated lady!

I'm looking forward to seeing all your creations in the coming weeks!  Please be sure to check out the awesome projects from our design team, and pay a visit to other participants, too!  You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for stopping by!

Barb

In God We Trust