Dare to Get Dirty Projects

So, as you may have read on an earlier post, that I have been crazy busy making projects for 33 challenges over at SCS for this years Dare to Get Dirty Contest.

It's only done once a year, they post challenges for 7 days for a total of 33 challenges, and you have to be a Fan Club member to play. Now, you didn't have to complete 33. But, there was a chance for 12 participates who complete ALL the challenges to win prizes, so I had to give it a go. Let me tell you this really pushed me. And I'm not a big fan of sketches, so those were to hardest for me. I have already posted some of those projects, but there were a few more I wanted to share with you (and a couple I don't, teehee). So today is a parade of some of these projects. The contest ends July 31 and I'm hoping that I am a winner!

You were able to combine challenges and I posted 19 projects total.

This one was a color challenge.  I have chosen to leave several of my cards without a sentiment on the front recently, so I can use them for whatever comes up.

Stamp sets : Flourishes Nurture Yourself (pot), Stamper's Anonymous (scalloped border), Great Impressions (swirly background), butterfly unknown

I gathered tissue paper to create my ruffled border.

I actually had stamped a couple of these images out a while back and colored, but never complete on a card.  Don't you just want to sit down and color sometime??  I have a pile of images that are colored and I just need to do something with them.  So I was thrilled to finally use this one.  This image is by Kraftin' Kimmie.  There is another image with it that is so cute.

This one was for a "movie challenge".  My daughter loves Audrey Hepburn and I had bought her this image a while back.  So it was a perfect fit.  Then I bagan googling quotes by her.  This one worked out well I think.

Stamps : B-Line Designs (Audrey), SU (background stamp)

For this shaped card I used a template I downloaded from Bee-Crafty Downloads.  Looked like a good idea when I down loaded it, but I turned it into a fiasco.  After I figured out to enlarge and printed it, I decided that I didn't like the thickness of the lines so I decided to paper-piece it.  But that meant that I had to draw the icing lines myself.  But after all the frustration, I think the outcome is ok.  I considered turning the cherry into a candle, but the practical side of me won out.  The cherry fits in an envelope.  BTW, I like alot of her templates, but just be aware that they are adobe files.  So it was a little tricky for me to figure out how to copy and paste it into a word doc so I could resize it.  If I had know, I wouldn't have went with this one.

Stay tuned for a blog candy announcement coming August 1st!

I hope your day is filled with great joy!

Another Layout with Layers of Color

Good Morning.  This is week #4 of my Layers of Color Guest DT gig.  I have had sooooo much fun using their images.  And I want to say thank you so very much to Laura, the owner and her wonderful DT.  These ladies are so gracious, kind, supportive and it has been wonderful to be a part of their team this month.

Today I want to share with you another layout and the story behind it.  This is my daughter many years ago being baptized.  I was blessed to lead both of my children to salvation.  And I remember the joy that I felt as a parent watching my little one being baptized and giving her heart to our Lord and Saviour.  So many people think that young children don't really know what they are doing when they make professions of faith.  But I'm here to tell you that this little one did, and she has never waivered. 

I designed this layout using "Gothic Crosses" and "Royal Birds".  I created the paper flowers using punches.  That really cool molding in the corner at at the top is by Pink Paislee.  This stuff is soooo cool.  It comes white and you can ink it or paint it to match you project.  I used the tissue paper and a Spellbinders die to create the dollie.

Once I looked at this close-up, I realized that it needed something more.  So I added a stick pin.  But I was toooo tired to go back and shoot more photo's.  So you will just have to use your imagination, teehee.

Challenges :

The Studio Challenges   is a scrapbook challenge blog that I found recently.  I really want to get more scrapbooking in this year and I think Scrapbook Challenge Blogs can inspire me to do just that.  This challenge was to use "old and new stash".  This paper is probably greater than 5yrs old.  The corner punch is pretty old too, probably about the same amount of time.  Something new ...  Pink Paislee created these really cool 3-D rubbery feeling embellishments that you can paint or ink.  You can see them in the bottom left corner of my layout and behind the cross.  I just love them.  And my Layers of Color Royal Bird Stamp set is still pretty new as well.

Here is another card using "Vintage Roses".  I created this one for a couple of the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges.  One of the challenges over there was posted by my buddy Joan Ervin.  She wanted us to create a project that was mostly orange.  I would have NEVER came up with this without that challenge.  Thanks Joan for making me stretch my creative muscles!

I started with a peice of DP that was mostly orange (background) and the backside was orange, so that was great.  I created a second pattern on the solid orange using a "tone on tone" technique.  I used Apricot Appeal (SU) ink and stamped some of the smaller images in the set.  And then to tie it in better, I used the DP again for the vase.  The white Spellbinders and background circle were too stark when I layered them.  So to soften it up, I added white VersaMagic ink around the edges of the orange circle and orange chalk (Pebbles, Inc) aroung the edges of the Spellbinder's die.  If you decide to give this a try, get the pearlescent chalks, they blend on better and go on smoother.  Doing this brought it all together.

I'm just wondering if anyone else who is playing along is as creatively tired as I am.  I don't think I have ever created this many projects in one week.  33 challenges total and I have 5 to go by friday.  I saved the 2 hardest / altered pieces for last, but I will probably enjoy those the most. I know exactly what I'm going to do and what stamps sets I'm working with.  So I'm actually excited about getting a few of the others knocked out and moving on to these.

Thanks to all of you who have been so kind in leaving me comments.  I truely appreciate them and feel so very bad that I haven't made it to your blogs.  With all this creating the last 6 weeks, it's been difficult to keep up with everything.  But I'm hoping things will be calming down after I complete my 2 Guest DT's at the end of the month, and these 33 challenges. 

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You can view more of my Scrapbook Layouts HERE.

You can view more of my Faith Art HERE.

Altered Wooden Box

Good Morning!  It's time for another Creative Belli Challenge and this challenge we were ask to alter something we had in our stash.  My stash is HUGE in this catagory.  I love to alter, so when I see neat things to alter I grab them. Of course I always plan on getting it altered asap, teehee.  HUGE STASH.  Hmmmm maybe I should offer some up for blog candy. 

I went with red/ black again.  Sorry if you are sick of it, but I wanted this little box to match my craft room.  Aren't those roses on top gorgeous!  Well they are from Layers of Color.  I'm so excited to be a Guest Designer for Layers of Color this month.  They sell the most wonderful stamps and stencils.  You can check them out HERE.  This particular set is called Vintage Roses.

I started by removing the hinges on the back and lock on the front.  When I'm shopping for alterable items, I always think about how easy it will be to disassemble and alter.  Then I painted the base black around all the edges.  I use old music paper around the base.  I had this really cool 3-D frame made by Making Memories that I thought would look good around the glass window.  It was part of their "Sabrina" Collection. 

Then I stamped and colored my image from the Vintage Roses set.

Hope you were inspired to alter something you've been hoarding. We would love to have you join us over at the Creative Belli Challenge Blog.   You can check out the challenge details and more wonderful altered projects there by their awesome DT!

But before I go, I want to share one more Layers of Color project with you using Vintage Roses.

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!

You can view all of my Altered Projects HERE

Altered Paper Mache Pot

Good Morning.  I am so excited to announce that I have the pleasure of serving as a guest designer for Layers of Color this month.  I will be sharing projects using several of their stamp sets this month.  Layers of Colors sells the most wonderful artisitc stamps with a vintage flair!  They also just released a line of Art Stencils that are fabulous.  Their design team has been showing off lots of idea's for using the stencils.  Their GALLERY is just loaded with awesome idea's to inspire you.  You can find more wonderful inspiration on the Layers of Colors BLOG.  Laura with LOC is making my guest DT announcement on her blog today, so if you get a minute to hop over and leave a comment, that would be awesome.
LAYERS OF COLOR

Today I am showing off "Nature Walk".

I thought this project would be a great gift for a co-worker or friend. They could sit it on their desk at work to brighten their day. The Birthday Wishes sentiment could be removed later. It's a fun and easy altered item. I picked up this paper mache' pot at a local craft store, covered it with old music paper and coated with a red glaze. You could probably create your own glazes by thinning down acrylic paint. But I have several colors made by Golden. I also have a bottle of "Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid". I mix this with acrylic paint to create my own glazes. Glazes are fun because they are translucent and allow you to add color without covering up whats below.

I did add a decorative image from another LOC set called "Touch of Elegance".  I used it in the center of the smaller flowers. I found these fun fabric brads at Hobby Lobby. They are called "Spare Parts" and made by Paper Studio.

You can see the back doesn't look so great. I twisted green floral wire to create the stems. I punched white circles to help secure the wire to the back of my flowers. 

I will be sharing another altered project using Layers of Color stamps next wednesday!  So please stop back by.

You can view all of my Altered Projects HERE

Layers of Color - Merci Bouquet

This set by Layers of Color is so pretty.  It's called Merci Bouquet. 

I used Core'dinations cardstock.  It was brown on the outside and pink on the inside.  I ran it through the cuttlebug using one of their embossing folders and then lightly sanded.  I like that aged effect you get with this.   I rubbed on pink acrylic paint to distress it more.   I used a background stamp on the Spellbinders die cut and distressed it with brown ink and a stipple brush. 

I just love the stick pin I used on this one.  It's by Jenni Bowlin.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Thank YOU !

This Hero Arts thank you was designed for a challenge over at the ABC Design Team Blog.
 I stamped it on watercolor paper in VersaFine Onyx Black and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Then I began coloring with H2O watercolor paints.  I lightly applied water before adding color so that it went on smoothly and dabbed with a paper towel when I applied too much.  I used my Label 5 Nestabilities and then distressed the edges with black ink an eyeshadow applicator.  I used a background stamp by Great Impression Scroll and Leaf on purple cardstock.  I really like how lavender and olive green look together.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet 'n Sassy Friendship Card

Good Morning.  Time has flown my and it's time for another Creative Belli Challenge!

The Challenge : Die Cuts  I used a Spellbinders Die this one.

The Belli girls are showcasing Sweet 'n Sassy Digital images this week as well.

They are our Sponsor this week, so I know there will be an awesome prize involved, so come play along!

You can view more of my projects using Digital Images / Stamps HERE.

You can view more of my Sweet N Sassy projects HERE.

You can view more of my friendship themed projects HERE.

You can view more of my floral projects HERE.

GinaK Designs - "Lovely Shelf"

Good Morning.  Today I'm sharing with you a wonderful stamp set called "Lovely Shelf". (once you get to the link, scroll down to check this particular set out)  I designed this one using the colors assigned at the

Copic Colour Challenge Blog. 

Copic colors I chose:

purple - BV02, BV04, BV08

green - G20, YG03, YG91
brown - E55, E35

The sentiments are really versatile.  You can fill in "aunt", "mother", etc.  There are also other sentiments, "Thanks for a lovely gift", "What lovely news", etc.  You can get this one from GinaK Design.  The designer is Nina Brackett and I really love some of her sets.  You can check out all of her stamp sets, digital paper lines, and Perfect Patterns line HERE.
Nina's Blog

Prefer digital images???  Check out Nina's digital stamp line at Squigglefly
I created this one for this week's color challenge over at StampTV.

This one is not my usual card.  I'm thinking I would have liked it better if I had a white background with black polka dots.  No time to change it now. 

Stamps :  butterfly - The Angel Company "Wishing Happiness"
sentiment - GK Designs
Patterned Paper - 7 Gypsies


Thanks for stopping by!

2 cards for Kay

My friend Kay is in the forfront of my thoughts and prayers lately.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent a double mastectomy, and is now going through chemotherapy.   Through all of this she has been so strong, and a wonderful testimony for God.  Her faith and hope are amazing to me.  She has the best sense of humor, so, although this card would not be appropriate for just anyone, it is just right for my friend Kay.  I hope this brings a smile to her face in this very difficult time.

If you would like to join me in praying for Kay, we are praying for her white count to come up, so that she can continue in her battle. 

Stamps : FireCracker Designs by Pamela Fruit Cup

Colorization : H2O watercolors

I'm using this one for the Cupcake Craft Challenge this week : food/drinks
So this is another one I made her.  A little more appropriate.



I'm using this one for Charisma Cardz Challenge Blog.
The challenge - Spring

Stamps :  FireCracker Designs by Pamela  Easter Blessings (florals)
sentiment Impression Obsession

Thanks for stopping by!

Impression Obsession Challenge Time - Stamp a Background

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your wonderful comments this week!

Today I'm posting a card for this weeks Impression Obsession Challenge - STamp a BAckground.  But first I have to warn you - DON"T enlarge the photo of this card - it's really bad, teehee.  I had a copic emergency this morning, my very first.  I ran out of BV00 while I was trying to finish up this card and the blending is not quite what it should be.  You should have heard me talking to it, "come on baby, just a little bit more".  Time to order some of the refills.  Or DH may think I need to be committed!

So for this card I created my background by stamping the same image repeatedly.  You can check out the Impression Obsession Challenge blog to read about upcoming challenges and an opportunity to win $25 gift certificate to their online store. 

This set was designed by Sarah Phelps and it is one of Impression Obsessions clear sets.  You can check out more of their Clear Stamp Sets HERE.  Impression Obsession has a great online store where you can choose between Clear Sets, rubber unmounted or mounted, and cling mount. 

So I created a second card one using this set, minus BV00.  I just love these florals. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Crafty Secrets Bouquet of Joy

I created this one for the Crafty Secrets Challenge Thread over at SCS.

You can check out this stamp set HERE.

PP - Making Memories

FCD - Forgive Me Project #4

Created for :

 Just the Girls Challenge Blog  to use one of Lauren Meaders templates

and Cute Card Thursday #97 - Blooming Gorgeous

I created this cute little gift box using one of Lauren Meader Timeless Templates. Lauren still has lots of templates over at PTI, but she just started her own site as well. Check out My Time Made Easy HERE. It was soooo easy! It came in 2 sizes and I made the smaller one. Basically I downloaded the template from PTI ($5). Then I double clicked on the file and it opened up into an Adobe Reader window. Then I printed it! I cut the pieces, adhered together, decorated the front! You have to use your own punch to create the hole in the handle, as you can see, I'm a little off center. But it was my first time, so I'm sure my next one will be better.

Stamps : FireCracker Designs by Pamela (FCD) Forgive Me set and Butter/Dragon fly set.

I created 3 mask using Elipse Masking "Tape" (it's not really tape, it's like a post it note with the sticky stuff over the entire back of it). I inked the stem/leaf portion of the stamps with VersaMagic Spanish Olive and then added Purple Hydrangea to the floral area. I stamped the same image repeatedly to create my garden, using the mask to prevent clutter and enable me to stamp them "on top of each other". I poped up a butterfly, added ribbon, and inked the edges. Really quick and easy.

Designing with Vintage Digital Images / Stamps

One of my goals this year was to try to do some "Clean and Simple" style cards.  This style is not always easy for me, but when I seen last weeks image over at "Digital Two For Tuesday", I was inspired that I could do it using this gorgeous image.  Cora works hard finding vintage images, repairing them and posting them for others to use for their personal use.  These images are free and the only thing she ask is that you not post the image for others to download anywhere else.  Please refer them to her site.  She post 2 vintage images every Tuesday on the Digital Two For Tuesday Challenge Blog, and then she post more "bonus" images on her personal blog on Saturdays.  She also sells a few Vintage Clear Stamp Sets in her Etsy Store.  I recieved my first set this week and loved creating my first project and can't wait to use the other images in this set.  I will post all of her links for you further down.

You can copy and print out this image HERE.

So lets get on with today's tutorial for this particular image.
Go to Digital Two For Tuesdays Blog.
Right click on the image.
Click "Save picture as"
Save to a folder that you can find easily.  I save my free digital downloads in one file labeled "Digital Downloads",  then I create files within this one that are labeled per the site I found them because I want to be able to give proper credit if I use them later.  So this one is saved in a file names "Digi 2 4 Tues".  This where I save all of Cora's wonderful images that I choose to download.

Now open up a word document.
Select File, then Page Set up.
Enter the following Settings : top - 0.5, bottom - 1, left - 0.5, right - 0.5, header - 0, footer - 0, Orientation - Landscape.Select OK after you have done this.  A message box will pop up telling you that one of your margins is outside the printable area and ask if you would like to continue.  Select yes.

Now you are on your document page.  Select "Insert", "Picture", and the "from a file".
Now find your file.  "Insert" it in the document.  It will appear very large with a box around it and "handles" at each corner.  Move your mouse pointer to the bottom right corner, hold down the left click button and drag the corner up and to the left, reducing the size.  Reduce it till the right side of the box is aligned at the 4.5" mark.  This is what centers it on your card.  So now the left side of  the box should be aligned with 0 and the right side with 4.5.  If your box disappears, just click on the center of the image and it will reappear again. 
Later we will be cutting our paper at the 5" marker.  Now you need to click you mouse pointer to the side of the image so that your curser appears, hit the space bar til the curser arrives at the 5.5" mark to create some space between image 1 and image 2.  Right Click on the image and copy, then paste.  It will appear huge again.  Grab the bottom right handle again and reduce the size and the document will automatically move it up to the spot where you left your curser.  Now resize the image as you did before until the left side is align with the 5.5" mark and the right side is aligned with the 10" mark. 

Now you have aligned your images horizontally to create 2 cards.  It's time to align them vertically.This one is easy once you move your curser all the way back over to the far left of image 1.  Sometimes that is a little tricky since the image is right up against that spot.  I have accidently deleted my image before while trying to do it, but then you just select "Edit" and "Undo" and you are back in business.  This is actually the hardest part of the whole process, teehee.  I just keep clicking in different spots until the large curser appears to the left of the image.  If you click and it blacks out the images (selecting both of them), or the box appears around image 1, then click below it to clear that and try again til you find that sweet spot that gives you the huge curser. 

Once you have the curser set to the left of image 1, you just hit enter till you get all the way to the bottom of the page.  I usually just hit it till it goes all the way to page 2 and the backspace once and I know I'm as far down as I can go for that page.You are ready to print!

I print mine on thick cardstock, Papertrey Ink because I like the weight and my copics blend best on it.  But you do whatever you like.  I do go to "Properties" when the printer box comes up, and select the heavy weight setting.  As I have said before, I use an Epson and do not have any problem with my ink bleeding with Copics or Prismacolor pensils and OMS, unless I scrub really hard.  I have a friend who finally gave up on printing her digis on her HP and finally bought a cheap Epson just for that.  She said sometimes the HP ink worked ok with her HP and sometimes it ran.  I do not know how other printer inks work and would LOVE to here feedback from others and put some data together on this. 

Once you have printed your card, place the paper horizontially on your paper cutter and cut the paper down the center at the 5.5" point.  Now you have 2 cards.  Turn each card and score/fold at the 4.25" mark (center).  Use your favorite border punch to decorate the front edge.  Color your image.  I used Copics and then some shimmer chalk in the background.  It's a very light pink so I didnt' have to worry about getting it on the green and could get into all those little spaces. Add your favorite sentiment if you wish.  Mine will probably end up being another birthday card, since I am sending out so many this year.  Secure a piece of ribbon!!

Ok so the instructions are long, but trust me you can whip these up really fast.  I just went into alot of detail for beginners!  Wouldn't a make a nice note card gift set!! 

I would love to hear if this tutorial was helpful and if you used it.  Tutorial do take alot of time to post and it encourages me to take the time to do them if I know someone is actually using them. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read!!

FCD - Forgive Me Project #2

I think that I mentioned last week that Pamela gave me the FCD Stamp Set "Forgive Me" to work with this month.   I love it!  And I decided to REALLY get my hands messy this week.

It's been a while since I sat and just made my own background panels.  I made them in several colors today.  I set these panels aside for future use.  I love texture and doing this gives me a break from working with patterned paper and gives my pieces a more distressed look.  Here is a close-up.

I started with watercolor paper I cut into 4.5" x 6" panels (it was sold 9 x 12").  I pulled out some vintage paper from an 1920's music magazine.  It includes some actual music pages and some article pages.  Next I gathered glazes (translucent paint) and crackle paint.  I have a few Golden Glazes I learned about taking a local class, but once I found out I could mix my own, I stopped buying them.  There is an acrylic glazing medium (also made by Golden) you can purchase to mix with inexpensive acrylic paint and this is a much cheaper way to go.  I glued my vintage paper over the watercolor paper then began brushing the glazes on.  The glazes have a longer "open" time, so you can use a paper towel to wipe it off if needed.  Why a glaze?  Because it allows part of what is under it to show through (the vintage paper) and enable you to build a collage.  Then I applied a coordinating color of crackle paint.  I'm very impatient, so I used a blow dryer to speed along the drying processs and this gave me some control of keeping the paper flat.  (the ones I left unattended roled up as the crackle medium dryed).  Then I set the panels aside for future use.  I can layer on more paper, paint, or ink when I begin to design the project.  You may remember me mentioning that I had done this process before but threw the panels in the bottom of a tall box and sprayed with Glimmer Mist (I usually start by brushing on a color first), sprinkles on distress embossing powder, while they were still wet, and then heat embossed.  I added a little crackle paint to some of these as well.  I have had alot of fun using them and thought it was about time to make some more.  To finish off my background for this card I distressed it with some Versa Magic Pumpkin Spice Ink.  I added Fun Flock to the center of the flowers to add more texture.  I stamped the flowers more of the vintage paper, but when I went to color them the print started to run, so I sprayed them with "Work Fixative" (you can get it at a local craft store that sells artist supplies).  Then I was able to color them with my copics. 

Forgive Me ?

$8.99

Well I hope yo forgive me for such a long post.  So much to tell you though!  Have a great Sunday!

Cornish Heritage Farms Summer Stamp Star Contest

Cornish Heritage Farm is hosting a "Summer Stamp Star" Contest with weekly challenges. This is my project for Challenge #1 Color It !! They are awarding weekly winners and then 1 Over-all Winner. So there is still time for you to qualify to enter one of the weekly Catagories.

I used Single Blackeyed Susan stamp and one of my favorite colorization techniques - H2O Watercolors.
Cornish Heritage Farms has an AWESOME BACKGROUND COLLECTION. I used Polkadots. I love polkadots and new this one would be a good investment, something I would use over and over. They also have a great sentiment collection under MONA LISA. I found a beautiful set of friendship sentiments.

Corner Punch is by EK Success. I also used Spellbinders Label and Bird Dies. I added the eye and wing to the bird. I'm not sure who the button and ribbon are. I got it from my huge stash. Patterned paper is by Basic Grey. I used Pearlescent Chocolate Ink to stamp polkadots / sentiment and Palette Noir to stamp image. Micron 005 Black Pen to accent doodle.

Helpful Links :

Cornish Heritage Farms

CHF Blog

Summer Stamp Star Details

Twinkling H2O's

You can see more of my projects using Spellbinders Dies HERE.

GinaK - Botanical Dreams

Created this one for a StampTV Color Challenge.

Stamp Set : GinaK, Stampers Anonymous

Patterned Paper : DCWV

Ink : Palette Noir, Brilliance Red Rocket

Ribbon : Offray, Basic Grey

Brads : Paper Studio

Other : Baby Blue Stickles

Colorization : I squirted a little from my refill bottle and mixed with water to colorize.

Here are a couple of other cards I created using this set.

Patterned Paper : Basic Grey
Ribbon : Unknown
Colorization : Pink Flower - Kohinoor #14,

Browns - PC #441 PC#946, Green - Tombow marker #98 with Blender Pen.
Chalk : Pebbles Ink
Die : Spellbinders