High Hopes Challenge - Black and White/Greyscale/Sepia

Hello Tuesday! Today is the High Hopes Challenge day.. and the challenge this week is one I have wanted try for a while now. A black and white/Greyscale/ or Sepia challenge! Now you can do your card all in the black and white and then do an image with a little color. But I really wanted to try to go for it and do the all grey scale coloring. And I think for my first try I did ok...  But before I show you my card I want to share something that had me dancing all around the house yesterday evening...

My Cutie Bird House that I showed HERE - And on the Little Darlings Challenge Blog HERE - Well Angie from Little Darlings shared a link with me...  MY birdhouse was featured on the Cool2Craft site! You can see it HERE!  I am so thrilled and honored that they wanted to show my bird house and feature it on their site!!! Thank You Angie! And Thank You Cool2Craft!!!!!


ok now on to today's post.. I'll try and settle down :0)

Here is my attempt at a greyscale card -

I just knew I had to use Maurice - One I had been dying to ink him up, and two I knew he would be great to work with all the greys and black coloring.  The sentiment "Moose on the Loose!" is also from High Hopes. :0)  My pattern papers are all from Prima, matted with black card stock. I sewed my layers, and then found a piece of black and grey striped ribbon, and ran it through the image, and added a bow.  I went through a million things to use as embellishments. Nothing felt right, then I found a vintage watch face that is black, love that. Then three dots of Graphite colored Viva Decor Paper Pen.

Here is the inside. Copied the same papers, sewed and then I added another of the High Hopes Sentiments. "Just Motoring by with a birthday Hi!"

Oops - totally forgot to take the photo of my Copic colors for this one.. but lets just say... almost every grey that I own! LOL yes, C's, N's, T's and W's... oh and I can't lie.. a tiny bit of E0000 and then my background is colored with BG90... but it has a grey cast to it so I thought it was ok.

I had fun with this one, and so happy it was the challenge this week and forced me to try something new. Now make sure to motor on over to the High Hope Challenge and join us!!! YOU could win some new High Hopes stamps... so do it!

Hoping to play catch up today... need to do a little surfing and visits, need to do some DT work, need to clean my craft area, and lots of other needs... hope I can check off more than one and not get sidetracked day. Ain't saying I don't enjoy the side tracks, but I really want to get ahead on things again. Makes life so much easier doesn't it?

Have a wonderful Tuesday :0-)
HUGS and-

A little BirdHouse for my Little Darlings Guest DT

 Hello! Today is my last post as Guest DT for Little Darlings Stamps. I have had a really hard time trying to find something to make for my last DT spot. Wanted to do something special. I came up with a few different things that I wanted to make, but at then I just kept seeing this blank wood bird house sitting on my shelf. It was calling out to use a few of the Cutie Pie images... and when a bird house is calling out to you.. you have to do something with it! 

The images that I used are - "Pretty Posie", "Flowers For You" the "Green House" and then even though she isn't part of the In the Garden release, I totally adore her, so I had to use "What a Sweetheart". I just wish the bird house had been larger so I could have added even more of them! 

Basics of the birdhouse. I purchased a wood bird house from the craft store. I painted the first coat with a chocolate brown. Then I painted with Plaid Crackle Medium. You have to let it dry completely. Then I painted the top coat with a cream paint. All of my paints are acrylic. As it dries.. the crackle magic happens. Love watching that! 

Then for the roof I punched a whole lot of Fiskars heart punches out of coredinations brown card stock that I sanded each one. Then lots of glue and you layer them to create the shingles on the roof. The ridge I added gingham ribbon, and then a row of pearls, it reminded me of those victorian houses and their awesome time decorations across the tops. Around the edge, pretty woven lace ribbon, and button tops. A olive green matching lace ribbon around the bottom for a grass type of bottom. 

At that point... you just dig through all the stuff you have stashed over time. I found lots of little pieces that were just perfect for the garden theme - a little shovel, a flowers sign, tiny little plastic flowers, little sayings and quotes, a clock face, chipboard flourishes and lots of bling items. This is where I tend to go a bit overboard, the little embellishments, but I forced myself to stop. I don't think I did too much.. LOL 

It is so much fun to use my stamps with a 3-d decorating item. Great gifts! I hope mine inspired you to pick up something to alter and pull out your stamps and then have lots of FUN! 

I want to thank everyone at Little Darlings Stamps - Angie, Mindy and Sheri are the greatest to work for, and all of the DT are super talented, my Guest DT Spot has been a huge honor and a ton of crafting fun. Thanks!

See you tomorrow for Animal Crackers  - I was out last night trying to get a few shots, but the sun was already too low and the wind was blowing like crazy so not so lucky... I'll try this afternoon for better ones. Have a great day - 

HUGS and-

Little Darlings and a Double Zig Zag Card

Hello and Happy Friday  - it is my turn to post again this month as Guest DT over on the Little Darlings DT Inspiration Blog, I have been so excited to get a chance to play with these stamps, they are all so cute and pretty. I love that you can do both! They have the Cutie Pies for your "cute" fix, and the Little Darlings are all so gorgeous. And I am sure by now you have heard that really soon their will be those very popular Saturated Canary images in rubber! Can't hardly wait for those personally :0)

But on to todays card ok? My card looks really complicated, but it really is pretty easy just lots of layers. I first saw this Double Zig Zag card and tutorial on Mariannes Papirverden under her tutorials. I love the look of vintage or shabby chic cards, and these gorgeous Little Darlings images are perfect for all the pretty layers and lacy look. 

 For my card I used three images. The band that is the closure has the Little Darlings background Bird Bath, cut into an oval. Then inside we find from the Spring 2012 release "Isn't She Lovely" - she is one of my favorites  - I colored with my Copics and a little shading wiht pencils. Then my sentiment inside is from the newest Cutie Pie release, "In the Garden - Sentiments". Fabulous sentiments for many types of cards.

 

My pattern papers are from K&Company Designer Paper collection. Punch used is Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace corner/border set. Lots of Mulberry Roses with Martha's Frond and Branch punches. Then of course my sewing machine. I don't know if I could feel like a card is done until I have sewed it together. LOL  

Isn't it great how this card stands up and displays? I see LOTS of possibilities for things here... LOL, 

Here is a close up of the sentiment and gorgeous image - 

Hope you enjoyed my little project - I really enjoyed making this one. Took some time I won't lie, but that makes it special :0) 

Make sure to visit the Little Darlings DT Inspirations Blog and see all the great ideas there, and then pop on over to the Little Darlings Store I know you probably already have lots of Little Darlings images, but bookmark the site and keep checking in cuz from what I hear their is gonna be lots of wonderful new things real soon! 

Have a great Friday and I'll see you tomorrow for a few Animal Crackers!

HUGS and

Little Darling Stamps is giving away SATURATED CANARY STAMPS!

Didn't want you to miss out!!!

 Here is the info from Angie at Little Darling Stamps -

I'm thinking of doing a little giveaway.....I'd also like to get the word out about this Group to all of your friends. We've got 145 'Members' in the Group so far. How about I giveaway (3) THREE of the never before seen EXCLUSIVE SATURATED CANARY rubber stamps to a randomly drawn Member once we get to 500 Members???

Let's get the word out and get your friends excited about this Group!!! Invite your friends so I can give those stamp away!!!!!!!

so head on over to the Little Darlings Stamps Blog and then follow all the links and join the group!


HUGS and

Little Darlings RubberStamps - Sooooo BIG!

I am so excited to be joining the Little Darlings Design Team for the months of June and July as the Guest DT! I just adore these images, they are so fun to color - and just bring a smile to everyone. 

One of the very first Little Darling images I fell totally in head over heals with was "Sooooo Big". He is such a good helper don't you think? I colored with my Copics, then did a little more shading with pencils. When I am really enjoying coloring an image I tend to be a heavy colorer.. LOL So my image is quite bold - I thought that would be safe with the gorgeous papers from Graphic 45. I adore these papers from the Fashonista collection, but they are very busy and dark for most cards. But "Sooooo Big" can handle it I think. 

I chose a few patterns, sewed them down with a zig zag stitch, then added a wide lattice ribbon, backed with red card stock,  across the bottom. My image is cut out with a Spellbinders Thin Oval die, the edge colored with a red Copic, then matted with a Papertrey Ink scalloped die. Now this card did not start out as an easel card, but then after I started putting things all together I soon decided that it need more display room for the sentiment. The letters that I had die cut, Papertrey Ink Script Alphabet, were a little large to add to the front. So Easel card it became so everything would fit nicely. I followed the same basic layout of pattern papers as the top, but then added the red card stock center to attach the words "Thank You" - everything again is sewed down. I cut out one of the larger roses from the patterned paper to embellish the front corner, then a row of adhesive pearls across the back to hold the card in standing position. 

Bold yes, but I still think that little helper can handle it! He is "Soooo Big" after all! 

See you tomorrow for Animal Crackers!

HUGS and-

Up, Up and Away!

Hello..... that is a very slow, tired hello. LOL Hubby and I have finally finished cleaning out the storage units we purchased at auction. We really did get them at a great price, but after 2 days of sorting and then hauling to get rid of the junk.... I think we are both thinking that we will not be the next couple to try out for one of the storage war tv shows. HA! All though we have discussed that more than likely those people have hired hands to come in and do the actual work. The sweating, labor, painful nasty work... don't you think?! :0)  Well we are not super stars, so we ( Hubby loves when I say "we" ) but I was there and I did quite a bit for a lazy person that is use to be in air conditioning!... anyway WE had to do the nasty work to have the prizes... and speaking of prizes,   I did promise to show you our favorite piece, the reason we went after the larger unit.

 Now it didn't look quite like this in the unit. It was dried out, and filthy! But just after a little TLC from Hubby it is just as gorgeous as we knew it would be. Now I have to find somewhere in the house to put it.... yes, we a famous for buying things we don't need, and don't have room for - but I love it!

I'll try and show off more of the other stuff once in a while as we get things cleaned up and "show able" -

Now I want to show you that I have crafted - Actually this card flew out of me as soon as I got this stamp in the mail. I love this image from Little Darlings -

I think it is the look on her face, she is so happy don't you think?  She is called "Up, Up and Away" you might recognize her as part of the Logo of the company :0)

Colored her with my Copics, then did some shading with pencils. A little added Viva Decor Pearl Pen for a little extra.

For my card, I went with papers mostly from Webster's Pages. I love the richness of these papers. But I also found a vintage looking cloud pattern paper in my scraps, just seemed so right to use that behind the image, right?

I cut piece of the papers, layered with a light blue card stock, sewed down with blanket stitches and straight stitches. I am not sure why I used the roses paper on this card. I just loved it so much and was working away and went with it. And just before I attached all the pieces I saw a package of French doilies on my desk, ordered them a few weeks ago and totally forgot about them. Love the doily with the roses... but here again not sure if it all goes with the hot air balloon... but hey it is a girlie card :0) And with that thinking I thought the "Live * Love * Grow" sentiment that is part of the new release "In the Garden Sentiment" set was a good choice. I believe this little lady is Living, Loving and Growing! Growing doesn't have to mean plants...  A deep pink satin ribbon was all the extra it needed from there.

Here is a close up of the image, I pop dotted it on the clouds pattern paper so she is flying!!

The inside is simple with scraps from the front - but I cannot find the photo I took anywhere! grrrrrrr

Hope you enjoyed my card, I had a lot of fun with it! Make sure to visit the Little Darlings Rubberstamps web site and see all the cuteness there! Great new release too! 

Here are a couple of challenges that it qualifies for :0)

Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog - Summer Fun

Let's Ink It Up - Use your favorite embellishment ( ribbon is one of my favorite embellishements )

HUGS and - 

Little Darlings RubberStamps!!! New Release Blog Hop!

giggle giggle giggle.... I am so excited! I have been asked to be the Guest DT June/July at Little Darlings RubberStamps!!!!  I am so excited!! I think I already said that.. but oh well I am so excited!!

And my first order of business as Guest DT is the June Blog Hop to show off the new release of Cutie Pie "In the Garden" You are gonna love these :0)

There are
4 Character Stamps
1 Sentiment Set
& 1 Background Stamp

And the challenge theme for the hop is Sugar and Spice (Girly)  YEA!

So if you got to me from Alberto's blog then you are on the right track, if not you might want to go back to the start of the hop Angela's blog so you don't miss a thing!

Here is my project -

I think I may have taken the "Girly" on a bit strong.... Lots of pink going on here! My card is an easel card that I die cut the top for more drama. I used papers from DCWV Whispy Garden collection.

For the new images I used -
Just Diggin' It - she is just adorable!
The Greenhouse Background stamp
and one of the sentiments from the new set. 

Here is a close up of the sentiment... they are all great, but I think I love this one the most.

And here is a close up showing the background stamp and Just Diggin' it that is pop dotted in front.

Other products that I used are Spellbinders Grandies Book Label to cut out the Greenhouse, Memory Box flower dies and leaves. Martha Stewart Frond and branch punches, Whimsy double scallop border woven with hot pink satin ribbon, white gel pen, and Viva Decor light blue Pearl Pen ( I have become addicted to all of these!)

So now you have seen my VERY Pink Girly project... It is now time for you to hop over to

 Janiel's Blog HERE and continue on with the June New Release HOP - 

In case you get lost along the way here is the HOP Order -

Angela- http://angelwoodcrafts.blogspot.com/

Ruby - http://rubyonlywrote.blogspot.com/  

Alberto - http://loshakeratoalberto.blogspot.com/

Michelle (June-July GDT) http://donkeysmiles.blogspot.com/  

Janiel- http://www.scrappyjandesigns.blogspot.com/

Jane (Special Guest)- http://janeslovelycards.blogspot.com/

Sara - http://daisy-dreams-cards-and-more.blogspot.com/

Cabio(Special Guest) - http://cabioscraftcorner.blogspot.com/

Sheri - http://twitterpatedwithpaper.blogspot.com/

Sharon (Special Guest) - http://cardsbyrequest.blogspot.com/

Angie - http://scrapgirl-angie.blogspot.com/ 

Thanks so much for hopping by and seeing my project :0) 


I'll be back later today with my Whimsy Stamps Challenge card - 

HUGS and

Little Darlings Challenge - Boy Cards

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a great weekend. Was a great mail week here... I got my Little Darlings order in! And it is is just in time for the current challenge - A Boy Card. Yea... hard huh? LOL.... I have such a hard time with those cards for the men in our life. I know we all do don't we? But it is a fact that we still need cards for the guys too.

Here is my card -

My Little Darlings image is called Buddies - I just think he too cute! Or is it that little frog? Oh they are both cute. I colored with my Copics - Then I went to work to find papers that were "boyish"  - I found My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks pad - Perfect! I love the wood fence pattern paper! I cut out all my patterns along with a cream colored card stock - rounded all the corners. I used a kraft card stock for the base. I sewed down everything. Had some fun with a larger Zig Zag stitch as well. 

I dug through my old punches and found one of my fishers punches that create the corner slots - I haven't used it in forever. Then I found a piece of ..... of... I can't think of what to call it. "Webbing? Netting?" I have no idea, but it looked like it would go well with my image and card  - so I wrapped it around. Three Making Memories heritage brads, and then a piece of ribbon with "Thank You" printed on it.  I think it really would work for anyone... but for challenge purposes... this one is for a guy! 

A simple inside with matching pattern papers.

Have you played with the Little Darlings images yet? You have too! Really sweet and for their challenges you can use Little Darlings, Cutie Pies and now....Saturated Canaries!   Yep... lots of great images for this challenge! Visit the Little Darlings Challenge for more information -


Submitting this one to -
Little Darlings Challenge - Boy Cards

Have a great Sunday :0)
HUGS and-