Lets Play it Sketchy

Today is a sketch challenge over at Power Poppy.  It’s a pretty layout for all of those new florals we’ve been playing with!



I printed up two of the Gerbera Daisies digi images.  I used one for the base image and just the top flower from the second one to pop up for dimension.



I colored the entire image with Copic markers and shaded around the flowers with Prismacolor pencils and oms.  I also sponged Versa Magic ink in Wheat around the image with the Spellbinders die still in place.    I then painted over the flowers with glitter paint.    All of the paper is from the MME Market paper pad.  I layered a few buttons for embellishments.  

I love having a sketch to work from, makes it a bit easier on my brain some days!  I hope you will join this fun challenge!  All of the details to enter can be found on the Power Poppy Blog.  Play along for your chance to win a stamp set of your choice!  I look forward to seeing your creations!

These ladies of the Brigade have some inspiration to share with you too!

Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy (you are here)
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Tosha Leyendekker
 
I wish everyone a fun Memorial Day Weekend!

It’s a case!

Good morning!  Today please join us for a challenge on the A Day For Daisies blog…to case your favorite card. 

Here’s my Lambs Playing…



I added some color, very subtly, with Copic markers, then flocked all of my sweet little lambs.  Aside from the time it takes to flock (and clean it up!) this was a really quick and simple card.  I already had a sketch to follow so it came together easily. 

It is a case of Juliana’s card, Christmas Joy Nymph.  Isn’t this a gorgeous card!  I used the sketch and simple layered design.



You can view the entire re-release at the A Day for Daisies Store!  And for the BEST DEAL for A Day for Daisies images I urge you to check out the CLUB!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great weekend!

Unabashedly Upbeat Challenge

Good morning Power Peeps!  We have a fun challenge today on the Power Poppy blog!   You can find all of the details here.



Here is my case of the album cover.  It doesn’t have to be an exact match…just your take on the design.  I chose to emulate it closely.  I printed the Tulips on watercolor paper and used a paint brush dipped in bleach to go over the lines to soften and blur them.  I then used a paint brush to watercolor the background using Adirondack re-inkers in Stream and Stonewashed by Ranger.    I stamped the sentiment, inking the PLANT in London Fog and the love in Tuxedo Black ink, both from Memento.   I used scraps of cardstock for my coordinating border.    This was a fun and quick card to make.  I hope you will join us!

Check out these other album inspired designs from the Power Poppy Brigade.

Allison Cope
Christine Okken
Julie Koerber

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Color Throwdown #277

Wow, Color Throwdown challenge #277 already?  Have I been gone that long?!  I miss the group so I made time to play this week. I just love Broni’s color palette!



I cannot remember the name of these stamps.  A friend stamped him for me a long time ago and I had colored it up but apparently decided not to use it.  So, when I came across it, I knew the colors would work for this weeks challenge…just needed a few finishing touches.



He’s colored with Copic markers and shaded with Prismacolor pencils and oms.   I shaded with Antique Linen Distress Ink with the Spellbinder die in place.  The tan scalloped mat and floral background are from the Recollections Valentine paper pad and the blue printed banner is from Linen Closet by DCVW.    I finished it with some Prima flowers, buttons, rustic twine, and a piece of lace ribbon.

Glad I came across this image in my stash and played along with the Color Throwdown this week! 
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Merry Wednesday?

I found this challenge that my friend LeAnne is doing and I had to join in…Merry Monday a Christmas challenge blog.   I have to keep up with those weekly Christmas cards you know!
This weeks challenge is #93 Ornaments.  I pulled out this lovely set from Flourishes called All That Glitters.  It’s no longer available unfortunately. 

I stamped the pine boughs first, stamping without re-inking so they got lighter. Then I stamped the ornament with Versamark and embossed with gold ep.  I cut it out and popped it up on the panel with the string and bow that was also embossed.   I used Lightning Black from Brilliance to stamp the sentiment.  I sponged around the panel with Distress Ink in Antique Linen and added a bow at the top with some sheer ribbon.  I used a glittery gold piece of cardstock to mat the main panel and it’s all mounted on patterned paper from Memory Box…an old winter line whose name I cannot remember.
I like making simple, easily mailed cards…especially for Christmas when there are so many to send.  It’s easy to get carried away with embellishments, like bows, flowers, and bells! I love bells :) but I’m trying to stick to simple for now.  Lets see how long that lasts!
I hope I can keep this up!  Why not join me? 
Thanks for stopping by and have a great evening!

Fa la la la la!

I’ve always said, to myself, that I should start my Christmas cards early…once a month at least, so that I have a bunch done before it becomes a mad rush to get finished.  So, when I saw a post from Holly Brown for The Holiday Inspiration Club from Rogue Redhead Designs I decided it was time to get started.  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to ink up all those Christmas and winter images I’ve collected over the years and have not yet used.
The first challenge is to create a one layer project.    I pulled out this cutie from Purple Onion Designs.  The bird is Silver from the Stacey Yacula Studio line.

First I stamped the winter bough in Bamboo ink from Memento, then I added Silver on top.  I also stamped the ornament from winter adornments and colored all with Copic markers.  I added lots of sparkle using a Quickie Glue Pen and ultra fine glitter.  Lastly I stamped the sentiment from the Winter Wishes Sentiment Set.
Now all I have to do is keep it up!  Wish me luck! 

Love is in the Air

Well, the snow hit us, and hit us hard.   I measured 22 inches in our yard but the news reports 29 in my town and some areas got as much as 32 inches, yikes!  Lots of rain today, so wishing for clearer roads and no flooding in my home!

I have a card for this weeks Tiddly Inks challenge #103 Love is in the Air.   Another sweet Valentine I’ve created and I think this one will be for mom.



This is Wryn Blooms and she’s printed on Flourishes Classic White card stock and colored with Copic Markers.   I shaded around the image with Prismacolor pencils and oms and sponged inside the Spellbinders die with Versa Magic in Wheat.   I used a Quickie Glue pen and added ultrafine glitter so it’s nice and sparkly.

I’ll be back on Wednesday with a Flourishes February Sneak Peek!
Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday’s Color Throwdown CTD 186

Hi everyone!  I am hosting today’s Color Throwdown challenge and I was inspired by the My Minds Eye paper pad Mabel.  I love these fresh colors and I hope you do too.
I used a Tiddly Inks digi image today called Wryns New Nest.  It was printed on Flourishes Classic White card stock and colored with Copic markers. 

This adorable image is layered on patterned paper from the MME Mabel paper pad.  I have a few simple ribbons and some bakers twine with a button and tiny tag with a sentiment a finishing touch.   
The team has wonderful samples to share today so hop on over to to their blogs!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ 

and our April Guest Designer Julia Aston

 
Please visit the Color Throwdown for all the details and join us this week!

Wednesday’s Color Throwdown #185

This week our Color Throwdown hostess is the one and only Broni and she picked this really pretty color combo for us!  I love the sweet pink bicycle and that floral wallpaper-such a pretty inspiration picture. 
I picked up a couple of these Nellie Snellen images, this one called Flying Frog a few weeks ago.  I’ve been so busy with samples and birthdays and sick kids (and hubby, hrmpf!) that I almost forgot that I had them.  Could you imagine?!  I mean, how stinkin’ cute is she!

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Flourishes Classic White card stock and colored it with Copics.  I shaded all around the image with Prismacolor pencils and oms.  I used Crystal Effects on the wings on both the fairy and the frog and then sprinkled iridescent glitter onto it while still wet.    I also used a Quickie Glue Pen and the same glitter to add sparkle to her dress ruffle and around her body and the wand.  I used a yellow/green fine glitter on the star on the wand.

The patterned paper is from both MME Mabel and Basic Grey Marjolaine.   I couldn’t find one pattern that had all the colors in it, but these together worked very nicely.  I used some bright green silk ribbon and embellished with some buttons, some of which I added a pink gem on top of.  The sentiment is from the Verve set Starlight, Starbright (which appears to be retired) and it’s stamped on a sentiment flag die cut from Lil’ Inker Designs.

I sponged around the edges of the image panel and sentiment flag with Key Lime Dew Drop ink from Versa Magic.

The team has beautiful samples share so make sure you visit each of them!  And head on over to the Color Throwdown to get all the challenge details and join us this week!  Have a great day!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ and our March Guest Designer Bev Gerard

Wednesdays Color Throwdown #184

Good afternoon! Better late than never, right?  I got a chance this afternoon to get my Color Throwdown challenge card done.  It was a tough one this week with a house full of sickies…but it appears we are all on the mend :)

This pretty color challenge is hosted by Bar who was inspired by the lovely plates above.   They were perfect for this adorable Uptown Girl Posh has a Present from Stamping Bella.

I stamped the image on Flourishes Classic White card stock with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  Several parts of the image were based with Copics then shaded with Prismacolor Pencils and oms.   I embellished with some buttons and gems and a big purple rose from Recollections.  I also went nuts with the glitter.  These babes lend themselves well to the sparklies!   The patterned paper is MME Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks. 

Check out all of the team samples below, then head over to the Color Throwdown to join in the fun this week!  Have a great day!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ and our March Guest Designer Bev Gerard

Front and Back Noon Time Challenge

It’s time for Flourishes Noon Time Challenge where you can win the set of the day!  

For my card I chose both large and small snowdrop images.  I stamped the larger image in Spanish Olive VersaMagic  on Flourishes Classic White cardstock then inked around the image with VersaMagic in Tea Leaves. 

I colored the image with Copic markers and shaded around the flowers and the frame with Prismacolor pencils and oms.  I stamped the sentiment on the white panel and mounted it on patterned papers from MME Vanity Fair. 

To play use an image from a set as a front and center image and then use that same image to create a background.  Please visit the Flourishes blog for all of the details on how to enter!

Now check out the challenge cards from these ladies!

Christine Okken ~ Barbara Anders ~ Tammy Hershberger

See you back here tomorrow for release day!

Wednesday's Color Throwdown #183

It’s time for another Color Throwdown challenge and today our lovely colors are being brought to us by Wanda!  

I went super simple today. 

I began with a kraft card and rounded the corners, then I inked around the edges with a VersaMagic Dew Drop in Pumpkin Spice.

Next I added a strip of patterned paper from the Farmhouse 6x6 pad from Crate Paper.  I added a piece of May Arts faux suede ruffle edge ribbon and topped it with a variety of flowers from Recollections and miscellaneous buttons. The pearl dragonfly was from a larger flourish that I had previously used and I found it floating around with my flowers so I though it was appropriate to add it in.   The delightful sentiment is from an old Hero Arts clear set and I made the dots below it with Liquid Pearls.  

The team has some beauties to share today, so head on over and share the love!  Have a great day!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ and our March Guest Designer Bev Gerard

It's Pre-Release Challenge Time at Flourishes!

Good Friday morning!

Last month, we let the cat out of the bag and told you that once in a while we'd usher in what we called a Pinter-inspiration challenge. We're getting on the Pinterest bandwagon and even have a Flourishes page HERE showing not only all of our sets but cards and techniques that inspire us! So, today's Pinter-inspiration is one inspired by the website Design Seeds. Here's a peek at what they do!!!

They take an image and then, produce a color palette taken from the gorgeous photo! You'll have to check out their website HERE for their literal daily inspiration! I could literally spend hours on their site!

HOW TO PLAY! So, do you want a chance to win Flourishes entire March Release? All you need to do is be inspired by the color palette above and use it in a creation! Once you are done, just link up here using the inlinkz widget and you will be in the running. You have until Friday, March 16th at 5PM  EST to enter! Use Flourishes stamps if you have them, but if you don't -- play along anyway -- you would win some! The winner will receive all three sets and our new Tailor-made die that will be unveiled in our newest release starting NEXT WEDNESDAY! If you upload to Splitcoaststampers, don't forget to use the keyword MAR12PIN! Good Luck! 

These colors are really beautiful, but I have to admit that they really stumped me!  I think I pulled it off though.

First I cut a piece of Flourishes Classic White card stock with a Tailor-Made Classic Keyhole die then I used the lovely set Birds and Vines.  I stamped the large vine image with a VersaMagic Dew Drop in Eggplant with the die still in place so that I would have a nice clean border.  Then I sponged around the image with a VersaMagic Dew Drop in Spring Pansy.  I lightly colored in the leaves on the vine with Copics-as it smears chalk ink,  I had to be extra careful not to touch the lines.  I used a Quickie Glue Pen and some Martha Stewart glitter and added sparkle to the flowers. Then I stamped a bird with the same ink in Turquoise Gem and cut it out and added it to the sentiment which is from the Tag Lines set.    The polka dot paper is a scrap and I don’t recall the maker.  I did emboss a white panel with a swiss dots folder from Cuttlebug. 

Need some inspiration? Be sure to hop on over to our DT member’s blogs to see what fun they whipped up using these gorgeous shades of green and purple!

Barbara Anders
Julie Koerber
Cindy Lawrence
Christine Okken
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle 

Hey y'all, it's time for the Color Throwdown!

Yep, it’s time for another Color Throwdown and our fun color combo is brought to us this week by Tammy!   I think these are great colors and I had fun making my card. 

I found that the MME Stella and Rose line called Mabel had the perfect colors for this challenge.  I won this cutie from Tiddly Inks last week and thought she’d be just perfect with this paper.  I printed Howdy Cowgirl Wryn on Flourishes Classic White card stock and colored her with Copic markers.  

I used Copic Opaque White and added polka dots to her red bandanna.    I shaded around the image with Prismacolor pencils and oms and sponged the edge of the image panel with Wheat ink from a VersaMagic Dew Drop.    The sentiment is from a Cowboy/Western clear set by The Cat’s Pajamas. I couldn’t find it on their website so I think it’s been discontinued, but it was perfect with this image.  I used the smallest die from the Spellbinders Classic Circles Large set.   The twill ribbon and red button are both from PTI. 

Head over to the Color Throwdown to get all the details for this weeks challenge and join in the fun!  Check out the ladies below for samples to get your creative juices flowing!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ Kristin ~ and our March Guest Designer Bev Gerard

Hugs for the Color Throwdown

Edited to add:  The name of the frog stamp is Roses for You, it's a Lelo Design by Stampavie.  An internet search did not turn up anything under Lelo designs, so might be no longer available. But at least I found it!!

Welcome to today’s Color Throwdown.  This lovely color combo is brought to us today from our lovely hostess Lynn Put.

This image is…well, I can’t remember.  Somebody please tell me who makes this stamp!!  I bought it a few years ago and I don’t think I’ve ever used it.  I had it stamped a few times and I came across the stamped image last week and decided to color it up for today’s challenge.  He’s so cute, even though my green might have veered a bit off the original color.  It started more Celery, but as I kept shading it, it kept getting darker and more saturated.

I used Copic markers for the image and shaded around it with Prismacolor pencils and oms.  The shading is pink and it looks just fine irl, but for some reason I couldn’t get it to show up on the photo, but it’s there.  You can see the darker shading under the image also done with Prismacolor pencils.  

The papers are scraps from my stash.  I know the green with the flowers is an Imaginisce piece from last Easter.  The border I made with a Spellbinders Parisian Accents die.  The two large flowers are from Recollections and the small one I made with a die-namics from MFT.   The hugs sentiment is from the Tiny Flowers and Tags set from Flourishes and I used a McGill tag punch with it.   I keep looking at it and I think I’d like to sparkle it up so that might be in it’s future as well.

The CTD ladies have an eyeful this week so make sure you check each of them out!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ Kristin ~ and our February Guest Designer Jenny Peterson

Now head on over to the Color Throwdown and play along.  Find all of the details on the blog.  Have a great day!

Wednesdays Color Throwdown and pictures!

Welcome to the Color Throwdown #180 hosted this week by Lori Tecler!  This lovely combo really had me scratching my head, but another Wryn came to the rescue. 

This adorable digital image is from Tiddly Inks and it was printed on Flourishes Classic White card stock along with the sentiment and colored with Copics.   After coloring I cut out the image with a Spellbinders Classic Rectangle die then sponged it with London Fog from Memento with the die still in place.   All of the paper is from MME, Stella and Rose, Hattie. 

And now check out the other ladies!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ Kristin ~ Keva and our February Guest Designer Jenny Peterson

This past weekend I went to the Intermediate Copic Certification class in Richmond Virginia and was instructed by the wonderful Debbie Olson.  I also got to meet several fellow CTD ladies and we had a wonderful time!

Here I am with Kristine Eberline at the hotel.  I spent the weekend at Kristin's house and she is a wonderful hostess!  I felt right at home with great food and friends!

 

This is Kristin with Lori Tecler. 

 

 Here is a group shot from the class with Lori on the left, then Broni Holcombe, Barbara Anders, Debbie Olson, and me.  

 

Last but not least, here we are again at Red Robin, getting a little sustenance before heading back to class!  

 

These ladies are all so sweet and I had a wonderful time meeting and spending time with everyone and I hope we can do it again in the near future!  

Wednesday's Color Throwdown #179

 I know what you’re thinking…it’s about time, right?  But it’s here now :)   I just love this weeks color challenge picked by Kristin, yay!  I already made so many Valentine’s Day cards so I tried hard to avoid any hearts on today’s card. 

 

I used this adorable image that was sent to me from a friend a few years ago.  I know!  I’ve had it that long!  It’s a Forever Bear image from Hallmark and I know some UK stores carry them, but I really don’t know where to get this image.  

All of the beautiful patterned paper was created by Kristin too!  It’s a digi pack called Candy Kisses and you can buy it from MTME.  It’s so pretty! 

I colored it with Copic markers and shaded around the image with Prismacolor pencils and oms.  I cut it out using a Spellbinders Classic Rectangle die and sponged inside the die with Wheat ink from a Versa Magic Dew Drop.  The mat behind the image is Labels Eleven.    I used a Martha Stewart border punch on the bottom panel and lots of paper flowers from Prima with button centers along the top.  The buttons looked too plain, so I thought, lets add some microbeads!  Oh, what a hot mess I created!  Then I added some more and then glitter on top.   Yikes, it could have been worse, but really, what WAS I thinking?!  Although now they looks like little sugared candy centers, so I kinda like ‘em.  The leaves were created with a a Die-namics from MFT and I stuck in some sprigs I created with another Martha Stewart punch.

Check out all the beautiful samples the design team has to share this week and don’t forget to head on over to the Color Throwdown to enter your own creation.  All details are on the blog.  Have a great day!

Broni ~ Barbara ~ Tammy ~ Lori ~ Wanda ~ Joan ~ Lynn ~ Kerri ~ Kristin ~ Keva and our February Guest Designer Jenny Peterson

Noon time challenge!

Did you check out today’s noon time challenge on the Flourishes blog? Simply use a frame die or shape, or a stamped image on your card…it’s that easy! 
I love doing really simple creations.   I began by stamping the lily of the valley and coordinating leaf image on the bottom left corner of the cardstock and coloring with Copics.  I used a Prismacolor pencil and oms to draw in some grass and shade underneath them.   I then drew a frame from the flowers around the panel with a Copic Multiliner.  I did that again on the sentiment panel.  The Sentiment is from the Hearts & Flowers set. 

I embossed a piece of vellum with a Cuttlebug swiss dot folder and the dots just really stood out without having to ink them. 
Now head on over to the Flourishes blog and join in this challenge for a chance to win the entire February release! 

Flourishes February Release Challenge

It’s almost time for another Flourishes release and so we kick it off with a challenge! Februarys release challenge is to create a card containing black, white, and one color. That’s it. Simple, huh? You have until next Friday February 9th at 5pm. Use keyword FLLCFEB12 on your creation. You need to link your creation to the Flourishes blog post…so pop over for all of the details!
I decided to pull away from Valentine’s Day creations for a moment and head over to St. Patricks Day.

I used an image and sentiment from the Irish Blessing stamp set, stamping on Flourishes Classic White card stock. The image was colored with Copic markers and lightly sponged around the image panel with London Fog ink from Memento. The patterned paper is from the MME Lost and Found, Rosy paper pad. The ribbon is May Arts Faux Suede ruffle edge which I added a couple of buttons and bakers twine to.
The design team has lots of inspiration so make sure you pay each of them a visit!
Barbara Anders
Julie Koerber Cindy Lawrence
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle
Have a fabulous weekend!