PagesPat's Ponderings

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Art With Heart

I pulled out my Distress Ink pads again and distressed the heck out of my new card using Hambo Stamps Artist Pig digi image.  Their new challenge is to use this sketch:

and any Hambo digi image.  So I looked for some papre that sang to me and came up with a piece of Basic Grey that I could "mess up" with ink.  In fact, I crumpled it, smoothed it out and swiped it with Distress Ink.
I framed my Copic-colored artist with a coordinating piece of the same line of BG paper, cutting it out with Nestabilities Labels Four, and dimensionally adhered it onto my card.
I found some fluff in the guise of netting that worked as the border strip at the top of the sketch, and just rummaged around my scraps boxes until I found the diecut "pennants".  Some bling-bling and a super sentiment finishes off my card and the Hambo Hoedown challenge for this crafter!
p.s. (The mustache on monsier pig are drawn on-he looks more "artsy" with it, don't you think?).
Your turn now--put on your dancing shoes and challenge yourself at the Hambo Hoedown.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Inspiration from Tim Holtz

I am new to the world of distress inks, so when I saw a link to Tim Holtz demonstrating how to use them in various ways, I jumped on it.  You can find the video HERE.
I didn't actually plan on creating something yesterday, but as I searched my basement for party supplies for this coming weekend, I found a pad of disposable palette paper.  I realized that it worked just like a craft mat, in that you can ink it up, get it wet, etc.  Only instead of wiping it clean, you throw away each sheet as it's used up (I used to oil paint and this was a leftover from those days).
Anyway, I took out the only four ink pads I owned of Distress Inks: Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose and Bundled Sage. I looked through my collection of stamped images to see what would go with that scant collection of ink colors, and came up with a House Mouse image.
So first I tried a distress technique I saw on the video, pressing my ink pads onto the palette paper and spritzing it with a little water.  Then I folded white cardstock to make a card base and pressed the front into the ink. I let this dry and repeated a few times until I liked what I saw.  I used my Blending Tool to distress the edges with a deeper ink coloring, and my card base was complete!
Next I blotted the same colors onto my palette paper and using my waterbrush from CTMH, I "painted" my HM image, using only the four colors I mentioned above.  To finish off the coloring of the image, I did use a Zig Brushables marker on the raindrops.
I framed the image onto dark brown paper, adhered it onto my card base, and added some bling on the side "Say It in Crystals" border bling by Prima Marketing.
So a big thank you Tim for helping me over a hurdle and stepping out of my comfort zone!  Now I want to buy up all the Distress Ink pads I can find! Mwahaha!!!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Teal and Black

Yes, I freely admit it.  I made yet another card using QKD's "Pretty Birdie" by artist Anam Stubbington.  I really love how many different looks I get each time I bring out my trusty Copics and my stash of leftover papers.
This time I reached into my treasure trove of black papers and embellishments to use with my fave color, teal.  The patterned paper, the ric rac, the jewels and the jeweled flower were all part of a gift from a crafty friend (or two).  I even punched the frame for my colored image from a clearance bin steal at a lss, Larraine's in Woodstock, Illinois!
I used Copics G00, BG72, N3 and 100 (black) for Pretty Birdie, then used dimensinal dots to adhere her to my punched frame.  A few stray adhesive pearls, some ric rac and a jeweled flower finish off the card.
I love the look of teal and black together, don't you?
Queen Kat Designs has more artwork from Anam Stubbington and many other artists that you can find in the SHOPPE
And don't forget to check out QKD Facebook page on Wednesdays for new releases!!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Clean And Simple with Squigglefly

We're having a Heat wave...
a tropical heatwave...
the temperature's rising, it isn't surprising,
yesterday it set a record in Chicago for the hottest day in history in the month of May!

So, after a quick trip shopping for groceries earlier in the morning, and an even quicker stop at a garage sale (where I found a great easel frame for my cards), I made a beeline for the safety and comfort of my air-conditioned home, and spent a little time in my craft room.

Squigglefly has a new weekly challenge, "to make a CAS (Clean And Simple) card, NO designer papers allowed.  So, I folded my white cardstock, pulled out my heart punch, a few small pieces of leftover colored cardstock and printed up one of the Squigglefly images I received from their "One a Day in May" sales promo.

The image is called "Whimsy Sunflower" by artist Sandy Sommerfield.  I think it is very whimsical, and loved its simplicity and style.  So what better card to make than a CAS card???

I colored my image with Copics, cut out the framed flower and placed it on my virgin card front.  I decided to take ink to my card and hand drew a border like the one framing the sunflower, but leaving it uncolored. 

Still too plain, even for a CAS card.  So I used my heart-shaped mini punch ($1 at Michael's) and punched a few hearts at the bottom, and cut out pieces from my leftovers to let each colr peek thrugh each heart for a rainbow border!

I love how it looks, and is definitely outside my comfort zone.  Usually I can't stand to leave white space on any project!

The inside has a sentiment that reads: "If friends were flowers, I'd pick you"

Now it's your turn to try your hand at a CAS card.  Use a Squigglefly image for your chance to win free digi's!!  If you don't have one yet, click HERE for freebies.  Then post your link at Squigglefly Challenge Blog!!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Light Fairy in Bloom

I filled this card with embellishments that fill my life--music, flowers and color.  I also used a fave image from QKD, Light Fairy by Ann Howard.  This is my third card using this image and I think she's had different colored hair each time!  She is so very open to many different colors and styles, I can't stop coloring her!

Today I opened a package of Kraft paper card bases and envelopes.  There was a lot of leftover items from my weekend projects, and I snagged a small piece of the music-themed patterned paper, and from there I built my card. 

I ink-distressed the Kraft paper to coordinate with my Copic-colored fairy, using as many colors as I could ID from the music-themed paper.  The tiny flowers came from a bag of flower peices from a garage sale, while the butterfly flew in my window--well, he was actually left over from another card. 

I found a coordinating piece of patterned paper, and framed each block with glitter paper I had received from a swap.  A few leftover jewels finish off my card, which is a 5x5 square.  Its matching envelope was ink-distressed in the same colors.

I hope you like my Light Fairy card as much as I do.  You can find her for purchase, along with other stamps from Ann Howard, over at the Queen Kat Designs Shoppe.  Don't forget to check out QKD at Facebook.  I hear she's going to offer a contest with prizes soon!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Holey Crafting!! It's Hambo Hoedown Time!

This week's challenge is Paper Piercing!!  I used the digi image that I received FREE for dancing in last week's Hoedown--you can get a free digi from Hambo Stamps every time you play in their weekly challenges, as long as you use one of their images.

This image is called "Dr. Needle" and comes with three sentiments.  I used the sentiment "If I were you, I'd get well soon!", putting the second part of the sentiment on the inside.

I used leftover pieces of patterned paper to color block my card front, rounding the corners. I colored my image with Copics, coloring a second image and popping out the needle.  Some inking for distress and a ribbon finish off my card, except for the challenge requirement.

So I took out my piercing needle and framed my image. I also poked a few holes throughout the sentiment.

Now it's your turn to dance on over to the Hambo Hoedown for your chance to win!!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Everyone Likes a Compliment

That is so true!  We do so much through the course of the day.  Some of it is mundane, barely if ever making a ripple in others' lives.  Other things comes from the heart, and when that effort shines through, it's very empowering to hear that you or your acts are appreciated.
This would be a great intro into some charitable or noble gesture, but it's really just a gentle hint to those very talented artists for whom design team members create a presentation for their stamps and digital images, be it card, layout or altered art.  There are times when all the beautiful comments from fellow crafters cannot lift up a cardmaker from the creative dumps (we've all been there), even if his or her creations are gorgeous.  I think all artists suffer from self-doubt at times, when everyone else can see the beaauty in their projects except themselves.
That is when an occasional comment from the image's own artist can send the crafter's heart soaring to new heights.  You have no idea what power your words have! 
I have been creating cards and layouts for years, and in the last year have had the honor and pleasure for designing for stamp companies to present to crafters around the world their artists' works.  I have most recently heard from two of the artists whose images I have lovingly used on my projects.  While my fellow crafters' comments pick up my spirit and acknowledge my artwork, hearing from a stamp or digital image artist regarding one of my presentations of his or her work just send me through the ceiling. 
It's like if your favorite author were to say to you, "Hey, I'm so glad you like my book and have been spreading the word about it.  I hear you write yourself.  Keep up the good work!" (But even better since I don't think I can manage writing a book).
I love what I do. Obviously, because it doesn't pay well (if at all).  But what artists think about money when they are driven to speak to the world through their artwork?  At least not in the beginning, nor at the end.  I have never received an image that I didn't fall in love with, and I try to make sure the original artist knows my feelings.  Because, after all, who doesn't like a compliment?

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Big Butt?

Today's card uses the QKD stamp by artist Carla Morrow called "This Flower Feels Squishy".  I love this fun-loving dragon, and right now she is worried about her figure.  Hence, the sentiment "Do these flowers make my butt look big?"
I had a leftover piece of the flowered patterned paper that I thought went nicely with the purple paper I used to frame my image and the sentiment.  A few well-placed jewels embellish the shaped frame I made.
You can find Carla's rubber stamp, as well as others, at the QKD SHOPPE.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Shady Lady by Chesney Young

Okay, I know when we get a chance, we can really let ur hair down, but ladies, please, don't get caught going viral on Facebook looking like this! 
I love this image by Chesney Young called "Shady Lady", and offered by Squigglefly.  This week's challenge on the Squigglefly Challenge Blog requires players to use something not normally found in your craft room, like "putting a square peg in a round hole".

So I thought it would be nice to embellish my card with the hair of the dog that bit her.  I carefully pulled the label off one of those little bottles of wine that come in four-packs (oh sp convenient!).  To bring the message home, I photographed my card with a(nother) bottle of the same brew.

I colored my lady with my trusty Copics, added some shimmer with Stickles, and framed her with a little color-blocking.  Adding the wine label put my card in the running for the challenge.  A line of jewels, inside and out, finish off my card.

And I know the perfect lady to send this card to.  My sister LOVES Pinot Grigio, so Kathy, here's one for you.  Just don't let your son catch you on his phone!!

Are you wishing you had more digiu's?  Then play in this week's challenge for a chance to win free digi's from Squigglefly Challenge Blog!!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Easel Card with a Twist

I mean, literally, a Twist, in the way the front of the card stands up!!  I got to use my Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool once again for the folds, which were easier than I thought.

Besides the folds, I piled everything but the kitchen sink onto it!  I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Copics (I must buy more sets of Spectrum Noir colors!). Stickles, Liquid Glass, Paper roses, diecut lacy borders and flourishes, 2 paper doilies, adhesive-backed pearls and jewels, Tim Holtz Distress Inks, a bow and a sentiment!  (and a partridge in a pear tree) LOL

First came the image, a sweet Crafter's Companion stamp from the SWALK line called "Little Princess".  After coloring her with my Copics, I replaced her sceptor with a flower.  Next I framed her: first, with the inside of a paper doily inked with brown ink, and second with a full doily colored with Turquiose Glimmer Mist.  I adhered the inside heart and then used Stickles as a sort of faux sewing.

Then came the flowers, which is the challenge over at Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog-to use flowers on your project.  And I am an obedient girl, I am!  So I loaded up the heart doily and tossed on a few jewels and pearls.

Now to make it into a card!  I chose an easel card because they make such a pretty presentation, but I wanted to do something different...and that's how I arrived at the Twisted Easel Card.  An angled fold instead of an adjacent one twists the front, and all I had to do was figure out how to place the decked out image.

When the card is open, the rest of the distressed inking is revealed, as well as the sentiment.  A few more jewels and pearls and it's finished! 

I hope you like my card.  It's a new technique for me, and I had fun making it!  Now it's time for you to try something new, and make sure you use flowers and a Crafter's Companion stamp for your chance to win prizes!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Anam Stubbington's Pretty Birdie 2.0

          (Looking for the Hop?  Go down one post please)

I can't seem to stop coloring Queen Kat Design's stamped image "Pretty Birdie" by Anam Stubbington.  The image just lends itself to so many different venues. 
Here, I made a distressed card of many layers in shades of brown and yellow, yet the bird flames with color.  I colored her with Copics and shimmered her with Stickles, and she is surrounded by ink and torn paper and muted tones and sewn borders. 
I don't often use embossed backgrounds, and even attached a medallion and baker's twine, two firsts for me.
I like the worn yet vibrant look to this card, and have to thank QKD and Anam Stubbington for the inspiration!!
You can get your fill of Anam and all the talented artists at the QKD Shoppe.  Don't forget to check out the Gallery for all the designers' cards to inspire your Muse!!!

Couch Potatoes, Arise!

It's time to do some Crafty channel surfing, as in the "Channel Surfing"  Blog Hop sponsored by Hambo Stamps!  Today, Hambo customers and the Bacon Bits Design Team unite to bring you fun creations that depict TV show titles! It might be a favorite show from this season's lineup, or a nostalgic look back at one we enjoyed in the past, or just one that was fun to design. And NO COMMERCIALS to interrupt your enjoyment!
A prize will be awarded to one participant whose TV-themed creation tickles the Bacon Bits’ fancy in a hammin’ jammin’ way!  Another prize will be awarded randomly to a hopper who comments on all the blogs along the way. The winners will be announced on the Hoedown blog, as well as on the Hambo company blog, Talk to the Ham, on Wednesday, May 23.
If you arrived here from Jenn's Blog you are in the right place! If not, you might want to start back at the beginning at the Hambo blog to make sure you are eligible for the hopper prize!

So let me introduce you to a couple of shows I enjoy watching.
Both of my cards feature a lovable pup named Bailey.  Bailey is part of a collection of digi's that are too darn cute not to fall in love with.

My first card features Bailey Cupcake digi image, and he is anxiously awaiting orders to eat his cupcake.  But in the meantime, he is on guard duty because there's a war on, a CUPCAKE WAR (Food Network).









 My second card features "Bailey Flower" digi image, and one of my favorite channels
is the Home & Garden Channel (HGTV).  Bailey loves to dig up gardens, play with dirt, and loves the tickle of fresh flowers.  He is a YARD CRASHERS' mascot for sure!!

Psst...want to know a secret?  My card is my entry for the Hambo Challenge blog, because it follows their challenge guideline, which is a sketch this week!  Now that's what I call multi-tasking!!

Now, let go of the remote, sit back and sip your Starbucks or Dunkin or diet coke, and enjoy the show!  Your next stop is Dawn's Blog.  But please don't go before leaving a little love here first, and have fun!!

If you get lost:
Talk to the Ham - Hambo blog http://hambostamps.blogspot.com/
Sandy http://sandyscraftycreations.blogspot.com/
Paula http://heyheypaula-heyheypaula.blogspot.com/
Carolyn http://luvmycards.blogspot.com
Deborah http://beadnstampn.blogspot.com
Karin http://karin-withaniforpaper.blogspot.com
Jenn http://jaxbeanstalks.blogspot.com/
Pat http://patacakespages.blogspot.com
Dawn http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com
Jan http://www.jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/
Carolina http://cardolinascrapolina.blogspot.com/
Mary www.mystampinhide-away.blogspot.com
Beverly http://beestamper.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://melissascreations.blogspot.com/
Judy http://jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/

Happy crafting!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Busy Doing Nothing

That is the stamp set from which this little beauty comes from, a Crafter's Companion stamp set collection from Sheena Douglas called "A Little Bit Sketchy".  The CC challenge for the month of May is Flowers, and everything is coming up roses on my card.
The large rose is a handmade flower from crafter Shannon Leffew, who has some of her best and brightest at her Etsy Shop.
The other flowers are from my stash, neither of which were red before I made my card.  That's right, another cool use for those Spectrum Noir markers that Crafter's Companion offers!
I did have to stamp my image twice, as I wanted a tiny bit of dimension.  I colored a second image, fussy cut it out, and, using glue dots, added her arm, her face and the dress' bow to the original image.
Right now Crafter's Companion has a lot of giveaways going on at their store, on their blogs, and on the design team's blogs!  It's a great time to play in their challenge, as well as take advantage of their super sale, where every day in May one lucky buyer will win an Ultimate Tool!!!  I have one myself, and it is so much more than a score board.
So what are you waiting for?  Go over to the official blog and become a follower and leave a comment for your chance to win.  Oh, and a favor please, mention that Pat Martin sent you so I can get an extra draw in the giveaways!!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

"Trust Me", she said, and I did

There is a look about this fairy that makes me want to trust her, especially when I am down for the count and getting up looks to be too much effort.  If I can only reach her hand I know she will pull me out of whatever funk I am in.
The image is from Queen Kat Designs and is called "Light Fairy" from the talented Ann Howard.  I seem to like to color her in varying shades of blues.  This is my second card using her and my blues.  I must be entering my "blue period" as Picasso did. LOL
I am having fun using embossed backgrounds.  I was cleaning out my stash and found a handful of these with which to make cards.  I gently inked the embossed dots with a shade of blue to coordinate with the rest of the card. 
I stamped "Light Fairy" onto white cardstock, and before I adhered the diecut lacy border at the top, I thought what a great stencil it would make, so I gave my plain white carstock background some dimension by tapping the diecut with blue ink.
I also am in a tearing good mood, as seen by my torn paper here.  A few pearls finishes off my card today.
Light Fairy is one of my favorite images, so i hope you go to the SHOPPE to see her and other images by Ann Howard today.
You can also peek into the gallery for some inspiration!!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Just One More...

This week Squigglefly has come up with what i think is a tough challenge:  Use a sentiment as the main focal point on your card.  I love to color images, so this challenge had me stumped until I realized how many lovely sentiments Squigglefly offers!
The dam broke and my creativity flowed like the rushing waters, so I have this card to offer you.  I used the sentiment "One More Cat" by Chesney Young, printing it on colored cardstock and framing it on red cardstock.  I fussy cat a cat from a leftover piece of computer paper and added some brads and a diecut swirl and voila, my pet lovers' card is complete.
And since I am NOT a cat lover (due to allergies) I will send this card to the first person who comments that they would like it!!
Meanwhile, I hope my burst of creativity has caused you to be inspired to join in the Squigglefly challenge this week, where one random winner can win free digi's from Squigglefly!!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Chasing Dreams and Catching Butterflies

They're all the same, aren't they?  Your dreams are butterflies, some elusive, some landing right in your hand.  My card today uses Hambo Stamps digi image "Catching Butterflies", which I received FREE just for playing in last week's challenge!  That's right, all dancers in the Hambo Hoedown receive a free digi for the next challenge, plus a chance to win more!  And Hambo is hosting a BLOG HOP next weekend, so hop on over for a free digi to start you tapping your toes with creativity!
Meanwhile, back at the blog, I printed "Catching Butterflies" twice, since my 4 yo granddaughter is visiting and wants to make cards for all the moms in her family.  The first card is mine using patterned paper I snagged at a rummage sale.  I used my new Creative Memories punch system to "prettify" my sentiment, which I printed on my computer.
I colored the image with my trusty Copics, fussy cut him out and adhered him with pop dots for dimension.  The image comes with a butterfly, but I had these cute shimmery butterflies already planned for him to chase.
The challenge calls for FLOWERS, and you can see I piled them on with tiny pearls.
I want to wish all women a Happy Mother's Day, whether you have children, nieces, nephews, pets--doesn't matter, you nurture others, which means you are a mother.  So enjoy the day, and keep crafting!!
p.s. (Here is my granddaughter's creation for your viewing pleasure).

Friday, May 11, 2012

Scrapbook Place BLOG HOP and Queen Kat Designs

Today I am part of Your Scrapbook Place's Blog Hop.  The theme is Mothers' and Fathers' Days, and we are showcasing projects in appreciation of  moms and dads everywhere!
I made another card using Queen Kat Designs' "This Flower Feels Squishy" by artist Carla Morrow for my blgo hop project.  I am giving Mother's Day cards to my mom and Gram (101 years old and still kicking), my sisters, who are godmothers to my kids, and my MIL.  This one is going to my sister Kathy.  She likes dragons.
 I made a 6x6 card using ivory cardstock.  After punching the corners, I added a piece of patterned paper, slipping the corners into the punched paper. 
I framed my image with diecut papers, embossing one of them first, as well as a torn piece of sheet music snagged at an estate sale by my cropping girlfriend, Carol.
A clump of flowers in the corner and adhesive pearls as a border, and my card is complete.  Well, I did layer the inside as well, wishing Kathy a relaxing Mother's Day.  I'm seeing her on Saturday, so I can hand her the card along with a hug.
This image is one of the May new releases from Queen Kat Designs and available for sale HERE.
Now onto the HOP.   The theme of course is Mothers' and Fathers' Day projects, and
this month, Scrapbook Place Blog is offering a beautiful prize from Shannon Leffew.  Here's what she has to say about herself:
Hello! I am a wife and SAHM of 4. I have been scrapbooking since 1997 and have since fell in love doing altered projects. I created my etsy store to earn a little extra income. I feature mostly flowers in my store but I will also do custom orders for almost anything. In my spare time I also like to garden, take pics, read and host parties. Please stop by my blog and leave me some love http://shannonleffew.blogspot.com .  I would also love it if you would visit me at my Etsy store HERE
Pictured is just a sampling of her flowers.
So, leave a little love for me in the comments section below.  Then go back to Scrapbook Place Blog and let them know how you enjoyed the HOP, as well as telling us a favorite story about one of your parents/grandparents.
I lost my dad in 1994.  I love to tell stories of him, especially this one:
Dad was a smoker.  Years ago, restaurants had baskets of personalized matchbooks at the cash register, to advertise their restaurants.  My dad was a hog when it came to taking these.  Instead of one, he would grab a handful.  So, hubby and I are on vacation with my parents, and have just finished dinner at a very nice restaurant.  Dad is at the table reading the check and figuring out the tip, while the three of us head toward the front when the idea for a major punk hits me.
So I go up to the hostess and say "The gentleman over there is a well-known matchbook thief.  When he comes to pay, he will grab a huge handful of the matchbooks you have.  Can you possibly tell him that there is a limit of ONE per patron?"
We skedaddle to the coatroom to watch the drama unfold.  He comes up to the hostess, who asks him how his dinner was.  He replies and then reaches in and grabs his usual ten or twelve matchbooks.  The hostess, God bless her poker face, tells him: I'M SORRY SIR BUT THERE IS A LIMIT OF ONE MATCH BOOK PER CUSTOMER."
The look on his face was priceless!!!  He backpedaled, stammered and dropped the matchbooks back into the bowl.  Then he heard our giggles, and we came out and the hostess was smiling and we told him what we had done.  So after a good laugh from him and us...
HE REACHES IN AND TAKES HIS HANDFUL OF MATCH BOOKS!
And the look on the hostess' face was just as priceless!!!
God bless you, Dad.  Thanks for the years as my dad and my friend.
Now hop on back to Your Scrapbook Place blog so you can be entered in the drawing to win some fabulous handmade flowers from Shannon Leffew!!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Pretty Birdie by Anam Stubbington

Trying to catch a few crafty moments before I go to work today.  This Queen Kat Designs image is called Pretty Birdie by Anam Stubbington.  It is all swirly, so I looked in my secret bag of tricks, also known as my stash, and pulled out this swirly piece of patterned pper from gcd studios from the Ella Blue collection.
I framed her with my newest and most favorite nestabilities die from Spellbinders.  I didn't want to cover up the swirls on the patterned paper too much, so I just added some bling along the lines of the swirls on the paper to embellish my card.  A clean and simple (CAS) card to show off the Pretty Birdie from QKD today, and I hope you like it!!  for more inspiration during your own stolen crafting moments, check out the QKD Gallery--there are hundreds of cards and layouts in there!!  It's like a QKD Pinterest site!!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Fairy Ring by Daphne van der Zandem

I snagged a great deal online last month, and I'm reaping the benefits this month.  I'm talking about Squigglefly's One a Day in May digi Sale!!  When you pre-order in April, you get a free digital image every day in May.  So today I wanted to show you what I did with one of my freebies from Squigglefly.
The image is called Fairy Ring and it is by artist Daphne van der Zandem.  After coloring her with my trusty Copics, I fussy-cut her so that it is partially encircling my sentiment. 
This week, Squigglefly challenge blog has a new challenge, to use Stickles on your card.  Besides the ladybug sharing the flowers with my fairy, her wings are fairly shimmering with red Stickles.
Now it's your turn!  Shine up your card, using a Squigglefly image, and join in the fun!  If you haven't started your collection of Squigglefly digi's yet, you can grab a freebie HERE.http://www.squigglefly.com/index.php/freebies

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Bailey is Hot, Hot, Hot!!

Hot as in Hot pink, Hot Orange and Hot Purple!!  The new challenge at the Hambo Hoedown calls for a Hambo digi image and these hot colors, so I used Bailey Flower digi-image and created this card.  The card base is purple cardstock, as well as Bailey's dog collar.  The flower on his head shows off the hot pink, along with the strip of hot pink butterfly patterned paper.  The background patterned paper and the handmade flower highlight the orange in my card, and I am done!
So now you can see how easy it is to dance in the Hoedown---come play!!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Watch Where You Sit!

...especially if your a dragon with a not-so-small derrierre!  I love the humor in the title of Carla Morrow's stamp for Queen Kat Designs this month.  It's called "This Flower Feels Squishy".  I suppose it does, but how do you think  the flower feels??? LOL
I am into my second year (yes, slow-going, but hope on, hope ever) of trying to use up my stash of patterned papers.  By now I'm sure you have figured out that I am an overzealous paperholic.  If I were to stack my paper, cardstock, patterned, sets, and leftover pieces, I believe I could just get it to fit under my 7 foot ceiling! sigh!
But I am trying, really I am!  And today I offer you a card made with leftover papers from the DCWV Green Stack.  My dragon friend seems to be sitting outside, admiring the birds in the trees.  I was going to add the sentiment, "Friends Are Too Good to Eat", but then I wondered at the smile on his face, if I should rather put something like, "Friend or Fricasse? Decisions, decisions..." 
Which do you think goes with him?
"This Flower Feels Squishy" is one of many new stamps released this month by QKD.  Go check them out!!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Light Fairy by Ann Howard

Another month has started, and with it comes all kinds of gorgeous new stamps from Queen Kat Designs.  Check out Ann Howard's Light Fairy on my card today!  I had this awesome frame already diecut and waiting to be used, so I paired it with Ann's fairy image and lots of flowers for a whimsical card.
The patterned paper is actually from a Christmas DCWV stack, but by adding the gold foil "ribbon", it conceals enough of the words to the Christmas song for me to use it in May!  I gave my fairy some liberal streaks in her hair, and decided to place some flowers with coordinating yellow on them for embellishment.
There are more May releases to follow, so check back here often, and if you like any (or all) of them, click HERE to go shopping at the QKD Shoppe!!