TUESDAY WITH SOFTPENCIL!!

Well hello everyone and happy Tuesday!!  Life is crazy at the moment but after this weekend, it will settle down a GREAT deal.  This weekend is both my boys' final soccer tournament of the season, and as much as I LOVE soccer and watching them play, I have to say that I am ready for a break!  I thought I was going to catch up on some blogging yesterday, but less than an hr. after I dropped my kids off at school (which I never normally do), they sent son #2 home b/c he was complaining of a tummy ache.  Turns out he was fine, just need to use the restroom a few times, but he never did go back to school and the remainder of my day was completely thrown out of whack!

Anyhoo, it's now TUESDAY and that means time for SOFTPENCIL TUESDAY - WOO HOO.  This week the DT got to work with "Two Cute Mummies."  Please stop by the SOFTPENCIL BLOG to check out the challenges we are sponsoring and any new things Elizabeth has to announce.  It's almost time for a PREVIEW of Elizabeth's NEW SOFTPENCIL STUDIOS.  She has been working hard revamping her characters and getting the new site ready - I'm so excited to see it!!

Also, stop by SOFTPENCIL SHOP and get the images you want before they go away.  I know I have stocked up on all those cuties!!  Finally, come chat with us at SOFTPENCIL ON PCP.

For my card, I followed the sketch from EAT, SLEEP, STAMP.   I colored the image with Copics and Atyou Spicas, cut out with nesties and then rubbed purple distress ink on the edges.

I chose CS from Bazzill Orange monochromatics packs, flower and polka dot brads are from Doodlebug designs and sparkly purple ones are Recollections.  Flowers are Prima, ribbon is from Michael's, sentiment is clear stamp from Pink By Design and SP is Imaginisce and Colorbok (purple & black).  I hope you like it, let me know:)

My card is also for the following challenges:
FRESH BREWED DESIGNS - purple & black (other colors allowed)
AI FACTORY - animals
IF THE SHOE FITS, SCRAP IT - holidays
DIGIS WITH ATTITUDE! - orange, purple, green
FROSTED DESIGNS - Fall/Halloween
2 SISTERS - Halloween
ONE STOP CRAFT CHALLENGE - Halloween
ONE STITCH AT A TIME - embellish it!
SISTERHOOD OF CRAFTERS - Halloween
NO TIME TO STAMP - hard rocks (metal and bling)

TECHNIQUE TUESDAY TUTORIAL for SHELLY'S IMAGES

I have made this tutorial for my TECHNIQUE TUESDAY project at SHELLY'S IMAGES this week.  Please stop by the SHELLY'S IMAGES BLOG and check out everything that's going on there.  Also, make sure you stop by SHELLY'S IMAGES SHOP to check out all the AMAZING NEW IMAGES available!!

So it seems we are always in a rush everywhere these days and I have noticed the 2 things we always need more of are money and time.  I have seen many wonderful money saving techniques demonstrated here and on many other blogs and sites throughout the internet.  Today, I'm going to teach you a time saving technique.  I'm sure it has a name, but I have no clue what that would be. 

First, print our your SHELLY'S IMAGES DIGIS.  Then, find colors and solid or mostly solid shape stamps (I have chosen an oval from Hampton Art and this square with waves from alota rubber stamps).  Then choose your inks.  Typically Kaleidacolor type pads work well, but I also chose to use some Tim Holtz distressing inks for the bat.

Take your image, the stamp and ink you are going to use and make sure your surface is flat.

 Stamp over the image as much as you want or cover as much as you want.  It's fun to turn the shape around and use different areas of the Kaleidacolor pad so that you get different combos.

For the image with the distress inks, I went from lightest to darkest and then went back and did some overlap here and there.

Choose, your papers and put your card together.  I used a nestie to cut the image out.  DP is from girl paperie.  Then I decided to add a little sparkle, so I took my SU Aqua painter and my Twinkling H2Os and went over just the bat image with them.

For the pumpkins, I want a different effect so I went over the large one and some of the leaves below with JudiKins glaze after I had cut the image with nesties.

 Embellish as desired...

 I decided to add a sentiment to the bat card using Pink by Design sentiments.  And wow, I have 2 nice cards in less than an hr.  WOO HOO!!

I hope you have enjoyed this technique and would love to see any cards you make using it!  You can post in the comments section if you try it.  Thanks for looking:)

This technique tutorial is also for the following challenges:

STAMPAVIE & MORE - Autumn

PIXIE DUST STUDIO - fall

BEE-CRAFTY - digi and Halloween

CHALLENGE UP YOUR LIFE - Autumn

TOP TIP TUESDAY - anything goes

Announcement and busy day!

It's going to be a busy day here today, both on my blog and in my life (grocery, volunteer at kids' school, older son's soccer game...), but I have an EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT to start the day!!

I have been chosen for a DIGITAL DELIGHTS DT - WOO HOO!!  If you have never visited DIGITAL DELIGHTS SHOP, you will certainly want to check it out!  You can meet the rest of the NEW DT members at DIGITAL DELIGHTS BLOG.  The images are adorable and there's a FABULOUS CHALLENGE BLOG as well that you can find HERE.

And here's the rest of the DT!!

Wendy - Illustrator
Lisa F - Senior Designer
Katie - Senior Designer and Sponsor Coordinator
Lisa C - Senior Designer and Digi Day Organizer
Audrey - Designer
Carol - Designer
Debra - Designer
Debbie - Designer
Kay - Designer
Marlene - Designer
Peggy - Designer
Cindy - Monthly Release Designer
Betty - Monthly Release Designer

Please pop on by their blogs if you have time and see their amazing work!!  Also, I will have a post using DIGITAL DELIGHTS image on Thurs., so please come back for that:)

STAMP-N-DOODLE CHALLENGE - COLORS

We have a GREAT CHALLENGE going on right now at STAMP-N-DOODLE BLOG.  You have til Thurs., Oct. 21st at noon to link your NEW project at STAMP-N-DOODLE BLOG.   I hope you will join us, you do not have to use STAMP-N-DOODLE images, but we'd sure LOVE to see one and using one will get you 2 entries instead of 1 in our random.org drawing.

This week's challenge is Halloween card, but NO BLACK OR ORANGE!  I followed last week's sketch from UNSCRIPTED SKETCHES

Template for gated card is from Archivers - one of the free dies you can use when you crop/stamp at the store.  Embossed background uses new Sizzix EF.  Blue paper is from Marco's and has vellum finish.  STAMP-N-DOODLE IMAGE colored with Copics and Atyou Spicas, cut with nesties.   DP is Basic Grey.  Base CS is Bazzill textured.  Skull and crossbones bling is from Darice.  Owl brad is Doodlebug Designs.  Sentiment is stamped in Staz-on timber brown, cut with nesties and distressed with Tim Holtz distress ink.  Hope you like it, let me know.

Also made for the following challenges:

CRAFTY CARDMAKERS - fun fold

CUPCAKE CRAFT - Scary creatures

PILE IT ON things in 3s (3 embellies)

EVERYBODY ART - Halloween

CREATIVE COTTAGE - Halloween

DIGI DOODLE SHOP'S BEST - people

MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES - spooky Halloween

FROSTED DESIGNS - fall/Halloween 

NEW CANDY IS HERE!!

Rules on how to win my candy are posted above the picture of my NEW BLOG CANDY.  Please follow the rules if you wish to be in the running for this candy.  Candy includes:

SU Cards and Envies Fresh Cut notes
Hot Off the Press embellishment packet
Basic Grey glazed brads
K & Co. flower brads
piggy tales rub-ons
Scrappy Cat clear flower stamps
Quickutz nameplates dies
Nesties Scrapyland exclusive dies
EK Success dots corner punch
SU "Merci" set (was either hostess or SAB)
Want 2 scrap pink rhinestones
Purple braided ribbon from Michaels
SU Chipboard pack - Batch of Blooms
Pink craft cord

Good luck and thanks:)

OLDIE BUT GOODIE DAY AT BUGABOO

Good morning everyone!!  First, I want to let you know that I will be posting my NEW BLOG CANDY today.  Sorry for the delay, the week has been crazy.  Next, it's time again for OLDIE BUT GOODIE THURSDAY at BUGABOO'S CHALLENGE BLOG - CATCH THE BUG, so make sure you pop on over there to see all the FABULOUS work from the DT.  Also, please check out the BUGABOO SHOP to see everything that's new in there, especially the AWESOME Har repotter images.:)

I followed the sketch from FRIDAY SKETCHERS.    All flowers are from Prima, sparkly brad is from Bo Bunny and bling is from a bling and pearls pack from Michaels.    DP is Basic Grey, both brwon and orange are textured Bazzill CS.  Sentient is from Fiskars clear stamps and stamped with Staz-on timber brown and cut with Quickutz die.  I embossed brown paper with a Sizzix EF of pine trees.  BUGABOO IMAGE is colored with Copics and Atyou Spicas and cut with nesties.  Hope you like it, please let me know. 

Other challenges entered:

STAMP SIMPLY - back to nature

ELLEPHANTASTIC - anything goes

SWEET STAMPIN- bling

CHALLENGE UP YOUR LIFE - autumn

EASY CRAFT PROJECTS - Halloween

FUSSY AND FANCY - Halloween

STAMPIN B's - fall colors

ANN's CREATIVE NOOK - trees

ABC CHALLENGE - f is for flowers

DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY SKETCH CHALLENGE!

I am SUPER excited for this week's NEW CHALLENGE at DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY BLOG because it is a sketch challenge and I got the opportunity to do the sketch we're using - thanks MEL!!  Please make sure to also visit the other DT members blogs and see their AMAZING work - links are on my sidebar or main DS4J blog.  Make sure you also visit DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY SHOP as there are always lots of FABULOUS new images and a FREEBIE!

Here's the sketch I made:

 And here's my card

I colored my DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY image with Copics and Atyou Spicas, then cut out with Nellie's die.  Background papers are stamped with Brilliance white and SU cherry cobbler using a dot background stamp from Hampton Art rubber stamps.  Eyelets are from We R Memory Keepers, except flower eyelet which is from eyelets.com.  Ribbon is from Michael's, scalloped piece done with Tim Holtz Sizzix die and sentiments are from Lizzie Anne, stamped in Staz-on jet black and cut with Marianne's tag die.  Hope you like it!!

Also made for the following challenges:

PRAIRIE FAIRY CHALLENGE use ticket or tag

ANNABELLE STAMPS - no DP

STAMP SOMETHING - punches or dies

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE - inspired by a song title- "Lady in Red"

CRAZY 4 CHALLENGES - birthday

PAPER CUTZ - red, black and white only

THE CRAFTY PAD - something for a friend

THE PAPER PLAYERS - red, black, white

SIMON SAYS STAMP - metal

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - 3 of a kind

You have until Oct. 26 to get your card entered at DIGISTAMPS 4 JOY BLOG.  Can't wait to see your creations!!

SOFTPENCIL TUESDAY - HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Well after a series of miscues, mess ups and my older son's team losing their division title in soccer, I am FINALLY here with my SOFTPENCIL post for today.  Please make sure you stop by the SOFTPENCIL BLOG and SOFTPENCIL SHOP to see everything that's going on with SOFTPENCIL, challenges being sponsored and all the great items for SALE in the shop.

This week, the DT is working with the image "Happy Halloween."  I decided to do something a bit different (once again;)) and so I made a little treat bag using a Sizzix XL die and then I wrapped up and decorated some candy!  The fun thing about this project is that almost everything I used is from SOFTPENCIL - the digi papers, clip art on the candy and the digi image can all be found at the SOFTPENCIL SHOP, so go check it out and get some for yourself!!

So, as I said, I made the treat bag using my Sizzix die with digi paper from SOFTPENCIL.  I colored the image on the bag with Copics and Sakura white paint pen then cut out with nesties.  All candy - mini resee cup, butterfinger and Nestle Crunch are wrapped in SOFTPENCIL digi paper, tied with ribbons from Michael's and then I added SOFTPENCIL clip art to each after cutting with nesties and daubing with SU pumkin pie and perfect plum ink.  Hope you like my little set:)

This set is also for the following challenges:

PAPER ROMANCE CHALLENGES - fall or Halloween

STAMP INSANITY - treat it

CREATE 4 FUN - digi

TOTALLY GORJUSS - not square

WEE MEMORIES - Halloween

ALY'S SUNDAY CHALLENGE - Halloween

SCRAPPY FROGS CHALLENGE - treat bag

FOR SOFTPENCIL TUESDAY POST PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER

Just a quick update, my post for SOFTPENCIL will be up a bit later today - the project I am working on didn't quite go as planned, so I need to redo some parts, but I also have to be at my kids' school at noon.  So, I will have my post in a few hrs.  Thanks!

CHI CHI MEMORIES SKETCH CHALLENGE #16

Typically, I can stay up til all hours of the night, but for whatever reason, I am feeling a bit sleepy at the moment.  I did want to let you all know about the CURRENT CHALLENGE going on at CHI CHI MEMORIES CHALLENGE BLOG.  We are on SKETCH CHALLENGE #16 and Natalie has provided us with another AMAZING sketch.

All you need to do to play along is follow the sketch and link it up at the CHI CHI MEMORIES CHALLENGE BLOG by 11:59PM PST on Weds., Oct. 20.   If you want to be eligible for this AWESOME prize, you must use CHI CHI MEMORIES images.  FREEBIES can be found in the shop, and you'll LOVE them, so you'll definitely want to purchase more!!

prize for Challenge #16

Here is my card.  I am using one of the NEW RELEASE images from the AUTUMN SET.

I colored this CHI CHI MEMORIES image with Copics and Atyou Spicas and cut out with nesties and scissors.  All shapes are cut with nexts.  I used Cuttlebug EF on SU peach parfait CS behind the image.  Brads are Doodlebug Designs.  Leave and yellos paper are We R Memory Keepers, polka dot orange is Bo Bunny.  Can't remember brand of the green.  Base CS is SU dusty durango.

Other challenges entered with this card are:

ONE STITCH AT A TIME - use a digi

CUPCAKE INSPIRATIONS - inspiration photo

PENNY'S CHALLENGES - circles

CHARISMA CARDZ - autumn colors

DIGI DOODLE SHOPS' BEST - orange

THE STAMP MAN - autumn

CANDY WINNER!!

I never meant to have my current candy up this long, and it is definitely time to AWARD it to one lucky winner.  This was a SUPER tough decision, since I LOVE all my followers and have the GREATEST followers!:)  But, I had to pick someone, and the winner is


TANYA!!

Tanya, please contact me at danmoose@aol.com so we can arrange for your to recieve your goodies.  Stay tuned for my new candy...  It will be awarded more quickly that this last batch, I promise.

NEW CHALLENGE AT CRAFTY HOs' - RED, GREEN & BROWN

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  My kids have tomorrow off, so I get to stay up later tonight - yay:)   I am a night owl, so going to bed at 10pm is so tough for me on school nights.  Anyway, lots to do on the blog here today!  First, I am going to announce my BLOG CANDY winner.  Second, I have NEW CANDY to share.  Third, I have lots of work to share with you today.  Fourth, don't forget the BUGABOO BLOG HOP is still going on, so make sure you take part for the chance to win some AWESOME digis!!

My first post today is for CRAFTY HOs' CHALLENGE.  Our challenge this week is a color challenge and the colors are - BROWN, GREEN, RED (or any variation of those colors).  I am really loving how these colors look together!!  I hope you will come play along.  You have until 11:59pm EST on Saturday, Oct. 16 to link your project up at CRAFTY HOs' CHALLENGE using Mr. Linky.

Here is my card:

I chose Princess Shona image from DIGITAL DELIGHTS.  I LOVE this sweet image.  I colored her with Copics and Atyou Spicas and cut out with Nellie's die, then daubed with SU bravo burgandy.  All DP are Basic Grey (Pyrus collection).  Buttons are from Denami Designs, ribbon from JoAnn, flower from Prima, brad from Bo Bunny.  All CS is Bazzill textured.  Sentiment is from Lizzie Anne Designs, stamped in Staz-On timber brown, and cut with nesties.  Please let me know what you think:)

Additional challenges entered:

SWEET SKETCH WEDNESDAY - sketch

PAPER PLAYTIME - bottons, ribbons or rhinestones

CREATIVE CARD CREW - flowers

DIGITAL TUESDAY - ribbons, buttons or bling

CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS - birthday

FRESH BREWED DESIGNS - girly

DELIGHTFUL CHALLENGES - red, green, white

CRAFTY CALENDAR - birthday w/ Autumn colors

MAMI DOODLES - sparkly girls birthday

TOTALLY PAPERCRAFTS - buttons and bows

BASIC GREY CHALLENGES - sparkle and Basic Grey

CRAFTY ANN'S - digi and favorite coloring medium (Copics and GP white 110 CS)

BUGABOO BLOG HOP IS HERE!!

Wow, to us over at BUGABOO's DT it seems like the anticipation for this release has been growing forever!  SO THRILLED it's finally here b/c the images are AMAZING!   They are all available for purchase at BUGABOO SHOP.

You are at AUDREY'S BLOG, you should have arrived from RAE ANNE'S ROCKIN' BLOG.  If you have not come from there, please go back to JODIE'S JUMPIN' BLOG and start at the beginning.

Here are the BLOG HOP RULES:
You have four chances to win digis today! As you're hopping today, do the following:


1. Comment on each blog - one random commenter will win one (1) image of their choice!

2. HUNT DOWN HAGRID: Take note of how many Hagrid pictures are in the hop.  E-mail BugabooChallenges@gmail.com with your answer by 10/16/2010 at 7:00 AM EST. One winner will be drawn from all the correct answers to win one (1) image of their choice! Write in your subject line: HUNT DOWN HAGRID pictures.

3. Take note of the Harry Potter related questions, write down the answers to all the questions, and e-mail your answers to BugabooChallenges@gmail.com by 10/16/2010 at 7:00 AM EST. One winner will be drawn from all the correct answer to win seven (7) images of their choice. **You will also get to participate as a guest designer for an upcoming challenge!! Write in your subject line: Harry Potter related questions.

**You need to send separate e-mails for #2 and #3, if you combine them, you will not be eligible for the drawing

4. Make a Harry Potter-inspired project and post a link to it on Bugaboo Stamps' challenge blog, Catch the Bug, by 10/16/2010 at 7:00 AM EST to be entered a random drawing for three digi prize packs - seven (7), four (4), or two (2) digital images of their choice.

For my project this week:

My image is THE BRAVE ONE.  I colored her with Copics and Atyou Spicas and then cut her out using nesties.  I then ran a Tim Holtz distress ink pad across the edges of the cut out.  I covered a blank shadow box book that I picked up at Michael's with Basic Grey DP and then computer generated the words "Book of Spells," cut out using nesties and ran the distressing ink over it as well.  I wish I had some fake spiders and other cool stuff to put in the box part for when you open it, but by the time I thought of that, it was too late.  Anyway, I hope you like it!!

I will be entering the challenges at:

FAB N' FUNKY - use a digi

ONE STOP CRAFT - alter it
SECRET CRAFTER - distressing
IF THE SHOE FITS SCRAP IT - distressing

Now, you're off on you way.  Have a great time!  Your next stop is CAMMY'S KICKIN' BLOG

BUGABOO FREEBIE FRIDAY & ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Well, tomorrow is the BIG DAY over at BUGABOO STORE and our big BLOG HOP at BUGABOO'S CATCH THE BUG BLOG.  So, make sure you check in tomorrow morning at 7am, Oct. 9 when all the fun starts!

Our FREEBIE FRIDAY today will give you a little taste of what's to come....  Now I must admit that I know ZERO about this movie or book series, so please fogrive me if my coloring is not accurate.  I followed the sketch from TOTALLY GORJUSS for my card.

This is the giant from Har Re Potter aka "The Gentle One" - I have shown him to some of my Har Re Potter fan friends and they are absolutely WOWED by this image and I'm sure you are too!!  Jodie, BUGABOO's artist, did an AMAZING job as ALWAYS!!  I colored The Gentle One with Copics and Atyou Spicas and cut him out with nesties.  Buttons are from Denami Designs.  Ribbon is from my stash.  Base paper is Bazzill textured from brown monochromatic pack, second layer is SU DP and nesties cut DP is Basic Grey.  Sentiment stamped in Staz-on timber brown and cut with nesties.  It's from a clear stamp set of sentiments, but I don't remember which company makes them and can't find the packaging.  I hope you like this and don't forget to pick up your FREEBIE FRIDAY and COME BACK TOMMOROW!!

The challenges I entered for this card will be listed later....