Color Challenge at Mo's

Hello sweet friends...I'm scheduling this post because, when you read this post, I'll be on a fabby cruise ship somewhere in the middle of the Carribbean! No worries, though, I'm doing my best to have at least one adult beverage for each and every one of you!! hehehe!!

Can you believe it's already been a week since our last challenge at Mo's?! Once again, this week's challenge hostess is Elaine. And let me tell you, she's come up with a challenge to beat all challenges!! Well, for me, at least!! She's chosen a "color challenge" for us this week..."Reds, yellows, oranges, and a neutral." YIKES!! Kinda bright colors for me...I guess that's why they call it a "challenge", right?!

So, since I had not yet colored this darling little image of Bella & Bronte, I decided it was time! The image is called "I Dunno"and is available at Mo's Diginal Pencil Too online store.

Then I rummaged through my DPs and finally found this fun paper from Stampin' Up (I'm sorry, I have no idea what it's called...but I got it last year if that helps.)

I colored some pearls with my Copic marker (if you haven't tried this, it's sooooo cool and you can absolutely match your colors!), added this yummy yellow bow (from SU), and a couple of flowers from Prima.

Here's the rest of the card "recipe"...
Cardstock: So Saffron & Garden Green (SU) & white
Dies: Oval & oval scallop (Nestabilities), Doohickey lace edge (Magnolia)
Sentiment: Just Rite Stamps
Buttons: my stash
Yellow stickles for Bella's tu tu; & At You Spica pens for Bronte's collar; and Inkssential's Glossy Accents for Bella's boots
And here are the copics I used...

So...I think I did it...yellow (DP, ribbon, pearls, buttons, & tutu), red (flowers & Bella's shirt), orange (Bella's boots & the DP), and neutral (Bronte is grey)...and I used white cardstock...I guess those are neutrals, right? :-)

Now...head on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog and check out the DT's gorgeous projects...then get busy making your own "yellow, red, orange, and neutral" project. Just remember to enter it into the challenge...so you can have a chance at winning a free Mo Manning digi image of your choice! How cool is that??! YAY!

That's it for me. Thanks so much for stopping by...and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your sweet comments! Until next time, kiddos...

Show me some sugar, Sugar!!

Hello again my sugar-lovin' sweeties!! So...can you believe it's time for another fabby and fun challenge over at the Sugar Bowl? I'm actually having to schedule this post ahead of time because I'll be on an uber fun Smooth Jazz Carribbean Cruise. That's right...at the exact moment you're reading this, I'll be sipping Mojitos and Pina Coladas!! hehehe!! But I'll be thinking about you while I'm gone! I will ...really, I promise!!

OK...enough silliness...let's get down to some serious crafting fun!! Our Sugar Bowl Challenge this fortnight comes to us courtesy of Marie Therese, one of our very own Sugar Bowl DT Sweeties!! She's come up with this fun and interesting sketch...with "Love" as our theme!!

Well, I have to admit, the wings threw me...I thought it would be perfect to have some kind of something with angel wings...or feathers...or something! But, alas...didn't have anything like that in my craft stash!! So I decided to criss-cross the ribbon and make "pretend" wing-like thingies. OK...that's a stretch, but work with me...the cruise, remember?!!

I selected one of the Simply Adorable darlins...this one's Verity! Isn't she just absolutely precious?!! I just want to nibble on those adorable cheeks!!! And she was such fun to color too!!! Here are a couple of other views...

And a peek at the inside...

I'll let you in on a secret...my sweet friend, Sandy, from NC, challenged me to make a funny card. Well...I added this fun sentiment just for Sandy!! (Hugs to you, Mountain Mama!) Here's a close-up!!

So that's it for me kiddos...now it's your turn!! Pop on over to the Sugar Bowl and take a peek at the inspiration cards by the Sugar Bowl DT "Sweeties"! Be sure to leave 'em some love by commenting on their gorgeous creations! Then pull out your own supplies and at least one Sugar Nellie image (available at Funky Kits)...and do some fun and funky creating!! Don't forget to enter your project into the Sugar Bowl Challenge...and, who knows, you may just win a fab prize!!

Thanks soooooo much for stopping by for a visit...and for all of your sweet comments! I'll see y'all when I get back on dry land!! Until next time....

Sweet, sweet inspiration...

Hello again, sweet friends...so, here's the thing...I'm scheduling this post in advance because when you see this, I'll actually be cruising with my DH in the Carribbean!! So, this will be a quick post because I'm probably late for the next buffet!!

Today's challenge is hosted by our very own, incredibly talented, DT darlin', Cabio! She's given us this gorgeous photo as inspiration...

Hmmmmmm....what to do, what to do.... So many wonderful elements in this photo! But I chose to focus on the neutrals...with this gorgeous "Ella Blue" DP from GCD...and this adorable and quite irresistable "Cherry Tilda" available from Diana at Magnolia-licious HERE.

I decided to color Tilda with neutrals...almost giving her clothing some sepia tones...and then a pop of color for the cherries. I used Copics...and added a touch of "At You Spica" glitter ink to the cherries!

And a couple of "artsy" views...

Here's a bit more of my card "recipe"...
Cardstock: Very Vanilla & Chocolate Chip (SU)
Dies: Doohickey lace die (Magnolia); circle & eyelet nesties (Spellbinders)
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Ribbon, lace, & "chocolate" pearls: my stash
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Pearl flourish: Zva creative
And here are the Copics I used on this little sweetheart...

So there you go, kiddos! Now...pop on over to Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog and check out the gorgeous creations by the rest of the DT! Then grab your craft supplies and come up with your own somethin' somethin using Cabio's great inspiration photo and at least one Magnolia image. Then...enter your little masterpiece in this month's Inspiration Challenge at Magnolia-Licious Challenge Blog!! D'ya know why? Because it'll be F-U-N...AND one lucky participant - chosen at random - will win a $25.00 voucher to spend at Magnolia-licious. So that's like DOUBLE the fun!!

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my little papercraft creations...and I hope you know how very much I love and appreciate your comments!! I will catch up with you when I return...relaxed, refreshed, and ready to tackle whatever the world has in store!! Be well and happy...until next time....

"Around the World" with Mo Manning!

Hi blogging buddies!! Are you ready for another really fun challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog?!! I know I am!! Whooohooo...like I really need an excuse to play with these adorable images! hehehe!! Elaine, one of the very talented DT gals, is our host again this week...and she's challenged us to use "Around the World" as our theme!! Well, as you can imagine, my biggest challenge was deciding which of Mo's images to choose!!

Now...a quick aside here, remember last week when I made the simple little, mostly white card for our sweet Emma? That could very well have been one of the toughest cards I've ever made! This week I threw simplicity out the window and went with a "more is better" approach! Phewww...so good to have my mojo back!! Here's my card...featuring "Fan's Cricket" available here at Mo's Digital Pencil online store.

I must admit, this DP seemed perfect...although I can't tell you where it came from...other than to say it was at the bottom of my plastic storage bin under my futon!! LOL!!

And while I was rummaging around in my craftroom, I unearthed a very cool set of Stampin' Up stamps called "Asian Artistry". The Confucius quote is "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." I love it...words to live by!

And here's a little more info about my card...
Cardstock: Blushing Bride (Stampin Up)
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Scrolls: Sizzix Dies
Corner cutout: Cuttlebug
Butterfly: MS punch
Ribbon: stash
Copic sketch markers...sorry, I didn't jot down the markers I used
And, finally...in keeping with the whole "ethnic theme", the pearls are from Mikimoto!! (Just tricking!!) <--- That's what our youngest granddaughter, Mia, says when she's been caught fibbing!! LOL!! So, there you go, my lovelies! Another fun week at Mo's!! Now...pop on over the Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog here and take a gander at the gorgeous artwork created by my fellow DT pals! Then...pull out your supplies and get crafting! Be sure to use at least one Mo Manning image...and come up with a project that exemplifies Elaine's "Around the World" theme!! Don't forget to enter your project in this week's Challenge # 66! We're anxious to see what you come up with!

Oh...and one more teensy thing...I'm going on a bit of a holiday...without internet access...so I'll check out your fabby creations when I get home. I promise to have a Pina Colada for you while I'm gone!! Yep...I'm quite the sacrificer, aren't I?!! hehehe! Until next time, sweet friends!

Emma will be 12!

Hi sweet friends. I told you I'd be back...and, yep, sure enough, here I am...back!! Today I have a card featuring a sweet little 'tween girl playing video games. This adorable image is yet another brainchild of the uber talented Mo Manning! Now, listen, kiddos, if ya haven't been over to Mo's, take a few minutes and pop on over there...no WAIT!! First finish reading my post...because if you're anything like me, once you start looking at all of Mo's delicious artwork in her online store - available as digi images and perfect for instant gratification - you won't want to leave! LOL!

Now this week's challenge comes to us courtesy of fellow DT member, Elaine...who has chosen "Playtime - kids & their toys" as our theme! Well, since Emma (our first "grandbaby") turns 12 in just a few short weeks, this cute Mo image called "Video Girl" (available HERE at Mo's Digital Pencil shop) seemed perfect! Em is at that age where she can be talking about clothes and "accessories" one minute and volleyball and video games the next!! OK...I'll stop babbling and show you what I came up with...


I've seen so many gorgeous white-on-white cards lately...so I thought I'd try my hand at making one! Well, let me say this...easier said than done!! I struggled with the simplicity...I'm so accustomed to lots and lots of frills and embellies...that this card actually feels naked to me! arrggh! You can see that I did have to break down and add a few "goodies"...for example...I secured the image flush against the embossed white cardstock...but then popped up the die-cut frame on foam dimensionals...giving it an interesting 3-D effect.

Note the cool purple sneakers! Emma got a new pair of those this year from Santa Claus!

I added a couple of die-cut corners (by Cuttlebug)...some matching ribbon and buttons...and, one of my fave embellies...this fabulous paper flower made with my Magnolia Doohickey Die!!



Thanks again for stopping by for a peek at my latest paper creation...I'm going to try the white-on-white technique again since I kinda cheated this time by adding so much color! hehehe! Oh...and be sure to take a look at the other DT creations...they are - in a word - exquisite! Then...put on your creative thinking caps, pull out your supplies and your fave Mo Manning image(s), and get busy craftin'! Just make sure you enter your creation into this week's challenge at Mo's HERE...because, once again, one lucky winner (chosen at random) will win a new digi image from Mo's Digital Pencil online store. I can't wait to see what you come up with! OK...now that you've finished reading my post, you can go shopping HERE!! LOL! Thanks again...until next time....

Make a Wish....

I'm baaaack!! LOL! And this time I have a sweet little birthday card for our even sweeter granddaughter, Ava! She turns 7 in March. OK...well, I'm a bit early...but if I know me (and I do!), this darling little card will sit on my counter until 2 days before Ava's birthday and then I'll be scrambling to get to the post office to mail it to Arizona! It's kind of a pattern with me, y'know!! hehehehe!!

So...our new challenge at the Sugar Bowl is to follow this very fun sketch by our ever clever DT sistah, Kiki...with "birthday" as the theme!!


So I gathered my craft supplies and pulled out the cutest little Sugar Nellie fairy stamp called "Make a Wish", and got busy!! I actually turned Kiki's sketch over...and here's what I came up with....


I chose "purple" because Ava loves the Phoenix Sun's pro basketball team...their colors are orange and (you guessed it) purple!! Here's a view from the side...


And, of course, my typical "artsy" view...


Here's a peek at the inside...I decided to make a pocket and tucked a cute little birthday sentiment tag inside!



And now, here's my card "recipe"...
Cardstock: Bordering Blue & Concord Crush (SU)
DP: "Once upon a time" (DCWV)
Sentiments: "Teeny Tiny Wishes" (SU) and inside sentiment is from American Art Stamp
Doohickey die tag: Magnolia
Spellbinders shapabilities "Lotus"
Gold "pearls" & gold ribbon: my stash
At you Spica pens & lots and lots of "waterfall" stickles
Copics: E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin); R20 (cheeks); E35, 15, 11, YR23, Y23 & 21 (hair); BV04, 02, 01, 00, 000, 0000 (dress, shoes, & wings); YR0000, Y000 & 0000 (star); N1 & NO (shadows).

Now...and this is very cool...how would you like to win a super-duper "mystery prize"? (hehehe!...it's a secret!) That's right! One lucky winner of the Sugar Bowl Challenge (chosen at random) will win this fabby mystery prize!! And all you need to do is make a card featuring at least one Sugar Nellie image (and believe me, there are so many great options to choose from...you can check 'em out at Funky Kits HERE!) So, c'mon, kids!! Let's get crafting!! Oh...but before you do, pop on over to the "Sugar Bowl" HERE and take a peek at the gorgeous cards my DT sistahs have created for you. You're in for a real treat!!

That's it for me...for now, at least! No telling when I'll be back...soon, I bet!! Thanks so much for stopping by for a peek...and, as always, thanks for your sweet comments. They really DO make my day!! Until next time...

Peach = pastel ORANGE, right?!

Hi friends...it's me again!! LOL! Gosh, it seems like ages since our last Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog challenge!! Hope you all had a beautiful holiday...and that you're starting to settle into 2011. Can you believe, we've all just recovered from Winter Holiday cards...and we're moving head-first into Valentine's Day and soon afterwards, St. Patrick's Day and Easter!! So many cards to make...and sooooo many fun images...and never quite enough time!! So, in the interest of time...I'll get right to it...

Our color challenge this month comes to us courtesy of our very own, crazy talented, DT sister, Cabio Tse!! She chose ORANGE & GREEN!! And here's the photo she found to "inspire" us all....


Isn't this just the most gorgeous flower?! Sooooooooo, since I'm not so much into bright orange, I opted for the "pastel" version...which is PEACH!!. And, ta-daaaa...here's my card....


I used "Peachy Tilda" and "Tilda Picking Peaches" (mini) available at Magnolia-licious HERE.

I masked "Peachy Tilda" and stamped mini "Tilda Picking Peaches" so that she appears to be standing behind...giving some nice perspective. I must give a shout out to the uber-talented Magnolia-licious Highlites DT member, Mindy Baxter. (I borrowed this fab idea from one of her Christmas Cards! Thanks for the great inspiration, Mindy!) I rather like the effect...and it was soooo easy! I will definitely use this technique again with my "minis"!

Here are a couple of side views...



And, of course, the token "artsy" view (well, my version of "artsy" anyway! LOL!)

I decided to keep the inside pretty simple...but I did add another of those darling mini Tilda's...this one is the smaller version of "Peachy Tilda" available, of course, HERE at Magnolia-licious.




Here's my card "recipe"...
Cardstock: Creamy Caramel & Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up)
DPs: Paper w/peaches (Magnolia), and rest came from my stash
Inks: Tuxedo black (Memento), Creamy Caramel (used to "dirty" up the edges) and Chocolate Chip (SU)
Ribbon & Lace: stash
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Cuttlebug Embossing folder - "Retro Kitchen"
Trellis Punch (Martha Stewart)
Sentiment: LOTV
And Nestabilities circle & scallop dies, as well as Fiskars corner rounder
Copics:
Skin: E21, 00, 000, 0000; Cheeks: R20
Greens: G28, 24, 21, 20, YG93
Hair: YR21, 20, E35, 99
Oranges: YR02, 00, 0000, 12; Y23
White: N1, 0, BG000
Peaches: YR02, 00, 0000, Y2
Leaves: G20, 24, 99
Pinafore: G21, 20, YG000
Green boots: G20, 21, 94; Brown boots: E35, 33, 31, 30
Ground: C2 & 1
Shadows: W1 & 00
And I used W3 & W2 to tone down the greens & peaches

OK kids...this is the longest post in the history of posts, I think. Now...pop on over to Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog HERE and check out the gorgeous cards made by the rest of the Design Team. They're just stunning...trust me!! Then, after you do that, pull out your craft supplies and get busy on your own challenge entry! One lucky winner (chosen at random) will win a $25.00 gift certificate to spend on anything your heart desires at Magnolia-licious. Oh...and did you know...Diana Crick (owner of Magnolia-licious) is the SOLE DISTRIBUTOR in North America for the Magnolia Minis!!! Just think how many minis you could get with $25.00!!!

That's it for me! (I know...you're probably thinking...that's more than enough, crazy lady!! hehehehe!) Thank you soooooo much for stopping by for a visit...and, as always, thank you for your kind comments that truly make me smile all over my face!! Until next time...

Remember when...

Hi kiddos...I hope you're having a fabulous week so far! Only a few days into 2011 and my desk at work is already piling up (LOL!)...and I find myself longing for the weekend so I can get into some serious craft-therapy!! Coloring and creating are such fun!! Know what else is fun? Coloring images by the uber talented artist, Mo Manning!!! And...know what's really, really exciting? This is my first post as DT member for Mo Manning's Digital Pencil Challenge Blog!!! So...without further ado...


This little darlin' is a new creation of Mo's called "Wonderful Day"...and she was available for free this past weekend on Mo's Facebook Page. That's right...I said FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! No kidding...frequently Mo shares her new images with her Facebook Friends before she adds them to her online store HERE...so, if you aren't already one of Mo's "friends", pop on over to her Facebook page HERE and check out what's happening around the crafting world...and make some fun new friends too!!

Now...this week's challenge is "Looking Back – Go Retro to the style of 30’s 40’s 50’s or 60’s"...and comes to us compliments of fellow DT sistah, Elaine...who wants us all to take a little trip back in time!

So...since I grew up in the 50's & 60's, I went with some of the kitchy colors and patterns from my childhood! And this little darling reminded me of simpler times when I was a kid. We ate apples straight from our neighbor's tree...and played kickball in the street...and walked to school in 4 feet of snow, uphill both ways! hehehe!!


Here's a quick "side view"...


And, finally, here's the "recipe" for this little "retro cutie"...

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pear Pizazz, Melon Mambo, & So Saffron (SU)
DPs: October Afternoon
Ribbon: So Saffron (SU)
Flowers & those cute little brads in the corner: my stash
Inks & markers: Memento Tuxedo Black & Vintage Photo Distress Ink for edges
Copics:


Thanks soooooo much for stopping by for a peek at my latest creation. Now...pull out one of your fave Mo Manning images and get busy making your own "Retro" project for this week's challenge! Oh, one last thing...this is cool...one lucky participant (chosen at random) will win a free Mo Manning image!! Whooohooo!! Happy crafting!

Dreams really DO come true...

Hi sweet friends...would you believe it...I can hear the birds from Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty chirping in my head!!! No...I don't have inner ear problems...at least not that I know of!! Birds are chirping because I have been invited to join the Design Team at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! YIKES!!! To say that this is a "dream come true" is a serious understatement!!

I must thank my sweet friend, Paola Levi, for her encouragement...and for recommending me to Peggy Marsh, DT Leader! Thank you soooo much!!

Some of you know that, until just recently, I only purchased Mo Manning images as stamps...and then I figured out how to purchase, download, resize, save, and print digital images...and a whole new world opened up for me!

Now, if you love images that truly capture the "essence" of life (I got that phrase from my friend, Sandy...and it's spot on!!), then you definitely need to visit Mo's online store HERE. Mo is a brilliant artist...and her darling images are such fun to color!! So check it out!

And I would love, love, LOVE for you to join us in in our weekly challenges...that's right...every Thursday! They're such fun...AND you can win free images from Mo's store. YAY!! Free is such fun!! In fact, if you hurry, you can get in on this week's challenge hosted by Lisa. The theme is "Bless the beasts and the children". So...pull out your Mo Manning images and get busy getting busy!! And if you can't play in this week's challenge...be sure to stop by on Thursday to find out what the theme is for next week's challenge!! I'll tell ya a secret...it's a really, really fun theme too!!

So...I'll be back in a couple of days with my very first card as a DT member for Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! See you soooooooooon!!