K is for . . . "Kissy"

Happy Thursday!! I feel like it's been ages since our last challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! But . . . I've been keeping busy, busy, busy hanging out over at Bronte & Bella's Clubhouse. Mo calls it "BBC" . . . while I call it "The Clubhouse"! Whatever we call it, it's FUN!! If you haven't stopped by to check it out, please do!!

So . . . on to this fortnight's challenge!! The very talented and super sweet Miz Anja is our hostess!! And she's chosen an Alphabet themed challenge . . .

K is for . . . !

(Kisses, kick, kite, Kansas, Kady, etc.)

And here's my little creation . . .

Hehe! This image just tickles me!! This cutie is called "Kissy" and is available HERE in Mo's online store. Here's a close-up . . .

I wanted to go for a softer look . . . so, instead of printing this digi image with black ink, I used sort of a sepia ink color. I love how it turned out!! Here's another view . . .

I made a little "Crossover" card . . . some people call it "Criss Cross" . . . other's call it a "Pocket Card" . . . I just call it FUN! I love making these! Here's a peek at the card insert . . .

My Card "Recipe" . . .

Image printed on Cryogen White Cardstock

So Saffron & Melon Mambo cardstock: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Sidewalk" by October Afternoon

Lace & butterfly punches: Martha Stewart

So Saffron ribbon: Stampin' Up

 Pearls & flower stamp: My stash

Shin Han & Copic markers; colored pencils

Here is a full list of mediums/colors used on this image:

Skin:

 ShinHan YR133 & 132

Copic E000, 0000, and a little E13 for darkest shadows

Faber Castell pencils - Sanguine, Cinnamon, Med. Flesh, & Light Flesh

Caran d'Ache pencil - Apricot

Cheeks:

ShinHan R139

Copic R00

Faber Castell pencil - Med. Flesh

Hair:

ShinHan BR107, 97, 95

Copic E07, 15, & 18

Caran d'Ache pencils - Brown & Orangish Yellow

Aquas:

Copic BG 10, 000, 00, 32, & 72

Caran d'Ache pencil -Turquoise

Pinks:

Copic RV14, 10, 00

Caran d'Ache pencil - Raspberry

Yellows:

Copic Y18, 13, 11

Caran d'Ache pencil - Orangish Yellow

Greens:

Copic G46, 43, 40

Caran d'Ache pencil - Green Ochre

Shadow around image:

Copic BG 10 & 0000

And . . . finally, my "artsy" angled view . . . 

I hope you've been able to survive this lonnnnnng post!! Be sure to pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous projects created by Anja and the rest of my clever DT sisters! Then, please join us for this fortnight's "K is for . . . " challenge!

Oh,  and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants! What an easy and fun way to get some new Mo images, right?!

See you soon!! Hugs . . .

Layers & Layers of "Sassy"!

Happy Tuesday!! It's time for another fun challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog! And this fortnight's challenge "hostess with the mostess" is my sweet friend and DT sister, Joann (a.k.a. Sassy Raggedy!) and she's chosen the theme . . .

"Lots of Layers"

No problemo!! I am very comfortable with lots of layers . . . so this one was an easy one for me! Although, I will admit . . . I increased the degree of difficulty by pulling out my colored pencils!! And here's what I came up with . . .

This little image is called "Patience Secret" and is available HERE in Sassy Cheryl's online store. Here's side view . . .

A look at the inside . . . clean & simple . . . 

  My card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on Strathmore Bristol paper

Black Cardstock: Stampin' Up

Digi DPs: "Ladies & Gentleman Too" by Mary Fran for Nitwits

Rectangle & square dies: Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Flower die: Cheery Lynn

Sentiment stamps: Stampin' Up

White seam binding, brad, charm, & pearls: my stash

Faber Castell, Caran d'Ache, & Prismacolor pencils

And one last photo . . .

OK . . . full disclosure . . . coloring with pencils is definitely me stepping far out of my "Copic" comfort zone!! Copics give me deeper, richer colors . . . and pencils are softer!! I love them both!! Now . . . please pop on over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and take a look at all the fabulous creations by my fellow Design Teamies! Then, we'd love for you to pull out some of your own craft supplies and at least one Sassy Cheryl image and join! Oh, and remember . . .

At least one lucky participant (but maybe more), selected at random, will win . . .

TWO Sassy Cheryl Digi Images!

Thanks so much for visiting . . . and, as always, for your kind comments! Stay warm! See you soon! Hugs . . .

Ribbon Rosettes - Tutorial

Ribbon Rosettes

Hello everyone!! Hope you're having a great day!! This is my first "crafting" tutorial! I've written educational manuals for families of babies in the hospital . . . and for nurses and doctors! But, never one for my fellow crafters!! So . . . be kind! hehe! Ready? Here we go!

I've always loved these little Ribbon Rosettes (they have other names, I'm sure . . . but that's what I call them!!) So . . . you'll need just a couple of items to get started:

1. Card stock (white or a complimentary color)
2. Double sided tape (I use Sookwang for all my cards . . . also known as Score-Tape)
3. Ribbon
4. Scissors
5. Die (I used a round Nestabilities die . . . although I'll bet a square die would make a fun variation!)
6. Machine to cut your paper shape (e.g., Cuttlebug, Big Shot, etc.) *Even a scissors will do!
7. Embellishment for center (I used a button . . . but a paper flower, jewels, etc. will work beautifully too!)

Step 1:

Place several pieces of double-sided tape side-by-side on your cardstock:

Step 2:

Cut out your desired shape:

Step 3:

Remove paper backing from your "taped shape" and place end of ribbon at the center of the sticky side:

Step 4:

Begin twisting ribbon, laying it down on top of the sticky taped side of your shape . . . taking care to press ribbon into the tape so it stays secure:

Step 5:

Continue in this fashion, pressing ribbon down as you go:

Step 6:

Once your entire die-cut shape is covered, it's time to cut your ribbon . . . leaving a little bit of a tail:

Step 7:

Bring ribbon tail around to the back side of your die-cut shape, securing it with double-sided tape:

Step 8:

Now it's time to embellish your Ribbon Rosette! Let your imagination run wild!! Here I used a big button . . . which I simply glued to the center (using my trusty hot glue gun!):

And voila! Your beautiful Ribbon Rosette is ready to be secured onto your card, scrapbook page, or other paper project! (I generally use double-sided tape to secure my rosettes to my cards!)

And that's that! Easy peasy! I hope you enjoyed this simple little tutorial!! Keep checking back . . . I plan on creating a few more!! Until next time . . . 

We're doing "Anything Goes" this week at Mo's!

Happy Thursday, my lovlies!! I'm back with a card for this week's challenge over at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! This week's theme is:

Anything Goes!

So . . . I went with Clean & Simple . . .

This adorable image is called "Big Girl Pants" and is available HERE in Mo's online store. Here's a close-up . . . 

That clever sentiment is a digi . . . and I think I may have gotten it from TLC. It's hilarious, don't you agree? And goes perfectly with this Mo Manning image!! Here's a side view . . . 

My Card "Recipe" . . .

Image printed on "Aquabee" White Cardstock

Pistachio Pudding & Bashful Blue cardstock: Stampin' Up

Digi DPs: "Petal Fresh Too" by Mary Fran for Nitwits

Trellis punch: Martha Stewart

Ribbon & pearls: My stash

Inside sentiment:Hero Arts

Shin Han & Copic markers; colored pencils

A quick peek at the CAS inside . . . 

And . . . last, but not least, the "artsy fartsy" angle . . .  

So, besides shoveling snow and recovering from oral surgery . . . that's what I've been up to! hehe!! OK . . . now it's your turn . . . but before you get craftin', you'll want to head on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous projects created by my clever DT sisters! Then, please join us for this week's "Anything Goes" challenge!

Oh,  and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants! What an easy and fun way to get some new Mo images, right?!

Have a great week! Hugs . . .

Spring . . . Reality or Wishful Thinking?!

Hey there, sweet friends!! It's time for another fun challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog! And this fortnight's challenge theme is . . .

"Anything Goes"

Hooray!!! I love "Anything Goes" challenges!! OK . . . so, here's the deal . . . it was sunny and 74 degrees (F) on Sunday!! And yesterday, we had another snowstorm . . . which is pretty common this time of year in some parts of the world (like in Minnesota where grew up! Brrrr!) But here in Richmond, VA, this is rather unusual!! Anyway . . . there must be about  3-4 inches of snow on the ground right now . . . and well . . . I have one thing to say . . . I WANT SPRING!!! So . . . with that in mind . . . here's what I came up with . . .

I used one of my fave Sassy Cheryl cuties, Maddie!! This particular image is called "What'cha Growin' - Maddie" and is available HERE in Sassy Cheryl's online store. Here's a close-up . . .

And a side view . . .

  My card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on Cryogen Metallic Cardstock

Apricot Appeal & Chocolate Chip Cardstock: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Sun Kiss" by Prima

Rectangle dies: Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Apricot Appeal ribbon: Stampin' Up

Flowers, sentiment stamp, & pearls: my stash

Copic and Shin Han markers & color pencils

And one more pic . . . for good measure!

I feel warmer already! haha! Now . . . please pop on over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and take a look at all the amazing cards created by my fellow Design Teamies! Then, we'd love for you to pull out some of your own craft supplies and at least one Sassy Cheryl image and join! Oh, and remember . . .

At least one lucky participant (but maybe more), selected at random, will win . . .

TWO Sassy Cheryl Digi Images!

Thanks so much for visiting . . . and, as always, for your kind comments! Stay warm! See you soon!

I'm thinkin' SPRING!!

Happy Monday!! Hope you had a GREAT weekend!! Mine was nice . . . just hung around the house, chillaxin' with my hubby . . . working on some art . . . and doing a little card-making!! I tell ya . . . does it get better than that?!

So . . . since I'm pretty much OVER winter and snow and cold, I decided to pull out some Spring colors and make a little Easter card! What'cha think?

This cute little image of Maddie is called "My Little SNUGGLE Bunny" and is available HERE in Sassy Cheryl's online store! Here's a close-up . . .

So . . . here's the deal on this one . . . I had originally intended for this to be the cleanest and simplest card ever! BUT . . . when I was completely done with it, I noticed a teensy little spot of something in the white area . . . it may have been a flaw in the paper . . . but it didn't look right!! Sooooo . . . I pulled out some sticky pearls . . . and voila!! Crisis averted! Here's a side view . . .

And . . . one more angled view . . .

So, there ya go . . . that's what I've been up to!! Just a quick reminder . . . there's a super cool challenge going on right now over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog . . . be sure to check it out!! You may win 2 free Sassy Cheryl digis!!

Thanks for stopping by . . . see you soon!!

Bronte & Bella CELEBRATE their new "Clubhouse"!!

Oh oh oh!! It's Thursday!! And I just heard the most exciting news . . . Bronte & Bella are getting a new "Clubhouse" next month!! Stay tuned here and over at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog for more information!!

And now . . . it's time for another new challenge at Mo's Challenge Blog!! My sweet and oh-so-talented friend Franz is our hostess this week. And she's chosen another of my favorite themes . . .

Add a Ribbon!

Whoa . . . how easy is that?!!

It's Bronte & Bella . . . one of my oldest and most favorite Mo Manning images!! This one is called "So Jazzed" . . . . and is available HERE in Mo's online store. Now I know the card is pink and brown . . . but Bella is an artsy little "free spirit" . . . so I decided she needed to wear some bright RED . . . to offset her crazzzy red hair!! hehe!!

A side view . . . 

My Card "Recipe" . . .

Cryogen Metallic White Cardstock

Pretty in Pink & Chocolate Chip cardstock: Stampin' Up

Digi DPs: Nitwits

Corner die: Joy Crafts

Circle die: Memory Box

Ribbon, pearls, & charm: My stash

Shabby Pink Frantage

Roses: Wild Orchid Crafts

Sentiment tags: LOTV

Shin Han & Copic markers; colored pencils

And . . . one more pic . . . 

OK . . . now it's your turn . . . but before you get craftin', first you'll want to head on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous projects created by Franz and the rest of my clever DT sisters! Then, please join us in this week's "Add a Ribbon" challenge. It's easy . . . just pull out your craft supplies and at least one Mo Manning image and start creating!!

Oh, oh, oh . . . and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants! What an easy and fun way to get some new Mo images, right?!

And that's it for me! Have a great week! Hugs . . .

A Special Thank You . . . for a VERY Special Young Lady!

Happy Tuesday, my sassy friends!! It's time for another challenge at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog! It's been two weeks since our last challenge . . . and I've been a busy woman!! I spent a long weekend in Arizona hanging out with my three kids and our six grandkiddos . . . here's a pic of four of them crafting with gramma!

Aren't they cute? I miss them already!! Okey dokey . . . back to this week's Sassy Cheryl's challenge! This week's hostess is my very clever and sassy DT sister, Linda!! She's chosen the theme . . .

"Punches &/or Dies"

That's soooooo easy . . . 'cuz I always use punches and dies when I make my cards!! Here's what I came up with . . .

This card is for our 8 year-old granddaughter, Sophia, who allowed me to accompany her to the Phoenix Art Museum when I was in AZ! She is a very talented, budding artist . . . and this was her first trip to an art museum!! I felt so delighted to share the experience with her and her momma (my daughter, Amy). Sophie was really getting into it!! By the end of the day she could tell me the difference between Impressionism and Realism . . . Portraits and Landscapes . . .  and could identify paintings created using Pointillism! Here's a pic of my little muse . . . 

I used one of my fave Sassy Cheryl images for Sophie's card . . . Sassy Sally!! This image is called "A No. 2 Pencil & a Dream" and is available HERE in Sassy Cheryl's online store. I actually removed the word "dream" and stamped in "Thanks" using a Stampin' Up rubber stamp. Here's a close-up . . .

And a side view . . . 

A peek at the inside . . .

 My card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on Cryogen Metallic Cardstock

Soft Sky & Very Vanilla Cardstock: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Secret Garden" by Graphic 45

Rectangle dies: Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Butterfly die: Magnolia

Seam Binding: The Ribbon Girl

Corner rounder punch & pearls: my stash

Trellis punch: Martha Stewart

Sentiment: Stampin' Up

Flower: Wild Orchid Crafts

Copic and Shin Han markers & color pencils

And one last "fancy schmancy" view . . .

Now . . . please pop on over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and take a look at all the amazing cards created by my fellow Design Teamis! Then, we'd love for you to pull out some of your own craft supplies and at least one Sassy Cheryl image and join! Oh, and remember . . .

One lucky participant, selected at random, will win . . .

TWO Sassy Cheryl Digi Images!

Thanks so much for visiting . . . and, as always, for your kind comments!

"Love is..." at Mo's

Happy Thursday, my sweet friends!! It's time for another new challenge over at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! And, this week, my sweet friend and fellow DT sister, Lis, is our hostess. And she's chosen the theme . . .

Love is . . . !

Easy peasy! Especially since tomorrow is Valentine's Day! So . . . I decided to make a card for my sweet husband and best Valentine ever!! But, I'll let you have a peek before I give it to him . . . 

This sweetheart is a brand, brand new Mo Manning image called "Goodness" . . . . and is available HERE in Mo's online store. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that Mo created this little cutie as a tribute to the late Shirley Temple (who passed away just a few days ago!). Here's a look at the little tag . . . 

A side view . . . 

My Card "Recipe" . . .

Cryogen Metallic White Cardstock

Real Red & Whisper White cardstock: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Lovely" by Authentique

Ribbon: Stampin' Up

Stickles

Roses: Wild Orchid Crafts

Sentiment Stamp: Penny Black

Twine & rhinestones: My stash

Shin Han & Copic markers; colored pencils

And . . . last, but not least . . .

OK . . . now it's your turn . . . but before you get craftin', first you'll want to head on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous projects created by Lis and the rest of my talented DT sisters! Then, please join us in this week's "Love is . . . " challenge. It's easy . . . just pull out your craft supplies and at least one Mo Manning image and start creating!!

Oh, oh, oh . . . and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants! What an easy and fun way to get some new Mo images, right?!

Oh wait . . . I almost forgot . . . I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #236

Wild Orchid Challenge #96 - "Love is"

And that's it for me! Have a great week! Hugs . . .