Happy Birthday Lynell!

Its Thursday and time for a new challenge at Dreamweaver Stencils, but its also a Birthday Celebration for Lynell today!  Happy birthday sweet lady!  Thanks for all that you've done for us and I can't wait to see you next week for a proper birthday hug!

So my card today is not only a birthday card for one very awesome chick, but its also for our new January challenge: "A Fresh Start".  And flowers always say fresh and are also the traditional first sign of spring...so perfect combo of themes :)

I used the Daisy Background stencil with white glossy paste over a slightly patterned background paper.  I just loved the boho chic feel of this Basic Grey line and it was just calling for me to use it this week :)  My centers were colored with True Black Spectrum Noir marker.

And a small striped border at the bottom of the card  is the home for the sentiment from the Birthday Words stencil.

So..be sure to head to the Dreamweaver Blog and wish Lynell, the owner, our fearless leader and our fabulous friend a Happy Birthday!  Then drop by the DT's blogs and leave them all some love :)

Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy  

Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser 

I hope your New Year has started out amazingly!  Thanks for coming by and I truly appreciate all you comments :)

-Cyndi

Its Hip to Be Square!

Its Friday finally!  And its time for a new challenge from Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge!  This week its  a square card theme.  I used Cocoa's Latte and paper pieced the coffee cup and sleeve with brand new Basic Grey Christmas papers.  

Cocoa is colored with my Spectrum Noir markers in BG6, BG4, BG3 and BG2.  His ears and nose are CR5, CR2, FS8, and FS2.  The matching sentiment is from Hot Cocoa Sentiments.

I hope you get a chance to play along with us this week!  And have a fabulous weekend!

Toreads Sneak Peek

Crafter's Companion is releasing a whole new line of Toreads in a couple of weeks and we got the go ahead to sneak peek them!  (These are live in the UK already!)

Meet Xeru.  Duuude. Is he cute or what??  I used this weeks Split Coast Stampers sketch for my layout and Allspice papers from My Minds Eye.  He is of course colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.

Here's a closer shot of him:

Spectrum Noir colors used:

GB10, GB8, GB6, EB8

BT9, BT6, GT3

TN5, OR3, EB1

FS8, FS3, FS1

The sentiment is from the same set.  I used some of my old SU! punches and some bling from Bazzill and My Minds Eye.  The felt flowers are from Basic Grey.

Challenge List:

Pile It On: Fabric or Felt

Simply Create: anything goes

Craft Door Magazine: anything goes

No Matter which: dies or punches

Dutch Dare: all things boys

Skipping Stones Tuesday

Its time for a new inspiration challenge at Skipping Stones Design and this week its a color combo and/or trigger photo.  You have all week to enter and one lucky winner will win an SSD stamp set of their choice!  SO go get stamping!

When I spotted the map I thought of this What's Up paper from Basic Grey that just also happened to have balloons, so guess what stamp set got pulled out?  Uplifting!   I started by spraying all my papers with Frost and Copper Sheer Shimmer Spritzs from Tsukineko.  All edges were then inked with Smokey Gray Versafine (Tsukineko).  

                                                 

I then heat embossed my 3 balloons (and the sentiment) with Sepia Versafine and clear EP.  I cut the balloons all out and popped them up with Crafty Foam tape.

Here's a closer shot at the sentiment (one of many from the Uplifting set)

Challenge List:

Skipping Stones Design: inspiration

Make It Monday: linky party

Split Coast Stampers: sketch 393

Wine of Friendship

 Its my turn to post on the  Spectrum Noir website today!  Be sure to head over and check out all the new tutorials you will find on the blog including mine HERE on skin and hair.

For this card I used the adorable SWALK image called Wine of Friendship, available at Crafter's Companion.  I tried to carry out the theme of the outdoor cafe using papers from What's Up by Basic Grey.  The yummy ribbon is by May Arts.

                                         

Here's a closer shot at the mom and daughter.  For a full tutorial on how I colored the skin and hair read THIS POST over at the Spectrum Noir Blog.

Here's the colors I used for my image:

Thanks for popping in today!

Back to Nature

It is time for another Sweet ‘N Sassy Digi Challenge!!

Today’s challenge is:

*Back to Nature*

Use images and/or elements that you see in nature for your project

Just a few things to keep in mind as you play.... 

Please use digital images ONLY for the challenge.

~You don't have to use SNS digi images to play along but we sure do love when you do!

~Please share a link to your creation using the Linky Tools feature at the end of this post. If Linky Tools is down, please add a link with your comment.

~When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC57.

My card today uses the gorgeous set New Creature.  I printed both the butterfly and the sentiment on Neenah Solar White cardstock.  The butterfly was colored with my Spectrum Noir markers (GB8,GB6, GB4, PL5, PL4, PL2) then I added some sparkle with a Gelly Roll glitter pen.

The scripture verse was airbrushed with a spectrum noir marker using the copic airbrush system then cut with an oval die from Sellbinders.  The lacy frame is Polynesian Sails Oval die by Cheery Lynn Designs. Papers are from the Basic Grey Plumeria line, ribbon by May Arts.

I hope you play along with us this week! And be sure to hop over to the rest of the SNSDC DT blogs to see the gorgeous projects they have created for you this week!

Sweet 'n Sassy

Its time for another Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge! I am just so in love with these images!  Even though I tend towards cute little Rhubarb and Cocoa I love the nature images too. And this Cherry Blossom from the May Release was just perfect for today's new challenge: Best Wishes or Wedding.

I puled my colors from the Konnichiwa paper line by Basic Grey.  Border die and frame die are from Lifestyle Crafts and the brad around the button is from the What's Up line by Basic Grey.  Sentiment was generated on my computer.

We hope you play along with us this week!
Just a few things to keep in mind as you play.... 

Please use digital images ONLY for the challenge.

~You don't have to use SNS digi images to play along but we sure do love when you do!

~When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC56

Be sure to check out what my DT Teamates are up to this week too! Links to right---->

Dreamweaver Stencils Thursday

Its time for another round of our Black/white or graduation challenge at the Dreamweaver Stencils Challenge Blog.  I chose again to do the black and white theme with a pop of color.

I used LL588 Dragon stencil and the double glitter technique using Black, Cherry Red, Crystal Multi, and Tigerlily glitters from Stampendous.  I have found the hard way that the best double sided sticky paper comes from Dreamweaver Stencils...and don't forget the coconut soap!

My background paper is from the Konnichiwa collection by Basic Grey which I stamped with the Bamboo set from Stampendous (retired but still available in some LSS) in AGed Black Embossing Enamel.

Be sure to hop over to the DWS blog to join us this month, and don't forget to check out what the rest of the Dream Team created for you this week and leave them some love :)

Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy  

Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser 

Jessie Hurley

Yee Haw!

Are you enjoying our week of previews from Simply B Stamps?  I sure hope so cause we all are!  I am back tonight with the next Jude and the Rockers Just for Fun image...Yee Haw Ali.  She is just so precious in her denim skirt and cowgirl hat :)

I puled out more of the new Basic Grey PB&J papers for this one and used Karen Giron's Sweet Sketch Sunday for the layout.  My blue panel was cuttlebugged with a Sizzix Gridlock embossing folder.  Flowers and ribbon are from my stash.  Sentiment from The Cat'sPajamas.

Here's the colors of Spectrum Noir markers that I used:

OK, so please be sure to hop over to the Simply B Stamps blog to see what the rest of the DT has rounded up for you today!  And don't forget that this Friday is release day!

Here's Karen's sketch if you want to play:

Challenge List:

Sweet Sunday Sketch: sketch

Party Time Tuesday: anything goes + kraft

Creative Card Crew: ribbon

Crafts 4 Eternity: something new (image + papers)

Card Makin Mamas: girlie

Giddy up!

I'm back tonight with another new Jude and the Rockers Just for Fun preview for you!  This is Giddy Up Oscar riding to town on his hobby horse.  This new line of Judes will be available this Friday from Simply B Stamps.  We hope you've enjoyed the peeks so far!

Papers are from the new Basic Grey PB&J line, and the strip was die cut with new Petite Petals border die from Lifestyle Crafts.  And I even found the perfect sentiment in my stash from a really old Cat's Pajamas set.  My layout for the card is this weeks Sketch Challenge at Split Coast Stampers.

Again my image was colored with Spectrum Noir markers by Crafter's Companion.  Color chart below:

Challenge List:

Split Coast Stampers: sketch

Crafty Sentiments: for a child

Wags and Whiskers: anything goes

Inspire me Fridays: linky party

Make It Monday: linky party

Paperplay: animal antics

Painting with Powder with Stencils!

Get ready to be inked, pasted, encrusted, stenciled and stamped! All of this week the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team and the Stampendous Design Teams will be providing some "Dream-pendous" inspiration for you, with multiple opportunities to win some fabulous prizes from both companies. Each day this week, you will be directed from both the Stampendous Impressions' blog or the Dream It Up! blog to the players du jour for your oohing and aaahing pleasure. Everyone will be playing on Saturday, the 14th with our final hop for the week. This is your opportunity to see how to mix and mingle your creativity...if you are a stenciler, you will be fascinated at combining stamps with your first love. If you are a stamper, you will be wowed at how stencils can add to your impressions.

I had a lot of fun mixing products and techniques for this card!  I started with LL588 Dragon stencil from Dreamweaver Stencils and dry embossed the dragon onto the white pattern paper.  Next I added Versamark Ink to the open areas using a large dauber.  After I removed the stencil I sprinkled 4 colors of Stampendous! embossing powder onto the dragon using the Painting with Powder technique.  Chinese Red, Parprika, and Ruby Red EP are all found in the Scenic Collection and I accented the dragon with Pirate Gold EP.

I also used the same technique to emboss one of the lanterns from LL550 Party Lanterns and then cut this out to add as an embellishment.  On the side panel I stamped the large circular medallion from Jumbo Thinking of You and embossed it in more of the Pirate Gold EP.

Most of the edges of my card stock were distressed with Vintage Sepia Versafine ink from Tsukineko and/or encrusted with Stampendous! powders and mica fragments.  All papers are from the Basic Grey Konnichiwa paper collection.

Be sure to leave comments as you tour the blogs (with your email addy!) for a chance to win* one of three combined sets of these Dreamweaver and Stampendous goodies:

Leave me some love before you "gear up" for the next player:

Dream It Up! 

Stampendous Impressions! 

Terrece Siddoway 

Krissy Fossmeyer 

Stephanie Lee 

Cyndi Bundy 

Lee Kellogg 

Janelle Stollfus 

Pam Hornschu 

*For shipping and handling purposes, USA/APO/FPO/Canada winners only.

Thanks for coming by today and be sure to stop back Thursday and Saturday for more!

Have a Little Priest...

LOVETT:
It's priest. Have a little priest.
TODD:
Is it really good?
LOVETT:
Sir, it's too good, at least!
Then again, they don't commit sins of the flesh,
So it's pretty fresh.
TODD:
Awful lot of fat.
LOVETT:
Only where it sat.

Today is day 3 of the Burton Chibis 2 previews from Simply B Stamps and I have my favorite song in my head as I type about Mrs Lovett and Sweeney Todd!  (See video clip below for full lyrics!)  My card today features both characters...they are so perfectly Johnny Depp and Helelna Bonham Carter, though I must admit I really like Patti Lapone's version from Broadway (also in a video clip for your perusal!)

My card today uses Jen's sketch for this weeks Deconstructed Challenge:

I used Basic Grey Indie Bloom papers for my card and dies from Lifestyle Crafts (Nesting Circles and Edge It kit)  Ribbon is from my stash.

Be sure to hop over to the Simply B Stamps blog for more eye candy and meat pies....and don't forget to comeback by tonight for another dose of Burton!

Johnny and Helena:

And here's Patti Lupone and George Hearn:

Stampendous! March Shaped Card Challenge

Come join us for a new challenge this month at the  Stampendous blog!  Its all about shaped cards this month!  I chose to use Cowlick Sunflower for my card, so I mimicked the flower shape with a large Scallop circle.  I cut two large rust colored cardstock pieces and one pattern paper of the same size with one of the Nesting Scallop dies from QuicKutz for Lifestyle Crafts.

My gold pattern was cut with a size down, as was the actual card "base".  The base I folded in half then ran through my Epic machine leaving a small bit at the top fold uncut by the die.  I then folded that again in half on the front part to form the front of the easel.

Cowlick was colored in copics, picking up the orange and rusts of my papers from Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket.  I tied a large golden yellow bow (May Arts) and adhered with a craft size glue dot to the upper left of the flower card.  The tag uses a sentiment from Birthday Assortment.  Here's the card laying flat.

And here's cute little Cowlick up close...he's one of many new stamps in the newest character line from Stampendous!  The Cowlick Collection....Mooooo!  How cute is he??

And on the inside of the card I stamped another phrase from BirthdayAssortment and added a sunflower (stamped from the Cowlick Sunflower and cut out).  This is the piece that will catch the front of the card and make it stand up in an easel.

Be sure to go check out what more of our DT has created for you today:

Stampendous Impressions

Pam Hornschu

Cyndi Bundy

Lynn Mercurio

Janelle Stollfus

Kristine Reynolds

Jennifer Ingle

We want YOU to play along with us!  Just add your direct link to your shaped card or project to the linky tool below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than April 5, 2012 at 11:00 PM EST.  You do not have to use Stampendous products to play along, but we sure love it when you do!  And as an extra incentive for playing, one lucky person (drawn at random from all the entries) will receive this gorgeous Cling Jumbo Hollyhock Stamp Set:

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address.  We hope you get a chance to play along with us - happy crafting!