Crafts and Me Challenge: Ribbons

The Dynamite Digi team at Crafts and Me Challenges wants to see ribbon on your projects. The lovely Teresa of Crafts and Me Stamps is offering a whopping SIX digi images to the winner of a randomly selected entry. Find out more about this challenge here.

I've used a wonderful and recently released digi stamp by Hannah Lynn named Violet.  This photo shows a view of my Copic-filled mermaid image.

I added a layer of Bo Bunny's Timepiece Collection patterned paper to cranberry and brown Bazzill cardstock.  A bit of Offray's Holiday Sentiments Ribbon wraps around a Martha Stewart Rings punched border.  A Stampin' Up! sentiment from the Circle of Friendship set adds a cheery holiday hello.

Prima's Say It In Pearls and Marianne Design Creatables Decorative Elegance add a swirly touch to the Mulberry Paper Mini Roses by Recollections.  This photo shows the completed holiday card front using Violet mermaid by Hannah Lynn.

Stop by the Crafts and Me Challenge blog (here) to see some of the other beautiful images available through Crafts and Me Stamps and enter your ribbon project.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly Sketch Challenge (here)
Anything Goes Flowers Challenge (here)
Ooh La La Creations Circles Challenge (here)
Craft Your Passion Christmas in July Challenge (here)
One Stitch At A Time Pearls and Swirls Challenge (here)
Totally Gorjuss Punch or Die Challenge (here)
Crafty Creations Christmas in July Challenge (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, V01
wooden piling - E31, E35, E47, W3, W5
rope - E53, E55, E57
hair - E31, E35, E47
eyes/moon - G12, G14, G17
outfit/tail - R22, R29, R59
airbrushed background - E53, E57

Card Calendar Organizer Book

I'm still searching for a card holder that makes me happy.  I need something that will help me to organize and protect my store-bought and special handmade cards that will also inspire me to actually mail them.

I came across this Card Calendar Organizer Book that I put together a while ago and thought I'd share it with you.  This was alot of fun to make.  I think I'll give it another try and see if I can make good use of it.

The tropical tones of Creative Imaginations Christine Adolph South Seas Island Bloom and Kimono Breeze and Bazzill cardstock tie together beautifully with May Arts 1" wide Navy ribbon.  This wonderful 9x9" book is held together using Bind-It-All 3/4" coils.

It houses monthly pocket calendar pages with extra pockets for get well, congratulations, thank you and sympathy cards. QuicKutz tabs and calendar phrases die cuts help to clearly mark the pages.

The monthly calendar pages include reminders for monthly birthstones and flowers.

I've also included an anniversary gift page with a list of traditional and modern gifts.

I don't recall why I stopped using this Card Calendar Organizer Book.  It seems to have very helpful elements to it.  I'll have to find out what blocks me from storing my cards inside these colorful pockets and make adjustments where needed.

How do you organize and store your cards?

Enchanting Card Set: Card - Crafts and Me Shiitake and Oregano

As I finish putting together my coordinated Enchanting Card Set, I've added a Birthday card using this Crafts and Me Shiitake and Oregano digi image by artist Sara Burrier.

This is one of a few cards that will be enclosed in my card set's folder found here, so I've kept my embellishments very light.  Other coordinating all occasion cards can be found here and here.

When completing a card set, consistency with the pieces of the set is very important. I've used a similar layout as well as the same colors, papers and embellishments to match my card set's folder and other cards. Antique Gold Satin Ribbon knotted on the border, Bazzill Basics Walnut jewels at two corners and a negative mask formed from a Spellbinders scalloped oval for an airbrushed backround provide the simple consistency that makes this piece easily recognized as belonging to this card set.

This photo shows the completed card front for one of the cards that I've added to my Enchanting Card Set using Crafts and Me digital images.

Here's the completed card set that will make a lovely handmade gift . . .

The cards, with envelopes, fit into the folder so nicely . . .

I'm entering this card at the following listed challenges:
Craft Your Passion's Text It Challenge (here)
Dream Valley's Summer Theme Challenge (here)
Allsorts Free and Easy Challenge (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
leaves - G82, G85, G99
mushroom stem - Y13, Y26, Y28
mushroom cap - E70, E71, E74, E79
wings - N1, FYR1, Opaque White
clothing - BG53, B45, V95, Y00
airbrushed background - Y00, BG000, B00, V000

Copic Creations Challenge: Pastel Colors

The Copic goddesses at the Copic Creations Challenge blog want to see your pastel-colored Copic creations.  Sparkle Creations is sponsoring this challenge and offering Swimming Lucy and Surfing Oliver stamps as a prize to a randomly selected entry.  Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

The wonderful Sparkle of Sparkle Creations provided me with this cool image of Scooter Chloe to show my use of Copic pastel colors.  Here she is in her soft, delicate hues . . .

To create my gatefold card, I used Bazzill lavender, tan and pink bling with some TPC Studio Sweet Beginnings Baby Girl Word Medley and Animal Dot double-sided patterned paper.  Spellbinders scalloped circles and QuicKutz circles add a decorative element to the front with some Zva crystals, a Recollections wild rose, a couple of Wild Orchid Crafts mini roses and Martha Stewart rose leaf punches.  Marianne Designs Creatables Decorative Elegance die cuts add some pizzazz to the flower bunch.  This photo shows the front of my gatefold card when closed:

To do something different, rather than use my image on the front of my card, I decided to place the image on the inside of my card.  I like the idea of opening the card's folds to find a surprise inside.

I've added a small pocket to the inside of the left fold that will fit a book mark, tag or a place to write a little note.  The right fold is left blank.  The image takes center stage.  Here's how the full card looks when opened:

I've attempted to create the look of movement by airbrushing the background of the image using torn paper masks.

Stop by the Copic Creations Challenge blog (here) to see some of the other fun images available through Sparkle Creations and enter your pastel-colored Copic creation.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Sparkle Creations 1st Anniversary Throwback Challenge (here)
Cute Card Thursday Going Round In Circles Challenge (here)
Totally Paper Crafts Girlie Girl Challenge (here)
Anything Goes More Than One Fold Challenge (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
scooter, helmet - R0000, R00, R02
dress - YG61, YG63, YG67
scarf - BV0000, BV00, BV02
grounding shadow - W00, W1, W3
airbrushed background - YG61, E11

Enchanting Card Set: Card - Crafts and Me Child of Healing

The Dynamite Digi team at Crafts and Me Challenges wants to see your Summertime projects. The lovely Teresa of Crafts and Me Stamps is offering SIX digi images to the winner of a randomly selected entry. Find out more about this challenge here.

I've added another all occasion card to my coordinated Enchanting Card Set.  This time I've used Crafts and Me Stamps' Child of Healing by artist Sara Burrier.

As this is one of a few cards that will be enclosed in my card set's folder found here, I've kept my embellishments very light.  Another all occasion card can be found here.

When completing a card set, consistency with the pieces of the set is very important. I've used a similar layout as well as the same colors, papers and embellishments to match my card set's folder and other card. Antique Gold Satin Ribbon knotted on the border, Bazzill Basics Walnut jewels at two corners and a negative mask formed from a Spellbinders scalloped oval for an airbrushed backround provide the simple consistency that makes this piece easily recognized as belonging to this card set.

This photo shows the completed card front for another card that is now part of my Enchanting Card Set using Crafts and Me digital images.

I'm entering this card at the following listed challenges:
Simon Says Stamp!'s Anything Goes Challenge here
Flutter By Wednesday's Photo Inspiration Challenge here



Featured "Top 5" July 24, 2011 Flutter By Wednesday

 



Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
leaves - G82, G85, G99
gown - Y13, Y26, Y28
flowers in hair - N1, FYR1
wings - BG53, B45, V95, Y00
doves - E41, 0
airbrushed background - Y00, BG000, B00, V000

Enchanting Card Set: Card - Crafts and Me Morning Glories

As part of my coordinated Enchanting Card Set, I've added an all occasion card using this Crafts and Me Morning Glories digi image by artist Sara Burrier.

Since this is one of a few cards that will be enclosed in my card set's folder found here, I've kept my embellishments very light.

When completing a card set, consistency with the pieces of the set is very important.  I've used a similar layout as well as the same colors, papers and embellishments to match my card set's folder.  Antique Gold Satin Ribbon knotted on the border, Bazzill Basics Walnut jewels at two corners and a negative mask formed from a Spellbinders scalloped oval for an airbrushed backround provide the simple consistency that makes this piece easily recognized as belonging to this card set.

This photo shows the completed card front for this addition to my Enchanting Card Set using Crafts and Me digital images.

I'm entering this card at the following listed challenges:
One Stop Craft Summer Time Challenge here
Stampin' for the Weekend Wings and Things Challenge here
Totally Gorjuss Summertime Challenge here
One Stitch At A Time Anything Goes Challenge here
Flutter By Wednesday's Open Challenge here


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
flower stems - G82, G85, G99
dress, flute - Y13, Y26, Y28
wings - N1, FYR1, Opaque White
flowers - BG53, B45, V95, Y00
airbrushed background - Y00, BG000, B00, V000

Enchanting Card Set: Folder - Crafts and Me Old Log

It's been a while since I've put together one of these coordinated card sets.  I see so many possibilities with this great Old Log background digi image by Crafts and Me Stamps that I wanted to give it its very own space on the cover of an Enchanting Card Set Folder.

This marvelous Old Log image can be home to fairies, gnomes and woodland creatures of all types and sizes.  It can also stand alone as I've shown here:

I tweaked the measurements for making the flat folder from a Connie McCotter card set as published in July 2010's CardMaker magazine to allow more room for embellished cards to fit inside.  With an added 1/2" binding edge, the layered and lightly embellished cards placed inside won't be squashed, especially when envelopes are included with the card set.

Antique Gold satin ribbon, threaded through eyelets and across the inside of the folder, holds the card set in place and adds a beautiful decorative touch.  Here's how the inside of the folder looks with just the ribbon showing.  The ribbon helps to secure everything, including the cards and envelopes that will slide behind the ribbon on both sides of the folder.

I used Parchment Ivory Cardstock from The Paper Company to create my Enchanting Card Set Folder.  It's a beautiful creamy color with lots of varied texture.  This sturdy cardstock makes a nice enclosure for several cards and envelopes.  The remaining ribbon extensions make a wonderful large bow on the side of the folder that literally ties it all together.

With folder measurements of 5 1/2" wide and 8" tall, this Enchanting Card Set will make a nice gift too.  Three or more A2 size (5 1/2" tall x 4 1/4" wide) cards with matching envelopes will fit inside.

Check back soon to see what images I've used on the cards that coordinate with my Enchanting Card Set Folder . . .

I'm entering this card set folder at the following listed challenge blogs:
Papertake Weekly Anything Goes Challenge here
Dream Valley Ribbon Challenge here
The Emerald Faerie Garden Sugar and Spice All Things Girlie Challenge here
Craft Your Passion Anything Goes Challenge here
One Stitch at a Time Use a Digi Challenge here


Copics used:
log - E31, E35, E47
foliage - G82, G85, G99
flowers - N1, FYR1, Y13, Y26, Y28
mushroom caps - BG53, B45, V95, Y00
mushroom base - Y13, Y26, Y28
airbrushed background - Y00, BG000, B00, V000

Crafts and Me Stamps: Felicia Mermaid + Shiitake and Oregano

I'm so excited to have accepted an invitation to join the Dynamite Digi Design Team of Crafts and Me Stamps! I have been admiring the magnificent work of these very talented and inspiring artists for quite some time and I feel so privileged to join them in their adventures.

Teresa at Crafts and Me Stamps carries an incredible selection of fantasy art images.  Something magical happens when I work with these images from magnificent artists like Ching-Chou Kuik, Sarah Burrier, Jasmine Becket-Griffith, Molly Harrison and Hannah Lynn.  My hands may be busy but my mind is at ease.  Worries are lifted.  I can relax and feel free to add color without restrictions since anything is acceptable in fantasy art.  The sizes of these images easily allow them to be the focal point of many projects without taking too much time to complete.  Relax and enjoy . . . it just doesn’t get any better than this – LOL!!!

This photo shows how I’ve used the newly released mermaid Felicia by Hannah Lynn.  I've included Best Creation's Surf's Up patterned paper with a Hero Arts sentiment, Punch Bunch medium dusty miller leaves, Petaloo's Color Me Crazy Wild Rose, Wild Orchid Crafts small roses and other colored roses.

The dimensions of this lovely, also newly released, Shiitake and Oregano image by Sara Burrier are perfect for including a handy removable bookmark from this pocket card.  I've used Bo Bunny's A Gift of Love Believe Peace patterned paper, Fiskars border punch, QuicKutz flourishes, a sentiment by Penny Black on the bookmark, another sentiment by Stamps on Fire on the card front, McGill's fern punch, and Wild Orchid Crafts roses airbrushed with Copic colors.

Here's the removable bookmark:

The Crafts and Me Stamps Dynamite Digi team and the Rockin' Rubbah team alternate weekly challenges here.  Why not give yourself a chance to win some awesome prizes while improving your card-making skills?  Pop over to find the latest challenge and submit your entry.

I'm entering these cards at the following listed challenge blogs:
Sir Stampalot's July Anything Goes Challenge here
Allsorts July Free and Easy Challenge here
Stamp Something July Digi Day Challenge here
Crafty Catz July Colours of Summer Challenge here
Secret Crafter July Here Comes Summer Challenge here

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47

Felicia
mermaid tail, top - BV00, Y32, R43, YR65, 0
shell - C1, C3, C5
fish - BV00, G20, BG11, YR02
outline shadow - C2
airbrushed sea - E11, Y11, YG11, BG11, BG49, BG78
leaves, shells, starfish, etc. - G20, G21, G24, E30, E35, E39, BG11, BG49

Shiitake and Oregano
dress - B91, B95, B97
stockings - R83, R85, R89, N1
wings - B95, B91, R85, R83, G85, G82
leaves - G82, G85, G99
mushroom - E70, E74, E77, 23, Y26, Y28, E51, E53, E57
outline shadow - C3
airbrushed background - clouds B93, ground G85, G82
grass - G82, G85, G94, G99

Copic Creations Challenge: White Clothing

White clothing isn't completely white.  There are still shadows and reflective tones to be seen.  Usually the shadows of white clothing are gray.  However, since white is such a reflective color, the colors that surround the white clothing will effect the color tones of that white clothing.  With all that said, there's some thinkin' to do before you add your color to your image to portray white clothing.  Don't worry, it won't hurt too much - LOL!!!

The Copic Creations Challenge design team wants to see your white clothing.  La-La Land is sponsoring this challenge and offering a $25 gift certificate for use at the La-La Land Crafts online store as a prize to a randomly selected entry.  Find out more about this challenge and the sponsor here.

The lovely Irina from La-La Land graciously provided me with this fabulous Formal Luka image to show my use of Copic colors to dress him in white.  Here's where the thinkin' comes in.  When I picture Luka outside with a bright blue sky, I want to portray that blue sky reflecting from his crisp, clean white suit; so, while my shadowed areas of his suit are gray, I also added a thin line of a very light blue to the edges of the image and faded it with the colorless blender to soften those edges.  This photo shows just my Formal Luka in his cool white suit.

Cool-toned Formal Luka

My trellis can not be complete without some climbing roses so I added some QuicKutz flourishes and some satin roses.  A few Punch Bunch birch leaves and a white berry branch add more dimension.  Painted Diamond Stickles adds lively shimmer and a grosgrain ribbon bow compliments Luka's white suit.  This Art Gone Wild! sentiment seemed to fit Formal Luka perfectly.

The first time that I saw Luka, I immediately thought that he'd make a wonderful addition to a wedding party as a ring bearer and I pictured him at an outside gazebo.  Instead I found some inspiration from Christina and made some adjustments to her lovely trellis card that I found here.  I cut 18 Bazzill Avalanche strips to 1/4" wide that were just 6 1/2" long to create the trellis on this 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card.  The border/frame of my card is also just about 1/4".

I adhered my Formal Luka to a piece of Bazzill black then cut around the image so that when the trellis card is open, only the silhouette of Luka will show.  Because the inside of the card will show through the trellis, I adhered a layer of American Crafts I Do Gerber Daisies pastel colored patterned paper.  Here's how the inside of the trellis looks . . .

Finally, this photo shows the completed card front showing this handsome little La-La Land Formal Luka dressed in his best white suit.

To further explain what I mean about "there's some thinkin' to do," I'm adding this photo of  La-La Land's image of Flying Witch Rosie.  While she is a very good witch, all dressed in white, she'll fly through the dark sky of night, so as not to worry anyone.  The dark sky color that surrounds Rosie will effect the tones of her white clothing, so the shadows of her white clothing are gray with a thin line of violet at the edges of the image.  See how different her white clothing looks?  The mood conveyed with Rosie is significantly different even though the technique is the same.

Warm-toned Flying Witch Rosie

I was inspired by Melanie Muenchinger's Swing Card as seen in Interactive Cards and found La-La Land's Flying Witch Rosie perfectly suited for this fun card.  Webster's Pages Hollywood Vogue Shine a Light provided a nice background.  This Seaside Stampin' Ink sentiment made a nice match for this fantastic image.

How will you portray your white clothing?  Will your image be surrounded by sunny yellow, watery blue-green, cool sky blue, glowing rosy with light pink, or naturally vintage with warm brown?  Convey the mood of the image with your choice of color and add grays only to the deepest, darkest shaded areas.  Add your entry here and show us what color you select to highlight your image's white clothing.  We're looking forward to you sharing your Copic Creations with us!

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93
hair - E31, E34, E39, E47
Formal Luka suit - B21, C3, C5, 0
Flying Witch Rosie clothing - V91, W1, W3, 0
broom, cat - E30, E31, E34, E39
eyes - BG78, BG70