My 2013 Blog Year In Review

I spent some time reviewing my 2013 blog posts and sadly my blogging shows that my health has been poorly this year.  Unfortunately I was not able to meet many of my design team commitments.  I'm grateful to the design teams of Crafts and Me Stamps, the Digi Bells of Elisabeth Bell's Designs and the lovely ladybugs of Ladybug Crafts Ink who have been patient with me while I recover as they have allowed me to continue to participate on their teams whenever I can.  I am on the mend and expect to show more projects in 2014 as I enjoy being part of introducing more of their amazing images.

I began the year as a more-experienced blogger. I continue to be inspired by you uber-talented artists who show work that I've come to know and love.  Some of my favorite 2013 occasions and projects are included below.  Basic card art rocks and fancy folds and other projects are especially fun and exciting to see!  I still enjoy my classically-shabby style - LOL!!!

There are five individual cards shown below so I enter this post in Debby's My Favourite Five of 2013 for a chance to win her fabulous favorite things candy.  (You can click on each pic to link to the posts for more details.)

Enter until Jan. 11, 2014

In January, I enjoyed rockin' in the New Year with KennyK's ElenaK . . .

February shows my use of the lovely Martini Nikki and several of my coordinating handmade flowers that I really love to make . . .

In March I was officially crowned as a Ladybug with a beautiful tiara - LOL!!!  This tag using Queen of Hearts seemed appropriate to celebrate.

I had way too much fun adding stamped seasonal scenery through the window of Window Seat Billie and paper-piecing drapes to coordinate . . . (winter, spring, summer, fall)

In May, I played around with Photoshop until I learned how to merge digital images.  This example shows Geraldine in Paris . . .

I struggled through the Summer but was able to begin Christmas-time cards using this 'Twas the Night Before Christmas image . . .

I was honored to accept a guest design team spot at Sweet Stampin' for the month of September then sadly I was unable to meet their needs for my final week.  I did however add my first "no lines technique" on a scenic side-step card . . .

When MiC and LMM hosted their first Graffiti Party, I couldn't wait to challenge myself by using their urban images and created my first screen card . . .

Finally in December, I got inky and messy and had a ton of fun working on this alcohol-inked, stamped, ornament-window tag . . .

While I've been unwell, unmotivated and less than creative, it's been another wonderful year in papercrafting and blogging.

I am ever grateful for your kind words, encouragement and inspiration throughout 2013.

Here's wishing you a happy and healthy New Year that's overflowing with all good things!



As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Card Art with Copics: Ladybug Crafts Ink Gossip Jess

Ladybug Crafts Ink carries a fabulous line of The Teenagers digital images featuring Jess and Josh.  I've used Gossip Jess to share loving birthday wishes.  You can find Gossip Jess here.

Here's a closer view of my Copic-filled image . . .

I've layered Bazzill white, dark and light pink with Wild Rose Studio Spring Fling paper stack patterns to form my twisted easel card.  Faux stitching provides a nice contrasting border.  Lifestyle Crafts Large Circles dies frame my image.  Wyla white ruffled lace adds a delicate touch.  A Stampin' Up! sentiment from a Sincere Salutations set is popped up in one corner while Zva Creative pink pearls and Marianne Design's Branch Forest adorn the others.  A pretty open-winged lady bug from an Elizabeth Die peeks out from a variety of handmade flowers, made from Punch Bunch punches that surround my image.

Here's a view of my card front that includes my layered flowers lightly painted with Diamond Stickles for sparkle.

This view shows the inside that includes a moving Birthday Love Peace stamped sentiment from Endless Creations.  I've lightly embellished with a Marianne Designs Branch Forest, an Elizabeth Dies closed wing lady bug and a handmade yellow paper white flower with a pearl in its center.

Here's a view of my twisted easel card, open and ready for displaying loving birthday wishes . . .



I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Ladybug Crafts Ink "Think Pink" (here)
One Stitch at a Time "Anything Goes" (here)
Tuesday Throwdown "Anything Goes" (here)
Fab 'n Funky "What's Inside" (here)
Charisma Cardz "Anything Goes" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "An Eye for Detail" (here)
Craft Us Crazy "Use Your Favorites" (here) - handmade flowers!
Bunny Zoe's "Flowers and Pearls" (here)
ABC Challenge "H is for Happy Birthday" (here)
Marianne's Design Divas "Favorite Colors" (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
pants, book - R81, R83, R85, R89
shirt - RV91, RV93, RV95, RV99
phone, book - BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18
book pages, bed cover - E42, E40, 0
airbrushed background - Y00, E41, R01


As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

Card Art with Copics: Ladybug Crafts Ink Martini Nikki

Ladybug Crafts Ink carries a fabulous line of clear and digital stamp images illustrated by Allan McConnachie called Nikki & Friends.  I've used Martini Nikki on an encouraging card for a dear friend.  You can get your own digital Martini Nikki here.

Here's a closer view of my Copic-filled image . . .

I've added layers of KaiserCraft These Days Collection Ancestry double-sided patterned paper to Bazzill Straw (cream) and Java (dark brown) cardstock to form my side open card.  A Cheery Lynn Designs Waltzing Matilda Lace Doily die cut adds a delicate edge.  A sentiment from a Hero Arts Clear Woodland Creatures set is stamped directly over the airbrushed background of my image.  A Basic Grey button tied with bakers twine lies in the center of a pretty bow formed by a strip of an Offray 7/8" French Block Brown and Blue ribbon.  A few more Basic Grey small buttons knotted with bakers twine adorn the other corner.

When my card is nearly complete and I'm ready to embellish, I like to use my card scraps for forming coordinating handmade flowers using Punch Bunch and other punches.  Here I've used Punch Bunch daisies in large, medium and small; suns in mini and small; small birch leaf; medium dusty miller leaf and large oak leaf.  This photo shows how I begin to prepare my flower elements for layering . . .

Here's a view of my card front that includes my layered flowers lightly painted with Star Dust Stickles for sparkle . . . How lucky was I to attend the 7th anniversary of my favorite local scrapbook store, The Scrappers Cove in Milltown, New Jersey, and find this fabulous Elizabeth Dies Lady Bug die!  Can you spot the one with open wings that is the perfect size for adding to this Ladybug Crafts Ink card art?

This view shows the inside that includes a wonderful and cheerful sentiment from a Stampin' Up! Happy Hour set.  I've lightly embellished with a QuicKutz martini glass die cut and another less poofy layered daisy to have the other Elizabeth Dies closed wing lady bug peek out from.

 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly "Sketch #75 by Dawny P" (here)
Crafty Sentiments "Buttons and Bows" (here)
Tuesday Throwdown "Bling It On" (here)
Tuesday Alchemy "Anything Goes" (here)
Ladybug Crafts Ink "Girly/Female" (here)
Divas by Design "Colors:  Blue, Brown, Cream" (here)
Simon Says Stamp! "Anything Goes" (here)
Totally Paper Crafts "Make Your Own Embellishments" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "A Different Corner" (here)
One Stop Craft "Anything Goes" (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
poodle - E40, E42, E44, 0
pants, couch base - E84, E87, E89
couch, dog bed - BG90, BG93, BG96, BG99
top - E30, E31, E34
airbrushed background - Y02, E42, BG93, speckles E44, BG99



As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose