Laid Back Lucy

We're into the hot and humid days of summer here in Maryland. When it's this hot and humid, all I want to do is sit with a nice, cool drink and do nothing. That's exactly what Laid Back Lucy by Digital Delights is doing here:


Check out the Digital Delights by Louby Loo blog for more inspiration from the design team. You won't believe what they have to share!

All DD Stamps Used : Laid Back Lucy
CS and Papers: cardstock by Stampin' Up
Ink: none
Markers: Copic
Access and Embellishments: D'Vine Swirls, Swiss Dot embossing folders (Cuttlebug), Square Lattice embossing folder (Stampin' Up), Cuttlebug, buttons (Stampin' Up), glue dots
Coloring Medium: alcohol markers
Special Techniques: dry embossing

Christmas In July Sale!

Digital Delights is having a Christmas in July sale!!!! Christmas images are 10% off now, so hurry! This sale won't last long!!!

More Circus Capers!

I'm having so much fun "playing" with Digital Delights' new Circus Capers digi-images. Check out what I have for you today- a circus-themed Post-It note holder:


I've had the 3 x 5" acrylic photo frames for what seems like forever, so I decided to finally use one. I've seen so many different Post-It note holder tutorials online, each one being so different from the other. When I saw DD's new Buttons Notice Board image, I thought he'd be perfect for this technique, so, I printed the image out, colored him using my beloved Copic markers, cut the image out and adhered him to the front of the lucite frame. I cut a piece of colorful patterned paper to 3 x 5" and glued that to a piece of white cardstock to give it a little thickness, and put it between the frame. Using redline tape, I adhered the pack of Post-Its to the bottom of the frame being careful not to cover up any of Buttons' cute face. This is a cute, 15-minute project.

I hope you've enjoyed my project for today. Please come back again soon!

Stamps: Buttons Notice Board digi-image (Digital Delights by Louby Loo)
Paper: Neenah 80# white, patterned paper from the Frutti Fusion pack (The Angel Company) Accessories: Copic Markers, 3 x 5" acrylic photo frame (Rite-Aid), Post-It notes, redline tape, Prima flower, glitter brad (Stampin' Up- Bold Brights)

Rainy Day Dilly is a (Digital) Delight!

Thanks for stopping by today!!! I have the cutest image to show you!!!! Meet Dilly...

Close-up:

The image is called Rainy Day Dilly by Digital Delights by Louby Loo. Isn't he the cutest thing??
Rainy Day Dilly is also available in a pre-colored version for your card-making convenience!

Make sure to stop by the Digital Delights blog to check out the other design team members' creations for this week!!

All DD Stamps Used : Rainy Day Dilly, Make a Splash sentiment
CS and Papers: Stampin' Up cardstock, CTMH designer paper
Ink: none
Markers: Copic
Access and Embellishments: Cuttlebug, Round and Scalloped Round Nestabilities, dew drops, Aleen's Jewel It glue. pop dots
Coloring Medium: alcohol markers

"Summer Daze"

Bombshell's "Ms. July", Kathi, challenged us to create a project that reflects what summer means to us AND we were to use a handmade embellishment. Most of you know I ride a motorcycle...summer days are perfect for getting out and riding the back roads on my bike. I like riding when it's hot...the hotter the better, in my opinion! For my "Summer Daze" creation, I decided to use one of Bombshells' fabulous motorcycle images. This bike image is very similar to my actual bike, so I use it often. Here is my card:

For my handmade embellishment, I stamped onto white ribbon using the checkboard image from Bombshell's Vintage Motorcycles set. I hope that handstamped ribbon counts as a "handmade embellishment". Here's a close-up:


The papers that I used represent the colors of the great outdoors...blue for the bright summer sky, green and brown for the trees. There's something to be said about the freedom and relaxation of riding on a summer's day! Hmm, I think I'll go for a ride now!! :)

Stamps: Harley Bikes, Vintage Motorcycles
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue (Stampin' Up!), striped patterned paper (Close to My Heart), GP110 white
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stazon Black
Accessories: Copic Markers, 1" white satin ribbon, clear Dew Drops, Aleen's Jewel It glue

I Have Some "Delight"-ful News!

The circus has come to town!!!!

Digital Delights has just released a circus-themed set called Circus Capers and boy, what a fun set this is!!! Here are a couple samples that I've made using these adorable images:

This little guy is Popcorn the Monkey...I just love him!!

Next, meet Roley the Ringmaster with the Circus Tent:

I also used the Circus Ticket Sentiments on both cards. If you'd like to see more samples using the Circus Capers images please visit the Digital Delights blog here. To order your very own set of Circus Capers, visit the Digital Delights website! Oh, did I mention that there is also a set of Circus-themed digital papers available? I used the yellow diamond paper on my two cards above and for your card-making convenience, most images are available in a colored version, too!

Popcorn the Monkey card:

All DD Stamps Used: Popcorn the Monkey, Circus Ticket Sentiments
CS and Papers: Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, Circus Capers digital paper (Digital Delights)
Ink: Basic Black (for sponging)
Markers: Copic
Access and Embellishments: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, sponge, liquid applique, red stick-on beads (Michael's), 1/4" red satin ribbon (Offray), pop dots
Coloring Medium: alcohol markers

Roley the Ringmaster card:

All DD Stamps Used : Roley the Ringmaster, Circus Ticket Sentiments
CS and Papers: Basic Black, Real Red (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, Circus Capers digital paper (Digital Delights)
Markers: Copic
Access and Embellishments: Cuttlebug, oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, pop dots, gold stick-on beads (Michael's), fine-tip Basic Black marker (Stampin' Up)
Coloring Medium: alcohol markers

My First Digital Delights Post!

Hello! This is my first post as a design team member for Digital Delights by Louby Loo. I've been having SO much fun "playing" with their images! This sweet little girl is Briley...


Did you know that Digitial Delights also offers colored versions of their images?? Check out Briley and her Balloons in the colored version. Perfect for when you need a card quick and don't have time to color the image yourself!

Check out the Digital Delights blog to see what the other design team members have to share!!

All DD Stamps Used : Briley and her Balloons
CS and Papers: Stampin' Up cardstock,
Ink: none
Markers: Copic
Accessories and Embellishments: yellow satin ribbon and white organdy ribbon (Offray), black stick-on beads (Michael's), water balloons, glue dot
Coloring Medium: alchohol-based markers

Bombshell Sketch Challenge- July 2011

Here's the July sketch for Bombshell Stamps' sketch challenge and it's a fun one!

Here's my take on that sketch:

Close-up:

Head on over to the Bombshell Stamps' blog to see the other DT members' take on this fabulous challenge!! We hope that you'll play along with us! Just create a card using Bombshell Stamps following the above sketch and link it to the Sketch post on the Bombshell Stamps' blog using InLinkz. You might even win a prize!!

Stamps: Hula Girl, Hawaiian Girl, Banner Sayings
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Green Galore (Stampin' Up!), GP110 white
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dot embossing folder, D'Vine Swirls embossing folder, Square Lattice embossing folder (Stampin' Up!), Copic Markers, green self-stick gems (Bling IT by Basic Grey)

The Dog Days of Summer...Hoedown #23

The Hambo Hoedown is celebrating the dog days of summer with this adorable Cool Dog digi-image:

Our challenge this week was to use this image BUT...we were to make a ROUND card...no squares, no rectangles allowed! Now, I'm not one to usually read the directions thoroughly...and after reading Leslie's blog and seeing that she made not one but TWO rectangle cards for this challenge before she realized it had to be a ROUND card...I learned by HER mistakes! :) Here is my ROUND card for the Hambo Hoedown #23:

This is the first round card I've ever made. It was fun to do, but I think I need practice!

Now, grab a cold drink of your choice, head on over to the Hambo Challenge Blog, kick back and enjoy the other submissions for this challenge.

Stamps: Cool Dog digi-image (the palm tree is a discard that I found on my desk- Bombshell Stamps)
Ink: Summer Sun for sponging (Stampin' Up)
Papers: Daffodil Delight, Taken With Teal (Stampin' Up), DSP (Basic Grey), Neenah 80# white Accessories: Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers, small black stick-on beads (Michael's)

I Have An Announcement!!!

Woo Hoo! For the last week or so, I've been bursting at the seams with excitement!!! Now, I can finally spill the beans!!! I have been asked to be on the Digital Delights by Louby Loo design team!!!

My term will start on Thursday, July 14th and run through the end of January. If you've never heard of Digital Delights by Louby Loo, go check 'em out!! They have such cute images!!!!! Check back here on Thursday when I post my first card for their Design Team!!

Mark your calendar for the first Thursday of each month- that's NEW RELEASE day for Digital Delights!! Trust me- the images being released on August 4th are SO adorable!!! You won't want to miss out!!

Now, excuse me while I go do cartwheels! YES, I'm THAT excited! :)

THE Michelle Zindorf!

Yesterday, my friends Gloria, Theresa , JoAnn, and I traveled to Owings Mills to take Michelle Zindorf's brayering class! WHAT FUN!! Michelle is a super sweet lady and she taught us everything we could ever want to learn about using a brayer! Most of all, I learned what I'd been doing WRONG all this time. Each time I would try to use a brayer I would end up with "stripes" instead of the nicely faded color like I'd seen others get when they brayered. THAT alone was worth the price of the classes! :) We took both the beginner brayer and advanced brayer classes. We got to make 3 absolutely gorgeous cards in each session.

Here are those cards.
Beginner Class- our "warming up" card





Advanced Class:






Here are a couple of pictures from the class:



Gloria listening intently:



Me with Michelle Zindorf:


"The Meade Girls" meet Michelle Zindorf!! JoAnn, me, Michelle, Gloria, and Theresa:

A BIG thanks to Lorie Moses for opening her house to us and hosting the classes! If you ever get the chance to attend one of Michelle's brayering class I highly recommend that you do! You will NOT be sorry!!!!

Spotlighted!

A BIG thank you to Elizabeth O. Dulemba of Coloring Page Tuesdays for spotlighting my Get Well Fishes card in her weekly newsletter!! If you haven't already, go check out her amazing art work...and she gives it away for FREE!!! She's also just started a card gallery on her site where people can upload their creations made with her images! You might want to sign up for her weekly newsletter so that you can keep up with any new images!

Cracked Glass Tutorial

I recently challenged the Bombshell Design Team to use a technique that they have never tried before. This challenge was more to challenge myself. I usually don't try new techniques...I usually stay with what I know. I decided to try the Cracked Glass Technique. I've been wanting to try this for SO long, but for some reason, I never did. I even bought the UTEE, which has been sitting collecting dust for years!! So, this was my opportunity to give this technique a go!

Here's the card that I made using this technique:

Close up to show the "cracking"

I don't know WHY I wanted so long to try it...it was SO easy to do and I love the antiqued look that it gives to the image. I thought Bombshell's Retro Cowgirl was the perfect image to use with this technique. What do you think?

Here is a quick tutorial of how to do it in case you're interested in giving it a go...

Cracked Glass Technique

1. Stamp image onto cardstock.
2. Color image as desired.
3. Cut image to desired size.
4. Coat entire image panel evenly using Versark or Embossing pad.
5. Sprinkle UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) evenly over image.
6. Using heat gun, heat until melted.
7. While image is hot, sprinkle with another layer of UTEE (if image
has cooled, just reink with Versamark or Embossing pad).
8. Heat until melted.
9. Repeat several times until image is completely smooth.
10. Place in freezer for 2-3 minutes or until completely cooled.
11. Remove from freezer (image might be warped at this time but that’s okay!)
12. Gently bend image to crack the glaze. Repeat until you’re happy with the
way it looks.

If desired, rub dark brown ink across the image to show the cracks more. Adhere image to card as desired.

**If you need a “visual” tutorial, check out Split Coast Stampers’ Cracked Glass Tutorial here. They have pictures AND a video!

Make sure to stop by the Bombshell Stamps' blog to see what new and exciting techniques the Design Team has to show!

Stamps: Retro Cowgirl (Bombshell Stamps)
Paper: Cranberry Crisp, Creamy Caramel, Summer Sun, Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!), star patterned paper by KCCompany
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug, oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, Copic Markers, star brads (Stampin' Up!), Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, heat gun, sponge

The Hambo Hoedown is in the DOGHOUSE!!

This week's challenge is to use the DOGHOUSE BLUES digi-image and incorporate a dog tag, dog bone, or metal charm onto our card or project. The DOGHOUSE BLUES image comes with the doghouse and 3 sentiments- I Miss You, Feeling 'Ruff'? and Hope you're better soon! I decided to crop down the Feeling 'Ruff' sentiment to just Ruff and use it as a name sign on the front of the doghouse. My little dog, Ruff, is looking pretty sad and lonely, isn't he? He must REALLY be missing his human.

Close up:

I think my card turned out pretty cute..., but...while I was making my card, I had a brain storm...or brain fart, not sure which! ;) Anyway, my idea was to make a dogbone gift bag. Now, please keep in mind that this is a working prototype...well, it's more like a hot mess...

In theory, it's a cute idea, but I definitely need to work out a lot of kinks! First of all, I should have but the "box" part of the bag a little higher so that it doesn't show at the bottom of the bone...secondly, I would have attached the handle with just brads so that it would move (I used redline tape AND brads...) Thirdly, I'll have to figure out another way to attach the "To and From" bone tag. I'm not too crazy about how it's attached to the handle. My idea is to make a batch of Puppy Chow (recipe to follow- just in case you're interested!), put a cup or so into a clear cello bag, tie it up and put it in the box. HEY! I could tie the tag onto the bag when I tie it up!! Woo Hoo! I'm cooking with gas now! :)

So, there you go- my cute little card and my hot mess brain storm...

If you'd like to see what everyone else is doing with this adorable image, head on over to the Hoedown Challenge blog here. You can even play along and earn FREE digi-images!!! You don't have to use this image to play- just make sure you use a HAMBO stamp or digi-image on your project and include a metal charm. Have fun!!

Cute Little Doghouse Card:

Stamps: Doghouse Blues digi-image (Hambo Stamps), the dogbone I found online and shrunk it to fit
Ink: Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!) for sponging
Papers: Cranberry Crisp, Summer Sun (Stampin' Up!), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper unknown
Accessories: Copic Markers, pop dots, 1/16" hole punch, antiqued copper brad, thin hemp, sponge

Hot Mess Dogbone Gift Bag:

Stamps: Doghouse Blues digi-image (Hambo Stamps), same dogbone that I found online
Ink: Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!) for sponging
Papers: Very Vanilla, Real Red, brown and white DSP (Stampin' Up!), Neenah 80# white
Accessories: Copic Markers, 1/16" hole punch, 1/8" hole punch, small antiqued brass brad, large antiqued brass brads, redline tape, sponge

Recipe for Puppy Chow:

Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex cereal squares
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate; add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until coated.
Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add coated cereal and shake until well coated. Store in airtight container.