BIG NEWS!!!!

I have been working hard to bring this idea to life  & I hope you will all join me in the journey. Please check it out!!! 

7 Kids College Fund Challenge #39 - Love is in the Air!

As Valentine's Day quickly approaches we're getting ready for those valentines by challenging you to make 3x3 cards using the theme Love is in the Air! 7 kids college fund has the perfect envelopes for these cards so you don't have to make your own. These are the perfect size to make with your kids for all those school valentines. Be sure to check out the 7 kids college fund blog for more ideas from the DT!

I had a lot of fun with my card. I first embossed it with Tim Holtz Postcard Texture Folder and rubbed Tim Holtz Distress Ink Broken China on top. Then using different patterns from Echo Park Be Mine Collection I cut out my hearts using Spellbinders Scallop Hearts. I glued them together leaving the sides popped with Helmar 450 Quick Dry. I wanted to stitch it but I don't have a sewing machine easily accessible so that is another option. The sentiment comes for the sticker pack of the Echo Park Be Mine Collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tiddly Inks Blog Hop - Friends are the flowers of life!

I love it when a company opens up a blog hop for all it's fans! And when I saw Tiddly Inks released a new character line called Wryn & Friends - well, I KNEW I had to purchase 1 (or 5) and make a card for the special hop today. Be sure to check out the Tiddly Inks Challenge blog for a list of everyone participating. 

I am a huge fan of Tiddly Inks but haven't had much time to create just for the sake of creating - this card I did just that. I used Wryn - Close to my Heart. I printed her on Copic Xpress It Cardstock and colored her with Copics. The paper is Basic Grey Out of Print and the lace & seam binder come from Creating is Fun. I JUST got this new rolled paper flower die by CC Designs and I'm having SO much fun with it. It makes the perfect rolled rose each and every time. I will be posting a video tutorial next week so be sure the check back or subscribe to my youtube channel so you won't miss it. :D

I actually used a new green combination for me, G14 & YG13 and I think I'm in love with it now. I also used a new RED combination as I just added 6 new colors to my R family this week, so for the heart I used R12, R14, R17 & R29. I have to be honest, I haven't loved an image like this in a long time. I have a feeling you will be seeing a LOT of Wryn & Friends on my blog!

Well, I want to keep it short & sweet as there is a VERY long list of blogs to hop through. I can't wait to get started myself. I'm bound to be inspired and learn a few things along the way.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Wryn - Close to my Heart Tiddly Ink digital image
• Basic Grey Out of Print Collection
• Copics: Skin - E000, E00, E11, R20, R01; Hair - E74, E77, E49; Dress - YG13, G14; Heart - R12, R14, R17, R29, YR23, YR0000; Shoes - C4, C6, C8, C1, BG10
• CC Designs Rolled Paper Flower Die
• Basic Grey Rub Ons
• Creating is Fun Lace & Seam Binding
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• Helmar Tape Runner & Helmar Zap Dots

Beautiful bows with May Arts & Helmar!

Be sure to stop by the Helmar Blog each day this week for incredible inspiration using May Arts Ribbons!!

I loved this gorgeous sheer ribbon that has a wire built into it to help it keep its shape. It makes the most beautiful puffy bows! The perfect adhesive for sheer ribbon is Helmar 450 Quick Dry - b/c it's super thick and dries so fast, so clear, your ribbon is going to be the steal of your layout, not your adhesive! I used this super adorable WS-Matilda by The Greeting Farm. She is so much fun to color and I love the way her hair turned out - it was a new hair color I tried using C4, C6, C8 & RV66 all over. The paper is one of my favorites right now by Authentique. I love their 6x6 paper pads for making cards and small layouts like this. I used Helmar Tape Runner to adhere all the paper including the doily behind sweet Matilda which I got at Creating is Fun (which btw everything is currently 15% off). You can probably tell from the cut off calendar that this is a page in the Birthday Calendar I had been working on FOREVER - Finally finished it this past weekend and now I just have to figure out the Bind-it-All so I can finally give it to my mama!!! 


Be sure to check out THIS POST for THREE chances to win 2 spools of ribbon from May Arts and the best adhesive to use with ribbon Helmar 450 Quick Dry!!!


Thanks for stopping by!


Challenges I'm Playing:


Supplies:

• Helmar 450 Quick Dry & Tape Runner
• May Arts Ribbon
• WS-Matilda stamp by The Greeting Farm
• Copics
• Authentique
• Creating is Fun Doily
• PaperTrey Ink Vintage Button & Vintage Twine

Trying something new with something old!

Hi everyone! Most of you know my coloring medium of choice would be Copic Markers but every once in awhile I will venture out with something  new. Today I colored my image using Faber-Castell colored pencils and I colored on canvas paper. Whoa, watch out! LOL I finally finished this birthday calendar project and I just need to figure out how to use the Bind-it-all machine I bought last year so I can put it together!

The image is from the Special Autumn set by The Greeting Farm available now at 7 Kids College Fund!! I think my favorite part of this image are her cute little boots!!! The papers and chipboard are all Bella Blvd. I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry to make sure the chipboard would stick as my mom will be using this calendar over and over. This is what I created for the month of December hence all the cute fall papers. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Saturated Canary Challenge No. 8 - Clean and Simple!

It's a new year and we are already on Challenge No. 8 for Saturated Canary!! Can you believe it - week after week you knock our socks off with your beautiful creations with Krista Smiths adorable images. This week, we're challenging you to a Clean & Simple card. As you can see, this is about as Clean and Simple as I can get and there are STILL 3 layers on here NOT counting the twine! *giggle* I adore this ragamuffin called Penelope & Posey. So adorable!! Reminds me of my daughter so much balancing that lil rabbit on her head. See, my daughter has a lovie that is a bunny that she takes with her EVERYWHERE!!! Well, she used to, now all loves must remain home b/c we had too many close calls when she was a baby leaving it at stores and such. LOL Funny how my girls have taken up lovies but my son is just content sucking his thumb - actually I think I AM his lovie. and I'd like to remain so for quite awhile!!! 

Anyhoo, I hope you will join us at Saturated Canary Challenges and you will NOT want to miss a special announcement on Saturday.....just saying' it's gonna be good and a LOT of you will NOT WANT TO MISS OUT!!!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Supplies:

• Saturated Canary Digital Image Penelope & Posey
• Papertrey Ink Cardstock
• Authentique Paper
• Helmar Tape Runner
• Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream Twine
• Copics
• Copic Xpress It Cardstock

7 Kids College Fund Challenge #38 & Exciting news!!!

I am super excited to announce that I am part of 7 Kids College Fund DT for the next 6 months!!! They are one of my favorite places to purchase supplies online with amazing customer service & pricing.

I am kicking off my term with my project for Challenge #38 which is Try Something New! My something new is coloring on TRACING paper, yep, I remember this as an option when we I took my certification class and have never tried it until now. I picked up a cheap pad of tracing paper and stamped Blush Babette with memento tuxedo black. I actually colored on the opposite side of where I stamped so as not to have any issues with bleeding etc. It was fun and I'll definitely be trying it again! 

You can check out the new DT announcement HERE and be sure to check out the 7 Kids Challenge blog to play along with us this week! I'm really excited for this new opportunity!!!

Supplies:

• The Greeting Farm Blush Babette Stamp
• Sassafrass Paper
• Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Stickers
• Copics
• Helmar 450 Quick Dry & V2
• Creating is Fun Doily
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher & Distres Ink
• Memento Ink Tuxedo Black

Creating is Fun - Exciting Announcement!!

I am so excited to finally let the cat out of the bag that I will be designing for a good friend and incredibly talented lady, Martha Pineda who carries the most fabulous trims,  embellishments and more at Creating is Fun. I literally HOARD her trims because they are so unique and gorgeous but I'm going to try to be better at USING them to inspire you from now on! *giggle* She has put together the most amazing team  of unique crafters who are super sweet as I've gotten to know them over the past couple weeks since we've been working toward this very big day for Martha! 

First things first, PLEASE go and LIKE Creating is Fun FB fan page for YOUR chance to win a $25 credit to the store once we hit 150 fans. I KNOW we can do this today and then YOU will have a chance at a shopping spree for yourself to get these amazing supplies! 

And to see what great things she has and what you can create, please check out this Christmas tag I made for my mom using a shipping tag, doily, gold/white buttons & natural buttons ALL from her store:

Seriously, if you love unique embellishments and even BETTER prices & shipping, please take a look around HER STORE- I know you will find something you love and you'll love her prices. Can't be beat. 

And for even MORE inspiration, just take a look at these amazing ladies as they created something special just for today:

MARTHA PINEDA

                                                         Rachel Bogner

Bonita Rose  

Angie Blom 

Carrie Corbin

Rebekah

Ashley

Shemaine

Products used:

• Samantha Walker Unity stamps
• Faber-Castell 
• Doily from Creating is fun
• Manilla Shipping Tag from Creating is Fun
• Gold / White  Button from Creating is fun
• Natural Button from Creating is Funs
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Make it Crafty chipboard
• October AFternoon sticker

December Daily 2011!!

Happy New Year Everyone! I finally finished my first ever December Daily album - I hope you will check out my pages in this video:

I hope you enjoyed the video - Thanks for stopping by! :D

Saturated Canary Challenge #7 - Christmas/Holiday

**TWO DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!**

Can you believe it? In case you get lots of crafty goodies under your tree or even if not and you just want to steal a few moments of quiet in your craft room, Saturated Canary Challenges has the project for you "Christmas/Winter" theme is our challenge this week. I love that it leaves it so open for whatever inspires you this time of year. I have been working on my december daily even though I haven't shared any pages yet. I haven't had the time to really take pics and blog about it so I thought I would do a video at some point. Not anytime soon of course (see above. LOL). But I did want to share my day 8 page which doesn't have any pictures just one of my favorite Saturated Canary winter images Hot Cocoa because we LOVE hot chocolate in this house. I just added some simple journaling around the page. I hope you will join us and you can find all the details HERE.


Challenges I'm Playing:
iCopic - Last Minute Holiday Projects (I'm behind on my dec daily so that's last min, right? LOL)


Supplies:

• Saturated Canary Hot Cocoa Digital image
• Copics
• Echo Park Designer Paper
• Elle's Studio Tags
• October Afternoon Stickers
• Doily from Creating is Fun
• Distress Ink
• FabScraps Rub On Dispenser
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• Helmar Acid Free Glue
• Helmar 450 Quick Dry
• Helmar Zap Dots

TGF 3rd Annual Customer Blog Hop!

I am SO excited - I think I have participated in this hop since it began and it's really exciting for me this year as I'm wrapping up my dream term as a farmer. I thought for this hop I would share my family Christmas cards with you. I almost always create photo cards and this year I thought I was going to stamp our cards and just tuck in a wallet of the kiddos but hubby said to me the other day, I really like your photo cards and that was all I need to hear to make them again! We took our kids to see Santa the other day and the pictures turned out amazing so it was a no brainer to use a couple of them for our cards this year. The expressions and moments captured with each click are perfect. It is a super long hop so I don't want to get into one of my long winded blog posts today! LOL Here is our card which I will finally be sending out TODAY!!! I know, late but ah well. Such is the story of me. 


My project definitely falls into the HOLIDAY category:

What do you think? I really love how it turned out this year. I kept it simple with the pictures being the highlight. I always like to add a Christmas quote or saying and this one really stuck out to me this year. Do you see Elf Anya on the ticket!!! Isn't she adorable? One of my favorite things about digital stamps is that I can add my favorites to my Christmas cards each year and Elf Anya is definitely one of my favs. I kept begging to bring her back since she was released just before I became a TGF fan & was thrilled to see her as a ltd digital stamp! The digital papers and ticket are all from Sassy-Designs.


Anyway, I hope you enjoy the hop and thank you so much for being such loyal followers during my term as a farmer. Many of you know how much this has meant to me and it's been such a blast, ending way to soon!!! But I am really excited to see the next batch come and do their thing. Now enjoy the rest of the hop and if you want to start at the beginning for the FULL list of everyone participating, check out the TGF Blog.  There are THREE grand prizes being given away, one in each category of Holiday & General as well as for a non-particpant who hops with us and leaves comments all the way through!!! Wowsa!


Merry Christmas!

The Greeting Farm Throwback Thursday - Holiday edition!

Today at The Greeting Farm, we normally have a Throwback Thursday and the DT will dust off some of our neglected but much loved stamps to give them new life. This week we all dug into our stash for some of the past winter / holiday themed stamps that have been released of the years. I still think TGF has the CUTEST snowman on the market and as I dug thru my stamps they immediately called out to me and I couldn't resist. I made this mixed media style tag to put on a gift this year. I had fun creating the background with Faber-Castel gelatos and I actually stampsd the image from Keep Cozy using Faber-Castell Artist Pitt big brush pens. They are great for art journal stamping b/c it is an indian ink and is permanent once dried. The other cool thing is that I also colored the image using a combination of white gelatos and Artist Pitt big brush pens. While the ink is still wet you can use a wet brush to get a more even coverage while coloring your images. It creates a neat water colored effect that is once again permanent once dry so you can continue to add layers. I also used the Splotchy stamp by The Greeting farm to add the ink splotches on the tag.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by TGF blog for the rest of the DT inspiration and I hope you will pull out some of your older stamps to give them some new love! Also, The Farm Fresh Challenge blog has a retro-fresh TAG challenge going on right now that this would be perfect for!

Challenges I'm Playing:

Two Peas Vendor Challenge - Faber-Castell Project

Anything Goes - Tags

My Time to Craft - Vintage Christmas

Partytime Tuesdays - Red & Green Christmas

Hooked On Crafts - Winter Wonderland

Oh La La Challenges - Anything But A Card

Take A Word - Joy

Products:

• Keep Cozy & Splotchy Rubber Stamps by The Greeting Farm
• Tim Holtz Tag
• Faber Castell Gelatos and Big Brush Artist Pit Pens
• Glimmer Mist
• gesso
• Indian Ink/Nib
• Sharpie Pen
• Tim Holtz Grunge Board Holiday shapes
• Distressed Ink Tattered Twigs
• Helmar 450 Quick Dry
• Helmar 2 Step Crackle Medium
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• Seam Binding
• Webster's Pages Flower Florette

Saturated Canary Challenge #6 - For the Boys

Last week started another new challenge at Saturated Canary Challenges and this theme is For The Boys. Now it can be anything from a card or project with a masculine image or theme or you can use a glam image for a guy if that suits your fancy as well. It's pretty open to interpretation and you can find LOTS of inspiration from the Saturated girls on the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog!

For my project, I finally finished this onesie for a friend even tho her son is now 3 months old. Yikes! I hate not getting things done in a timely fashion. It truly is one of my worst faults. So I used the digi Baby Jake b/c he's too cute! This is another one of my Tshirts that I made by printing the digital image on transfer paper and coloring once it was ironed on the shirt.

And here is a close up of the image. I love making these and you can find my tutorial HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will join us in our challenge this week!

a merry time with helmar 2 step crackle

Today I wanted to share a pretty Christmas card that I made using some of my favorite papers by Webster's Pages. These papers are already so intricate and beautiful, I don't really want to cover it up with a lot of layers but I did want to do something special to highlight it so I immediately thought of Helmar's 2-step Crackle medium! I absoultely love this stuff (I have to admit, I've been hoarding it which is kinda pointless when you love something! *giggle*) So, I cut my paper to fit my card base and then I covered it with Step 1, waited about 10 minutes and covered it with Step 2. Then, because I'm an impatient card maker, I set it on a chair in front of my space heater. *gasp* I know, I know! But I have to tell you, that little bit of heat really got those cracks to appear in no time. It was awesome!

I also used Helmar Tape Runner to adhere the entire panel after the crackle dried to my card base. I actually cut it to fit the front of the card without a border which added another interesting element to it. For my sentiment panel, I used some Unity Stamps called Blossom Stackesr and after fussy cutting (Because I do not have the matching spellbinders dies, dear santa, can you help me out with that? LOL) I used Helmar Zap Dots to give it some dimension and then used Helmar 450 Quick Dry to adhere the poinsetta flowers & sparkler around it.

And a close up of the crackle. After it was dry, I just went over it with some distress ink in Tattered Twigs. Adding ink really makes the cracks pop on any project. I promise not to hoard my crackle any longer! It's just way too fun! 

Thanks for stopping by!

*finally* My No Lines Coloring Tutorial!!!

So, I finally finished my no lines coloring tutorial yesterday! You may remember I attempted to make a video tutorial about a month ago but had many issues which resulted in replacing my new computer which was not even a month old at the time! I ended up losing the original file so I colored up Creeper Sunday using the same no lines technique and that's what I have for you today. I really hope you enjoy this!


First, here are a couple cards that I have made using this technique. 

This card uses Creeper Sunday available at The Greeting Farm and is the stamp feature in the video tutorial below.

This card uses Cheeky Mate also available at The Greeting Farm and is the doomed first video attempt. I love how this one turned out and enjoy using this technique over and over.

Here is the tutorial broken into part 1 and 2:

I hope if you try this technique you will share it with us on The Greeting Farm's Facebook page and/or galleries!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!