Some Odd Girl sentiments ROCK MY WORLD

hiya chickens!
hope the week's going well for you and you're all geared up for tomorrow's festivities!  are you trick or treating?  handing out candy?  taking littles trick or treating?  OH, and have you Trick or Treated with the Odd Girls yet?  :)  tomorrow's the last night, so GET ON IT!  :)  click here to go where the magic begins...

TODAY, i am sharing a spunky little thang on the Some Odd Girl blog. no colouring skills involved, just a little hand-eye coordination and a bit of mix-and-match action.  here we are!

i used the Make a Statement clear set and borrowed another sentiment from Dare to Be Gwen, loved it all up with my Hero Arts neon inks from the Paper Issues shop, grabbed a little wood veneer heart and an enamel "sugar dot" heart, and my little masterpiece was born!  i says it's a masterpiece, anyway.  i'm rather smitten with this card and the loud colours and the POSSIBILITIES!  ermahgerd, i am looking for every single sentiment (or part of one) that fits into these banners so i can customize.  :)

whatcha think? OH, and you can grab the Paper Issues bits (plus anything else in the store, like the new Studio Calico PRINT SHOP!) at a lovely little discount if you just use my code ORANGE at checkout:

Trick or Treat with the ODD GIRLS!

VELCOME!  and a VELLY SKELLY Halloween week celebration to you!

i'm so happy you're joining me today to TRICK OR TREAT with the Odd Girls!  Some Odd Girl is hopping, and by now you've ALMOST made it to the end of our little adventure...  you might have found some tasty little nuggets along the way, too!

if Alexis was your last stop, you're on the right track and WELL on your way!  however, if you've just visited me 'cuz you're my friend (yay!), you'll want to head on back to the start at the Some Odd Girl blog...

our hop this week is full of spooktacular Halloween Tricks and Treats. don’t worry, our tricks won’t be too scary! AND, just like trick or treating for candy, you don’t want to skip any houses…or blogs in this case!  in order to win TREATS, you must leave a comment on each of the Odd Girls' blogs, as well as the main post.

SO!  here's my project to inspire you for our festivities!

i stamped this Clever Kittys cutie and extended his fangs and bloodied 'em up a smidge, 'cuz, well, he's velly skelly!  :)  of course, with a critter this cute, i couldn't go TOO gruesome, so i had to add in some Doodlebug pretties!

and from here, you are off to visit the lovely Lenny!  OH, but before i send you away, i have a TRICK to share with you...  as a girl who's trying very hard to get comfy colouring with her markers, i find black to be a little intimidating.  but for the MOST part, i don't even colour with a black marker!  nosirreebob - just various shades of grey (cool or warm, depending on my project and the effect i'm after).  this one uses just the 4 IGs from Spectrum Noir.  no black!

so happy hopping!  we are celebrating right through to Halloween night, so you have until THURSDAY at midnight EDT to leave your comments and be eligible for treats!  i'll be announcing our winners on Saturday, November 2nd on the Some Odd Girl blog.  :)  happy halloween, and don't forget to have your parents check your candy before you eat it!

(linked up to the Paper Issues' "Witchin' You a Happy Halloween" link party sponsored by SRM Stickers!)

embossing holiday pretties and BIRTHDAY WEEK at Crafter's Companion!

so i NEVER in a million years thought i'd be busting out my Cuttlebug so much.  lately, i'm a die-cutting maniac, and i've fallen in love with EMBOSSING FOLDERS all over again.  it's WEIRD! 

but i'm loving the variety of embossing folders available at Crafter's Companion, and i did some SERIOUS holiday crafting during my little getaway in Cape May this week.  this card uses some silver mirror cardstock and the gorgeous Die'sire "Holiday Holly" 6x6 folder:

(side note - there's a BIG sale for Birthday Week - Crafter's Companion is 8! - and you can save a ton on your 6x6 embossing folders by clicking HERE!)

so i THOUGHT about busting out some of my Spectrum Noir Re-Inkers on this, but just thought the silver was so pretty and elegant that i couldn't bear to risk messing it up.  and voila!  one of about 40 christmas cards i made for my stash (for work, and for an upcoming craft fair)...  there will be more to come, but i wanted to let you all in on the Birthday Week action before it ends!

come back for a visit tomorrow at 9 am for something SPOOOOOOOOOKY!  ;)

New release at Crafter's Companion - i loves me the Bebunni!

he's SO stinkin' cute!  love this little character, and i can see myself wishlisting every single set!  we're so excited to introduce you to Bebunni!  this little bun has crazy long ears and the cutest little tail and is perfect for ANY occasion!

i realized that i ALWAYS run out of baby cards, so i opted for a girlie one this time, even though everyone i know keeps having boys!  here's my take on Bebunni:

and i can see myself using this same balloon theme with different colour schemes depending on my mood and my patterned paper.  i don't know about you, but there's something kinda therapeutic about colouring BALLOONS, espesh in such large quantities!  this image is coloured up my my pencils, and i printed my little bun on Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock. 

Bebunni, for all different occasions, is available this FRIDAY at Crafter's Companion, but i'll warn you...  you might just get addicted!  LOVE HIM!  :)

brand new STAMP-IT AUSTRALIA available TOMORROW at Crafter's Companion!

can i get a WOOT WOOT?!

seriously, this might be one of my very fave releases to date from Crafter's Companion USA and i could not WAIT to play with these pretties!

this stamp set from Stamp-It Australia's TWINKLE release will be available TOMORROW and these sets are absolutely PERFECT for all kinds of holiday and winter projects.

i decided to bust out my Ultimate Tool and embossed the big star on my card, and all along the border - handy little (big) tool, this thing!  stamped the big snowflake from the Falling Snowflake set (there are 4 sets in all), coloured it a SMIDGE with my Spectrum Noir markers (LV1 and LV2), just for a hint of colour on the snowflake.  

finished off wtih some bling and alphas and that's all she wrote!  here's a close-up on the star:

i'm really enjoying the non-traditional holiday colours, and purple was VERY different for me, but i think it worked out well.  there are loads of other fun shapes in the Ultimate Tool, so expect to see some appearances soon!

also, you may want to know that these new Stamp-It Australia will be on sale with their release tomorrow - individually they're $19.95 each, but you can get all four GORGEOUS sets for just $59.95!  gotta love a good sale.  :) 

(linked up later for Paper Issues' Count Your Lucky Stars issue!)

Crafter's Companion has GLITTERY GOODNESS!

hiya chickens!

back to share a SUPER FUN card i made that showcases some of the OTHER stuff carried by Crafter's Companion USA.  i love the heck out of the EzMount stamps (and today's project follows suit), but i've also recently discovered my love for Spray & Sparkle GLITTER SPRAY.  i need it in EVERY colour.  :)

here's why...  check out this finish!

OH MY GOOMIE.  this stuff sprays, layers beautifully, dries quickly, and leaves SUCH a pretty shimmer, without dulling the image and destroying the colour behind it.

i used the Multicolour Spray & Sparkle (and will be using it on LOTS of other things!)

sprayed over my Sheena Douglass Silhouette Wildflowers 

stamped in StazOn Black Cherry (and covered the chipboard in ink, too)

Candy Cane Stickles on the chipboard pieces to finish everything off

and i was VERY pleased at the subtle effects.  here's the card in its entirety:

yeah, so shimmery and the texture is FABULOUS.  the Spray & Sparkle is available in gold, silver, pink, iridescent, and the multicoloured can that i used and it gives amazing coverage!  can't wait to get the other colours,

in the meantime, the countdown to my vacation (and cardmaking extravaganza with the lovely Lesley Jackson) has BEGUN!  during my vacation, i shall CERTAINLY be getting my fingers inky (and probably my elbows, too!) and try to keep you folks posted on my shenanigans!  hope you're having a great week so far!

Paper Issues pretties meet UmWowStudio yummies

hoarding.

GUILTY.

but i'm promising to STOP!  i buy and receive more product than i can use at an alarming rate, so i'm USING THINGS. 

yesterday, this little thang:

wanted to play with mists.  have a bunch of them (natch) and don't play enough.  this one is Honor Society (Mister Huey's, from Studio Calico).  i busted out an old sheet of paper and went totally simple for this, DETERMINED to use that little charm (Alison Kreft, from Webster's Pages "Recorded" collection - i may still hoard these).  and i don't do well with printed sentiments, so my Dymo label buddy got some love, too!  OLD STUFF.  so pleased with myself!  here's a close-up, showing the deets on that fun confetti stuff from UmWowStudio:

love the chevvie pieces!  inked those babies in teal, stickled, and that's it.  they're FUN, aren't they?  i was inspired, so i ended up altering a bunch more last night and used some up today, so i have lots more to share soon.  ;)

here's the inside of m'card:

hee hee.  yeah, well i have a BAZILLION mixtapes, but i thought the sentiment was fun for someone who's showing affection ('cuz how do you show someone you have a crush on them?  MAKE THEM A MIXTAPE!), but who doesn't want it to be taken too seriously or dramatically.  ;)  say no to the drama llama!

so anyway.  that's what i was up to yesterday.  there's more, but right now you ought to go check out the Paper Issues store to stock up on your mists.  they're very very necessary, you know.  :)

and shop smartly!

how to win some Heidi Swapp Color Shine

simple.

link up to our Halloween Party at Paper Issues, 'cuz that's our current issue!  the Paper Issues girls DO have Halloween Issues!  :)  some might say we've gotten carried away.  ;)  personally, i love it, and hey, if by getting carried away with us, that means you might win something FAB, then so be it. 

so bring it on!  i'm not sharing a Halloween project right now, but showing you the a sampling of the GORGEOUSNESS of the prize you can win:

the burlap was frayed and messed up and sprayed first with the Navy Color Shine, then i laid my bottom panel down in the pool of blue that was on my craft mat.  next, i masked the letters and sprayed White Color Shine on top for contrast and to mute out the background but keep that fabulous blue shimmer.  i traced the letters with a white gel pen, and the snowflakes were sprayed with the Citron Color Shine for pop.  :)

check out the SHIMMMMMMMAH:

i love the marbled vein throughout!  of course, trying to capture the shimmer in a photograph is challenging, but ERMAHGERD, this stuff is HOT.  you NEED it.  you WANT TO WIN IT!

link up HERE and this whole set could be yours!

and if you just want to grab them for yourself, plus any other goodies available at the Paper Issues store, i've got a sweet deal for you!

still loving Sheena's A Little Big Magical stamps!

so i like cutesy.  no, i LOVE cutesy.  but lately, i've had a bit of a thing for the Sheena Douglass stamps from Crafter's Companion - they're BEAUTIFUL, and realistic, and artsy, and just so elegant.  and they're fun to colour, even for someone who's not totally confident in their Speccie skillz!

so i decided to play with the Sheena HONESTY set
stamped on Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
coloured up with my Spectrum Noirs
(GB1, GB2, EB2, EB5, BG2, BG3, BG5, BG7, TN3, TN4, TN5, TN7, LG1, LG3, DG3)
used the Die'Sire Embossalicious 6x6 LATTICE folder
and put this pretty little thang together...

 

here's a slightly close-up view, at an angle so you can see the deets:

 

i have no clue how to colour feathers, but i still think my little birdie turned out pretty.  :) oh, and have you heard about the new Spectrum Noir markers?  OH MY GOOMIE, they are lovely!  the grip is fantastic, the chisel nibs can be replaced with brush nibs, and the bullet nibs have a finer point for AMAZING detail.  i lurve!  

so.  there is more colouring to be done.  i have a craft fair coming up in December (possible two of them!) and i intend to have a LARGE selection and variety.  hope you're all having a fabby weekend, chickens!  xo

come and link up your HALLOWEEN projects at Paper Issues!

there's still time - we're having SO much fun at our Halloween Linky Party that we've decided to extend it another week!  you TOTALLY want to jump on this one - there's a most delicious treat (not a trick, i promise) to be won!

this is a page from my early crafty days - i still don't know HOW to make a proper scrapbook page, and i just do my own darned thing, but i couldn't help but link this one up:

my super awesome friend Dee always showed up at the Cont in full makeup - she rocked the spider eyes and i loved that she did her own thing.  i think that's why i loved the ess out of her.  i didn't quite do the gothy/industrial thing either:

white cardigans, red lipstick and birthday cake hats.  not exactly the picture of goth, right?  (that reminds me, it's HAT SEASON!)

well there you have it.  you can win THIS:

and trust me, the stuff is OSS.  i'm a little obsessed with the green (Citron).  get it HERE at the Paper Issues shop, and once you've filled up your cart, do this:

happy linking, happy shopping, and happy HALLOWEEEEEEEEEEN!

all about BABIES at Crafter's Companion!

have you played along in our October challenge yet at Crafter's Companion?  if you've never played along, you are MISSING OUT!  all you have to do is enter by following the theme and by using product carried by Crafter's Companion (excluding Spectrum Noir markers, although we certainly would love to see your coloring, too!) - this includes anything from stamps to embossing folders to The Ultimate Tool (check it out HERE - it does SO much!).  SERIOUSLY!  we carry a large number of brands you already use, so take a look in the shop! 

our theme this month?  BABY!  yeah, baby!  the team has created some AMAZING projects to inspire you, and if you play along, you could win £30 or $30 to spend at Crafter's Companion!  Believe me, that can go a LONG way if you want to stock up on Mementos!  ;)

here's the baby project i created for this challenge:

i absolutely LOVE the Party Paws stamps - they cover a wide range of themes and they can be as generic as you'd like. 

close-up:

here's my CC supply list:

Party Paws EZMount Stamp Set - Baby Bamboo
Spectrum Noir - BGR1, BGR2, BGR3, Blender, PP1, PP2, LY2, LY3, FS2, FS4, FS5
Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock

you can play along HERE but just post a link to your project in the comments - we ran into some issues with the website but we don't want you to miss out!

critter friends at Charisma and a sad goodbye!

hey there, chickens...  hope all's well in your proverbial necks of the woods this week - it's been super dreary weather here for the last couple of days and i just wanna sleeeeeeeeeeeeep! 

but there is still fun to be had, and for those of you looking for some mojo, we have a new challenge at Charisma.  i'm saddened because this is my last post as a Charisma Gal.  i have been a part of this awesome team for 3 years, and i have loved every minute of it!  it's organized, well-planned, well-executed, easily understood, and led by a most AMAZING girlie with whom i've become quite close over the years.  Carlyann, darlin', thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of this little adventure all those months ago!  i love ya, girl, and i wish i could stay longer, but you know i'm always around.  you and the kitties can't get rid of me that easily.  ;)

SO.  our challenge?  it's all about the ANIMALS.  surely you can whip something up for this one, yes? 

well i colored this with my Speccies when i had a super limited stash, so there are some things i'd do differently, but overall i think it's pretty cute in its simplicity.  :) 

here's my critter card, for the occasion:

seriously SIMPLE!  a little snip of burlap, a sweet little Chic Tags birthday tag, twine and buttons, inked edges, and DONESIES.

wanna play along?  well if you DOOOOO, you'll be playing for fab prizes from these sponsors:

(3 digis from their fun shop!)

and

(5 digis from Pink Cat Studio!)

alllll you have to do is create something that's animal-themed, link up, post a link back to our blog, and you can only enter up to 10 challenges.  OH, and i insist you go see what the rest of the Charisma Galz have done to inspire you!  they have some FAB critter creations for this one!  you have until next Wednesday to play along.

ANNNNNND, if you're looking to join a fab team, you could be my replacement!  Carlyann is looking for a few good crafters to join the Charisma Cardz Challenges team!  CLICK HERE for deets!   :)

Moxie Fabulous NEON goodness!

evenin', chickens!  gettin' my craft on these days, because i have so many LOVELY new supplies from the Paper Issues shop, and i will never put a dent in ANYTHING if i don't start makin' stuff!

saw the inspiration at Moxie Fab World, and when i sat and stared at the image, i kind of SLOWLY let my card come together in my head.  here it is, in all its neon glory!

quite CAS, yes?  i debated misting, but haven't quite mastered that technique, as indicated in yesterday's post.  ;)

here's the inspiration from the Moxie Fab World blog...  clearly those neon pinks were screaming to me, so i used American Crafts paper, a couple of bradleys, a big ol' sentiment stamp and my Hero Arts Neon Cubes because that hot pink is just scrummy!

OH!  yeah, the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger this week?  (yep, i'm linking up SUPER early - that's rare!)  this pretty:

i loved the colors, honestly.  that's the first thing that screamed at me!  then it was the diagonal for the pattern.  and i love this card! i may have to create a hybrid, because i already see my card in lots of different color schemes and patterns and sentiments, and they'll make nice holiday packs.   :)  my annual cardfest with my English penpal is fast approaching, so i have some assembly line crafting to do! 

so that's it.  if you want those neon ink cubes, they're just $9.99 for the set of FOUR at Paper Issues.  but you can get 'em for $7.99 by entering the code ORANGE at check out (20% off your WHOLE order!).  now that's what i call a deal!

Christmoweenie - Paper Issues NEW issue comin' atcha!

okay, so the theme is NOT Christmas, but it's Hallowe'en, and i couldn't wait to bust out some of my new goodies, which are CHRISTMAS THEMED, for the most part.  and that's okay!  that works for me.

i made a Hallowe'en project for the occasion, and you should, too.  because you could win one of the very pretties that i used on my project!  CLICK HERE for the Paper Issues party.  here's m'card:

so.  that GREEN, that gorgeous green shimmery spritzy goodness?  that's the new Citron Heidi Swapp Color Shine, and you want it.  and you can WIN IT!  plus the rest of the new colors....

the other stuff i used?  Paper Issues goodness...  paper from the brand new Glitz hello december 6" paper pad...  brand new Pink Paislee Hey Kid Ephemera...  TCW Dina Wakley 6x6 template...  (that one's sold out, but there are PLENTY of other awesome options!) and Mister Huey's Color Mist in Manila.   

Designed to Color on WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!

hiya!  okay, so it's officially HERE, and has been for the last 2 hours, but this girl's about to go to bed, so she can get up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to get her CRAFT ON! 

right now, however, we are CELEBRATING!  Designed to Color has a fabby little hop for you, complete with visits to a bunch of our designers' blogs, gorje eye candy along the way, and little tips and tricks for your card making whims.  :)

today is officially World Card Making Day! an opportunity to celebrate the creativity of handmade cards and the personal connection that they create between friends and family. a day to connect with fellow card makers everywhere, to applaud the creativity that powers the craft, and to provide resources that will empower, inspire, and encourage cardies in their hobby. it’s also a time to get a jump-start on the holiday card-making season!

 

we, the Color Crew at DTC, have decided to celebrate this special day with an awesome Blog Hop!! along with a few special guests, we have whipped up some goodies and are sharing them with you along the hop.  please leave a comment on each designer’s blog and then a comment at Designed To Color to let us know you have completed the hop. one random winner will be drawn for a prize package consisting of goodies from various sponsors including: 

 

Crafter’s Companion

Yumi and Fumi Handmade

 The Stamp Doctor (TSD)

(and more!)

 

you have until Monday, October 7^th, at 11:59pm MST to leave a comment on each blog. visit the Designed to Color blog on Wednesday, October 9^th to see if you're the winner!  happy hopping, happy crafting, happy WCMD! 

 

Here is the blog hop order:

Designed To Color

Carisa

Susie

Laura

Rosie

Alaine

Rebecca

Chitra

Lisa

Lyn

Leah l’Orange

 

GUESTS from The Stamp Doctor:

Lizzie

Cassandra

 

annnnnnd here's what i made for the occasion:

 

closer:

 

image is CC Designs, colored with my Prismacolor Pencils, sentiment is from Clearly Wordsworth, papers are from Studio Calico and... something else.  die is from My Favorite Things, inks are Memento Copper and StazOn Black Cherry, accents are Fancy Pants and Colorbok.  i went minimal, and i have to say that this image has been colored for AGES before i finally added it to a card!  my tip to you, crafty chickens, is when you PRE-color an image (or go on a mad coloring binge, like i did!), go for lots of neutrals and EASY colors that can be matched up later.  it's no fun digging out an image to find you have NOTHING that matches the crazy color scheme you chose.  if you know you have lots of red in your patterned papers, go for reds with greys, browns, tans, etc.  EASY to find a match!

and there you have it!  we hope you are inspired to create something special for World Card Making Day. if you do make a card, and especially if you use one of the tips provided by our designers, please stop by the Designed To Color Facebook Page to share your creations. we would love to see them!!

 

later, chickens!  :)

New challenge at Designed to Color - sponsored by Sweet & Sassy Stamps!

morning, chickens!  hope all's well in your respective corners of the world, and i hope your MONDAY was better than mine.  crikey, what a bunch of chaos!  glad i was able to finish it out with all the hair still on my head, because i sure felt like yanking it out!

anywho, it's time for a new challenge at Designed to Color, and this one's sponsored by the fabulous Sweet N Sassy Stamps!  our theme is DIES!  use any dies and be sure you have a colored image to play along - easy peasy!

i got to choose a digi to work with, and i wanted something that was not my usual character dealio, so i opted for a simple flower on which i could add some fun detail and folds.  the result?

colored up with my trusty Prismacolor Pencils and laid down with a simple design...  here's the close-up:

it was FUN!  here's my supplies list, for deets:

Prismacolor Pencils: Flower - 914, 916, 942, 1002, 1032, 1033; Stem - 1005, 908; Stamens - 1029; Background - 1081; Shading - 1097
Image: Daffodil Block digital stamp (Sweet N Sassy Stamps)
Cardstock: Copic X-Press It Blending Card (for image), Canvas Corp
Patterned paper: Basics White (BasicGrey), Confetti (My Mind's Eye)
Elements: Dies - Chevron Stripes (My Favorite Things Die-namics), Beautiful Wings (Sizzix Stampin' Up! Embosslits); Alphabet stickers - Teensy Type Beetle Black (Doodlebug); Washi tape (Love My Tapes)
Other: Foam dots (Scrapbook Adhesives)

ooohhh, i was tempted to busy and bling it up, but i wanted the image to pop and do all the talking, so not a speck of bling.  crazy, right?!   

well you're gonna wanna CLICK HERE because the Color Crew are doing the usual knocking-it-outta-the-ballpark thing and there's some fun stuff to check out!  play along and be sure you follow the theme, 'cuz there's a fabby little prize package up for grabs from our generous sponsor!  you have until the 14th to play along, so HAVE FUN!