Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 361 - Fantasy

What a fitting challenge at Tuesday Throwdown. I am living my fantasy, you know... I only weigh 110 pounds, still look 20 and have endless amounts of time, talent and money. Okay, you can stop laughing, seriously you can stop. Okay, I mean it, stop now!

Our sponsor for the challenge (she's not responsible for my fantasy) is Alicia Bel.This is my first time using her creations and it was hard to pick. Ultimately I opted for Cheshire Cat because it's hard to beat Alice in Wonderland for fantasy in my opinion.

Time for a confession. I wanted to make something other than a card. Did you catch the "I wanted"? Combine that with life and you get lots of interruptions, to the point that you run out of time and end up creating a card. I'm not giving up on the project, just have to regroup. Here is a peek of what I originally started.

There's a painted rock group in town and with Halloween coming I thought it'd be fun to do the smile with glow in the dark paint. I learned from Sassy Cheryl that if you print on an inkjet printer, you can transfer the image by rubbing the back with a pencil. It did pretty good when you factor in all the pits and bumps on a rock. Curled paper in photo is the backside of the printed image; took a lot of rubbing. Watch for an update.

Now back to the regularly scheduled card. Clear Wink of Stella applied to alternating stripes as well as their teeth (fantasy, remember). Gloss to the cups and eyes. Trimmed shanks off buttons for flowers. Almost didn't get this posted because I was having a heck of a time getting them to adhere. First time ever I couldn't get a Zot or red line tape to hold them!

I repeated the image thrice, reversing one to create a heart with the tails. It's printed on flecked card stock and all coloring with Copics. Not the best choice of paper as tended to bleed; lesson learned.
Here kitty, kitty, kitty:

Inside sentiment: make everything better.

A closer shot, to show their glittery smile.

 

My thanks to Alicia Bel for providing such a fun image. I hope you check the shop and then join the fantasy challenge at Tuesday Throwdown. If you managed to read all this without fantasizing how much you want me to be done already, thank you!

PIP Challenge 1738 September 18 Bugaboo

Wait! It can't be Monday already! I still have a mile long list of "must do" that didn't get done 😱. Guess it's a day for those big girl panties. No matter, there's always something to smile about and today it's a new PIP challenge with one of my favorite sponsors, Bugaboo Stamps.

While the calendar says fall starts September 22nd, it's obvious to anyone observing the trees that the colors started changing about 2 weeks ago. Another sure sign around our house is squirrels begging for nuts to bury. With those beggars in mind, I created my card and yes, we name them when they come calling.

The image is Squirrel (aptly named) and can be found by clicking the link. Printed on white card stock, colored with Copics. Embossed with a Stampin Up folder (closest to a leaf pattern I have.) To tone down the white, a blend of red, orange and pumpkin Versa Mark inks were applied with a sponge, sometimes a little heavy with the hand ... it happens.

Believe it or not, the card itself is a piece of cardboard. The type any who works with forms should be familiar with as it usually sandwiches those forms. They are so handy in the craft room and your recycling too. An old Stampin Up oak leaf stamp applied with Versa Mark and a dusting of yellow chalk over that. I did discover that on humid days like today, the cardboard tends to bow at the bottom opening when standing.  Also explains the skew in the photo. Speaking of photo....

Before you go, please do yourself two favors. First, check out Bugaboo Stamps, I promise you won't be disappointed. Two, join the PIP challenge this week. It's anything goes and you could win.


Parting thought and alternate sentiment for my card:
   I've noticed the squirrels are beginning to gather
   nuts for winter. A couple of my friends are missing...
   Are you in a safe place?

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 359 - Dies or Punches

Holiday over so back to work for me. Before I go, I would like to welcome you to my blog and invite you to join in the Tuesday Throwdown challenge this week. We want you to use dies, punches, or both. Bugaboo Stamps is our gracious sponsor and I hope you take the time to check out her website. I am never disappointed by her variety; she covers the 3 "S's" well. Sweet, serene and my favorite, snarky!

Speaking of snarky, I used Gus Beach Body. My first thought was a birthday card for hubby with a nice sentiment. Then he sort of ticked me off. Needless to say, I wound up on the snarky side of life.

Gus was colored with Copics. A Spellbinder die was used to cut him out, as well as the front sentiment. Another Spellbinder die was used to cut the sun, which I trimmed to fit in the corner. A little Spectrum Noir clear glitter pen to the sun and Gus's speedo for bling. Added a few shells around the sentiment and done.

If hubby keeps up his current attitude, this just might be his birthday card. The inside sentiment is "I'd be happy to do it for you." All I have to do is picture him in a speedo, sparkle or not!

Before I go, remember to check out Bugaboo Stamps and have the fun with the Tuesday Throwdown challenge.

Parting thought: Snarky, an adjective. 
        Sarcastic, impertinent, irreverent in tone or         manner.
         

PIP Challenge 1736 September 4

Wishing everyone in the USA a safe and fun Labor Day.  My fun time is making a card for the PIP challenge this week. Yes, card making is my idea of a good time. Speaking of  PIP,  you can find the challenge here. My enjoyment doubled because the sponsor for this week is Di's Digi Stamps. Love her digital images.

While the 4th is a holiday here, Tuesday the 5th is far more anticipated in this family because a certain little man will be starting kindergarten and going to school all day long. While his mom is doing the happy dance of anticipation, Grandma is pretty sure there will be a bit sadness when the time comes, probably for both of them. I don't think he quite understands what all day school involves. No matter, like everyone before him, he will adjust. To celebrate this big step I made a card to mark the occasion.

I used Di's Digi "Boy off to school." He's colored with Prismacolor colored pencils, poloychromos and a few Copic markers. Backing paper is from pad I've had for far too long. Outside of the crayon being blue (his favorite is black) I think he's going to love this. I am debating if I should work the grade and year onto the backpack flap. Maybe one on the cap and the other on the flap? Can't decide, what do you think? Feel free to weigh in with your comments.

Good gracious, another rambling post, sorry about that! Back to the important things... Be sure to check out Di's Digi Stamps where you are bound to find what you need/love. Then craft away and enter your creations at the PIP challenge blog for a chance to win.

Parting thought:
                              Children want the same things we want.
                              To laugh, to be challenged,
                               to be entertained, and delighted.
                                                   Dr. Seuss