Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 404 - Anything Goes

Welcome to Tuesday Throwdown's weekly challenge. This time it's anything goes, my favorite!

Sponsoring us is SugarPea Designs, where paper crafting is sugar sweet and full of whimsy...

Today's card was made using Pure Magic (he's currently on sale!) Clean and simple style, stamped onto ivory card stock. Colored with Prismacolor pencils (no Gamsol was used.)

I apologize for the slight bends in right corner, let's just say I had a crafty klutz moment. 😎 Will look for iron so I can smooth them out. 

Managed to keep this post short, win for everyone. Speaking of winning, don't forget to enter the Tuesday Throwdown challenge for a sweet prize from SugarPea Designs. While you are at the challenge blog, be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team creations. We love getting feedback!

PIP Challenge 1816 Sasayaki Glitter

How was your weekend? Mine was so much better than last weekend and the prolific snowfall. Blue skies, cool temperatures and birds singing just do something so positive for one's outlook!

Another positive for one's outlook is crafting. So for the sake of your outlook (sanity) come play with us at the PIP challenge blog. Our sponsor this week is Sasayaki Glitter and she's offering a digital stamp to this week's winner. Bet your outlook is even better, right?

Naz kindly provided the image I used, Mia's Graduation. Kept things simple and colored everything with Prismacolor pencils except the skin. Just haven't mastered skin tone I like with pencils so I used Copics.

She was die cut (Nellie Snellen die) and edged with VersaMagic Mango Madness. Background paper is from DCMV's Fun in the Sun glitter pack. I die cut a section at the bottom, creating negative space for the sentiment, using Dotted Pattern - Scallop Frames from Studio Katia. Applied background paper to a white card and stamped sentiment. Mia is attached with foam tape.

Time for me to go so do yourself a favor and check out Sasayaki Glitter. She has great images and they are really versatile.   Pick an image or two and get crafty; just don't forget to share with everyone at the PIP challenge this week. We love seeing your entries.


Pencil: 916 Yellow Canary, 919 Non-photo Blue, 1030 Raspberry, 943 Burnt Ochre, 109 Prussian Green, 1033 Orange Mineral, 937 Tuscan Red, 994 Process Red.
Copics: E50, E51 and R11

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 386 - Rainbow Colors

Roy G Biv. If you haven't met Roy G Biv, you haven't been to the Tuesday Throwdown challenge blog. This week's challenge is to use rainbow colors or Roy G Biv, aka red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Let's take a moment to thank our sponsor of this happy color challenge, Your Next Stamp. Lots of crafting candy to check out. Make sure to look at her deal of the week and read the story of how Karen started her business.. way to go dad!

For my rainbow theme I worked with I Ruff You.
When I saw this, my mind immediately imagined that fence painted as a rainbow for the happy pup. I used colored pencils and fussy cut the image.

The background started with a pear green card blank. I randomly stamped the paw stamp (part of the set as are the sentiments) with VersaMark ink and buffed with orange soft pastel. Stamped the sentiments over this and mounted the happy pup with foam mounting tape.

Honestly, this fella makes me smile every time I look at him!

Eyes are getting heavy so time to give the electronics a break here. Before I go, please check out Your Next Stamp (personally know how great the customer service is) for some new play toys. Then, as always join the fun at Tuesday Throwdown. Looking forward to seeing  how you interpret Roy G Biv  🌈.

PIP Challenge 1810 Di's Digi Stamps

Welcome to my world and a happy Monday to all! Time to play along with the Design Team at Pammie's Inky Pinkies aka PIP. It's anything goes so get creative and enter for a chance to win a $12.00 gift certificate from our sponsor Di's Digi Stamps. Yes, $12.00! You can get an awful lot of cuteness with that.

Speaking of cuteness, I used her DIY Pup for my card. Only a dollar and so versatile! He's colored with Prismacolor pencils and a touch of Copics. All colors are given below. The background panel was made during craft time with the little man. We used some Ken Oliver Color Burst and a spray bottle of water. Red and blue acrylic paints were mixed with Diamond Glaze and applied to create the messy look. No sentiment as I feel this could be used for several different occasions such as happy birthday, thinking of you, congratulations...

What do you think?

The challenge has been issued and Di's Digi Stamps has cuteness at great bargains to help you get started.

Material list: Prismacolor #1083 Putty Beige, #1094 Sandbar Brown. Ken Oliver Color Burst Cerulean Blue, Gamboge (yellow), and Cadmium Scarlet. Copic #R00 Pinkish White.

PIP Challenge 1722 May 29 - Di's Digis Blooms

Memorial day, the unofficial start of summer, a holiday for remembering those who gave their lives defending this great country.  May they always be remembered with honor and gratitude.

Today is also time for a new PIP challenge. This week is sponsored by Di's Digi Stamps and as it's the 5th Monday, we have a theme of blooms. I am using Izzy's Stroll from Di's shop. I guarantee you will find something with blooms in her shop!

The image is colored with both Copics and colored pencils. Semi-fussy cut and mounted to a 5 x 7" white card. Prior to mounting Izzy and her pup, I stamped the wall (Judith stamp O-63) directly to the card and colored with pencil.  Since no computer, I had to write the sentiment so apologies for penmanship.  Here is my take on Izzy.

This is a birthday card for Pam (founder of PIP), I thought I'd share the inside just for kicks. Image here is from Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers  (out of business ) and some more of Di's blooms and grass. Pam is use to my weird sense of humor in case one would wonder if I might have offended her;  I don't think so.

Happy birthday Pam! 

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 343 - Texture

Time to stop, pull up a chair for crafting and join us at Tuesday Throwdown's Challenge 343. This week's challenge is sponsored by Fred She Said Designs and our theme is to use texture. Fred She Said Designs offers a boat load of digital products.  Seriously.  Pre-colored, uncolored, cutting files, floral, animal, templates. The list goes on so I know there is something you will "have to have."  Me? I had to have Tea Cup Pansies. Love pansies and especially love when they are potted in old china. This stamp was meant to be used by me!

After coloring the image with a base Copic color, one blue, one yellow and one green, I continued my fun work, attempting to build some texture through use of color. I grabbed the old Prismacolor pencils and started working on the details. In addition to the buildup of pencil, I dry embossed around the rim of the teacup, flowers and leaves. It doesn't show well in the photo but one can certainly feel it in "real life." Added a small amount of glitter, around the center of the flowers for some sparkle, to the fringe on the cup and more texture.

I wanted the cup to appear as if sitting on a table in some one's living room or kitchen so more texture with the use of some glittered background paper and a half a doily. Not really happy with my attempt on the doily as a bit too flat looking compared to what my mind was envisioning. Either way, another texture.

Here is the result:

Now that I'm finished, it's your turn to get crafting and share your masterpieces on the Tuesday Throwdown challenge. Also, I would appreciate your stopping by Fred's and giving some thanks for sponsoring this event.

Parting thought:

                I think that a good deal of poetry and art gives us some sense of access to another's voice, perception, texture of thought, imagination. Sometimes it gives us better access to the strangeness in ourselves. 

                                          Mary Szybist

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 337 - Tropical Critters

It's all about Tropical Critters this week at the Tuesday Throwdown challenge. Our fine sponsor is My Grafico, purveyor of all things digital,  who kindly provided Koalas Digital Stamps for the design team to use.

Personally, while they are a cute and cuddly looking creature, I've never understood wanting to own an animal who would rather spends it's time up in trees eating leaves.

I decided to make my koala brown because I just discovered there really are brown ones! The inner ears are a combination of Copic and Prismacolor pencil. Fur and eucalyptus leaves are colored with Copics. Sentiment is computer generated on Bazill cardstock using Frangipani Rose font. Design paper is from DCWV "The Green Stack." Added a slight curve to the ears and paws with my stylus for some subtle dimension. Texture accomplished on the fur with a small bit of a terry towel and blending solution.

Here is my Tropical Koala and it's dedicated to all my friends "down under."

Thank you to the gals on Tuesday Throwdown for letting me join the fun, to My Grafico for such a cute image and most importantly to you for taking the time to stop by and taking the time to let me know what you think. Your comments mean a lot.

Well, time to get off the computer and go finish a book I've been reading. Due back at the library Wednesday.  Time for you to join the challenge and get your Tropical Critters entered.

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 335 - Add Dimension

Unlike Julius Caesar, we've have made it past the Ides of March! Personally I mentally celebrate every "Ides of" during the winter months knowing it brings us closer to warmer temperatures. That said, welcome to a Tuesday Throwdown sponsored by Sami Stamps. The challenge this week is to add dimension to your creation. Not always an easy feat for someone who generally does clean and simple.

I chose to work with Sami Stamps SneakyWhiskers2. Seeing this image immediately took me back to when we lived in the country. The previous occupants moved and deserted their outdoor cats, two of which were expectant mothers. Thankfully we were located in the country and surrounded by cornfields so they earned their keep by mousing. My last count was 17 little and 5 adult kitties. They are the inspiration for my card.

I filled a card sheet with the kitty images, cut a small border around them and colored with Prismacolor pencils. I didn't want them to be too realistic looking, going for a more humorous look to match the sentiment. The grass was cut with an Amuse die and the fence is something I've had in my stash for years - a doll house supply on clearance for less than a quarter at the time. Sunflowers also from old stash and butterfly was punched twice from some watercolor experimenting with Peanut, glued together and edged with black marker.  Assembly took a while as I wanted the kitties to pyramid a bit; Zot dots to the rescue. Simply rolled the small dots to give dimension and added to the chest of each kitty and pressed behind the previous row. Once assembled, I printed the sentiment on a 5 x 7" card and added clouds. The last row of kitties have rolled Zots on the back and Zot's zip glue lines were added to the fence which adhered everything to the card.

I honestly love this card and the curious look on the faces of the kitties. I certainly hope it brings a smile to yours.

Now that I've shown you mine, I can't wait to see yours! Head over to Sami's as there are lots of great images to use for dimension and then be sure to enter into the Tuesday Throwdown, Challenge 335. You can't win if you don't enter.


Parting thought:

 "Cats are smarter than dogs. 

You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow"

Jeff Valdez

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 331 - Favorite Embellishment

Welcome back! Time for a Tuesday Throwdown challenge, this time using your favorite embellishment. Our sponsor is Power Poppy and I have to say I am in love with her images.
Heck, I sat and admired the images for days before attempting to color; they are that gorgeous.

The image used today is Ruffled Wild Orchids. Took a break from Copics and used Prismacolor  pencils. I even managed to jot down what I used. This is the first time I have not used Gamsol with my pencils; all blending was using the white pencil and I am happy with the results. Colors used will be at the end of the post.

After coloring, I put my daughter to work (again) to cut the image (such good mother/daughter bonding time) while I tried to figure out what I wanted for an embellishment. Since I am usually a clean and simple card maker this was a bit of a challenge. I found the "negative" of a die cut which I turned into a frame. One of my favorite ways to embellish is digging through those paper scraps. Does that count? Okay, this frame is one of my favorite embellishments, tend to use it a lot.

Once the background was decided, the rest came together quickly. The card is 5 x 7". The orchids are popped up half way up the frame to give some depth. The sentiment, which also comes with the image, is raised from the card. Additional embellishments are 3 black "flowers" doodads mounted to the side for balance. Here is the finished product.

Now is the time I ask that you visit the sponsor's shop (you won't be disappointed) and remind you to enter the Tuesday Throwdown challenge this week so why are you still reading this blog? All kidding aside, I appreciate everyone who stops by, love comments, new followers and certainly look forward to seeing some entries.

I didn't forget - here are the Prismacolor Pencil numbers I used.
  Greens: 988, 911, 1005
  Yellow: 1011
  Pink/Reds: 1014, 929, 993, 994
  Blender 938



Parting thought: "Where flowers bloom so does hope."
                                       Lady Bird Johnson

Shhh, it's a surprise

Tomorrow is my daughter's birthday.

Little man wanted a Ghost Buster birthday card for his mom. I found the images on-line under free coloring pages. While I would love to say the card will be a complete surprise, I'm pretty sure she has an inkling because little man, much like his mother at this age, can not keep a secret. After assembling the card, he promptly announced to her that "we made Slimer a bobbler!" Out of the mouth of babes...

Presenting little man's birthday card for his mom:

I know she's going to love it.


Side note: Ecto 1 colored with Prismacolor pencils and Slimer with Copics. Cake is a sticker and Slimer indeed bobbles.

Be sure to wish her a happy birthday tomorrow, if you can.

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #321 - Make a Tag

Tuesday Throwdown challenge time! This week our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps and your challenge, should you accept it, is to make a tag. I am using Bugaboo's Bear Stocking image for my tag. The shape along with the cute bear were shouting "tag, tag, tag!" Three different tags for today as a little person resides in my house and I'm sure Mom will be using these pretty darn fast, I made them larger than I normal so it would be easier for him to read his name. Silly but true and resizing is certainly one of the best perks to digital stamps.

Tag 1 was colored with Copics, Flocking was used on his hat and Fun Stampers Journey's Journey Sparkle Cuts on the boot trim. This gives a really sparkly look with a bonus of glitter in the mix. Fussy cut (thank you Abbey) and mounted to a piece of Christmas paper from my stash. Added two glittery, green star brads and strung with fine gold cording. Little man loves this one.

Tag 2 was colored with Copics and colored pencils. A little less fussy cutting (thanks again, baby girl), some "candy glitter" on the berries, which is a bit too heavy for my taste if honest. Added some real greenery plus a red gem to the brim after flocking both hat and stocking. Mounted with zot dots to a piece of scrap Christmas paper and green cording to hang. This one is actually very vibrant with the primary colors in person.

Tag 3 is colored with pencils. Some medium fussy cutting (thanks Abbey.) Hat and cuff are white flocking. Berries received a fine dusting of Art Institute transparent crystal glitter (which I love the look.) Hat embellishment is a die cut snowflake of white shrinky-dink plastic, cooled, and then colored with a blue Copic marker on top. Red ribbon to hang.

I hope you enjoyed these as tags aren't something I ever make; another reason to love these challenges!  That said I am pretty sure I printed off three extra so I can keep playing  designing. While I color and glitter away, don't forget to visit Bugaboo; the selection is amazing and the prices can't be beat.  When you are done shopping head over and enter the tag challenge at Tuesday Throwdown!


Parting thought especially for my daughter Abbey who helps me with cutting things out and an occasional idea or two:
                                                "The gift is you!"                                                                                     John Denver

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #320 - Add Gems/Pearls

Middle of November - wow! Grateful we haven't seen the white stuff! A grateful heart is a happy heart and I'm happy to say it's time for another Tuesday Throwdown. Challenge #320 is all about adding gems or pearls. Our sponsor is Sweet n Sassy Stamps, a small family owned Christian company that offers digital and clear stamps, some dies and other supplies. For this challenge I am using their digital stamp Cocoa's Christmas Tree.

I colored the tree with Copic marker and since I don't have a lot of greens (I know some are going to find it hard to believe I don't have green everything), I used my Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol to add shading. Layered #907 pencil, blended and then layered #908 pencil and blended again. Photo at the end gives name and number for reference.

As to Cocoa, this cutie is colored with Copics cool grays and the ears are Copic pinks. Again, photo at the end for colors and names. Once the image was fussy cut, I attached gems galore. The star is glittered even though that doesn't count.

Mounted patterned paper to a white card blank, Created the wall hanging from 2 separate wooden embellishments, joined with Copic colored sting. Mounted the wall hanging and Cocoa to the card and I have to admit, I'm loving this one. I hope you do as well.

Parting thought:  Good listeners, like precious gems, are to be treasured.
                                                            Walter Anderson



Colors used: