Sweet November Preview Day 1

Welcome to day one of the latest Sweet November release and also my first official day as a designer for Sweet November. I was thrilled and honored to accept when the illustrator, Amy Young emailed asking if I would like to design for her. I love all of Amy's mythical creatures as you can probably tell if you've read my blog over the past year.

Over the next six days we will be previewing a series of new Zodiac Girls stamps. These will be available for sale in both rubber and digital form at All That Scraps on March 7. Today's projects feature Aries and Taurus. Be sure to also click on over to guest designers Marley and Lisa along with the talented Sweet November creator Amy who is offering a chance for some very generous blog candy.

As you will see today and in subsequent projects, I saw a use for these gorgeous girls beyond just the zodiac theme. I love images that are versatile. I selected to work with the "Taurus" image today. I stamped her onto Copic X-Press-It cardstock wiping away the Zodiac symbol necklace before stamping. After coloring with Copic markers I cut around the box portion of the image with a trimmer and then the areas that spilled out of the frame with scissors. I paired her up with a fun and twisty sentiment. The paper all came from my box of scraps.

Products: Sweet November stamp, My Favorite Things sentiment, May Arts ribbon, Heidi Swapp photo clip, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E50, E00, E02; Hair-E50, E51, E53, E55; Eyes-B41, B34, C5, C7; Blouse/Lips-R83, R85, R39; Horns-RV00, RV10, RV11

I'll see you back here tomorrow for the second day of previews. Thank you for visiting.

You Make My World Happy

I hope all is well in your corner of the world. It's partly cloudy here but still warm (in the low 70's). The sun peeks out from behind the clouds occasionally so I'm hoping for a sunny day. I noticed that my camellia bush has started to bloom plus a neighbor's daffodils have popped out too. That's a sure sign that spring is almost here.

In case spring is not as close for you hopefully today's project will invoke a springlike feeling. This is my submission for the March My Favorite Things Guest Designer Contest. This month's theme is to use Die-namics. I stamped the Pure Innocence Honey Bee image onto Copic X-Press-It cardstock wiping away the honey pot image before stamping. I colored her with the Copic markers listed below and cut her out. I pierced a hole between her two hands to thread the kite string through. She's been placed between two layers of "grass" created with a Martha Stewart punch. The kite and P.I. both have pop dots underneath them for dimension. The Die-namics used include the kite, butterflies, and rolled rose. The sentiment came from another P.I. stamp.

Products: My Favorite Things stamp and Die-namics, My Mind's Eye, Magnolia and Cosmo Cricket dp, Martha Stewart punch, Doodlebug jewels, Copic Markers

Copics: E0000, E00, E02, R20, W1, W2, W5, Y21, Y23, Y35

I hope the rest of your weekend is all you want it to be. I'll see you back here tomorrow bright and early!

Sweet Little Bug

Good morning - it's been a crazy busy week around the Thomas household. Not to mention that I also have a major case of spring fever. I've also been doing tons of crafty work but nothin' I can show you until next week. I really wanted to create something for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge(MFTWSC8) especially since I skipped last week. I already had this cute little bug colored and the papers selected for it so it came together fairly easily.  Well, as easily as I do things anyway. Love this P.I. Ladybug image and can't seem to stop using it. Trust me, you need this stamp.

Products: My Favorite Things Ladybug stamp and Die-namics, Basic Grey Felt Sticker Woolies, May Arts ribbon, Martha Stewart paper doiles, Copic Markers

Copics: RV00, R81, R83, E0000, E00, E02

Have a great weekend.  I'll see you back here soon.  As always, thanks for stopping by.

All That Scraps Wednesdays Challenge - Sketch

Welcome to another the All That Scraps Wednesdays Challenge. There is a fun prize being offered and in order to be eligible to win, your project must include a stamp that is sold in the All That Scraps shop whether it is any of the wonderful in house designs or from the various other stamp companies that ATS carries. Be sure to link up your project with Mr Linky by next Tuesday at 10PM EST and only one entry per person please! The challenge this week is a sketch.

I stamped C.C. Designs Teddy Emma onto Bazzill Simply Smooth Cardstock, colored with Copic markers and then cut her out. I glued her onto a matted oval shape piece. I also printed out a Pink Cat Studio digital teddy bear image, colored and cut it out, placing it at little Emmas's feet. I used this pad by Imaginisce; love the fresh colors.

Products: C.C. Designs stamp, Pink Cat Studio digital stamp, PTI die, Imaginisce dp, Kaisercraft pearls, May Arts ribbon, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E000, E02, R20; Hair-E50, E51, E53; Clothing-RV00, R83, R85, B000, B41, B32; Shoes/Teddy Bear costume-E53, E55, E57; Shadows-B0000, B000; Teddy Bear-E51, E53, E55, RV00, R83, R85

 

Thanks for stopping by.  See you back here soon.

Strawberry Fields

Good morning and a happy Monday to you. Here in Alabama mother nature has been teasing us with spring like weather and it's put me in the mood for a sunshine filled card. I printed this sweet Pink Cat Studio digital image onto Copic X-Press It cardstock then cut it out with a Nestie and colored with Copic markers.

Products: Pink Cat Studio digital stamp, Cosmo Cricket and My Mind's Eye dp, Prima flowers, Doodlebug jewel, American Crafts ribbon, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E00, E02, R20;  Hair-Y21, Y23, Y26; Clothing-R22, R27, R29, YG0000, YG21, YG23

Short and sweet today since I have a very busy week ahead of me. Thanks for stopping by.

Family

I'm still on a campaign to use my un-inked stamps and this Taylored Expressions Sew Happy Petites set is one of them. I stamped the spools of thread and tape measure onto Bazzill Simply Smooth cardstock and colored with Copic Markers. After coloring the images I cut out with a Nestie lightly inking around the edges, then placed a Crate Paper rub-on in the corner. I stamped the dressform onto patterned paper, cut out and then adhered to the image panel with pop dots.

Products: Taylored Expressions stamps, Crate Paper dp, cs diecut and rubon, PTI buttons and cs, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers


Copics: Tape measure-Y21, Y23, Y26; Thread-R35, R37, R39, B000, BG72, BG75; Spool Tops/Shadows-W00, W1, W2

Have a great weekend.

All That Scraps Wednesdays Challenge - For the Guys

Welcome to another the All That Scraps Wednesdays Challenge. There is a fun prize being offered and in order to be eligible to win, your project must include a stamp that is sold in the All That Scraps shop whether it is any of the wonderful in house designs or from the various other stamp companies that ATS carries. Be sure to link up your project with Mr Linky by next Tuesday at 10PM EST and only one entry per person please! The challenge this week is "for the guys".

My "guy" is in the form of a boy, Sweet November Baby Birthday Boy (he comes in digital form too). I especially love his cute little cowlick. He was stamped onto Bazzill Simply Smooth cardstock then cut out with a Nestabilities. I sponged around the edges with Mememnto Summer Sky ink while it was still in the die and then colored him with Copic markers. I tried something different with his hair by drawing strands of hair - not sure if I like it.

Products: Sweet November Stamp, PTI sentiment stamp and cs, Echo Park dp, Jenni Bowlin Bingo card, Kaisercraft pearls, Martha Stewart circle punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E00, E02; Hair-E35, E57, E29;  Shirt-YG11, YG13, YG17; Jeans-B93, B95, B97, Shoes-R22, R27, R29, C5, C7; Cupcake-Y11, Y15, Y17, E57, E29

That's it for today. Now go forth and stamp!

There's a Show for That

Happy Valentine's Day! Although I have to say I am Valentined out at least as a cardmaking category. I started making them in December for an early January deadline for donation so I am more than ready to move on to some other event. Which is why you are not seeing one from me today.

I've had these petite stamps from Taylored Expressions for a while now and thought it was time to get them inked up. Now when I say petite, I mean really really little. As in the button jar alone is only 1 1/2 inches tall. It makes for some detail coloring. I combined two of the images within this set - my favorite hoarding type crafty products, buttons and ribbon. After stamping, I cut with a Spellbinders Nestie with a bit of out of the box action with the ribbon. I colored with Copic markers and then placed the circle back into the die and sponged around the top portion with ink. I followed February's Sketch for You to Try for the basic design of the card. And of course I had just had to use the accompanying sentiment "There is a show for hoarders!". Speaking of hoarders, do you ever watch that show? It totally grosses me out but at least after watching it, I usually get in the mood to clean and declutter. 

Products: Taylored Expressions stamps, Crate paper dp and twill, My Favorite Things Die-namics, PTI cs and buttons, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic markers

Copics: Buttons/Ribbon-BG0000, BG10, BG11, BG13, YG0000, YG11, YG13, R30, R32, R35; Ribbon spools-E51, E53, E55; Jar and Shadows-W00, W1, W2; Jar lid-C1, C3, C5





I hope you are off to a great start this week. Thanks for stopping by.

Hello Cupcake

Today's card is for the My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club (MFTWSC6) sketch challenge. I used another fairly new stamp that I had not inked up yet, MFT Pure Innocence Hello Cupcake. Obviously my version of the sketch is not so sentiment centric as the original. And since the P.I. is holding a rather oversized cupcake I let that count as the upper corner piece. I stamped this little cutie onto Bazzil Simply Smooth cardstock, colored with Copics and then cut out. I rescued some old bugle beads out of my stash to act as sprinkles on the cupcake.

Products: My Favorite Things stamp and Die-namic, My Mind's Eye dp, Martha Stewart paper doily, American Crafts ribbon, Kaisercraft rhinestones, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E000, E02, R20; Hair-E33, E35, E37; Dress/Shoes-BG0000, BG10, BG11; Cupcake-R30, R32, R35, E50, E51, E53, YG0000, YG11, YG13

Thanks for stopping by.

Shelter from the Storm

Good morning. I thought I would get this card squeezed in at the last minute for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (103). Plus I'm on a campaign to get some of my unused stamps inked up for the first time and this My Favorite Things Friendship is Shelter stamp is just one of them. I colored with Copic markers and paper pieced the umbrella, giving it a 3d effect. I combined several different patterned paper releases from My Mind's Eye, one of my very favorite manufacturers.   

Products: My Favorite Things stamp, My Mind's Eye dp, PTI cs and twill, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E00, E02, R20; Hair-E31, E33, E35; Clothing-RV00, R83, R85, YG11, YG23, YG25, BG0000, BG10, BG11, BG13, B0000; Bunny-W1, W2, E44; Shadows-B0000, B000

That's it for today.  Have a great weekend.

Keys to My Heart

Brr.....it's cold here and snow on the ground to boot. What weird weather we are having here in the south. 

Today's cards are the last of the Valentines I have to share. First up is one I created for this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch (177). As you can see I reversed the sketch and also substituted a Martha Stewart paper doily for the angled rectangular piece. I used a couple new things on this one, the My Favorite Things A La Mode stamp as well as the C.C. Designs Key and Lock Cutters. I wanted an interactive feel so I let the keys dangle.  

Products: My Favorite Things stamp and Die-namics, C.C. Designs die, Martha Stewart doily, Echo Park dp, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E000, E02, R20; Hair-E51, E53, E55, E57; Shoes-N5, N7, N9; Dress-RV00, R83, R85; Key-C1, C3, C5

Next up are two simple Valentine's I donated to Operation Write Home back in early January. I used the same Echo Park paper which is my very favorite Valentine paper ever. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll see you back here tomorrow.

All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge - No Red or Pink Valentines

Welcome to another  All That Scraps Wednesdays Challenge. There is a new and fun prize being offered and in order to be eligible to win, your project must include a stamp that is sold in the All That Scraps shop whether it is any of the wonderful in house designs or from the various other stamp companies that ATS carries. Be sure to link up your project with Mr Linky by next Tuesday at 10PM EST and only one entry per person please! The challenge this week is "a valentine with no red or pink". 

I admit I had to give this one some thought.  Afterall, I love pink and I use it all the time even where it isn't that appropriate! I was looking through my stamps and a light bulb went off when I spotted this beautiful Sweet November Ilyse princess stamp. I stamped her onto Bazzill Simply Smooth Cardstock and then colored her with Copic markers as per usual. I then cut out the image and placed her on the background using pop dots so I could easily slip the Prima flower stem underneath her. I stamped the My Favorite Things sentiment curving it to fit the banner design in the patterned paper.

Products: Sweet November stamp, Pink Paislee dp and trim, Echo Park dp, Prima flowers, Ki Memories brads, Doodlebug button, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E00, E02, R20; Hair-E50, E51, E31; Robe-BG0000, BG11, BG72, N1, N5, W00, W1; Crown-Y21, Y23, Y15

Now get busy with your own no pink or red allowed Valentine. Can't wait to see your creations!

Hey Buddy

Today's card is for this weeks The Cat's Pajamas TCP Tuesday 145 which is an inspiration challenge. I used the dots/circles and the colors as my source of inspiration.  I stamped The Cat's Pajamas Big Bear with Memento Rich Cocoa and then colored with Copics.  I cut him out and attached him to an old Lily Bee diecut frame piece that I cut in half. 

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamp and Linen thread, Maya Road clock, PTI banner and sentiment stamp, cs and buttons, Lily Bee dp, American Crafts ribbon, Copic Markers
Copics: E50, E51, E53, E55, B91, B93

Although I still have some lingering effects from whatever crud I had this time, I am feeling much better. I'm very slowly getting all the things done around the house that I've neglected over the past two weeks. 

Enjoy Every Moment

I received this Enjoy Every Moment stamp in record time after ordering from My Favorite Things this week so I decided to use it for this week's My Favorite Things Wedneday Stamp Club sketch challenge. It's been so gloomy around here lately that I also knew I wanted my card to be filled with bright and happy colors. After stamping onto Bazzill Simply Smooth cardstock, I drew a yoke on her dress with a Copic Multiliner pen. Since I was going all out with the color, I gave her some fiery red hair too.

Products: My Favorite Things stamp, Taylored Expressions balloon die, Cosmo Cricket dp, PTI cs, die and twill, Kaisercraft pearls, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics: Hair-E97, E08, E09; Skin-E0000, E00, E02, R20; Clothes-YG21, YG23, YG25, BG10, BG11, BG13, RV11, RV13, RV14; Shadows-B0000, B000

Have a great week.

Skater Bunny

Today's card is for the TCP Tuesday 144 which is a sketch. I reversed the sketch because I liked my bunny ears to flow over the circle portion of the design. Since I also wanted my little bunny to be a roller skater rather than an ice skater I swiped away the blade section of the skates before stamping onto Bazzill Simply Smooth cardstock. I altered him some more by drawing skate straps across the shoes with a Copic Multi-liner pen and adding teeny tiny buttons for the skate wheels. The sentiment is included in the stamp set although I parsed out some of it.  

Products: The Cat's Pajamas Skating Bunny stamp, Cosmo Cricket dp, Crate Paper ribbon/trim, MFT twill, PTI buttons, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics-Bunny-W1, W2, E44; Scarf-Y21, Y23, Y26; Shoes-BG11, BG23, BG34; Skate straps-R22, R27

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. I'm still coughing and wheezing but I am feeling somewhat better. I actually smelled the coffee brewing this morning.

All That Scraps Wednesdays Challenge - Anything Goes

Good morning and welcome to my first day on the job as a designer for the All That Scraps Wednesdays Challenge. I've been shopping at the All That Scraps store for a while now and I am excited to join their talented challenge team. There is a fun prize being offered and in order to be eligible to win, your project must include a stamp that is sold in the All That Scraps shop whether it is any of the wonderful in house designs or from the various other stamp companies that ATS carries. Be sure to link up your project with Mr Linky by next Tuesday at 10PM EST and only one entry per person please! The challenge this week is "anything goes". How easy is that?

Now for my project. As you can see I was in a vintage mood. I stamped the C.C. Designs Sweet November Isadora stamp onto Bazzill Simply Smooth Cardstock and then cut it out using a circle Spellbinders Nestabilities cutting away part of the image. I sponged around the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antinque Linen while it was in the die, then colored with Copic markers. After cutting out the doily I sponged first with the same Antique Linen distress ink and then along the edges with Memento Rich Cocoa ink.

Products: Sweet November stamp, My Favorite Things Doily die, Basic Grey Curio dp, My Mind's Eye decorative brad, Taylored Expressions die, Kaisercraft pearls, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E00, E02, R20; Hair-E35, E37, E29; Dress-R00, R01, R02, E57, E29; Crown/Bird/Dress Sleeves-E50, E51, E53

I'm also linking up this project for this weeks Crazy 4 Challenges C4C72 since it fits the criteria for vintage or shabby chic.

Have a great day. Now get busy on this challenge!

You Warm My Heart

I have been trying my best to add more male images to my stash and I fell in love with this cutie pie  "Like You a Latte" from The Cat's Pajamas the minute I saw him.  I paired him up with the fabulous Little Boy papers from Echo Park just chock full of boy colors and images. I created this for the TCP Tuesday 143 challenge to include the word love or heart. I also used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 102 for the basic design.

Products: The Cat's Pajamas stamp, Echo park dp, PTI button and cs, Ki Memories chipboard tag, Martha Stewart border punch, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E0000, E00, E02, R20; Hair-E31, E33, E35, E29; Coat-E55, E57, E44, E50, E51, E53; Pants/Gloves-B93, B95, B97; Cup-E51, E53, R22, R27

That's it for today. See you back here tomorrow.