Friday, 23 March 2018

MORE Die Cuts with Team Lou at the Southern Girls

2nd of two posts today

It's time for another challenge with us at the Southern Girls.

This fortnight Team Lou have created projects to inspire you for the new challenge




Our generous sponsors for this challenge are



~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Mermaid Kisses digital stamp by All Dressed Up, one of our generous sponsors this fortnight, to make a pair of birthday cards.


This post is to focus on the round frame with internal scallops.


I printed two of the mermaid images (one flipped horizontally so that she was facing the opposite direction) on X-Press It blending card, heat set, then coloured with Copic markers.  I had the perfect patterned papers in my stash, so chose my colours to coordinate with the Mermaid Tails paper pad.  After blending the tail, I went around each scale with a Zig Wink Of Stella glitter pen.  



I also added some white dot accents to the shells with a white gel pen.



I used several nesting dies (details below) to cut frames to go around the mermaids.  I also used my Silhouette Cameo to cut internal scallops in a circle to make an "opposite" design to stitched oval frame, adding bling to the scallops on both frames.  I trimmed the image panels down to fit inside the frames and adhered them together.

Next came the card base.  The designs of the patterned papers are so pretty and it was such a shame to cut much off them, so I just trimmed off 1/4" then matted them with several layers of textured cardstock, ending up with large 7 1/4" square panels.  To make each card base, I took two sheets of heavy white cardstock trimmed down to 7 1/4" square.  I scored one sheet 1" from the top to make the top fold on the back panel, using liquid adhesive to secure the front panel in place.

I adhered the framed mermaids to each card then decided to add some fish.  I punched out a bundle of fish and coloured them with the same shades as the mermaid tails and adhered them in place around the mermaid and frame.  I had planned on adding bling bubbles around each fish but when I tested some out it was too "busy", so quickly removed them.




I matted the inside of each card, adding some fish to make it extra pretty when I write the birthday greetings filled with mermaid kisses.



I have to confess that I am thrilled how wonderfully the
BG11-15-18 Copic markers blend together.


Here are some of the tools I used, full details in the ingredients.


*** INGREDIENTS ***
Copic markers - skin - E0000-000-00-93
Copic markers - hair - E30-31-33-35-37
Copic markers - tail & fish - BG10-11-13-15-18
Copic markers - top & shells - BV01-02-04
Zig Wink Of Stella glitter pen (scales on mermaid tail)
white gel pen (dots on shells)
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - white
Kaisercraft - 12x12 weave cardstock - Sea Foam
Kaisercraft - 12x12 weave cardstock - Island
Kaisercraft - 6 1/2" paper pad - Mermaid Tails
Sizzix Big Shot
Kaisercraft - decorative dies - Nesting Scalloped Stitched Ovals
Kaisercraft - decorative dies - Nesting Ovals
Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #64556
Stepped Inner Scallop Circle Border Set by Deborah Stine
clear rhinestones
Perfect Layers Rulers
Fiskars - fish squeeze punch
Fiskars - fish cartridge punch
Helmar Acid Free Professional Glue - to adhere the top fold
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the fish

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to All Dressed Up for supplying the image I have used today and for sponsoring the Die Cuts with Team Lou Challenge with us at the Southern Girls.

I hope I have inspired you to get creative and look forward to seeing your work shared in the challenge gallery.  
Remember we are not just a card blog, we love to see scrapbook layouts, artjournal pages and all types of papercraft.

~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Challenge #12 - Anything With A Critter Goes
My critter is a mermaid surrounded by schools of fish
A Bit More Time To Craft - Challenge #64 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra Challenge - EXTRA Challenge March – Anything Goes

A Perfect Time To Craft - 1st Mar-18 - Open Challenge #03
All Dressed Up - March Challenge - Anything Goes
using All Dressed Up
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Week 459 – Bring On The Bling
My mermaid is surrounded by sparkling bling
Crafting With An Attitude - Challenge #37 – Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Challenge #409 – Anything Goes option of Easter
Creative Moments Challenge Blog – Challenge #139 – Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Wk 12 – Anything Goes
Get Creative Challenges - Challenge #67 - Fantasy / Mythological
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Penny's Challenge 372 - Anything Goes
Pile It On - Pile It On #140 – Circles - bonus theme - Squares
my card is square with lots of square layers, my first circle is the frame around the mermaid and there are lots of circles in the rhinestones dotted inside the scallops
Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Wk 12 - Anything Goes
QKR Stampede - Challenge #288 - Anything Goes
Sketch Saturday Week #505
I have used an oval and round bling frame for each mermaid and I have used
schools of fish instead of the banner bits at each side

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge Blog – Challenge #03 - Anything Goes

Die Cuts with Team Lou at the Southern Girls

1st of two posts today

It's time for another challenge with us at the Southern Girls.

This fortnight Team Lou have created projects to inspire you for the new challenge




Our generous sponsors for this challenge are



~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Mermaid Kisses digital stamp by All Dressed Up, one of our generous sponsors this fortnight, to make a pair of birthday cards.


This post is to focus on the elegant oval framed mermaid.


I printed two of the mermaid images (one flipped horizontally so that she was facing the opposite direction) on X-Press It blending card, heat set, then coloured with Copic markers.  I had the perfect patterned papers in my stash, so chose my colours to coordinate with the Mermaid Tails paper pad.  After blending the tail, I went around each scale with a Zig Wink Of Stella glitter pen.  



I also added some white dot accents to the shells with a white gel pen.


I used several nesting dies (details below) to cut frames to go around the mermaids.  I also used my Silhouette Cameo to cut internal scallops in a circle to make an "opposite" design to stitched oval frame, adding bling to the scallops on both frames.  I trimmed the image panels down to fit inside the frames and adhered them together.

Next came the card base.  The designs of the patterned papers are so pretty and it was such a shame to cut much off them, so I just trimmed off 1/4" then matted them with several layers of textured cardstock, ending up with large 7 1/4" square panels.  To make each card base, I took two sheets of heavy white cardstock trimmed down to 7 1/4" square.  I scored one sheet 1" from the top to make the top fold on the back panel, using liquid adhesive to secure the front panel in place.

I adhered the framed mermaids to each card then decided to add some fish.  I punched out a bundle of fish and coloured them with the same shades as the mermaid tails and adhered them in place around the mermaid and frame.  I had planned on adding bling bubbles around each fish but when I tested some out it was too "busy", so quickly removed them.



I matted the inside of each card, adding some fish to make it extra pretty when I write the birthday greetings filled with mermaid kisses.



I have to confess that I am thrilled how wonderfully the
BG11-15-18 Copic markers blend together.


Here are some of the tools I used, full details in the ingredients.


*** INGREDIENTS ***
Copic markers - skin - E0000-000-00-93
Copic markers - hair - E30-31-33-35-37
Copic markers - tail & fish - BG10-11-13-15-18
Copic markers - top & shells - BV01-02-04
Zig Wink Of Stella glitter pen (scales on mermaid tail)
white gel pen (dots on shells)
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - white
Kaisercraft - 12x12 weave cardstock - Sea Foam
Kaisercraft - 12x12 weave cardstock - Island
Kaisercraft - 6 1/2" paper pad - Mermaid Tails
Sizzix Big Shot
Kaisercraft - decorative dies - Nesting Scalloped Stitched Ovals
Kaisercraft - decorative dies - Nesting Ovals
Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #64556
Stepped Inner Scallop Circle Border Set by Deborah Stine
clear rhinestones
Perfect Layers Rulers
Fiskars - fish squeeze punch
Fiskars - fish cartridge punch
Helmar Acid Free Professional Glue - to adhere the top fold
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the fish

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to All Dressed Up for supplying the image I have used today and for sponsoring the Die Cuts with Team Lou Challenge with us at the Southern Girls.

I hope I have inspired you to get creative and look forward to seeing your work shared in the challenge gallery.  
Remember we are not just a card blog, we love to see scrapbook layouts, artjournal pages and all types of papercraft.

~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Challenge #12 - Anything With A Critter Goes
My critter is a mermaid surrounded by schools of fish
A Bit More Time To Craft - Challenge #64 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra Challenge - EXTRA Challenge March – Anything Goes
All Dressed Up - March Challenge - Anything Goes

using All Dressed Up
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Week 459 – Bring On The Bling
My mermaid is surrounded by sparkling bling
Crafty CatzChallenge #409 – Anything Goes option of Easter

Crafty Creations Challenges - Challenge #362 - Anything Goes
Die Cut Diva's Challenge Blog - March Challenge – Monochrome In Color
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Wk 12 – Anything Goes
Get Creative Challenges - Challenge #67 - Fantasy / Mythological
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #107 – Anything Goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - PIP Challenge 1811 – Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Penny's Challenge 372 - Anything Goes

Pile It OnPile It On #140 – Circles - bonus theme - Squares
my card is square with lots of square layers, my first circle got squashed to make the oval and there are lots of circles in gazillion tiny rhinestones dotted around the scallops
QKR Stampede - Challenge #288 - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #136 – Anything Goes option Birthday
Sketch Saturday Week #505
I have used an oval and round bling frame for each mermaid and I have used
schools of fish instead of the banner bits at each side

Through The Craft Room Door - TTCRD Anything Goes Challenge March 20th

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Some special Easter inspiration with us on . . .

the My Besties Spanish Challenge Blog!
My Besties Spanish Challenge Blog


Today we are sharing some of the wonderful new March 2018 release
My Besties Easter images by Sherri Baldy

I had the pleasure of colouring and creating with the super cute
Sherri Baldy's My Besties img912 digital stamp.

I printed the image on X-Press It blending card, heat set then coloured with Copic markers.  I added some Stardust Stickles to the dots in the ears for some pretty sparkle.


Next came a touch of black.  I trimmed the image panel down then matted it with black cardstock.  I die cut a bundle of delicate flourishes from black cardstock and punched a bundle of yellow flowers to match the bunnies carrot and flower bouquet.  Sparkling black rhinestones were added to each flower.

The card base is 6 x 8".
I matted the front and inside panels then positioned the image panel and flourishes on the front.  I carefully lifted the image panel, smothered the back with liquid adhesive then secured it in place over the ends of the flourishes.  I adhered the flowers in place with liquid adhesive.





here are a couple more photos, just click on them to see the detail in full screen



~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Sherri Baldy My Besties - digital stamp - img912
Copic markers - bunny body - N0-1-3-5-7-9
Copic markers - bunny ears & slippers - RV00-21-23-25
Copic markers - eyes - E31-33-35
Copic markers - headband - B00-02-04
Copic markers - carrots - YR15-16-18 + YG67
Copic markers - flowers - Y04-06 + YR18 + YG67
black rhinestones
Stardust Stickles (sparkling dots in ears)
flower punches - assorted sizes
Kaisercraft - 3D Flower Decorative Dies - flourishes/swirls
Perfect Layers Rulers
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the flowers

~~~*~~~*~~~

I encourage you to head on over to the
My Besties Spanish Challenge Blog
to see the fabulous creations shared by the team using
the wonderful new March 2018 release of
My Besties Easter images by Sherri Baldy

~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~

2 Crafty Critter CraziesChallenge #12 - Anything With A Critter Goes
My critter is a cute Easter Bunny
A Bit More Time To Craft - Challenge #64 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra Challenge - EXTRA Challenge March – Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Week 459 – Bring On The Bling
My Easter Bunny has bling in her ears and is surrounded by bling flowers
Colour It!  Create It!  Show It Off! - March Challenge –
Monster Birthday / Anything Goes

Crafty Catz Challenge BlogChallenge #408 – Anything Goes optional B is for Bug
My B is not a bug, it's a Bunny, an Easter Bunny
Cute Card Thursday - Challenge #521 – Celebrate
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #107 – Anything Goes
My Besties 3D and More Challenge - Challenge #3 – March 2018 – Anything Goes
 with a Bestie

My Easter Bunny Bestie is wearing a blue headband
My Easter Bunny Bestie has a pretty blue headband
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - PIP Challenge 1811 – Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Penny’s Challenge 371 – Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Week 11 Anything Goes
QKR Stampede - Challenge #287 – Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #136 – Anything Goes option Birthday
SheepSki Designs Challenge Blog - Challenge #12 – Flowers
my bunny is holding a bouquet of flowers (& carrots) and is surrounded by flowers
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge BlogSimon Says: Easter Inspired
My Easter Bunny is clutching a carrot & flower bouquet
Sketch SaturdayWeek #505
I have used a rectangle instead of an oval and I have used
flourishes & flowers instead of the banner bits at the sides
The Cutie Pie Challenge BlogChallenge #121 – Theme: Spring Cuties
The Paper Shelter - Challenge #330 - Hot or Cold Colors
my card is warm,with lots of coral, pink and yellow
Through The Craft Room Door - TTCRD Anything Goes Challenge March 20th

Monday, 19 March 2018

. . . it's time to come Colouring In Scrapland

I'm thrilled to be joining

Colouring In Scrapland



as Guest Designer for the 
mid-challenge reminder
for the
March Anything Goes Challenge

The challenge is sponsored by
Gerda Steiner Designs
and the awesome prize is
$15 to spend in her store.

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Dog On Scooter Vrooming By digital stamp from Gerda Steiner Designs, the generous March challenge sponsor, to make a fun birthday card.


I added the super cute digital image to a panel of digital paper, created a digital sentiment and printed the panel on white textured cardstock.  I heat set the panel, then coloured the image with Copic markers.  I usually use "Copic friendly" cardstock with my Copic markers but thought the texture would work well with the "mixed media" panel.  What do you think?  I wanted my dog to be like "Snoopy", so just added shading to add some shadows and dimension.


I matted the front panel to make a 6x6" top folding card.
I added a 1/16" black mat to the image panel using my Perfect Layers Ruler
and it fitted perfectly on the 6x6" base.

I matted the inside of the card to match the front of the card.
It looked a bit empty inside, so I stamped the sentiment (yes, the completed card fitted OK inside the MISTI, the top half sticking out the top end and it was not damaged when closing the MISTI for stamping).  I confess that I should have used smooth cardstock inside the card.  Delicate detailed sentiments stamp wonderfully with the MISTI but textured cardstock makes for a real challenge, even with repeat stamping, so I used a black Copic multiliner pen to "fill" the gaps and neaten the edges.

The sentiment reads
wishing you another
FABULOUS
year of being
AWESOME


Here are a couple more photos ...

   


~~~*~~~*~~~


NOW it's YOUR turn!

I hope that I have inspired you to get creative
and look forward to seeing your projects fill the gallery for the
~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Gerda Steiner Designs - digital stamp -  Dog On Scooter Vrooming By
Copic markers - dog - N0-1-3
Copic markers - dog nose - N5-7-9
Copic markers - scarf - BV00-02-04-08
Copic markers - helmet - R21-22-24-27
Copic markers - scooter - YG61-63-67
Copic markers - wheels - N3-5-7
Copic markers - tyres - N7-9-10
A Bit More Time To Craft - freebie digital paper - MM4
digital font - "make every day an" - Lily Bloom Regular
digital font - "adventure" - Bobbie Script
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - white
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - black
Kaisercraft - 12x12 weave cardstock - forest
MISTI - most incredible stamping tool invented
Altenew - clear stamp set - Birthday Bash
Versafine - pigment ink - Onyx Black
Perfect Layers Ruler
scoreboard & embossing stylus (to make card fold)
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

~~~*~~~*~~~
Sending a big Thank You Anna from Colouring In Scrapland
for inviting me to be Guest Designer this month.
Sending a big Thank You to Gerda Steiner Designs for supplying the digital stamp
I have used today and for being a sponsor for March Anything Goes Challenge at
Colouring In Scrapland.
    
~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~


2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Challenge #12 - Anything With A Critter Goes
My critter is a cute dog on a scooter
A Bit More Time To Craft - Challenge #64 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra Challenge - EXTRA Challenge March – Anything Goes
A Perfect Time To Craft - 1st Mar-18 - Open Challenge #03
Crafting With An Attitude - Challenge #37 – Anything Goes
Crafty Catz Challenge Blog - Challenge #408 – Anything Goes optional B is for Bug
... I'm sure there are lots of squished bugs on the dog's helmet
Crafty Creations Challenges - Challenge #362 - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - Challenge #521 – Celebrate
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #107 – Anything Goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - PIP Challenge 1811 – Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Penny’s Challenge 371 – Anything Goes
Pile It On - Challenge #140 - Circles bonus theme Squares
there are lots of circles on my square card, from the background to the scooter wheels
Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Week 11 Anything Goes
QKR Stampede - Challenge #287 – Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #136 – Anything Goes option Birthday
The Paper Shelter - Challenge #330 - Hot or Cold Colors
my card is hot,with lots of warm coral, pink and yellow
World Wide Open Design Team Challenge Blog – Challenge #03 - Anything Goes

Wednesday, 14 March 2018

We're making it green at the Crafty Gals Corner

It's time for another challenge with us at the

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with
Crafty Gals Corner Challenges are bi-weekly.
Each crafter may only submit 3 projects per challenge.

~~~*~~~*~~~

The sponsor for this challenge is:

The Paper Shelter
Prize: $15 Gift Certificate

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Playing Under The Sea digital stamp from The Paper Shelter,
our generous sponsors this week, to make a big 7" x 7" birthday card.




I printed the image (with extra critters) on A5 X-Press It blending card, heat set then coloured with Copic markers.  Next came the fussy cutting.  I fussy cut the mermaid and a bundle of critters, finishing them off by running a Versafine onyx black dual tip marker around the edges.
I chose some pretty patterned paper from the Mermaid Tails paper pad by Kaisercraft, it was perfect for the mermaid image and has lots of lovely green shades, perfect for our challenge theme.
I matted the paper panel with two layers of green cardstock, adhering it to a top folding card base that I made by scoring a panel for the back, adhering the front panel along the scoreline to make the top fold.  I adhered the matted panel on to the card base then started decorating.  I made a faux shaker window by layering two rings (cut using nesting circle dies) to make a frame then filling it with sea critters, sparkling clear sequins and the beautiful mermaid.  I added dimension to the mermaid, green octopus and sentiment by popping them up with foam dots.


The sentiment was from the Mermaid Tails paper pad (a real bonus hidden at the back), I matted it with the same dark green cardstock for contrast, using a squeeze punch to round the corners.


I added some Wink Of Stella sparkle to the mermaid tail and sea critters.
I also used a clear and several different green glitter pens to add some extra detail & sparkle to the scales on the mermaid's tail.

and a couple more pics to share



   

~~~*~~~*~~~


NOW it's YOUR turn!

I hope that I have inspired you to get creative
and look forward to seeing your projects fill the gallery for
Crafty Gals Corner Challenges are bi-weekly.
Each crafter may only submit 3 projects per challenge.

~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
The Paper Shelter digital stamp - Playing Under The Sea
Copic markers - skin - E0000-000-00-02
Copic markers - hair - BV01-02-04-08
Copic markers - eyes - E21-23-25
Copic markers - lips - R81-83-85
Copic markers - tail, clams & headband - YG61-63-67
Copic markers - starfish - Y17-18
Copic markers - octopus - blue - B21-24
Copic markers - octopus - green - YG61-63-67
Copic markers - octopus - pink - R81-83-85
Versafine onyx black dual tip marker - to go around the edges of fussy cut images
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - mint
Kaisercraft  -12x12 weave cardstock - forest
Kaisercraft - 6 1/2" paper pad - Mermaid Tails
sentiment is from the Mermaid Tails paper pad
Sizzix Big Shot
nesting circles dies - to make round frame
Pretty Pink Posh - sparkling clear sequins - assorted sizes
Wink Of Stella - clear glitter brush
Zig glitter pens - clear & greens - to add shape & sparkle to the scales on her tail
scoreboard - to score back panel of cardstock - to make the top fold of the card
embossing stylus - to score the top fold
Fiskars corner rounder squeeze punch - to round corners of sentiment matting
Helmar Acid Free Professional Glue - to adhere the top fold
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the sentiment, sequins & starfish
foam dots - to adhere the sentiment & mermaid
~~~*~~~*~~~
Sending a big Thank You to The Paper Shelter for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #161 - Make It Green at the Crafty Gals Corner.
    
~~~*~~~*~~~
I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):
~~~*~~~*~~~

my card has lots and lots of layers
Cupcake InspirationsCIC441 – Theme Challenge – Pets
my mermaid has sweet sea creatures as her pets under the sea
Get Creative Challenges - Challenge #67 - Fantasy / Mythological
Incy Wincy Designs - Challenge Mar 5 - Mar 19 - ULTRAVIOLET
my mermaid has ultraviolet hair
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenges – Week #113 – In The Garden
my mermaid is playing in her garden under the sea