New Year's Eve *AND* New Release Friday at A Day for Daisies!

I cannot believe it is New Year's Eve!  Time goes so fast (except when I'm at work - *snicker*).  I had such a lovely time visiting with my family for Christmas and it is always so hard to leave!  We drove back yesterday - 12 hours in the car...UGH!   It's a nice drive but only when I'm heading to Indiana; coming back always seems longer :)

One of the wonderful things about going home is being able to spend time with my sister.  I love hanging out with her and being able to talk face to face and reminisce and  laugh about stuff - just real quality time!  One of our most memorable times together was a trip we took to the Outer Banks, North Carolina.  Growing up in the mid-west, Shell and I did not have many opportunities to vacation at the beach.  In fact, we were both grown before we even saw the ocean, let alone vacation there.  So it's a special memory for us.  Once I saw the images for the new release this week (find them all HERE), I knew Shelly would love the image of the sisters on the beach and I wanted to make something for her using the image.

The technique I used can be found at Split Coast Stampers and it was super quick and fun.  What was really great is that I needed only a few things to be able to make this and considering I was traveling and didn't have the advantage of my fully-equipped craft room, this project was ideal!  I brought my copics and laptop with me and here are the other things I used:

ADFD digital images, Shells "B" and "E" , and "At The Sea With Sister"
Flameless candles - I got my set at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $9 while "after-Christmas" shopping!
White tissue paper - plenty laying around from Christmas presents
Wax paper (enough just to cover the image) - Mom's kitchen
Heat gun - borrowed my Mom's

I printed the images onto the tissue paper, colored them, and then cut them out leaving about a 1/4" edge all around the image.  I placed the image on the candle where I liked it and then covered it with the wax paper.  Using the heat gun, I melted the wax from the wax paper over the tissue which adhered it to the candle!  Just a word to the wise - the flameless candles are made from wax too and it will melt also so you don't want to heat it too much.  I found that it was much like embossing.  Once my images were colored and cut out, it took literally only a minute to a minute and a half to adhere the images to the candle!

I wish you all the very best for the new year!   Hey Shell - we should plan a beach trip for 2011 too ;)

<3 Lisa

Just Ducky!

Hello All and Merry Christmas Eve!  I hope this Friday finds you well and with those you love :)  I am very happy to be spending the holidays in Indiana with my Mom and Dad and Shelly (my sister), Travis (bro-in law) and Lauren (much adored niece)!  There is nothing like the comfort of home and family.

So, I'm feeling pretty ducky :)  Which by the way, I googled to ensure it didn't mean something other than good things *giggle*.  It looks like I'm in the clear.  I used a New Release image from A Day For Daisies called "Four Baby Geese" (find them HERE).  It was nice to make a card this week that was something other than Christmas-related ;)  I used a My Mind's Eye pre-folded, double-sided card (Bohemia collection).  I am really liking these cards!  I'm typically a Bazzil or DCWV fan but the colors and textures of the MME cards are delish!  I paired it with some October Afternoon DP (Fly A Kite stack).  I am not sure where the flowers came from but the grosgrain yellow ribbon was left over from some craft supplies I bought to make my daughter's birthday party invites.  I ended up not even using it for them because I came up with a totally different idea than what I started with!  That's really typical for me so I have lots of little odds and ends that I'm sure sometime will come in handy!

My sister and I are heading out for some last minute Christmas Eve preparations.  I just love shopping in her town because they play Christmas music over the town church's speakers and everyone is so friendly; it's like a scene from an old movie :)  Merry Christmas Everyone!!
<3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies Challenge #8 - Tinsel & Tags!

***This is the second post for today!  Please scroll down to see the New Release images available NOW at  A Day For Daisies!***

It's time for another challenge at A Day for Daisies.com!  The theme for Challenge #8 is "Tinsel & Tags."  There's nothing better than tags and a little sparkle during the holiday season!  Let’s use both to make a festive card for this happy time of year!

This darling little fairy, "Little Winter Fairy" is just fluttering about sprinkling Christmas magic!  I have colored her with copics and added stardust Stickles to her candy-striped outfit.  The "halo" that surrounds her in her flight was made using holiday garland (it's called "snow"!).  I added sparkle to my card by using Doodlebug sugar glitter for the fairy sprinkles and a shiny gold bow.  The tag on the present is a Tim Holtz charm.

The challenge is open until January 6th, so please come play with us!

New Release Friday at A Day for Daisies!

Hi All and a Happy Friday to you! As you may know by now, Fridays are "new release day" for A Day For Daisies!  This week's releases are A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!!!  They are all pet-related and that's right up my alley :) 

This gorgeous image is called "Dolly," find her here.   It's colored with copics and in all sepia tones.  The bandana-printed paper comes from MS.  I used an MS punch for the scallop border along the paper and around the button.  The card is an A2 DCWV card.

Be sure to check out The other DT member's inspirations (links to their blogs are located to the right of my blog --->  )  ADFD DT has grown by two members!  We are really excited to have them join us and look forward to their wonderful creations!

Finally, I just wanted to let you all know that ADFD now has a group over at Papercraft Planet!  When we reach 300 members, Tammy will release an exclusive image collection just for members so please, head on over and join! :)

Let it Snow!

I sure wish we would get snow.  I don't want it to be treacherous or anything, just a thorough dusting would be nice!  My love of snow led to this card.  Heidi Grace has gorgeous shimmer paper with flocked snowflakes and it makes the perfect backdrop for this darling little penguin from Doodle Pantry (find him here).  He's colored with copics.  I used a Bazzill white A2 card and  Bazzill blue cardstock (from the earthtones stack) cut with Nestabilities curved rectangles.  I used Aleene's glitter snow for the penguin to sit in (have I mentioned I *love* that stuff?).  The ribbon is by Offray  and the bow is accented with a clear snowflake sticker (embellished with a MS rhinestone).  That gorgeous shimmer in my penguin's fur is actually the Cryogen white iridescent cardstock he is printed on!  It comes from Paper Temptress (here).  The small sticker sentiment -- O Winter, King of Intimate Delights -- comes from Susan Branch.    Soooo, let it snow (safely)!

A Day for Daisies New Releases!

Happy Friday everyone :)  and a happy Friday indeed considering it means another new batch of images from A Day For Daisies - Yippee!
This week's release is dedicated to pregnancy and they are divine!  I chose this darling princess, "A Royal Pain," and sweet "Vintage Baby Carriage."  Both images are colored with copics.  The timing of this release could not be better; I am planning two baby showers and I'm hoping to help out with a third since a co-worker just announced this week she was pregnant!

The set I made here is for a very special friend who loves purple so I used hues of lavender.  I just kept thinking how perfect and unique this digi is --what gal doesn't want to be a princess and what better time to pamper her than when she's expecting?  Come on by and check out the other images and the design team fabulous inspirations (links are located on the righthand side of my blog).  Oh and I another bit of great news - A Day For Daisies has now started a group at Paper Craft Planet!  There are some fun things going on over there so check it out!

Have a lovely weekend!
<3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies - New Releases AND a New Challenge!

Oh Fabulous Friday!  A Day For Daisies releases *new* images today AND it's the start of a *new* challenge!  My first card showcases one of Tammy's amazing mermaid images, Mermaid Child One.  A Day For Daisies mermaid images are my personal favorites.  I colored him with copics and the foam on the tide is Aleene's glitter snow.  I lightly brushed some Mudd Puddles sand paste here and there also.  The card is a Bazzill A2 and the frame is K&Company Life's Journey blue green damask printed paper and cut with Nesties Labels 10.

Now it's time for details and inspiration for the A Day for Daisies Challenge #7!  The theme is "It's All In the Wrapping."  Can you guess what you need to do?  Yes that's right - you need to use wrapping paper in your card design!  You know that package that's wrapped so perfectly, you can hardly imagine what's inside!? Take as much care in making your card as you would in executing a flawless wrap.  These cards will be so pretty it won’t matter what’s inside.  It’s all in the wrapping!  I chose to use Christmas wrapping paper but you can use any wrapping you choose.  I thought that an explosion box (tutorial from Splitcoaststampers here) was the perfect card design for this challenge!   I used red foil wrapping paper --on sale on JoAnn's for 99 cents -- and covered the outside of the "box."  Then, using my mini-Bowdabra and sheer gold ribbon, made a bow.  Then, by resizing ADFD digi, "Dressed up for Christmas," I created the To/From tag.  See, this is one of the huge benefits of working with digis - they can be resized to accommodate the project!   So now, here's the fun part  When you lift the lid, the walls of the box fall open and reveals another amazing A Day for Daisies digi, "A Special Gift!"  The star is mounted on  piece of acetate so it stays suspended over Mary & Baby. 

For more inspiration, check out the other design team inspirations (links are on the right side of my blog).  Come play along with us!

We are really close to hitting the 200 member mark CDAC so if you haven't joined yet, please come on by! There will be an exclusive image given to the first 200 members and I know it will be wonderful!

<3 Lisa

I Got An Award!

I met some wonderful fellow bloggers during the Operation Write Home Be My Valentines Blog Hop and one of those wonderful ladies, njgramma from Grammie's Craft Room, honored me today by passing along the "Stylish blogger Award" to me.  How lovely!!  Thank you so much for thinking of me!

So, in accepting this award, I have a few duties to fulfill:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards.
***
So, I'll start with the 8 things about me:  #1 - I share my craft room with one particularly aloof and much adored Himalayan-mix cat, LilyBelle:

2.  I am a big fan of horror movies and used to attend horror movie conventions where I met (have pics & autographs to prove it - ;) Linda Blair, Bruce Campbell, Dee Wallace Stone, Danny Trejo, Sid Haig,   George A. Romero ..oh I could go on...but I've bored you enough - ha! ha!

3. My favorite color is pink

4.  I *love* to plan parties, weddings, baby showers, but I rarely host parties for myself.

5.  I have a phobia of open water

6.  I *love* Indian food

7.  I did not see the ocean until I was 25 - that was just last year - *JOKING*

8.  Fall is my favorite time of year but I love snow and I don't like the heat!

Now, for the pay-it-forwards!  I have had the pleasure of  "e-meeting" these talented women and have enjoyed their creations:

Samantha - http://expressionsofacraftaholic.blogspot.com/
Trina - http://trinamadethis.blogspot.com/
Cathy - http://www.bytheccreations.blogspot.com/
Jennifer - http://www.justcoffeepleasestampsribbonspaper.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://the-purple-place.blogspot.com/
Cat - http://www.catscrapfever.blogspot.com/
Candy - http://www.purplecardlady.blogspot.com/ 
Berenice - http://karbers.blogspot.com/ 

I apologize for being a day late on my post but the excitement of receiving the award and the sincerity I feel in paying it forward to the ladies above is not belated!  Thank you again, njgramma <3  Lisa

Tiny Poppy Fairy

I made this card for a challenge I found at Valentine's Monthly Challenge.  The theme is "Poppies" in honor of Remembrance Day and the only rule was to use at least one Stampin' Up product somewhere on the card.  A Day for Daisies has gorgeous poppy images so I just had to play!  I chose, "Tiny Poppy Fairy."  I colored her with copics; her wings were painted with Smooch illuminate and she has tiny pearls (Viva Decor pearl pen) in her hair.  I used Autumn Leaves Pretty Poppies printed paper to cut out several poppies and pieced them together and popped some of the petals so my tiny fairy could perch atop them.  My SU! product is the clear button and I used an SU! rubber stamp for the sentiment, "With Love," from the Yummy collection (I masked off the small heart).  I used Offray 3/16" ribbon and I layered it.  Thanks for stopping by!

Digis With Attitude Challenge #8 - Pink, Black & Silver

Marlene from Disguised As A Grownup blog inspired me to give the Digis With Attitude Challenge a try.  The challenge is to use Pink, Black, and Silver in your creation.  Using one of their digis is optional but I *had* to use Tabatha and Tony - they are so cute!  There is still time to get your entry in if you want to play - the winner will be announced on December 6th.

I used an A7 Bazzill card and Anna Griffin printed papers (Peyton Collection).  The image is colored with copics --I will make no excuse for coloring Tabatha pink, it's just how I pictured her so I went with it ;)!  The love hearts springing above these two lovebirds was made with strips of acetate (glued onto the back of the Nesties Labels Nine background) and Heidi Grace sticker hearts.  The sentiment is a Studio G dollar stamp and it's mounted on a Nestie circle flocked with The Craft Lounge sparkly fluff.  I am not sure where the foil pink heart paper came from; most likely my LSS.  The metal dots came from JoAnn's $1 bins.

Now, I was wishing for one of Marlene's super-clever sentiments but finally opted for simply, "kitty love."  I realized that the face Tabatha is making is a face I've seen many times on the face on my much adored kitty, Lily.  She can actually have *that* expression and still purr so I chalk it up to being "kitty love" and I don't try to understand it. See for yourself. Here's little miss grumpy herself:

Honestly, I think that's her "Somebody's Got A Case of the Mondays" look - Ha!  <3  Lisa

Doodle Pantry Challenge #2

Doodle Pantry's second challenge is to create a card that has leaves or branches on it.  Doodle Pantry has the cutest birdie images so this was a cinch! I used DP image, "Christmas Birdie," colored him and his little tree with copics and then fussy-cut all so I could place him atop his branch.  The branch was cut on my Cricut with the Home Decor cartridge.  The card is A7 Bazzill cardstock and the sentiment is computer-generated.

A Day For Daisies New Release!

Hello everyone.  I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Today is Friday and that means new releases from A Day for Daisies!  I would like to share one of those images with you, "Caroling with the Birds," and you can see the other images at the A Day For Daisies website, or at the CDAC.   The other design team members have inspirations to share too so please check it out.

I colored my image mostly with copics.  The falling snow is liquid pearls and Stickles and the fallen snow is Aleene's glitter snow (I love that stuff!).  The flowers were made using a Viva Decor pearl pen.  (I bought mine at Susana's Custom Art & Card Design.  I love shopping there; shipping is quick and there is always the nicest little "thank you" pack tucked in with my order!).  The wreath was made with thin wire, glue, and flower soft.  I got the idea from the incredibly talented Ms. Suzanne Dean.  She made a Christmas scene card with the most adorable flower soft Christmas garland and was kind enough to explain how she had made it --see the card and read about it on her blog:  Scrapbitz.  I used MS tinsel glitter on the hand warmer and MS printed paper. The sentiment is computer-generated on Bazzill cardstock.

A Day for Daisies is getting close to the 200 member mark over at the CDAC!  Once we hit 200, members will receive an exclusive freebie image! Yippee!  It's a really great place so come on over and join in the fun :)

Snow Day! Karber Digital Images

I was notified yesterday that I won two  digital images from Karber Digital Images at Feline Playful!  These images are so stinkin' cute!  Here is "Christmas Millie" and I decided she had to be enjoying a snow day (You know I had to love the image to be inspired to make a "snow" card before Thanksgiving *snicker*).  I also picked "Coffee Leslie" -- because I am in love with her big glasses-- and I bought the Karber babies because they are just so AdOrAbLe!  I am counting down the hours until 3:30 pm EST tomorrow because then I am off work and on holiday which means I can be in my craft room and play with my new images! :) Yippee ;)

 I'm off to make some stuffing for my work party tomorrow - ugh, work & cooking --the two activities that should never cross each other's paths.  Either some dark, evil place has frozen over or ...it's the holidays!  Ha.  See, I'm a big Bah Humbug.  Better...look.....at extreme.....cuteness....for strength:  Karber Digital Images.  ;)  <3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies Challenge #6!

Oh wonderful Friday!  A new challenge begins today at A Day For Daisies.  The theme is "Attitude of Gratitude" and you are to create any card using a sentiment of gratitude.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Ahhh…but here’s the catch, you have to come up with the sentiment and design yourself!  No pre-made thanks allowed!

So here is my inspiration - I used three of Tammy's images, "Pretty Turkey," "Barrel of Blossoms," and "Carving Pumpkins" (but I cropped the image to just the pumpkins).  All are available in the A Day for Daisies shop:  HERE.  All are colored with copics.  I fussy-cut them out and arranged them together on top of cloud-printed paper in what I thought looked like "Bountiful Blessings!"  I stamped the leaves with a Recollections rubber stamp (style #115465) using Staz On ink in pumpkin, olive green, and timber brown, and Color Box ink in canary.  Once the ink dried, I cut the out and sprinkled them about.  I popped up "Pretty Turkey" and the two pumpkins.  The sentiment is computer-generated and I used my all-time favorite fancy font: Flemish Script.  The card is Bazzill (A7) with a "window" cut with SB Nesties

Now, if you haven't tried A Day For Daisies images, Tammy has some wonderful freebies available.  As a matter of fact, if you join the A Day For Daisies group over at Crafter's Digital Art Center (the link is on my side bar --->), you will receive a free digi.  If we can hit 200 members, there will be another free image exclusive for members! *AND* on Friday's  new releases are discounted at 20% off the regular price!  Awesome!!  So, what are you waiting for?  Go grab some images and come play along!
<3 Lisa

Sailing Away

I was commissioned make invitations for a 50th birthday party and when I found out the honoree was into sailing, I got this idea to incorporate sailing knots into the invite somehow.  The invitations needed to be inexpensive so I went with a simple design.  I wanted to used a photograph of the person's actual sailboat to personalize the invitation but that proved to difficult to get so I went with the next best thing - (free!) clipart from sailboatclipart.com.  I printed the image on the cardstock and created an overlay with the vellum and party details.  Then it was time to add my favorite detail - the sailing knot!  I found this terrific website - apparent wind.com - that offered step by step virtual instructions on how to tie the knot.  I chose a "figure eight" knot:  A stopper knot. Used at the end of a line to keep it from sneaking away. Often seen at the end of jib sheets.  I can't tell you what the heck a jib is but I know how to tie these knots now - Ha Ha! :)  Anyway, using some embroidery thread I tied lots of these little figure eight knots, mounted them on Bazzill cardstock mattes that I cut out using SB Nestabilities Labels 4 and attached them with pop dots.  So there you have it - my Sailing Away Invites! :)

Thank You!!!!

I don't care for Mondays.  They are always hectic from the minute my alarm goes off until the work day is over.  Mondays following a long weekend are particularly harsh!  *BUT* this Monday was pretty sweet!  I found out that I won the Doodle Pantry Challenge  and the prize is an incredibly generous $20 gift certificate to their digi store!  I found out I won some awesome blog candy from Samantha at expressionsofacraftaholic.blogspot.com and from Anita at http://cardsandcoffee.blogspot.com.   I had the pleasure of visiting their blogs during the Be My Valentine Operation Write Home Blog Hop this past weekend!  The blog hop was an amazing experience. There were so many wonderful cards and personal stories -- I thoroughly enjoyed it!  And last, but definitely not least, my followers increased - I'm so excited!  So a big thank you to all of you - Doodle Pantry, Samantha, Anita, and followers new and those that have been with me awhile.  You have made my day and not just any day --you made my Monday ;)!!

Be My Valentine Operation Write Home Blog Hop Today!

Welcome Friends and fellow blurfers to the next stop on the Operation Write Home Be My Valentine Blog Hop!  The deadline for getting handcrafted Valentine cards to our troops is January 7, 2011.  Please note that the deadline for Christmas cards has passed.

For those of you who are not familiar Operation Write Home (OWH), their mission is to get blank handmade greeting cards to our nation's armed forces to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.  Isn't that awesome!?  If you think so, you can vote for OWH at Joann.com for the Craft for the Cause Contest 2010!  OWH is one of three charities in the running to win $50,000!  So please, cast your vote (and you can vote daily!) for Operation Write Home.  If you are interested in creating cards for OWH and would like more information, please visit their blog for details:  OperationWriteHome.org

Now, the next stop on the hop is:  Paper Addict at paperaddictcatherine.blogspot.com

My valentine was made using a digital stamp, "Angel Love", from A Day For Daisies.  She's colored with copics and I used Smooch Illuminate on her wings and coated them with Glossy Accents.  I used a Gelly Roll gold metallic pen for her halo and highlights in her hair.  The hearts are colored with Glaze pens and coated with Glossy Accents.  The card (Bazzill A2) was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and cut with an oval SB Nestabilities.  The insert is pink vellum and I used a $1 rubber stamp from Michaels (love) and rub on  letters by American Crafts.  The flowers are by Recollections.

If you haven't checked out A Day For Daisies, please do.  Right now and for the rest of the month of November, if you join the A Day For Daisies group at Crafters Digital Art Center, you will receive a free image!    Also, every Friday new images are released in the store and at a 20% discount! 

Snow Flake Fairy Ornament

I can't believe I'm posting anything even remotely related to winter or Christmas so soon after Halloween but this little snowflake fairy was whispering sweet iridescent nothings to me and I just couldn't help myself.  Isn't she a sweetie?  This is a digital stamp from A Day For Daisies called, "Snow Flake Fairy" printed on heavy vellum.  She's colored with copics and covered with Stickles.  The "snow" in the ornament is "Diamond Dust" and I used a MS snowflake punch and punched a few snowflakes out of Bazzill silver cardstock and dropped them in too.  It's topped with a sheer ribbon bow.  Oh, and the iridescent glass ball came from my newly opened, brand spanking new Hobby Lobby!  They were already 40% off (of $4.99 for a set of 4) = bargain!!
I might add a little charm that says, "Let It Snow" but that would have pushed me way out of my comfort zone for today.  After Thanksgiving I'll make the little charm ;).

Doodle Pantry Challenge #1

I have been in the mood for baby cards so when I saw Doodle Pantry was hosting their first challenge, I knew exactly which image I would use and what kind of card I would make!  This adorable digital stamp, Sweet Giraffe, comes with three different sentiments = all for the amazing price of $2.50!!  I colored him with copics and he is popped up over two printed papers (cut with SB Labels 10) .  The sentiment (one of the three the image comes with!) was printed on white paper and cut with circle SB Nesties and I applied sea breeze VersaMagic chalk ink to the edges.  I made a double bow using 3/8" micro check ribbon (lime).  The buttons are from WalMart and I placed small adhesive pearls in the button holes.  The card is (of course) Bazzill cardstock.

Now, if you enter the Doodle Pantry challenge, and you follow the challenge guidelines (which is a piece of cake) you get an adorable *FREE* digi (see it here!).  The challenge begins today and is open for 7 days!

Happy Crafting!  <3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies Challege #5!

It's time for another challenge at A Day For Daisies!!  The challenge theme is “Please Pass the Traditions.”  Everyone has a tried and true recipe that never lets them down.  Please pass the tradition!  Create a card using your favorite recipe!  Get creative with the design and remember… no one makes it better than you! 

I interpreted this to mean to use my favorite, tried and true "card recipe."  But to relate my card to an actual recipe, that would have to be what has lovingly come to be known in my family as simply, "Pink Fluff."  Cherry pie filling, whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, drained pineapple, coconut, pecans and mini-marshmallows --makes a wonderful pink fluffly sweet treat!

My favorite card "recipe" is anything baby!  Pastel colors, (especially pink!), bows and sweetness - and A Day For Daisies has the most perfect main ingredient - beautiful, delicate images!  The image I used here is Babe Basket.  The flowers surrounding the image were cut from the same image - ahhh, the beauty of digi stamps!  I cropped the image to just the flowers and printed them (10 times).  Everything is colored with copic markers and the basket is flocked.  The printed paper is Sandy Lion "Dot" and the card is Bazzil cardstock.  I made a "double bow" out of pink satin ribbon (5/8").  I used Martha Stewart pink and lavender ombre gem stickers to embellish the flowers.

So please come share your "recipe" and come play along!

Happy Crafting!
  <3 Lisa

The Blog Candy I Won from Suzanne Dean/Scrapbitz!

I won these two adorable clear Magnolia stamps and the MS cobweb punch (and a lovely Cosmo Cricket printed paper pad!) by commenting on a blog post over at Scrapbitz.  The blog post asked to comment what your favorite costume was and I posted about my home made voodoo doll costume (I blogged about here to, see "Just a little voodoo").  Suzanne chose my comment!!  I was so excited!   So finally, I have been able to play with all my new stuff and I made these two cards.

I took Suzanne's beginners Copic classes (I'm taking the advanced ones too) and I just love her and her classes!  You know, copics are quite an investment and one that doesn't come with any guidance.  Suzanne gives such useful and money-saving tips and advice -- everything is covered; what to invest in, what isn't needed, how to refill the markers, what color combos work together and which ones don't -- AND all the while, she is demonstrating her techniques and teaching you how to use Copics!!  She's amazing and the classes are priceless.  She also has taken her classes on the road so if you are the type of person who learns better in a classroom situation, she's got you covered!  Here is the link, "Color Me Creative Classroom" if you would like to check it out.

Ghostly Gossmere

This is another Tiddly Inks digital stamp, Gossmere.  I really enjoyed the "black out" challenge from  A Day For Daisies and thought it would be fun to try it again using another stamp.  So this was the result.  I used an A7 Bazzill card, the printed paper is from Martha Stewart (vampire paper pad), and the embossed graveyard was made using a Quickutz embossing folder and added the fence (MS punch).  I made the flowers and gave each a glittery black center (Doodlebug brads).  Gossmere's face, hair, and arms were colored with copics but her dress was printed several times - once on Gina K Luxury cardstock and three times on heavy weight vellum.  I made a mixture of Glossy Accents and Pearl Ex (#651 Pearl White) and then I painted it; I wanted it to look like a tattered gown.  I added a cream colored ribbon to the waistline.  After everything dried, I then layered up the dress, cutting and scrunching the edges of the dress.  It gave it wonderful dimension!  I thought she looked pretty ghostly :)  I stamped the sentiment, embossed it, and cut it out using SB nesties (Labels 9). 

It was a lot of fun using the rules for the ADFD challenge (which, by the way, is still going on!! November 4 is the last day for the challenge so please give it a try!).

Gone Batty!

I just love Tiddly Inks digital stamps - they are so stinkin' cute!  This little doll is called, Batty.  She's colored with copics and her buttons and hair clip are tiny rhinestones (Recollections).  I cut out her bat balloon, covered it in UTEE and then glittered it with chunky black glitter.  The card is a pre-cut DCWV card.  The sentiment is a rub-on from a $1 pack from AC Moore.

Vintage Halloween

This little beauty comes from Third Coast Art Rubber Stamps.  Her name is Kitty & Cat (find her here).  She's colored with copics and embellished with lavender Stickles.  Her pumpkin was colored then coated with Glossy Accents.  I mounted the image on Bazzill Bling cardstock (Spoiled Brat) and cut with SB oval nesties; I used lavendar (not sure of the actual color name) Bazzill Bling cardstock cut with SB scalloped oval nestie.  The crepe paper embellishment was actually white party streamers I had around the house.  I colored it with my Bic Mark Its and then accordian-folded it and then, using double-sided tape, affixed it to the back of the oval.  The "Oct. 31st" is a sticker from a $1 pack from AC Moore and I attached the black and orange ribbon.  Finally, I embossed a square of the Bazzill cardstock (same used for the oval) with a Quickutz embossing folder and affixed everything to a Bazzill A2 card!

Hildegard

 In my quest to find a scary witch for my sister's card, I came across Hildegard here at Third Coast Art Rubber Stamps.  She looks scary enough...until I read the sentiment that came with her!  So Mom I thought you would get a kick out of ol' Hildy :)

Arachnophobia!

Happy Halloween Everyone! 

I don't like spiders.  I can handle mice and snakes - well not if they were in my house - but I don't like to see even pictures of creepy crawly spiders!  So it's funny to me that I would enjoy making these little beaded beauties!  I found instructions for them in the Better Homes & Gardens Special Publication Halloween 2010.  They were pretty easy and I had a lot of fun choosing different beads for their bodies and legs.  I put my own twist on them by varying the sizes and the bead combinations, along with putting the rhinestones eyes on each!    
They are going to hang in my doorway tonight to surprise unexpected Trick-or-Treaters.  Hmmmm, maybe that's how my phobia of spiders started!?   

Hellish High Heels

I am not sure I've posted more than one post in a day before but I'm a few posts behind and Halloween is 4 short hours away!  It's been such a busy month - I can't believe it's over tomorrow :( 

I couldn't resist making a pair of paper Halloween high heels using the template by Carlos N. Molina.  I made a couple modifications by making it a closed-toe shoe and the addition of the spider web strap.  Once I saw the cobweb on the October 31st Cricut cartridge, I knew I wanted it on my shoes; the same with the spider embellishments (brads by Creative Imaginations).  I sure wish I could get these in a Women's size 7 :)

A Wicked Witch for Shelly

My sister has been asking me to make a card with a scary witch instead of the cards I've been making with the cutie witches.  I didn't think I could find a scary witch...and then I stumbled upon the Etsy shop of Rick St. Dennis.  The image is called, "THAT-A-WAY Witch" and I knew the moment I saw her, this was Shell's witch!  There are some really wonderful images at Rick's Etsy shop (I bought the SeaSprites also!) and I am in *love* with this witch!  She's colored with copics and embellished here and there with glaze pens.  The potion bottles got a thick coat of glossy accents after I colored their contents with glaze markers.  The image is cut out with SB Nestabilities big scalloped squares (large).  I colored the background with a C3 copic marker and edged the picture with gun metal Stickles. The metal brads are by Creative Imaginations (the style is Fright Night #21787) and the sentiment is from a $1 pack of Halloween stickers from AC Moore.  The card is Bazzill cardstock and the gorgeous flocked damask background (cut with SB mega nestie curved rectangles) is The Paper Studio (brocade flocked - black, item #982033). (I don't have any info for the orange striped paper.) 

So there you have it Shell; I hope you like her as much as I do.  I had a good time coloring her up.  She reminded me of the one Halloween when you came to visit and we dressed like witches :)  Sure wish you were here THIS Halloween!  Love you <3 

Front Porch Decorations

I was perusing my copy of  the Better Homes and Gardens special interest publication HALLOWEEN 2010 magazine and came across a 4-page spread of really neat Halloween displays by Debbie Dusenberg (I found her blog!!! Curious Sofa Diaries). One of the displays she created for Halloween uses a pair of bendable mannequin legs, clad in orange and black striped tights with witch shoes, and planted in an urn.  It looked so freaky and cool;  I knew I had the decoration for my front porch!  As it turns out, bendable mannequin legs are unbelievably expensive so I had to go with the more realistic price and little

less realistic-looking legs.  So, I went with inflatable legs ($15/pr), tights (child size - $2.50/pr), witch shoe covers ($5/pr and I had one pair) over black socks, and the "dress" is a  black trash bag.  I had the witch hats but they were from the Target $1 bins.  I added the polka dot ribbon (Hobby Lobby -40% off).  My door sign came from WalMart ($10) but it was a must - those polka dots!  And the hanger - so stinkin' cute!  I will add our carved pumpkins to the porch and a life-size talking witch for the bay window on Halloween night.  I am going to fill "BOo" bags now and watch the Rocky Horror GLEE episode - it just doesn't get any better than this :)  Have I mentioned I love Halloween?  ;)

Feline Playful! and 500 Followers Blog Candy!

I just wanted to tell you all about a great and super handy blog site that provides links to many of the challenge blogs out there for crafters and it also provides information about some of the challenges -- it's wonderful!    Right now, Feline Playful is offering some incredible blog candy to celebrate 500 followers!  Check it out here for details on how to win.  A random winner will be chosen on November 6, 2010!!

Have a great week!
<3 Lisa

A Day for Daisies - Breast Cancer Awareness *FREE* Digital Stamps!

Tammy Thompson, A Day for Daisies, has designed three lovely breast cancer awareness digital stamps and she is offering them for FREE!  You can get them at the A Day For Daisies website under "freebies"  or over at the Crafter's Digital Art Center here:  A Day For Daisies !  I used "Pink Ribbon Tree One" for my card.  Be sure to grab these wonderful digis!

I Date Zombies... (NOT for the faint at heart!)

--WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG TO BRING YOU A SPECIAL BULLETIN - The Walking Dead have invaded Land Of  EnCRAFTment!

The inspiration for this card comes from a card featured at Squigglefly.com.  It was designed by Marlene/ Disguised as a Grownup blog -- see the card here:  Disguised as a Grownup.

I used the same sentiment but chose the  image "Here's to You" from Squigglefly.com and added a digi zombie --  a **FREE** digi zombie -- from Make it Crafty (Yes - I said FREE! It's called "Halloween Zombie and you can get it here!)  Both images were colored with copics. I glitzed up the gal with Lilac Stickles and small rhinestones for her bling.  I used lots of  red Glaze (pen) and glossy accents on my zombie so he would look all slimy and oozy. (George Romero would be so proud - *snicker*!).  I used Bazzill cardstock (card) and DCWV colored cardstock (accent green).

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So, yeah,  this is a little outside the box for me!  I love scary and spooky but I have never been into gore; let alone crafty card-gore *but* clearly, I couldn't NOT make this card (and it was really fun!)  Don't worry; I was only dabbling... Regular scheduled blogging will resume shortly...  ';) Lisa

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A Day For Daisies Flower Basket Challenge#4

Happy Friday Everyone! The next challenge at the A Day For Daisies Flower Basket begins today and the theme is "Black Out!" The challenge is to use as many black elements as possible --black paper, black glitter, black rhinestones -- whatever creative elements you can come up with as long as they are black!

I have to admit, I was afraid this one was going to be a bit tricky because when I look at the happy and cheerful images Tammy creates, the color
black doesn't really come to mind! *BUT* when I saw Tammy's darling digi called "Ghost Ride," then I knew exactly what "black out" element I would incorporate into my project... the dark of night!

That's right, my challenge inspiration is a luminary! I used a Febreze Flameless Luminary base and created my own shade using Bazzill cardstock and vellum. Here are the other elements I used: grosgrain ribbon, metal tag, brad... oh and the cardstock I chose is also embossed with a black damask pattern!

This was so much fun and I would love to see what you all can do with this challenge! Please be sure to check out the new! and improved! Flower Basket challenge blog and come play along!

A Day For Daisies Challenge at CDAC!

A Day For Daisies is hosting a challenge over at the Crafter's Digital Art Center. Please check it out here and come play along!

I used DCWV Midnight Spell Cardstock stack along with A Day For Daisies image, "Fall Fun." I colored the image with a mix of Prismacolor pencil (blended with Gamsol) and copic markers. The image was printed on Gina K Luxury cardstock and on cloud printed paper. I cut out the little girls and adhered them to the printed paper. The sentiment was printed using my Xyron design runner.

A Little Halloween Fun

So, I *love* Halloween. I've pondered this here before so I won't bore you with such musings again. But I can't help but to share some Halloween cards I made with some super-cute digital stamps!

This cutie glam witch is a digital image by The Pixie Cottage, called "South End Witch". I colored her face, arms & hair with copics (her lips - pink Souffle pen [it worked like collagen-ha!]) and then paper-pieced her clothing! I found this great leather-like paper so she had to have black leather boots and her hat and dress have "leather" inserts too. The dress and hat is made from S.E.I. linen paper and it is actually very sparkly but it did not show up in the photos (bummer!). I embellished with various rhinestones and rhinestone flourishes and the sentiment is a $1 rubber stamp from Michaels.

This next little witch comes from C.C. Designs (Sweet November Baby Trick or Treat). I bought her from All That Scraps - here. I colored her with copics. The card is Bazzill and the background printed paper is Basic Grey Eerie Collection. The rick rack, ribbon, sentiment and buttons are from my stash. I have lots and lots of odds and ends from Halloween kits and I didn't keep track of what came from where.

The final card is an adorable Christmas elf from A Day For Daisies, "Candy Elf C." It's precious for Christmas *but* if it's a candy elf, wouldn't Halloween be a busy season too? Just a little garment change of purple, orange and black and....viola! a Halloween candy elf! I know, it might be a stretch but he sure is cute all decked out in his trick or treat finery :) I used copics for the elf and the candy is orange Stickles wrapped in cellophane. The sentiment is a rub-on (by TPC). That snazzy striped card is by DCWV!

I have a few more Halloween projects I hope to post soon - I'm going to be off next week (I cannot wait!) and plan to complete my projects and get them posted!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
<3 Lisa

A Day for Daisies Flower Basket Challenge#3

Happy Friday Everyone! I'm really excited about the next challenge over at A Day For Daisies. The theme is "Lots of Layers!" and I interpreted that as creating dimension with lots of different elements.

This gorgeous mermaid is a digital image from A Day For Daisies. I colored her hair and body with copics. The "bubbles" in her hair are iridescent beads (topped with crystal Stickles). Her fin is painted with Glossy Accents and Pearl Ex powder and then embossed with CB bubbles folder and glittered with aqua Stickles.


So - here are my layers -
1. Bazzill A7 card (base)
2. Cloud 9 Design - "seaside" printed paper
3. Mermaid digi with layered fin
4. Mudd Puddles sand paste
5. Seaweed sprays (Offray iridescent ribbon colored with copics)
6. Bazzill cardstock frame (cut with SB Labels 10 and affixed with pop dots)
7. Craft plastic circle (cut with SB Nestabilities circle)
8. Sentiment sticker
9. Tiny shells
10. Foil strip (sticker)

The challenge is open today through October 14th so please come play along! Also, come check out A Day For Daisies at Crafter's Digital Art Center! It's a great group of crafters and lots of beautiful and inspirational cards!

Have a wonderful weekend!

<3 Lisa