The Greeting Farm Preview Day Four!!

It is Day 4 of previews for The Greeting Farm's January releases!! One more day!! Can you stand the excitement?!?!

Today's preview image is STELLA. This is the last preview for the FOUR NEW SPROUTS....all styled by the magical AMY YOUNG!

STELLA will be released along with the TALK LOUD sentiment set and 3 other Sprouts at 9 AM on the first! PLEASE NOTE our later release time. (normally, we go live at midnight) ALL NEW RELEASES will go live on 1/1/10 at 9 AM CST!!!! On that note, be sure to check out the Club Anya blog today too for a SPECIAL surprise!

I am still visiting with family through New Year's! Sorry if I've been quiet! I've never made cards faster....I've been doing some extreme multi-tasking this week! I'll be back for real....very soon!

It is also Day 11 of The Greeting Farm's 12 Days of Sketches!! Hope you will head over to the blog and play along!



TGF and Club Anya are JOINING FORCES and previewing our new releases together for the HUGE JANUARY RELEASE BASH that's only days away! Be sure to read my post here for more info and announcements!



Supplies:
The Greeting Farm: Wild Sprout "Stella"
DP: Sassafras Whale of a Tale
Prima bling
Copic Markers: E50, E11, RV06, RV10, RV14, RV43, R20, R35
Spica glitter pen: red, clear
Sakura Stardust Clear

Please join us for THE BIG NEW YEAR'S BASH on the Club Anya AND Friends blog at 9AM CST TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Greeting Farm Preview Day 3 and Whimsical Wednesday Week 16

It's Day 3 of The Greeting Farm's sneak peeks!! Today is "Gigi"!!

For this card I used The Greeting Farm's January releases "Gigi" and "Talk Loud". I LOVE the Talk Loud set! There's a sentiment for every Sprout, or Anya!! So versatile and CUTE!

For today's card, I used the Whimsical Wednesday challenge sketch #16 (see below).

It is also Day 10 of The Greeting Farm's 12 Days of Sketches!! Hope you will head over to the blog and play along!

TGF and Club Anya are JOINING FORCES and previewing our new releases together for the HUGE JANUARY RELEASE BASH that's only days away! We are previewing FOUR NEW SPROUTS....all styled by the magical AMY YOUNG! Be sure to read my post here for more info and announcements!



It is week 16 of the Diedrich Dare's Whimsical Wednesday challenges!! This week is a beautifully simple, but FUN sketch challenge by Jessica's son, Nikolas! This week's hostess is the wonderful Rebecca, so be sure to check out the DD blog for her feature!

Be sure to check out the blog to view the winner from Dare 15! I will mail out your prize this week!

Exciting news: THE DIEDRICH DARE will be SPONSORED each month beginning in January! We are SO excited that we will now be able to offer a MONTHLY PRIZE beginning in January 2010!Our GENEROUS SPONSORS will be offering a prize the FIRST week of each month and we are so grateful for this! We will be announcing the first sponsor of 2010 next week so stay tuned!

If you play along, please link up your creation to Mr. Linky at the Diedrich Dare Blog or with keyword DDSC16 over at Splitcoaststampers.com

Please be sure to check out the rest of our Daredevil crew:
Darla Wilson
Jacqueline Nordaune
Jacquie Peifer
Kim Ross (posting this evening)
Kris Palakiko
Rebecca Ednie

Thanks for visiting and hope to see you playing along this week with TGF and DD!!



COMING SOON! Club Anya & Friends premieres January 1, 2010!!

The Greeting Farm Preview Day Two!!

Welcome to preview day no. 2 with the adorable new 'Ruby'. This is a sneak peek of The Greeting Farm's January releases: Wild Sprout 'Ruby' and the 'Talk Loud' sentiment set.

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be starting off the New Year as a TGF Farmer!! Be sure to check out the rest of the team over at TGF and Club Anya!! Including the newest TGF Farmers, the talented and inspirational:

Mary Giles

Melyssa Connolly

It is also Day 9 of The Greeting Farm's 12 Days of Sketches!! Hope you will play along!

TGF and Club Anya are JOINING FORCES and previewing our new releases together for the HUGE JANUARY RELEASE BASH that's only days away! We are previewing FOUR NEW SPROUTS....all styled by the magical AMY YOUNG! Be sure to read my post below for more info and announcements!

Supplies:

The Greeting Farm: Ruby, Talk Loud

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist

Versafine ink: Sepia; Versamagic ink: Turquoise Gem, Perfect Plumeria; Brilliance ink: Pearlescent beige

Copic Markers: YG11, YG03, BG11, BG15, G0000, RV06,E50, E11, W3 Spica glitter pen: orange

Cuttlebug embossing folders

Flowers: Prima + glimmer mist

I'm Back on the Farm...The Greeting Farm DT, that is!

LOTS of big news today!
I have been bursting at the seams, barely able to contain my exciting news.....
I'm back on the farm...The Greeting Farm, that is. Yahoooo!!

I'm now one of The Greeting Farm's Design Team Farmers!! I am so thrilled to be back working for and with some of the most amazing gals ever!! Marie and Jess have such AMAZING plans for the new year and I am so VERY lucky to be a part of it!

Congrats to the other new Farmers!!! Two incredible gals!!
Mary Giles
Melyssa Connolly

I am also SUPER excited today as for the first time ever, TGF and Club Anya are JOINING FORCES and previewing our new releases together for the HUGE JANUARY RELEASE BASH that's only days away! We are SO excited to be previewing FOUR NEW SPROUTS....all styled by our very own Team Anya member, the magical AMY YOUNG! You're gonna LOVE them!

Congrats Amy! Today's little cutie is named Chelsea. In addition, the TGF DT has another sneak peek at a SUPER fun new set called "Talk Loud", a word-art sentiment set that is new, totally fun and something we've never done before at The Greeting Farm! Be sure to check out samples from ALL of the TGF DT and Club Anya as you'll be nothin short of amazed!

I'll be back with another cute sprout design tomorrow, but first, I have a few announcements for the week:

Our HUGE "IN WITH THE NEW at TGF" BASH will begin at 9am CST on Friday, 1/1/2010 and run through 8PM with challenges, prizes, and FUN! Each challenge winner will receive a new Sprout of their choice, so be here to party with us! Live overseas? No problem! Challenges will be open through SUNDAY, 1/3/10 at 8pm CST. WINNERS will be announced on the TGF blog and CA blog on Monday, 1/4, along with the winner of the 12 days of Sketches contest. That winner will win the ENTIRE Jan. release. In addition to each individual challenge, ANOTHER prize pack of the ENTIRE Jan. release will go to a random winner who completes ALL of the New Year's Challenges!

Don't forget that the 12 Days of Sketches are still well underway on the TGF Blog! Pictured above is today's Sketch #8, by the marvelous queen of Club Anya, herself, Jessica Diedrich. This contest will also run through Sunday 1/3/10 at 8pm CST to complete them and upload them to the appropriate galleries) will be entered into a drawing to win the ENTIRE TGF JANUARY RELEASE!!!SO many prizes....SO many chances to WIN! All to celebrate our NEW YEAR, NEW Club Anya & Friends Blog...and NEW RELEASE with ALL your friends at The Greeting Farm!
So, head on over to the Club Anya blog and TGF blog and join in the fun!!!

Thanks SO much to all my fellow DT gals, my blogland friends and followers, for your support and encouragement this past year!! All of your wonderful comments and inspiration are SO VERY appreciated!!



Supplies:
The Greeting Farm: Chelsea, Talk Loud
Copic Markers: Y00, Y21, E11, E50, RV06, YR12, YR21, YR68
Sakura Stardust Clear

Still here...

Hey everyone! Sorry for being so quiet. I'm still here! Just super busy! My parents are staying with us for the holidays, so we've been out enjoying the holiday season!

Sorry if I haven't been around to visit! Hope everyone's holiday week is off to a wonderful start!
I'll be back soon with lots of fun stuff!

Supplies:

Sweet Pea Stamps: Ching-Chou Kuik's Fantasy Collection "It's My Birthday"

Copic Markers

To view Ching-Chou Kuik's original artwork, visit her site here:

December Valentine

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I've come to terms with the fact that I won't be getting all of my Christmas cards done (again). So, what do I do? Make a Valentine card, of course.

For this card, I stamped 2 images side by side. I used images from Sweet Pea Stamps Ching-Chou Kuik's Fantasy Art Collection. I then colored it with almost every shade of red and pink Copics I own.

Supplies:
Sweet Pea Stamps: Ching-Chou Kuik Fantasy Art Collection Sheet 1/Plate 20: 'Faraway Moon', 'It's My Birthday'
Unity Stamps: "Love" sentiment
Copic Markers, Spica glitter pens

Also, be sure to check out my Whimsical Wedneday post for details on how to win a Sweet Pea PRIZE!!

Whimsical Wednesday Week 15

This week's sketch challenge #15......



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**THERE IS A Sweet PRIZE THIS WEEK FOR PARTICIPATING!
Read below for details.

It is week 15 of the Diedrich Dare's Whimsical Wednesday challenges!! This week is another simple, but clever sketch challenge by Jessica's son, Jack! This week's hostess is the wonderful Debbie Lee, so be sure to check out the DD blog for her feature!

I have a prize this week!! Participate in this week's Dare challenge and submit your link to Mr. Linky on the Diedrich Dare blog and you will eligible. One random winner will recieve:

A single unmounted stamp from Sweet Pea Stamps Fantasy Art Collection by Ching-Chou Kuik (image will be my choice) and one of my stamped cards (my choice).

You have two weeks to play!! See my note below. If you play along, please link up your creation to Mr. Linky at the Diedrich Dare Blog or with keyword DDSC15 over at Splitcoaststampers.com

Please be sure to check out the rest of our Daredevil crew:

Cassie Larson

Darla Wilson

Debbie Lee

Heather Schlatter

Jacqueline Nordaune

Jacquie Peifer

Jessica Diedrich *Jess has an amazing TGF prize giveaway!*

Kim Ross

Kris Palakiko

Rebecca Ednie

Val Urtiaga

Be sure to check out Jessica's blog here! She has an awesome TGF giveaway running until 12/25!

My card was inspired by this beautiful card I saw at SCS today, here.

Supplies:
Sweet Pea Stamps Ching-Chou Kuik's Fantasy Art Collection 'It's My Birthday'
Copic Markers, Spica glitter pen clear
DP: Cosmo Earth Love
Cuttlebug butterfly die (butterly stamped and embossed with Papertreyink Butterfly Kisses)

Have fun creating!! Thanks for participating!

**NOTE: This week's challenge will run for 2 weeks. There will be no Dare next Wednesday 12/23/09. The Dare will be back on 12/30/09... So you have a full 2 weeks to join in!

TGF Farm Fresh Friday Challenge: KISS

*PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR CLUB ANYA HOLIDAY BLOG HOP POST!*

This weeks Farm Fresh Friday Challenge at The Greeting Farm blog is K.I.S.S.

Here are the RULES:

Create a card using the K.I.S.S. technique: KEEP IT SIMPLY SHAPED.

This means NO Die cuts, Nesties, and no more than ONE punch. You MAY create layers, but all shapes must be cut with a straight trimmer aka squares/ rectangles. You MAY embellish, but don't go crazy, k?*You have through WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16th, 2009 to upload your card or creation using TGF STAMPS to TGF Galleria>Contests/Challenges>FFF>K.I.S.S.

*ONE lucky winner will receive the OUTDOORSY or SWEET MESSAGE set-your choice, from The Greeting Farm!

Have fun and good luck!

I did a reverse mask to stamp the snowflakes on Anya's dress.

Supplies:

The Greeting Farm: Princess Anya, Forest Friends

Papertreyink: Snowflake Serenade

Copic Markers: B00, G000, V000, V91, YR0000, YG11, W3, E31

Spica glitter pen clear

DP: BG Wisteria

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Ocean Depth, SU! Soft Sky

Prima bling

Marvy heart punch

Club Anya Holiday Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Club Anya Holiday Blog Hop! For a full list of participants go to the Club Anya blog, here.

Here's the first version...it was missing something..it just wasn't altered enough for me. Hence the new version above!

Supplies:

The Greeting Farm: Wild Sprouts-Dahlia, Xmas Sweeties, My House

Copic Markers, Spica glitter pen clear

Snow Writer, MS chunky glitter

Tattered Angels glimmer mist: Snow Angel

A Ten Minute Mermaid!?!?

Another ATC with Sweet Pea Stamps image: 'Ocean Fantasy'

© ching-chou kuik's Fantasy Art sheet 2 (plate 21)

Although I can get lost for hours coloring these beautiful mermaid images, I can also make quick cards with them, too. Just to show you that it is possible to make a quick card without coloring in every single detail.....
[click images for larger view]

For this card, I colored the entire image with my Copic Marker in BG11, Moon White. I then added just a few colors here and there, and some Spica glitter pen in clear, and my image was finished in under 10 minutes.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!

Supplies:
Sweet Pea Stamps: © ching-chou kuik's Fantasy Art sheet 2 (plate 21)
Copic Markers
Spica glitter pen clear
EK starfish punch
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Versamagic Ink, Turquoise Gem, Ocean Depth; Brilliance: Starlite Silver

To view or purchase Ching-Chou Kuik's amazing ACEO artwork please visit her website :

Whimsical Wednesday ...Wizards?!?!

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It is week 14 of the Diedrich Dare's Whimsical Wednesday challenges!! This week is an inspiration challenge. Jessica's daugther, Madelynn is really into Wizards of Waverly Place right now and she loves the fun, funky style of Alex, the main character. She saw this plate online and thought the colors, etc. would be super fun to create from. This week's hostess is the fabulous Darla Wilson, so be sure to check out the DD blog for her feature!

If you play along, please link up your creation to Mr. Linky at the Diedrich Dare Blog or with keyword DDSC14 over at Splitcoaststampers.com

Please be sure to check out the rest of our Daredevil crew:

Cassie Larson
Darla Wilson
Heather Schlatter
Jacquie Peifer
Jessica Diedrich
Kim Ross
Kris Palakiko
Rebecca Ednie
Sandra MacLean

And, please welcome our two newest Daredevil additions:

JACQUIE NORDAUNE
http://jacquiemakescards.blogspot.com/
and
VALERIE URTIAGA
http://www.pixiedreamdesigns.blogspot.com/

I am so thrilled to finally be working with the SUPER talented and fellow Twi-girlie, Jacquie!!! YAY!! And, I'm so excited to have Sassy Studio designer extraordinaire, Valerie on the team! Welcome girls!

Now on to this weeks Inspiration Challenge................


Supplies:
The Greeting Farm: Wild Sprouts Dahlia
Crafty Secrets: Fairyland; Technique Tuesday
Copic Markers
Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Clear pen



"Winterberry"
Another Sweet Pea ATC from: ching-chou kuik's Fantasy Art Sheet 1

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! HOPE YOU PLAY ALONG WITH THE DARE THIS WEEK!

Stamping Bella Birthday Bash Blog Hop!

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Welcome to STAMPING BELLA's Birthday Blog Hop!!!

The beginning of the birthday blog hop starts at the one and only Em's blog: Bloggabella

Prizes:
Three gift certificates for $100 in Bella Bucks will be hidden along the hop, but we’re not telling you where so be sure to leave some love as you hop!!!

Birthday Bash Contest:
Let your creativity guide you to create a project that celebrates Bella's 3rd Birthday. You must use *ONLY* Stamping Bella stamps in your creation and you can choose to use any of the lines that Stamping Bella offers. Upload your project to Splitcoast using the keyword "BELLABDAY3" before the deadline of 10pm EST on Saturday, December 5th. The Bella Babes will scour the gallery for the most delish project in Bellaland. Only projects that are uploaded to the Splitcoast Gallery before the deadline, using the keyword, will be considered for the grand prize.

New Releases:
Em has an awesome release planned for the Stamping Bella Birthday on December 7th featuring a little bit from MOST of the artists!! So be sure to pop onto Bloggabella on December 7th to see all the new rubbah goodness along with the winners of the Birthday Bash blog hop and contest.

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Here are some more of those detachable Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). ATCs are fun because they are collectable, tradeable or displayable! The only rule is that they measure 2.5" x 3.5". I made the ATCs by stamping the main image first in black, masking it, and stamping the adorable skull and crossbones in a lighter shade.

I used more of that Japanese washi masking tape, which makes the ATCs removable.
See my post regarding the tape and where to buy it, here.


Supplies:
Stamping Bella stamps: Lulu Ketto, Maisy Ketto, Skully Ketto
Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pen-Mint
Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Clear pen, Sakura Glaze-orange
Amuse notecards
Glimmer Mist

Japanese Washi Masking Tape
Ink: Memento Tuxedo: Black, Ladybug; Versafine: Smokey Gray, Versamagic: Red Magic, Perfect Plumeria; Colorbox: Harbor


Thanks for stopping by and good luck on the hop!!!!

Complete list of blog hop participants here.

NEXT BLOG on your hop: Mary - Cr8ive ME

Whimsical Wednesday with TGF Elves

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It is week 13 of the Diedrich Dare's Whimsical Wednesday challenges!! This week's challenge is a super fun sketch brought to us by Jessica's talented son, Nicky! This week's hostess is the fabulous Cassie Larson, so be sure to check out the DD blog for her feature!

Please check the DD blog for last week's random winner for a prize from our sponsor Club Anya!!

If you play along, please link up your creation to Mr. Linky at the Diedrich Dare Blog or with keyword DDSC13 over at Splitcoaststampers.com

Big thanks again, to everyone that participated last week!!

Please be sure to check out the rest of our Daredevil crew:

Cassie Larson
Darla Wilson
Heather Schlatter
Jacquie Peifer
Jessica Diedrich
Kim Ross
Rebecca Ednie
Sandra MacLean

and join me in a warm welcome to our newest member Kris Palakiko!!

This week's sketch:

This week I created some helpers for Santa Ian. And you know how much I love using my Mermaid and Flutter Anya! I used the Santa's hat from the Santa Ian in the Xmas Sweeties set. You can use this hat with almost all the Anya and Ian images! FUN! These 2 cards are part of my upcoming class at Paper Tales.

So another question I get a lot is what is my favorite skin color. E50 is my fav, E00 is my second fav. On the fairy above I used E00 and on the mermaid below I used E50.

Supplies:
The Greeting Farm: Mermaid Anya, Flutter Anya, Xmas Sweeties
Cuttelbug embossing folders
Copic Markers
Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Clear pen
Marvy circle punches
EK snowflake punch
Stickles: Icicles
Martha Stewart glitter

Sweet Pea ATC's and PURPLE MERMAID HAIR!

[click pics for larger view]
This ATC is removable! Read below to find out more.....


I made some Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) with Sweet Pea Stamp's

© ching-chou kuik's Fantasy Art sheet 2 (plate 21)

Be sure to check out the Sweet Pea DT blog for specials and new releases!

These stamps are the PERFECT size for ATCs! I then taped them to an Amuse notecard with that incredible Japanese washi masking tape!!! The great thing about this tape is it is removable, without a trace, from most surfaces! So, my card recipient can peel the tape off and keep their little ATC!!

*Please remember, if you do purchase these lovely images, to give credit to the talented Ching-Chou Kuik on your creations!


JAPANESE MASKING TAPE!!!!
Love this stuff!
I have found two amazing sources for these tapes. They both have a great selection and some of the best pricing around!

In the US: PrettyTape Etsy Shop

In Japan (will ship to US): Uguisu

Paper Tales in San Diego is now carrying a great selection. They are almost sold out, but there's another shipment on its way!

Another question I frequently get is regarding the glitter pens.
I use the Copic Spica glitter pen clear for subtle accents, as seen on the first pic. And the Sakura gelly roll in Clear Stardust for mega glitz, as seen in my second pic. The pens come in a double pack and can be purchased at Eclectic Paperie. They are my FAV clear glitter pens.

PURPLE MERMAID HAIR TUTORIAL

I used the following Copic Marker colors:
V12
V15
V17
B00

I like to work from dark to light. First apply your V17 Amethyst like so...


Then add your V15 Mallow......

Then fill in the rest with V12 Pale Lilac.......

Now work backwards and add some more V15, and the V17, you can repeat the process dark to light, then light to dark over and over until you are happy with the blending....

Then add your B00 Frost Blue (my most used color), to the middle section....

Don't be worried if it leaves strange marks. Just go back over with V12 and reblend your other colors until you are happy with it.

At this point, I may let my ink dry for about a half an hour. Then go back and smooth it out by repeating the steps.

The key is LAYERING!! You need to apply lots of layers to get it to blend! You know you're doing a good job if the back of your cardstock looks like this.....



If it's not showing through the back of your cardstock, it means you are not applying enough color or your paper is too heavy. My favorite paper is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb.

Here's the final result. I also used a little W3 (my most used gray) to give a little more definition.


If you have any questions, feel free to ask!!!
Hope this was helpful!
Enjoy your Sunday evening everyone!