Sunday, November 29, 2009

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



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!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday Sales! Elf Anya LE! And Purple hair?

Happy Black Friday everyone!!! I hope you all find wonderful bargains today!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for your amazing comments!! I really appreciate your support!!
By popular demand, I will post a PURPLE MERMAID HAIR tutorial this weekend! ;o)


The Greeting Farm Elf Anya is SOLD OUT! Sorry.

Sweet Pea Stamps Black Friday Sale!
Friday ONLY!
*FREE Shipping to USA residents on orders over $20.00(shipping to Canada will be $2.00, all other countries $5.00)
*First time customers (only!) spend at least $20.00, get a FREE unmounted 'Fantasy Art Collection' stamp (our choice)

*Orders over $25.00 will receive a $2.00 gift voucher (through e-mail) to be used on their next order

NEW! On pre-order/ pre-pay, ching-chou kuik's 'Fantasy Art Collection' sheet #5


Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Whimsical Wednesday at Diedrich Dare!

Welcome to week 12 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, Jack! This week's hostess is the fabulous Sandra Maclean, so be sure to check out the DD blog for her feature!


This week we have a wonderful PRIZE from our sponsor Club Anya!! An Anya or Ian single stamp of the winner's choice (must be in stock). Thanks to Jessica and Marie! In order to be eligible you must play along and link up your creation to Mr. Linky at the Diedrich Dare Blog or with keyword DDSC12 over at Splitcoaststampers.com


Big thanks to everyone that participated last week!!

I have two creations for you today! Jack's sketch inspired me to make this bookmark attached to a card...


Supplies:
The Greeting Farm: Mermaid Anya
DP: K&Co Viola Vita
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Brilliance Platinum Planet, Crimson Copper, Purple Hydrangea, Midnight Black
Punches: Marvy flowers, Martha Stewart heart
Crop-a-dile
Stickles: Glitz-Tiara
Copic Markers (I'll be back later with my list of colors!)

Be sure to check out the rest of the Daredevil crew:

For my second sketch creation, I am thrilled to announce I am now a Design Team member for Sweet Pea Stamps!! Please be sure to check out their DT blog for my weekly creations! And, be sure to check out the Sweet Pea Stamps shop for some beautiful mermaid fairies. Like the one I used below, from © ching-chou kuik's Fantasy Art sheet 2 (plate 21) These stamps are incredibly detailed and SOOOO fun to color!!!




Sweet Pea Stamps is running a Referral Promotion for a limited time! See the details here. Be sure to take advantage of this offer and earn some credit to get these gorgeous mermaid images!

Friday, November 20, 2009

**TWO POSTS TODAY...NEW MOON BLOG HOP....


And, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR UNITY FRIENDS WITH FLAIR POST!**

Twilight Tuesday NEW MOON Blog Hop

[click pics for larger view]
Welcome to the Twilight Tuesday New Moon Blog Hop!! If you'd like to start at the beginning of the hop please go to the TTIC blog for a complete list of today's participants.
Along the way there will be blog candy from Artful Inkables. Please check out our sponsor AI's Twilight Inspired Stamps: Into the Moonlight and Fictionally Inspired and the Vampire Romance Themed Charms !


Supplies:
The Greeting Farm: LE Edward Digi (Sorry, this version of Edward is not currently available, but Wild Sprout Edward is), Dress Me
Stamp Insanity: Otherworldly ["Dazzle Me"]
Copic Markers: W3, W6, W7, W9
Sakura Gelly Clear Star
Yellow chalk

I want to say huge THANKS to some of the TTIC sponsors for all of my wonderful TTIC Anniversary blog candy goodies that arrived!! Including:
The Greeting Farm
Unity Stamp Company
Sassy Studio Designs
Stars Fall Designs
Stamp Insanity Stamps
Their Otherworldly stamp set is a must have!!! And they are available at another wonderful sponsor... Stamp Happens.

Now hop on over to the next blog, my girl Jessica Diedrich at The Whimsical Butterfly. I know she's got an amazing creation waiting for you!

Unity Friends with Flair Friday!



It is Friends with Flair Friday at Unity Stamp Co! See the Unity blog for a complete list of today's Friends with Flair.

For my Unity FWF project I altered some playing cards into ornaments after I saw an article in Somerset's Holidays & Celebrations issue, by Candyce Martens. I changed it up a bit, by adding mulberry paper, distress paint and glimmer mist. I then stamped over them with Versafine Onyx ink and Unity stamps! For the large butterfly, I embossed with gold EP.


[click pics for larger view]
Supplies:
Unity Stamp Co: April KOTM, August KOTM, Butterfly Beauty
Deck of playing cards
Crop-a-dile
Mullberry paper
Distress Crackle Paint: Dusty Concord
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist: Coffee Shop, Snow Angel, Juneberry Wine
Martha Stewart punches: heart, butterfly
Ranger EP: Queen's Gold

The Bachelor Bro Challenge results were announced today! Be sure to check out the blog and see all the amazing projects!! Congrats to Nancy McKinney for winning! Lucky girl gets a fabulous Unity prize package worth $750!!

Here's my entry....




Supplies:
Unity Stamps:Frame this Alpha, Bevy of Butterflies, Stylin' Stars, Stars of Worn, Oaky Doke Tree, Shurbery Tree, Shade Tree, "Remember Happiness" KOTM
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist:Tattered Leather, Blue Skies, Twilight
DP: My Mind's Eye, Prima
Ice Stickles: Coffee
Chipboard: Maya Road
Crop-a-dile

Ippity


My box of exclusive {ippity} stamps will be delivered today!! If you haven't already heard the exciting news, Unity launched it's sister company called {ippity}
!

Don't forget, there's a special Friends with Flair blinkie hidden on one of today's participating blogs...find the blinkie and leave a comment and you could win 25 FREE Unity stamps!!



Thanks for visiting!

Back to the Unity main blog list here.

Or, next blog: the wonderful Jodi

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Whimsical Wednesday at Diedrich Dare!



I am the featured Daredevil for week #11 over at the Diedrich Dare blog! And, what a great week, because this week's Whimsical Wednesday dare is an EASEL CARD! Madelynn was so inspired by her mom, Jess's amazing easel creations, she decided to issue this challenge! I am so excited, because I've been wanting to make one!

I have posted a diagram for the easel card over at the Diedrich Dare blog. And below is a photo tutorial to simplify it. Keep in mind, it can be any size. Or, altered in any way....just so long as it's an "easel". There are also some great tutorials if you do a search on SCS.

If you play along, be sure to post it to Mr. Linky at the Diedrich Dare Blog or with keyword DDSC11 over at Splitcoaststampers.com


Supplies:
The Greeting Farm- Summer Fairy Digi [to be released Nov. 19th]
Copic Markers
Stickles
DP: MME
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

Be sure to check out the rest of the Daredevil crew!

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

They really are simple. Remember, you can make them any dimension. Just be sure your front panel width is the same width as the panel you are attaching. The brad should be near the middle of your front panel. You could move it slightly closer like I did, to make the card more upright. You can fiddle with the dimensions, too. My card is actually 5x5 with scores at 2.5".

I hope these photos will help. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. That little black dot is for your brad.

You only need 2 pieces. Your large panel only needs two score lines at 2" apart.

Fold your large panel at the score lines, like you would a letter.


Then AFTER you've completed your card piece, attach it to the panel like so....and you're done!


The Fairies are coming to digi at The Greeting Farm!!
Get your fairies on Thursday, November 19th!
See some more fairy samples at the Greeting Farm blog here.

And, for a lot of winged inspiration, be sure to check out Flutter by Wednesday challenge #84 Over at Danni's blog!

I cannot tell you how much fun I've had creating with this Fairy line. You all are going to fall in love with them!


I printed the digi [The Greeting Farm: Spring Fairy] on Kraft cardstock, then shaded with some tinted graphite pencils (a regular pencil would work, too), distressed the edges with walnut stain, sprayed with glimmer mist, and used Ice Stickles for the wings. I used more of that fabulous Japanese washi masking tape. This was a fast and easy card to make!