Burtonesque Dolls Challenge #4

Can you believe it's Tuesday already? And you know what that means, it's time for another TBD challenge. This week we are playing with Busy Beauties, they are our generous sponsors! Thanks, Carolyn & crew! Last week, Busy Beauties released some wicked cool images that fit perfectly with this week’s Burtonesque challenge: AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER. Create a new card, ATC, scrap page, etc. inspired by Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride! You have until Monday at 10:00 p.m. PST to link your creepy cool creations at The Burtonesque Dolls blog. One lucky challenge player will win their choice of 5 (FIVE) images from the Busy Beauties Boutique! For more inspiration, please be sure to visit all the Dolls, especially our newest Doll, the lovely & talented Eulanda! Here is my card for the challenge.... I used the Queen from Busy Beauties Boutique. Isn't she just darling? I also used a bunch of other stamps to make the background and colored them in with Distress ink refills. I also used Tim Holtz' line of products for the plate (behind the Queen), grunge paper for flower, film strip and button. I cut 3 dahlia flowers from Spellbinders to make my flower--colored in with broken china and stamped with Tim's word stamp. Here's a closer look of the flower using the grunge paper.....I just love this button. This turned out totally different than what I had expected it to, but I kind of like it. A bit different........Well that's all I have for today...I hope everyone can join us over at TBD for this weeks challenge....Have a great week...Hugs from Charm City....

Who says black is only for Halloween and C4C9 Challenge

heehee...Happy belated Halloween. I didn't get a chance to post yesterday so I just wanted to wish everyone a belated one. I hope it was a spooky day for you and your families. We had a great time here. We got our first "dog" trick or treater....and I loved it... she was just the cutest little thing you've ever seen. She was dressed up in a little t-shirt for her costume...Come back tomorrow and I'll post some photos from our little one, our little grandbaby and even our poochie in their costumes. And I have to tell you a story of our poochie...it's just too cute...

The card below I made for a challenge over at Crazy 4 Challenges. It was to just create a Halloween card of your choice. I have to say that I really like how this one turned out. Simple and easy. If you get a chance hop on over and play along this week.

This card below is one I just made this morning using Tim Holtz' somewhat idea...you know how it goes. You get inspired by someone else and make it your own. This is my season's postage stamp...at which I cut that from my cricut using the wedding cartridge at 4.5" and the square at 4". Seasons greeting was cut at 1.5" from the Winter Woodland cartridge.

There is so much going on and so many techniques that I used that this really took me all day long to make. I tried to make it so it looked like Mr. Snowman was coming out of a blizzard. He kind of gets lost with all of the embossing and such. I cut everything out of a file folder and used distress inks with a water bottle to color all of it in. The stamp frame I used black fine glitter with just some cheap liquid white glue. The snow flake was colored in with black soot ink then used white ink on top of that then embossed with white puff embossing powder. I did the same thing to the Holtz' sprocket brad and clock hand in the center of the flake. The inside I kept simple using the Martha Stewert icecicle punch with the inking technique. I haven't added the inside greeting yet. Haven't decided what I want....oh, I also used some Magic Scraps shaved ice to make the snow at the bottom. I first put a layer of that snow stuff then added the shaved ice, and hit it with the heat gun. I loved how the heat gun kind of melted the shaved ice. It keeps it on the card instead of it flaking off like it normally does.

here you can see the shaved ice....

here you can see that I changed the color of the sprocket brad clock hand and snowflakes using the white puffy embossing powder. I covered the hand with black glitter glue also..

this is what the inside looks like. Just a super simple one...

I thought I would post a photo of the products that I used in case you were interested.

Well have a happy Sunday and I'll post more tomorrow...hugs from Charm City

Happy Birthday You Old Bird--Wild Card Cart

Happy soggy Tuesday--Here's a card set I made for a challenge over at The Pink Elephant . The challenge was to use the color black, hardware and distressing. This was so right up my alley. I love -love- love all three of these and had alot of fun playing with this cute little owl cut from the Wild Card Cricut cartridge. Come on over and play along this week with everyone and take a gander at all of the DT and participant's wonderful creations for this challenge. Enjoy!!!

Here's the set

Wild Card cart: owl-- 4 1/2"

envie--5"

I used feathers, Kaiser rhinestones, Making Memories metal photo turns,Westrim crafts for the eyes. For the nose I used Tim Holtz metal sprockets, an orange brad and a pearl. The metal star, arrow, chain and ribbon holder are from unknown. The stamped owl is from The Paper Company and saying is from Inkadikado. I also embossed the eyes with the Cuttlebug dots folder. Paper is from DCWV.

Here's a side view....

This is just a simple envie. I just added some embossing and more rhinestones.....

Well have a wonderful day. Oh, the verdict is back on my truck. It's a timing belt. Almost $900.00 worth of timing belt....uggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Sooo sick of bills like this....Hugs from Charm City

Here's some cards from WCMD (weekend)

Happy belated WCMD everyone. I have tried to post a couple doifferent times here but got side tracked with family things. I was able to hang out at the Classroom over at Ellen Hutson's site. They had some really great tutorials and challenges. I wasn't able to make all of them but I did love the tutorials for the ones that I wasn't able to make. Thank you so much Ellen and your team for such inspiration. The first five cards posted below are what I made for the challenges. The last 2 cards I jsut made to use up some older supplies. If you get a second take a gander over to the CLASSROOM and check out the tutorials. You won't be disappointed. I am so sorry for the colors. I just could not get a good photo of the cards. I tried a few different things and still no good. You can also click on the photos to get a better view of each card if you would like. This is for EHWCMD2-sketch from Susan Roberts ---I used some shaved ice on the star and glitter glue. EHWCMD3--This was, I have to say my favorite tutorial from Becky Olsen. It was so right up my alley. She used the sticky back canvas and did a transfer technique with paper. I ammm so getting me some of that stuff. I did however use muslin to hand cut the scallop and made it into a flower. I just picked this stamp up and realy like it. I thought this would be kind of cute for a secret admirer card ...what do you think? EHWCMD4--puttin on the Glitz from Julia Stainton---another new stamp that I thought was just the cutest. I really wish you could see this in real life. She just sparkles and has such attitude.

EHWCMD6--color challenge by Sharon Harnist--here is used some Tim Holtz grungeboard stars and added some diamond dust with a couple of silver bells to make a little jingle.

EHWCMD7--Holiday card challenge by Debbie Olsen--and yet another new stamp that I thought was just to cute to pass up. I used some rhinestones for the halo and some flower soft on top of the grungeboard wing.

This was just a throw together. And wouldn't you know, this is our little one's fav. card...lol..

Have you ever wondered how to use those 12X12 sheets of paper that has pre-printed designs on it without cutting it all up? This was from the Martha Stewart pack. It's not the best, but I think it turned out ok. Alot of black glitter glue and some fabric dots along with the border punch from Martha's collection to.

Well that's it for now. I hope everyone was able to take some time out this past weekend to play and make some cards. Until next time have a great sunny fall day from Charm City

A Recipe Challenge

Good morning everyone. It's another challenge from The Pink Elephant. This one is a recipe challenge. We were to use 1 ribbon, 2 squares and something that sparkles. I eneded up making 3 cards with this challenge. Can you tell I had alot of fun with it. There are still some days left to play along. So hop on over and hang out with everyone. You can click on the photos to get a better view.

I really like how this card turned out. I have been wanting to use this felt flower border ever since I purchased it a few years ago. I just never really knew how to use it. So I covered one of the squares with it. Simple, but I love the contrast up against the white background. I am also determined to use up more of my "older" supplies. I'm planning on sending this card to DH. We are in a little rut right now, so I thought this would pick him up abit. I hope he'll like it.

This card is soo me....lol...anything rustic and old looking. Here, I used some stamps that I purchased last year and I think I have only used once. The snow flakes at the bottom are actually embossed cardstock from the Cuttlebug and I cut each piece out by hand. I used the Distress stickles for the red and some regular star dust stickles for the clear. The paper is KI Memories and some craft cardstock that I added Distress ink to the top.

Just a simple Halloween card that I used some of those Sandylion Essentials stickers. I have a ton of these little packs and I want to use them up. The trick or treat is a gel thingy from Karen Foster. And the ribbon has these bats and cats sewn into it. I have had this ribbon for years to.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful day. It's a very beautiful day here in Charm City. We've turned the air off this week and have opened up the windows. Nothing better than fresh air flowing through the house. It's starting to feel abit like fall. I LOVE IT!!!! No more swelling...lol... Hugs from Charm City

The Pink Elephant Sketch Challenge

Happy Saturday. Since my last post, we have been very busy here. We had our DD's birthday party, our middle daughter came home for a visit. And our little one started school. So it's been very busy and hectic here in our home these past few weeks. Not to mention, DH has been laid off for 3 weeks now. So, with him home, I really don't get to play much. But today I took my morning and made a couple of cards for the sketch challenge over at The Pink Elephant. I had alot of fun playing with this. If you get a chance pop on over and check out their challenges they do every week. They are alot of fun. here's the sketch

I made this one using the sketch above. I needed a card for our little one to send her Grandmother. They went shopping, had lunch and even went and did their nails together. They both had a great time but I know Grandmom was abit worn out after her day. The inside is blank so our little one can hand write a note of thanks to her.

just a close-up of the Distress Crackle paint I used on the chipboard.

Here's the second card I made for the sketch. I was in a grunge Halloween mood..lol...I just love Halloween. I colored in this digi stamp (from Scrapping Doodles) with Copics and then did a layer of Vintage Photo Distress ink over top og the entire card.

Here's a card I made using my Pazzles Machine. It was one of the free clipart that comes with the program and I just welded a second piece to make a cutout card. I took my Big E off my table and put my Pazzles in it's place. I am determined to get to know this machine inside and out now.

The inside just says Happy Halloween.

Well thanks for stopping in. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Hugs from Charm City

TPE Color Challenge--Happy Birthday

Good Morning---I can't believe that I already made this one for The Pink Elephant challenge. I needed a really fast card this morning and thought of their challenge that was just posted. We were to use brown, turquoise and neutral colors. I've had this paper from Cloud 9 Designs that fit perfectly. Although the photos don't do this card justice, it looks so much better irl... (You can click on the photos for a better view)

I used the birthday Cuttlebug embossing plate and sandpapered the embossed part. I really need to use that machine more to. I also used the skull from Tim Holtz' grungeboard and added Distress Crackle paint to that. The starburst brad is one of my favorites right now from Karen Foster. They are just soo fun and adds some great texture. I also pierced holes around the card and circles and roughed up the edges for a distressed look.

the inside view

just alittle closer view of the crackle skull. I just love this stuff and always love the chance to use it on something....lol...(even my bathroom walls--the real stuff though)....

Well have a great day and stop on over at The Pink Elephant and play along with the challenge this week. They have the best challenges and the Design Team totally ROCKS!!!! Thanks again ladies for another great challenge!!!! Hugs from Charm City

The Pink Elephant Challenge

Happy Sunday everyone. I have to make this a quickie. DH is on my behind about gettin outside and "takin care of business"...I didn't think I was going to make this weeks challenge over at The Pink Elephant, but I just squeezed this one in. The challenge was to use 2 brads, a flower and pattern paper. This is what I came up with. I have to say though, I just love- love- love these stamps from Starving Artist. I know they are last years designs, but they are kind of new to me. I just picked them up at the convention in Ocean City this summer and have adored them ever since. If you get a chance, hop on over there and check out what they have. They are just the cutest little stamps you've seen. They also have a very inspiring design team. The inspiration came from Michelle Zindorf. I'm so trying to make stamped cards and new techniques and I find her very inspiring. She is one lady who totally ROCKS. Take some time and visit her blog to. You won't be disappointed. The flower is 2 circles and I just cut slits and grunged up. I also added a third circle to the center and added my 3 brads. I couldn't find any pattern paper that I liked, so I took this yellowish/orangish pattern paper from Cosmo Cricket and added brushed corduroy distress ink to it to mute the color some. That is what I made the flower from to. This is the inside view. I'm thinking I'll send this one off to Aunt Rene (who is 92yrs old) this year for her Halloween card. I think she'll get a kick out of it... Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. Try to stay cool. It's another skorcher out there today for us here. Hugs from Charm City...

2S4Y--Kazon #32--Grandma's Secret Cookie Recipe

Happy Saturday everyone. Here's a card I made this week for Kazon's sketch over at 2S4Y. I had alot of fun making this card. I thought this would be a fun way to send Grandma's secret cookie recipe to our DD that lives in Michigan. I used one of those coin envies that you get from the stationary shop. The stitching around the edges didn't turn out so good, but I kind of like it. It reminds me of it being aged by the stitching falling out. Thanks for a great sketch to play with Kazon.

I made a double sided pocket to go inside the envie to hold the ingredients on one side and the how to on the other side.

I have to show you these really (I think) cool photos that I made using a couple programs. Next week is DD's birthday. We decided to get her her own digi camera. This morning I opened the box and some software came in it. I wanted to load everything so when she got her camera she would be ready to go. Well, there was this really cool program called Morpheus on it. So I started playing around with an old photo just to see what it would do. I just love it. I am invisioning myself using this program alot to distort photos...lol...the first photo I made using the program. The other photos I used Paint Shop Pro on top of the first photo using different effects that come with the program. I have been up since about 2am this morning and this is what I have been playing with. ...lol...click here and you can download a free trial version of this software. Just a little tidbit, I did notice that it took the photo and did an automatic sizing. I had to go into the timeline drop down menu at the top and changed it to the biggest size available to be able to print a nice size photo. You can save to avi files, animation or just a plain jpeg. There are other ones there to, but these were the one's that I was interested in. So if you try this software out, I'd love to see what you make with it. It's really alot of fun to play with.

above photo is the original

above photo is how I distorted it using the Morpheus program

the above photo I used pencil in the effects menu using Paint Shop Pro. I also added starbursts and sunlight to the second layer before changing it to pencil...

above photo I used topography in the effects menu using Paint Shop Pro

Thanks for stopping in this morning and I hope you all ahve a lovely weekend. Hugs from a very muggy Charm City

OCC card sketch

Happy Sunday everyone. I just found this card challenge site--- OCC this morning--- I was in the middle of making a thank you card from our little one to her Grandmom and thought it was perfect for the sketch. I hope she like's it.

I used Tim Holtz' rubber stamps, Distress Crackle paint and inks to create the background. I also stamped on top of the crackle with the little girl to give her that really aged look and colored her in with nibs. Stamped onto the paper with the mesh stamp and then added the white crackle paint over top of that to mute it some. Then took worn lipstick ink and did the direct to paper method and wiped it off. Flowers are from Prima, ribbon from Rebecca Sower and the rhinestones and twine are unknown.

Here are the other two cards I made using the sketch from the Pink Elephant. I really had alot of fun with this sketch..

Well we are off today to my MIL's house for her BBQ/picnic. It'll be such a blast I can't wait. Have a great sunny Sunday....hugs from Charm City

Endless Possibilities CPS121 sketch

Okay--I promise--this is my last post for the day. See what happens when I don't get a chance to post for awhile...I forgot that I had this sitting on my bench and wanted to upload it for the sketch over at CPS for this weeks challenge. I tell ya, I am lovin these challenges. I am getting so many cards made using them.

I used the DCWV paper pack and I think this was a tag from one of our pieces of clothing, but maybe I'm wrong. I could have purchased it from the scrapbook store. Anywhoo, I loved the little quote at the bottom and thought it went perfectly with this paper.

Now I need to get my butt up from here and go take care of business...lol...need to feed the family and take care of some other things. Have a great night...hugs