Friday, July 31, 2015

Catch the Bug - Friday Freebie from Bugaboo Stamps

Whoo hoo it's Friday!!!!
What a week this has been for me - not necessarily
a really good or bad week - just a really longgggg week :o)
And can you believe it's the last day of July 2015? Wow!

Fridays are usually the day that Bugaboo Stamps 
gives us another awesome opportunity to snatch up
a darling FREE digital image.  Today is no exception :o)

Here is my card using the Friday Freebie - Raggedy Angel Stars

Told ya...the images are just plain darling :o)

I started out thinking I would make a Christmas card with 
this sweet angel but then saw this paper in my stash that
was just perfect to use instead (Simple Stories). With paper like
that and an image so cute it's easy to keep it simple and sweet!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
4CC Challenge #257 - Anything Goes & Crazy Egg
Simon Says Wednesday Challenges - Anything Goes

You can see some more lovely creations from the rest of
the Bugaboo team at Catch the Bug Challenges. Pop on over
 and take a good look - you'll be glad that you did :o) 

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges - Photo tutorial for bokeh technique (Ten easy steps)

Hello sweet friends! I'm super happy that you've stopped by
to visit me today because it's my turn to present the Wednesday 
tutorial for Catch the Bug Challenges!! 
I've selected the bokeh technique to showcase for you.

WARNING - this is very photo intensive as I've not had
much luck at all with videos of late.  
Additional warning - a couple of my photos are blurry
as I was trying to take the pic with my left hand while
still demonstrating the step with my right - LOL.
Boy did I miss my daughter that day for her help!!

Anyhoo..... first let me show you the finished card 
and then I'll start into the steps on how to make it.

Products you need for this project are:
watercolor paper or glossy cardstock 
paint brushes and water & papertowels
masking/stencil/painter's tape
watercolor paints or distress/regular ink refills
ink pads (distress or regular) and white craft (or StazOn) 
circle template, sponges or sponge dauber, 
solid circle stamp in a couple sizes
heat gun (preferable if you don't want to wait for project to dry)

Step One:
Start with a piece of watercolor paper.  You can also use
glossy cardstock but today I'm using watercolor paper.  I'm 
using a panel sized 5 x 5 1/2" which I will trim down when I'm done.
It's really helpful to secure your paper to the surface you're 
working on. I'm using painter's masking tape. The paper will
buckle a bit as you are coloring it so the tape helps to keep it flat
and in place.  You can put a piece of wax paper under your panel 
to help with the watercolor seep-through that might occur 
(if you're kind of messy like I am - LOL).  

Step TWO:
Prepare your watercolor supplies.
I used 3 different shades of orange on my panel - 
Calypso Coral, Pumpkin Pie and a combination of
Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry (to make an orange)
pictured over on the far right of the photo.
The amount of ink you use depends on how deep you
want the color to be on the panel.  I used two different
 depths of the Calypso Coral color by putting 5 drops
of ink in one well and 8 drops in the other.  

Step THREE:
Prepare your panel by using just clear water - give it a 
good generous coating all over.

Step FOUR:
Now start adding your base color(s)
I just dropped the colors around the panel by touching 
the soaked paintbrush to the panel.   I used the two different
depths of the Calypso Coral  (although it's hard to see in this 
next photo)  to coat the entire panel.

Step FIVE:
When you are happy with the base colors, dab it off with a
paper towel (see how messy I am :o) ? ).

Step SIX:
Using a solid circle stamp or two (or circle stencil) add 
some darker spots to the panel.  Note:  I save the insides of my 
stamps that have pop out middles for this - works great 
as it's kind of hard to find solid circle stamps. 

I first used a larger circle rubber stamp in a few areas on
the panel.  Because the paper is a bit dry the ink will appear
appear kind of dark so I take that darker "orange" that I made 
and softly blur the circle and shape and edges.  

 Then I randomly stamped the smaller circle around the
panel to fill in the spaces a bit more and add depth to the base.
  
Then I take the lighter shade of Calypso Coral and 
give it a final wash-over to blur and blend the circles.

Step SEVEN:
Once again dab off with a paper towel and then if you
have a heat gun use it to dry the panel for the next steps.
Note: if you don't have a heat gun you will want to wait 
about an hour before you start the next steps (longer if
you're using glossy cardstock). 

 Step EIGHT:
Now we are going to add the bokeh effect dots 
with white craft ink, a sponge dauber and a circle stencil.
I've made my own circle stencil using various sizes of
circle punches in a random pattern and a clear window
sheet from some product packaging.  You can also use the end
of a pencil eraser, a sponge dauber, or a circle stamp for this step.

Tip: I found it works best if you start at one end (corner or side)
and work away from it as you fill in the circles as craft ink
is pretty sticky and you can accidentally pick up the edges from the 
one before and and mess up your pattern.  


To create the bokeh effect you will fill in the different sizes of 
circles around the panel. The larger circles should have less ink
on them and be a bit blurred as they are the farthest out of focus
and the smallest circles will have the most saturated color 
(because they would be closest in the photo as spots of light).  

Step NINE:
Craft ink is very sticky and takes a long time to dry
(even on watercolor paper) so I use a heat gun again (I'll 
spare you that boring picture - hehe) to set the color again. 
StazOn ink will dry much faster but I like the results I get with the craft ink.  

When you've dried it you can take off your masking.
and you get something that looks like this

Step TEN:
If you've done a really good job of masking (or not been
really messy like me) you can trim the panel to leave a small
white edge around it.  I have taken the pane and trimmed it down 
to 4" x 5 1/4" with my paper cutter to get this

Final Step(s):
Take your bokeh panel and add your images (or sentiments)
and adhere it to a mat and/or your card base to finish your project.
I added a colored Bugaboo image and sentiment to the panel first
and then glued that to a colored cardstock panel and then to the base.

Ta Dah - DONE!!! Easy peasy - right ?

Thanks so much for sticking with me to see my tutorial.
I hope it was clear and easy to follow and that I've inspired you
to go get inky and give it a go.  I'd love to see what you create
so leave me a link in the comments and I'll come visit you!

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D


Saturday, July 25, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges - Color Inspiration

Happy weekend friends and followers!
I have a super busy weekend and am hoping the
weather is really nice.  How about you?
Any special plans for you?

Summer goes by so quickly here in Montana so
we have to enjoy every bit of it that we get.
Today's challenge at CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGES
is a fabulous color palette that totally makes me
think about all things summery - take a look:



We'd like to see at least 3 of the colors from this photo
as the main colors on your own creation this week.

Here's my card using a wonderful digital image
called AKV boy - beach and this color palette
(I used orange, blue and green) to make a FUN summer card:

I tried a different skin combo with my copics to create a
suntanned look and am happy with how it turned out.
The beach is one of my favorite vacation spots but to
be honest I also really wish I lived by a sunny, sandy beach...
I'd be there every day!

I used the MOJO Monday Sketch #407 (see below)

I would also like to enter this in these following challenges:
The Outlawz Challenges - Twisted Thursday w/optional "water" theme
(I hope beach counts as water)
Fan-Tastic Tuesday - A Day at the Beach (July 21st)
Ruby's Rainbow #109 - Vacation
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #256 - Sun, Sea and Sand

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today! 
I hope that you will decide to join us this week 
at Catch the Bug Challenges! Please go visit the rest of 
the talented team and see what they've made too. 
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Sketch Saturday #371 - The Paper Shelter Sponsor

Good Morning sweet friends!
A special hello to my newest follower Sharon G.
Thanks so much for being part of my creative journey.

It's Saturday, and that means it time for another awesome
sketch challenge at SKETCH SATURDAY!!
This week our sponsor is The Paper Shelter


Here's Sketch #371


I used one of the sponsor's pre-colored images
called "Mad about the shoes" for my DT card today

Oh gosh what a dream that would be to have so many shoes
at one time to choose from! Sadly though the older I have
gotten the less tolerant my feet are of high heels so I
stick to wedges or flats mostly :o)

The other ladies on the Sketch Saturday team have
also made some wonderful creations for your inspiration.
I hope that you will go join them and then decide to
play along with us this week too!

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday - Anything Goes


Hello wonderful crafty friends it's Wonderful Wednesday time
again at KRAFTIN' KIMMIE!!
And as it always is on Wednesdays the theme is ANYTHING GOES!! 
Break out your Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and get krafty and come join the fun.

I should be focusing on Summer right now as it isn't going
to last a whole lot longer. But I've been in a bit of a
fall and halloween mood lately and decided to play
with the Halloween Trinkets for my card today - take a peek:

That fun sentiment is heat embossed and punched out with
a circle punch and then layered on another stitched
circle die for more texture and dimension.  I also have some dry
embossing going on with that fun spider web panel.
Do  you see all the fun little spiders in the background paper??
That's the ONLY time you will hear me say that a spider is cute - LOL!!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
CAS-UAL Chic CCC01: Embossing
Tip Top Tuesday - BINGO
(I used embossing, sentiment & punches/dies)


Have you seen our new challenge called the Krafty Skrappy Challenge 
AND the NEWest Stamp set?!? Click >here< to check it out and to see some 
samples using our NEW Scrapbook Essentials set!

Also the Linkie Party is also still open, click >here< to find out how 
you can join and play along with some Krafty Friends! 
Kimmie is offering some awesome and special prizes!  
Every 10 entries goes into a new prize drawing.
You have until August 2nd to link up.  
  
We want EVERYONE to be able to play along so your submission 
can use ANY stamp and can be any theme, any style, any design 
and it can be a card, a scrapbook page, an altered item....you name it!!
 It must be a NEW creation though and you can enter until July 28th at midnight! 
Til next time...hugs and happy kraftin'! D

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Kraftin' Kimmie - NEW Krafty Scrappy Challenges and NEW stamp set

Hello friends! Have you heard the news that
Kraftin' Kimmie now has a NEW monthly challenge
with a very special theme???

I'm really excited about this NEW challenge and the rubber stamp set
that is debuting today for it. It's called SCRAPBOOK ESSENTIALS
by artist Becky Pearce - take a look (you're gonna love it!) 

As you can see, this AWESOME new set includes a large assortment
of different styles of images and sentiments which are perfect for traditional
 scrapbooking, pocket scrapbooking, altered items and of course your cards!
 There are TWENTY TWO stamps in the set - WOW!!
This is available NOW in the Kraftin' Kimmie Shop.

To celebrate we are kicking off our BRAND NEW monthly challenge
 hosted by the wonderful Krafty Girl, Tangii!
 It’s going to be called our KRAFTY SKRAPPY CHALLENGE!
 Here are some things to know about this new challenge...

1. Create ANY scrap page, Project Life Layout, altered item, etc. JUST NOT A CARD!
2. MUST use Kraftin Kimmie stamps to be entered in to the drawing.
3. You have a month to play, enter AS MANY TIMES as you'd like!
4. Of course there will be PRIZES! For every 10 entries
 Kimmie will draw one random player for a PRIZE!

Be sure to also share your creations on our Krafty Friends FB page
so we can all drool and OH and AH!

I do love to scrapbook but it has been taking a backseat lately
to my cardmaking so I'm super excited about this new challenge!!
Here's my scrapbook page to share with you today using some
of these fabulous stamps:

This is my beautiful daughter.  She's normally a blonde
but decided that she wanted to be a redhead for a while.
I didn't argue with her too much about it as I've had a
few different hair colors myself.  I think she looks
gorgeous as a redhead but I do miss her beautiful blonde hair. 
No matter what color her hair is, she is always picture perfect :o)

Some of the other Krafty Girls have created some lovely
things to share with you today as well.  I hope you will
go visit them and say "hi" and then add you're own
fabulous creation to our gallery.  

Thanks so much for popping in to visit me today.
Til next time...hugs and happy kraftin'! D

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge #289 - Beach {Totally Tubular & Sweet Summer Sentiments}

Hello Krafty friends!
I'm happy you're here to visit me today as its
the start of a new Saturday challenge at 

Jessie is our hostess this week and she wants to see
your krafty creations with a beach theme.  
I was so glad she chose this theme as I have been 
waiting for the perfect opportunity to use the 
"Totally Tubular" stamp set and this is it!!

Did  you notice that I gave him a little bit of a sunburn?
Seems that no matter how much sunscreen I used to put on
my son he always got a little pink anyway. 

Here's the inside using a couple of the NEW July stamps

There are over 2,800 members in this FUN group. 
It's the best place to keep up with all of the goings on as well as 
sharing YOUR creations and getting inspired by other Krafty Friends' creations! 
Hint, hint, wink, wink...you're gonna wanna join cause we've got a little 
somethin' somethin' special up our sleeves for next week!! 

Did you know that there are TONS of new goodies in addition to 
the NEW July release in the store NOW! Plus, FRUGAL FRIDAY 
specials have been posted for this weekend.  This is a great way to add to your
Kraftin' Kimmie collection and provides a little retail therapy too... just sayin! 

Oh and before I go for today I wanted to let you know about 
the Linkie Party that Kraftin' Kimmie is having (starting Monday).  
To find out how you can get inky and link up with some Krafty Friends
there are more details >HERE<  - go check it out!  

Ok so now it's your turn to create a card, scrapbook page or altered item
 with a Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp or any other stamp and be sure 
to use our Beach theme as a starting point for your creation!
We always enjoy your creations so be sure to submit them 
so you can WIN a $10 gift card to the Shop!! Show us your stuff!! 
 You have until July 24th at 11:55 pm EST to get your entries in!

Thanks for visiting me today! Til next time...hugs! D

Catch the Bug Challenges - July BINGO

Hello! Wow what a FUN week it was last week 
The Fifth Annual Christmas in July  generated 
so many amazing creations that my head is still spinning
for all that gorgeous inspiration.  So glad that so many of 
you decided to play along!!   

Today is the start of another regular weekly challenge 
and it's the ever popular BINGO.



For my Guest DT card I've chosen the middle column
of Texture (frantage), No Square and BLING (glitter).


This is one of my favorite snowman images from Bugaboo
called "Snowman polka scarf" but there are lots more
that I'd like to add to my collection too.  Who doesn't LOVE 
a cute snowman?  There's still time for you
to scoop up some awesome Bugaboo digital stamps
of your own during the 50% off July sale.


My time as a Guest Designer is rapidly coming to an end -
just one more challenge to go next week.  I've had such a
wonderful time creating with the Bugaboo team and
amazing whimsical images.  I hope you've enjoyed the
inspiration I've provided to you this past 4 months
because I've sure loved doing it!

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit me today!
I hope that you will join us this week for BINGO.
Til next time....hugs and happy crafting! D

My Time to Craft #300 "Christmas in July" and Sketch Saturday #370 - Bunny Zoe Sponsor

Hello sweet friends - happy weekend!
This is a scheduled post for me as I will be 
enjoying some time with my sweet sister this weekend
so today I am pulling double duty on DT creation.
It's Christmas in July at MY TIME TO CRAFT 
and there's a great new sketch up at SKETCH SATURDAY
that works perfectly for this theme.
So I combined the two and made this card to inspire you
to play along with both of these fun challenges.


Here's Sketch #370.


As you can see this sketch would be great for any theme 
and you can keep it CAS as I did, or really dress it up,
or flip it  or change the shapes (as long as we can still
see the sketch essence it will work). 



The challenge sponsor this week for Sketch Saturday
is the wonderful Bunny Zoe's Crafts.

I hope you will decide to enter and share 
your own beautiful creations with us this week. 
Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D


Friday, July 17, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges - Christmas in July {FREEBIE & Pick a Present}

Oh hello! So happy you are here today to visit me.
If you've been following along with me this week
you know that each day (since last Saturday) has been a
new challenge at CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGES
for the Fifth Annual Christmas In July event.

Today is the last day of the challenges and
it's also Freebie Friday so we'd LOVE to see
you pick a present from the graphic below, grab
the freebie for this week and play along with us. 



Here's my card using this week's freebie & "Stars, Image, Gems"
 It's hard to see in this photo but I used some glitter glue
on Rudolph's nose.  Super fun image don't you think :o)

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion Challenges #270- Always Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart Challenges #68 - Anything Goes

I hope that you will join us - you have a little bit more time
to get your entries in. There are some fabulous prizes up
for grabs. Go check out the main blog for details.  
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D



Thursday, July 16, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges -Christmas in July {Oldie but Goodie & Photo Inspiration }

Hello lovelies - Happy Thursday!
It's Day 6 of the Christmas in July event
at CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGES.

Today's challenge is a photo inspiration -
you can take whatever it is about this photo that
inspires you and make it into a Christmas creation.



Thursdays are usually the Oldie but Goodie theme so I
found an image that goes fabulously with the photo inspiration
for today's challenge and qualifies as an oldie but goodie.


Oh just once I'd love to spend Christmas in a warm and tropical
area.  It would be odd not to have snow but the warm weather
and water would be so wonderful I'd get over the fact that
there's no snow in a hurry - LOL!
This fun image is called "Tropical Santa - surfboard" and you can
get him and lots of other fun images this month for 50% off
in the Bugaboo Stamps store. It's a good time to stock up
on those Christmas images for all those Christmas cards
you're gonna be making :o).

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin' Challenges - Christmas in July (my 2nd entry)
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #382 "Water"
Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #153 - Holiday

So that's it for me today friends.  I'll be back tomorrow with
another Christmas card for Christmas in July.
I hope you are enjoying this week of inspiration and
that you will be joining us too.
Til tomorrow...hugs and merry crafting! D

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges - Christmas in July {Humor Me Wednesday & BINGO}

Hello friends hope you're having a wonderful day!
It's another day in the CHRISTMAS IN JULY event
at CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGES.

Today we have a BINGO challenge for you.
Choose a row or column or go diagonally with the options 
and create a Christmas card or project using your choice.


My Guest Designer card uses the middle row
of funny sentiment, player choice (distressing) and
stripes - oh and of course a Bugaboo image but that's
kind of a given - hehehe.  Take a look:


Have you been playing along with us?  There's some awesome
prizes for each of the challenges and there's also a 
GRAND PRIZE opportunity for one lucky player who
joins us for ALL of the challenges during this week.
I entered the 2014 Christmas Chaos challenges and 
was the grand prize winner - thus how I got my GDT slot.
I'm so glad I played along and have had this opportunity!!
Maybe you will too?? You can't win if you don't play :o)

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More Challenges #153 - Holiday
Christmas Cards All Year Round - July challenge "Dots and Stripes"
Come and Get it Challenges - Christmas in July
Crazy for Challenges C4C294 "Critters"
Crafty Calendar Christmas in July

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today! 
I'll be back tomorrow with another Christmas creation
to share with you!! Hugs D

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges - Christmas in July {New Release & Recipe Challenge}

Ho Ho Ho and Hello!!
It's Day FOUR of the Christmas in July challenges
Today's theme is a Recipe Challenge...
we'd like to see you use 3 embellishments, 2 papers
and 1 ribbon or twine on your Christmas creation. 

There's also a brand new digital image released today
that is awesome for Christmas called "Winter Birds".

Here's my Guest Designer card using the image and recipe:
 The 3 embellishments I used are sequins, rhinestones and 
a metal clip (attached to that little bow).  

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create - Challenge #132 Create Your Own Challenge
(mine is A2 card, Christmas and sequins)


Crazy 4 Challenges C4C294 - Critters

Thanks so much for popping in to see my again today!
I hope that you will be joining the fun and challenges this
week.  There's prize opportunities for each challenge
as well as a GRAND PRIZE opportunity for
one lucky player who enters ALL of the challenges.
More details are on the blog.  Just click the link
at the top of this post and it will take you right there.

Til tomorrow sweet friends...hugs! D





Monday, July 13, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges - Christmas in July {Color Challenge}

Hello friends and Happy Monday!!
Today's Christmas in July challenge at
CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGES
is a Color Challenge using some awesome
greens and blues (see below)


Usually Monday's are Anything But a Card days
for the DT projects so I stayed with that theme
and made a Christmas tag - take a look:


This cute little elf is from the Mini Set - Christmas Blocks
The other images are Santa, Mrs. Clause, Rudolph, Frosty
Gingerbread Pal and an Angel - Adorable and perfect for
making your own tags for gifts.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
ABC Christmas Challenges - N for Not a Card
Creative Card Crew #91 - Die Cuts

For those of you who are just finding me and/or
Catch the Bug Challenges, this whole week is chock
full of Christmas Challenge themes to help you get ahead
on your Christmas cards/creations.  There's an awesome GRAND
PRIZE up for grabs for one lucky participant who participates
in ALL the challenges this week.  More information is on the
main blog.  I hope that you will join us!!

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit me today.
Please go visit the rest of the talented DT and
see their creations for your inspirations.

I'll be back tomorrow with another Christmas creation
to share with you.  Hugs!! D 

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Catch the Bug Challenges - Christmas in July {Sketch}

Hello sweet friends and followers!
It's Day 2 of the Christmas In July  challenges
at Catch the Bug Challenges!!!
Today we have a sketch for you to try, and it's a goodie
take a look:



For  my card today I've added a panel using the bokeh technique
and some non-traditional colors (my favorite to use on Chrismas
cards) with "Mini Set - Winter Bears".  I received this fabulous set
last year when I won the 2014 Christmas Chaos challenges.
And that is why, my friends I have also been enjoying the
past 3 months as a guest designer for Bugaboo Stamps!



Here's a look at the inside too and another of the images 
and a sentiment to finish it all up.  Pretty cute - huh??


I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Come and Get it Challenges - Christmas in July
4 Crafty Chicks #254- Christmas in July
Sweet Stampin' Challenges - Christmas in July
Winter Wonderland - Have a Beary Merry Christmas

I sure hope that you will join us this week for 
Christmas in July.  Each day of this week long event
there is a new challenge to help you get your Christmas cards
started.  You also have a chance at a daily prize as well as 
for the GRAND PRIZE for playing along with all of the 
challenges.  More details are on the main blog - please go see.
Check out the amazing creations from the Design team too
while you are there - you'll be glad you did!

See you tomorrow with another Christmas creation!