Createful Heart Digis & Design Blog Challenge #11

Our #11 Blog Challenge over at the Createful Heart Digis blog http://createfulheartcards.blogspot.com.au/ has an optional twist of Add a Heart.  I have thinking of using this image on a project for a while, it just hasn't fitted into the themes before this.  Every time of thought of Baby Lamb Beth https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/501864300/baby-lamb-beth-digital-image-stamp?ref=shop_home_active_48 knitting came to mind, I guess because of the lamb.  I also was thinking Baby Lamb, baby card - so this is what I came up with.  I found some wool scraps in my never-ending wool stash, nearly as large as my never-ending craft stash, found some small needles, knitted some rows then transferred the stitches onto the toothpicks.  There are hearts on the image and I added a heart with a Martha Stewart punch.  Of course, I went to my stash of Make It Crafty chipboard for the words. Be sure to check out our blog challenge on the link above and thank you for stopping by.  If you would like to join our group on Facebook, check out this link 

Bugaboo Stamps Frame it - Stella and Gus - person to annoy

I have a very good friend who is celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary. Well, I think I have mentioned before, I just love Bugaboo Stella images, so her card just had to have Stella and Gus make an appearance.  I made the card with the basics of what I wanted to use.  It had to have some gold on it for 50 years and I just wanted something clean and simple to showcase Stella and Gus.  I was just about to add some bling, when I thought I would check out the Bugaboo challenges, over at http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com.au/.  There I spotted the Bingo challenge and thought what have we here:

I already have blue,  I can do player's choice and ribbon .......... hang on, as a friend pointed out, you have the Bugaboo image so you could go the middle line, I had the choice of two.  I looked at my alternatives, a gold bow, a vintage button or a flair button.  I think I will go with the flair button, it was gold and it had the word Together on it, perfect for an anniversary card and it flowed on so well with the sentiment I made up;  so here is the final product.  I hope you like it and I hope Gale and Colin like it. 

Link for Bingo challenge  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/time-for-new-challenge-b-i-n-g-o.html



Oddball Art Co. ATC Swap January 2018

I told you I was expanding my horizons being on the Oddball DT. Now my fellow members have me doing ATCs!  I have never attempted this before, so hang on for a ride into uncharted territory. Well here they are - not 1 for the first attempt, why not be game, let's go for a set of three for the Oddball Facebook Group January ATC Swap using the January theme of "Feature a Creature".

To be honest I think I could get into this ATC craze.  Why not join me - first you have to a member of the Oddball Art Stamps group on Facebook, here is the link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OddballArtStamps/ and then after you join that just check out the Events tab each month.  We have a swap each month, using the monthly theme.  Here is the link for January's Feature a Creature ATC Swap https://www.facebook.com/events/2015830501965001/


The images I have used for my ATCs are available in the Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/OddballArtCo?ref=l2-shopheader-name
The images are #413, #417 and #418.  Oh nearly forgot, it you use my code DTGAIL10, it will allow you to get 10% off your order in the Etsy shop.


I loved looking for ideas and quotes to use these images on the ATCs and can't wait to tackle the next swap.  Hope to see you there!  Bye for now and thanks for stopping by.  It's all about trying something new in 2018!

Imagine that Digistamp - January 2018

Here is my creation for January 2018.  Imagine that Digistamp has revamped their challenges a little, still not sure if I understand everything about the changes, but when I saw the optional twist was Kinetic Cards, I thought, I can do this.  I have made pop-up box cards before and I knew I had some flamingo digis from them.  However, what I had, was the Flamingo dress ups and I needed the Tickled Pink bundle, so over to the store I went.  I used the papers and the flamingo images from  Flamingo Beach and Flamingo Birthday as well as any sentiments from both that would suit an 8 year old's birthday card.  My Charlotte was eight yesterday and I needed to have a card for her and she did request a flamingo card, so Imagine that Digistamp to the rescue.  The bundle is available here and is great value with papers and 4 flamingo kits to work with (one I already had) but for what you got in the bundle it did not matter.  Here are some more photos of the card at different angles.



 

 

I also put one of the sentiments on a gift bag.

Now the changes, it would be easier to list here where I have put this card:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1257957630972084&type=3

https://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/customer-link-up-is-back.html



The Outlawz Challenges Freebie/Progressive January 2018

Thank you to Di's Digi Stamps www.disdigistamps.com for this month's image called Bunny Cupcake Wagon. I have used some Make It Crafty chipboard for the sentiment and coloured the image with Copics.  The icing on the cake has double-sided tape on it to give it dimension and I found the brad and the patterned paper in my stash.  If you want to join in with us each month, come and join The Outlawz Challenge https://outlawzchallenges.ning.com/group/freebie-progressive-challenge/forum/topics/progressive-freebie-challenge-january-2018

Gerda Steiner Designs January 2018 Progressive Challenge

Thank you once again for supplying us with the cutest image for our first Progressive challenge for 2018, "Panda in Love".  Here is the link if you would like to purchase this image https://gsd-stamps.com/products/panda-in-love-digital-stamp.

I would like to mention a couple of embellishments I have used.  The chipboard is from Make it Crafty http://www.makeitcrafty.com/chipboard-embellishments.html and the heart is Charms Creations https://www.facebook.com/charmscreations/, both Australian businesses if you are interested in checking them out!

Here is the link for Gerda's challenge, just in case, you would like to join in. https://gsd-stamps.com/products/panda-in-love-digital-stamp. If you are unable to this month, that is OK, drop her an email macy@gerdasteinerdesigns.com to see how you can join in at a later date.  Hopefully I will see some of your creations there soon.

Mari Ko Creations New Release "Flower 5" 15th January 2018

I love all of Mari's flower images and this release gives us another couple - Flower 4 and Flower 5. Today I have used Flower 5 in a couple of sizes, 1 larger and 2 smaller to make a clean and simple thank you card.  The background cardstock is even pre-printed.  I picked it up a couple of months ago from K-mart. I have used foam tape on the flowers, thinner for the larger flower and a bit thicker for the small, so they are highlighted a touch more.  I said simple but it wasn't so simple adding the chipboard word.  As I have told you many times in my posts before I love Make it Crafty chipboard words, however, even though I used the same Copic shades on the word, the colour came out differently because of the colour of the cream colour ofchipboard.  I experimented with other shades, and went with the best which I thought was the same as the flowers, but not entirely sure with all the confusion.  Just goes to show I need to get out the shade swatches and use them to remember what Copics I use for shading.

Don't forget Mari puts the new release in the shop on 15th January and they will be a special price until the next one comes out so make sure you check out the store now https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/CreationsbyMariK?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Mari Ko Creations - New release 15 January 2018

Well I hope you all had a great Christmas and wishing you all the very best for 2018.  Our first release for 2018 is here.  Here are a couple of samples to wet your appetite.



This first one is called Unicorn and Number 1. What a cutie and so easy to work with for a 1st Birthday card.  I coloured it with Copics.  For the background I used Unicorn 1, scaled downed and multiplied in different colours.  This digi is already available in the Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/554877224/unicorn-1-digital-stamp-300-dpi-png?ref=shop_home_active_36.

My second inspiration for the new release is another birthday card using Unicorn with number 2; Copics again, some pearl embellishments in the corners, shimmery cardstock and some designer paper with hearts on it from my stash.  The chipboard comes from Make it Crafty and I coloured the top layer with Copics.


The new release will be available in the Etsy shop and as always is discounted by 25% until the next release comes out.  Be sure to check them out here https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/CreationsbyMariK?ref=l2-shopheader-name


I have entered:
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/crafty-calendar-2018-january-challenge.html

Mari Ko Creations #5 Blog Challenge "Winter Blues"

The image I have used for this inspiration piece for Mari's 1st blog challenge for 2018 is "Mrs Snowman".  The theme for the this challenge is "Winter Blues".  She is available in the Etsy shop, of course https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/575158267/mrs-snowman-digital-stamp-300-dpi-png?ref=shop_home_active_8 but if you quickly go to Mari Ko Creations Digital Stamps Facebook Group and request to join, you can download the image for free.  You had better be quick but, because Mari put it there before she went on holidays and I think she is back and ready to present a new release tomorrow, so that image might disappear from the pinned post fast.


You can enter the challenge here http://marikochallenge.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/challenge-5-winter-blues.html and you can join Mari's group Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/groups/109728339790268/




I have made a tag with Mrs Snowman and with that tag I am off to a great start to being prepared for Christmas 2018 lol.  See you again soon.

Oddball Art Co. New Release/Feature a Creature

Today’s post is to showcase a couple of Oddball stamps, but shock, horror, as I mentioned in my first DT post for Oddball, I am getting out of my comfort zone! This post is not about cards! It is my first attempt at Bookmarks, not your ordinary rectangle ones you just slip in the book - it is about magnetic ones!

OK this was my own attempt, no You-tube video help, just my idea, probably would have done better with a bit of research, but here goes.  The idea behind the bookmark came from a visit to my grandchildren's house before Christmas to see their school presentation.  In the couple of days I was there, my grandson was reading to me before he went to bed and I noticed he had a marker pen stuck in the book for a bookmark.  I said don't you have a bookmark Mac, he said no, but of course his Mum disagreed with him.  Anyhow when I saw Bubba Baboon, I thought, I could make one for Mac.  Well here is the first attempt -

As soon as I fuzzy cut around the image, I knew I had done the wrong thing, but I continued and cut up an advertising fridge magnet to act as the closure on the page.  I then did a demo of it on my diary page and thought, no this is not for Mac.  A seven-year old boy and a fragile bookmark, no way, but I thought I am not going to waste my first attempt.  I reinforced it with a strip of card, which I might add was probably a useless idea and I am now using for myself because I know its fragility.  I am calling it my "Bubba Baboon Diary Marker". You ladies who are experts on Planner accessories might have another name for it, but at the moment I am into diaries, I have to be, I got three for Christmas!

Not to give up now, I attempted another bookmark.  This is the second one -

For a child's bookmark, no flimsy top, so I went with a rectangular design, no fuzzy cutting around the images this time.  I combined IMG418 Baby D with the books from IMG297 Astrid the Fairy, image I have had for a while now.  When looking at the Etsy shop for image numbers to link my project to, I came across another one of Lizzy's images which has books and only books in it, so I would not have needed to crop, so I will list that one as an alternative at the end of this post.  I think I will give this bookmark to my two-year old grand-daughter Isla-May as she LOVES dinosaurs!  It's dinosaurs everything at the moment and she knows and can say all the species of dinosaurs too!  Happier with that one.  OK attempt No. 3 - back to one for Mac.

Success, a stronger bookmark for Mac now. Although after glueing on the magnet pieces, I wondered if I should have laminated them and then attached the magnets.  Maybe next time I tackle a bookmark project I will see how that would go, but then again , folding the laminate might be a problem.  When I scored the bookmarks in half, I actually put two score marks on each one instead of just one, not very far apart but enough to hold a few pages.  Now the images I have used in this project are available here:

Bubba Baboon Image 418 https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/581156085/digital-stamp-instant-download-cute-fun?ref=shop_home_active_7

Baby D Image 413 https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/573902565/digital-stamp-instant-download-cute?ga_search_query=Baby&ref=shop_items_search_11

Astrid the Fairy (with books) Image 297 https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/272413678/instant-download-big-eye-bookworm-fairy?ga_search_query=astrid&ref=shop_items_search_1 (love this image)

An alternative if looking for books digi Image 249 https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/244260359/2-stamps-set-instant-download-digi-stamp?ga_search_query=books&ref=shop_items_search_5 or another one I just found

Spooky Book Stack Image 199 https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/228412368/digi-stamp-instant-download-oddball?ga_search_query=books&ref=shop_items_search_7

I hope you like my post and it didn't bore you because of its length.  Hope you will pop in again soon!

Don't forget when you visit the Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/OddballArtCo?ref=l2-shopheader-name use my code

DTGAIL10

 to get an extra 10% discount off your order.

I am entering the following:

http://animalfriendschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/58-januar-2018-neubeginn.html



Bloobel Stamps “Pretty Pekingese Dog”

My first post as a casual DT member for Lisa, what an honour! Today’s card is using an image of Lisa’s dog when she was a child. I decided to use it on a birthday card after finding one of the quotes on Google. I made up the other one, although I am sure I have heard the saying Lion's roar before.

What a cutie this puppy is!  The embellishments I have used for this birthday card come from an Australian company which can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FlutterbyDesignsAus/

Lisa's image can be found here https://www.bloobel.com/collections/new-january-2018-digital-stamps/products/pretty-pekingese-dog-digi.  I implore you to check Bloobel Stamps out.  Lisa is such a talented digital artist and her prices are very reasonable for what you get.  I am addicted to her images and since finding her have slowly built my collection and the idea of this DT group is going to give me the opportunity to also use more of the images I already have in my stash.  I am always guilting of collecting but probably not using as much as I collect, but my new year's resolution is to use, use, use, my stash of Bloobel stamps and my large stash of extras, hence the use of my Flutterby Designs embellies, which I originally bought for scrapbook layouts of my pets - haven't done that yet, but there are more than enough to use on a few cards here and there.  Thank you for checking out my blog for Bloobel Stamps and I hope to see you again.

I am entering the following:

http://animalfriendschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/58-januar-2018-neubeginn.html



Oddball Art Stamps "Sleeping Fox"

My first post as a Design Team member of Oddball Art Stamps; wow, so surprised I got this gig with such a well known digital company. Well here goes - the January 2018 Blog Challenge Theme is "Feature a Creature", always optional of course.  For this inspiration I checked out my Oddball collection and found "Sleeping Fox", what a cutie! Here is my photo of the image, I took a quote from Google and added it to the back of the fox, quite effective I think.  From there I thought, now what sort of card will this be and the rest evolved.  You will find the Blog challenge under current blog challenges over at  Oddball Art Stamps.



This image is available in the Etsy shop and it is at a really good price too!  I wasn't sure what to do with this image now it was mounted on the card and then I remembered some fox design paper I had in my stash.  Then came the idea of using some pre-made stepper cards I bought ages ago, just the right colour - kraft; and from that I came up with a birthday card for a friend.  The quote helped me come up with that. Here is another couple of photos to showcase the card.  I have also used some Make It Crafty chipboard, my favourite chipboard for cards and a couple of embellishments from Rainbow Splendour, another Aussie business.

 I hope you like Sleeping Fox just as much as I do and should you wish to purchase something from Oddball, feel free to use my special discount code DTGAIL10 to save a further 10% off your order.

Now a recap of the Blog Challenge rules:

1. Anything Goes with an Optional Theme - if you are chosen as the winner and have played along with the optional theme, you will win 1 extra image
2. Please mention our Blog Challenge and link back to your personal blog/galleries entry - not your whole blog.
3. Your creation must be new and no back linking
4. Limit of 3 entries per person

 I am entering the following challenges with this card:


http://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/world-wide-open-design-team-challenge-29.html
https://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/1st-january-2018-classic-design-team.html

http://animalfriendschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/58-januar-2018-neubeginn.html


http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/challenge-156-anything-goes.html


UPDATE


Special Mention winner at Classic Design Team Challenge

Imagine that Digistamp "Reindeer Carols"

For December's link-up with Imagine that Digistamp, I decided to use last month's link-up freebie, "Reindeer Carols".  A bit late for Christmas, you say, no, I am working on cards ahead of time.  There are quite a few groups on Facebook that encourage crafters to do this.  If you want to be organised for next Christmas, I urge you to take a look at this set at https://www.imaginethatdigistamp.com/store/p999/Reindeer_Carols.html

As with all Imagine that Digistamp sets, you have many options to work with, including pre-coloured images in the set, as well as some great sentiments that come with most sets too.  Please visit their store. https://www.imaginethatdigistamp.com/store/c206/Digi_Stamps.html