Christmas in July

It has been really hot here lately, so I decided to get a jump start on some holiday cards to cool off. I recently got this adorable Elzybell image in a pif on SCS and knew I couldn't wait to play with it. I used Liquid Applique for the snow and trim on her coat, and added some glitter while it was still wet. It really sparkles in real life!

Stamps: Elzybells, Studio G
Paper: vellum, SU Soft Sky and Blue Bayou
Misc: Cuttlebug embossing folders, Nestabilities, SU Soft Sky double stitched ribbon, SU markers, aquapainter, liquid applique, SU dazzling diamonds, Bella's baubles, Martha Stewart punch

hello!

As promised, here is the last of my projects for the 3littleDReaMs design team.
I used SU Ruby Red and Close to Cocoa cs, and designer paper from heidi grace designs. Mwahbella was colored in with a combination of Copic and Prismacolor markers. The pretty scalloped edge was done with Fiskars Threading Water punch, and the holes in each scallop were covered with bella's baubles for a little extra bling. The flowers are primas with more bella's baubles for centers. I didn't have a red prima, so I used the Prismacolor marker I used on the shirt to color a prima to match. The ruffled ribbon is from the Basic Grey Urban Couture collection (which I found at Big Lots!!!).

little things...

This is the second card I made for my design team application. I am actually using this one for a swap I am in, so I had to make 6 of them all total!
The main image is Minivanabella, and the sentiment is a dollar bin find, most likely from Michael's. The bella was colored in with my trusty aquapainter and a combination of SU ink and watercolor crayons. (I use my aquapainter all the time - it's my all time favorite tool!) The image was then punched out and layered on SU Blue Bayou cs using my circle nestablities set. (My nesties are my second favorite tool. I just got the oval set, and plan on giving it a work-out in the weeks to come!) I added some icicle Stickles to the image and left it to dry while I worked on the rest of the card. The pretty scallop on the blue designer paper (heidi grace designs) was done using the new Fiskars Threading Water punch. Then this piece and some SU Soft Sky cs were layered onto a base made of SU Blue Bayou. I added some pink rick-rack (Joann's) and prima flowers with bella's baubles for centers as the finishing touch.

So I've told you what my 2 favorite tools are, what are yours? Inquiring minds want to know!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the last of my design team application projects...

Blog Candy Alert!

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Also make sure to check out Maya's Hobbyblog for a chance to win some great Hanglar images not available for purchase in the states.

say cheese!

Here is the first of the cards I used for my design team application. I'm a bit of a shutterbug myself, so I just love Saycheesabella! She was colored in using a variety of Copic and Prismacolor markers* (I only have a few of each, so I use them interchangeably depending on the color I'm looking for). You can't really tell from the photo, but after I finished coloring in the camera, I went back over it with the clear Sakura Gelly Roll pen to give it a metallic sparkle. The edges of the designer papers (Making Memories) were ran over a SU Chocolate Chip ink pad to give them the feel of an old photo. The finishing touch, the pretty stitched chocolate ribbon, was a Dollar Tree find.

*These are a new purchase for me, and I am still learning how to use them properly. If this applies to you as well, check out i like markers, a very useful blog by Marianne Walker. Marianne is a product specialist for Copic Markers, and has wonderful tutorials on her blog with lots and lots of photos. But be warned! Once you see all of the amazing things Marianne does with her Copics, you are going to want to own them! I know I do!

Stay tuned for the remaining 2 projects from my application...

coaster desk calendar

Springtini from Stamping Bella was colored in using a aquapainter and a combination of SU markers and ink, and then the glass was covered with stickles to make it sparkle like a real martini glass would when the light hits it. LOVE my stickles! You can see all the sparkle better in the close-up.

The corners were then punched with my all time favorite punch - the ticket punch - and layered onto SU Pretty in Pink and Soft Sky cs. The yummy yellow and pink striped paper is from a bulk I found at my local Big Lots. I ran it through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder, punched the corners with the ticket punch, and then layered onto more SU Soft Sky cs. This was then glued onto a 4 inch coaster (I use 2-way glue for this, awesome stuff!). I printed off a calendar from a template I found on SCS, hooked it together with pink brads, and attached it to the second coaster with removable tape so I can reuse the base next year with a new calendar. I used the crop-a-dile to punch holes through each coaster, and tied them together with some pretty SU Soft Sky double stitched ribbon. For the finishing touch, I added Bellas Baubles in the punched corners in shades of pink and aqua.

happy dance time!!!

Woo! Doing the happy dance right now! I've been selected as a Design Team member for 3 little DReaMs! For the next 6 months, I get to play with 3 little DReaMs fun kits using Stamping Bella and Sweet n Sassy stamps! How cool is that?
I'll post pictures of the projects I submitted for my design team application later, so be sure to stop back (or subscribe to my feed to have new posts delivered right to your in-box).
Happy Friday, all!

Check out the blog candy at Pretty Pressings

Do you like Magnolia stamps? Then this is for you! Pretty Pressings is hosting an amazing blog candy give away in celebration of reaching almost 170,000 hits on her site! In addition to the candy, the cards on her site are wonderful, so check her out!

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NEW - Decor Elements

Introducing Decor Elements...Stampin' Up!'s new addition to our Definitely Decorative product line! Our Decor Elements designs coordinate with may of our exciting products, so you can combine them to make beautiful, handcrafted home decor pieces. Personalize your surroundings with a variety of exclusive images designed to create a customized, unique space. With our self-adhesive vinyl elements (which are easy to apply and remove), you'll discover how easy and cost effective it can be to do your own decorating.
Decor Elements will be available for purchase beginning on July 1. To learn more about this exciting new product line from Stampin' Up! click here.

Bellas and Boxes...

I've been having fun playing with my Stamping Bella stamps this week. I felt like making a 3D project over the weekend. Do you like my little box? It is the perfect size to put a small gift, 3x3 cards, chocolate or tea bags in. Want to make one yourself? Thought so!
Start with a 1o x 5.5 piece of cardstock (I used a pretty double sided paper from Making Memories). Score the long side 1" from each edge. Score the shorted side at 3.5", 4.5", 8", and 9". Trim out the 4 tiny squares and fold all of your scored lines inward. Fold the box and glue the long flaps together (I used Terrifically Tacky Tape). Now fold the top pieces together. If you want a ribbon handle (I used SU's pink taffeta), cut a piece to your desired length, and stick the ends between the top flaps when you glue them. You might want to use a piece of the Tacky Tape on each side of the ribbon to make sure the sides stick together.
Now decorate the front however you'd like, and wah lah, you have a lovely little gift box to brighten someones day.
Here's a second view with the lid up. I put pop dots on only the bottom half of the scallop, so the lid tucks neatly under it to keep the box closed. Neat, huh?

Don't forget to leave me a comment on the previous post to get your name in for the drawing!