MDCC33 - card challenge

It's Thursday, and that means it's time for another card challenge at the Mothers & Daughters Creations Challenge blog. For this weeks project, the design team was challenged to use Paintables card stock by Prima. This heavy weight 12x12 white card stock is similar to watercolor paper but has gorgeous designs preprinted on it.


I used Koh-i-noor pencils with OMS to color in my piece of Paintables. It was so lovely that I just couldn't cut it up, so I went for a very simple card layout to spotlight it.

Name Tag

One of the requirements for the local SCS get together is that everyone has to wear a name tag with their SCS screen name and their real name on it. Here's mine:


I decided to do something rather simple due to time constraints, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I used Yuki from InStyle Stamps, and used my Nestabilities to cut the layers. Yuki was colored with copic markers and had a bit of glitter added for eyeshadow. I attached a pin to the back, and voila! instant name tag. LOL!

Recipe Card Swap

As promised, here is another project I made for the local SCS get together. Everyone who attends has to take part in a swap of their choice. I always pick the recipe card swap because my other love is cooking, and a girl can never have too many recipes! LOL!



I picked a recipe for a yummy cake, so it was only appropriate that I use the adorable Mellie from InStyle Stamps for my main image. Isn't she a cutie?

I have one more project from the get together to share with you, so be sure to check back!

Shoebox Swap

Here is the project I made for my shoebox swap for the local SCS get together this past Saturday.

I used one of the latest releases from InStyle Stamps, Sasha, for my focal image. Isn't she fabulous? Sasha was colored with copic markers, and had her dress and hairband paper pieced to coordinate with the paper used on the card.

Stay tuned for more projects from the get together...

Tilda with Chocolates

Sorry for the lack of posts lately! I was busy preparing for the local SCS get together that was held yesterday. Making swap cards ate up all my free time.

I know I am a little bit late posting this, but I thought I would share the card I made my husband for Valentine's Day.


Stay tuned for my swap projects from the get together. :)

InStyle Stamps Design Team Call

NOTE: This post will stay on top until the DT call is over. Please scroll down to see my latest project.

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InStyle Stamps is launching a new anime line of stamps to add to our current lines. We are having 3 design team calls, Anime, Retro and Digi.

There are 2 stages to our application process.

Stage One - We ask you to submit 4 of your very best projects. At least two of those projects must be non-card related. These projects must include line art stamped images that you have hand colored. Coloring technique is very important since all of our stamps require coloring. You will also need the following information along with your submission:

1. Name

2. Mailing Address (we need it to send your stage two image immediately)

3. Phone number

4. Email Address

5. A List of your present/past design team positions. Note: You will be considered even if you do not have design team experience.

6. A link to your gallery on SCS, PCP and blog

7. Tell us which team you would like to apply for: Anime, Retro, Digi. If you are applying for more then one, please list teams in order of preference.

8. A brief about me summary to include; interests, crafting history, etc. Whatever you would like us to know about you and your experience.

All stage one submissions should be received by us no later than February 16th, 2009 by 11:59 pm P.S.T. Please email your Stage One applications to:

InStyleStampsDT@aol.com

Once we've received all of your submissions we will narrow the selections for the final round.

Stage Two - We will snail mail a stamped image and sketch for you to follow to create your final project. Once completed, you will take a photo of the project, and upload it to your blog or gallery using "ISS DT APPLICATION" as the subject or tag. You will need to notify us at:

InStyleStampsDT@aol.com

once you have uploaded your final project.

We will notify you of the deadline for stage two final project submissions via mail with your stamped image if chosen. International applicants are accepted (special rules apply please ask before submitting).

We have 9 design positions to fill. We are looking for:

Great coloring techniques
Good photography skills
Attention to color matching
Thinking outside the box
And regular posting on your blog/website

We are interested in fresh, funky and fun designs and projects. If you fit that mold, please apply for one of our team positions.

Mmmm... Cake!

I'm always looking for ideas for "guy" cards, how about you? I can whip out a card for a female friend in no time (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit here...), but ask me to make something for a man, and I am twiddling my thumbs, trying to come up with ideas. I've decided I *need* to buy more guy friendly stamps. LOL!

Since that hasn't happened yet, I went through my stash of stamped images that various friends have so generously given me, and found this adorable Penny Black cat. Hmmm. Cats are appropriate for a guy, right?


I just love this cat with his big ol' chef's hat and apron! The expression on his face is just too funny. He was colored in with Copic markers, and had some stickles added to the icing and candles. I tried to keep the layout clean and simple to be "guy appropriate". What do you think?

Yet another birthday card...

I hope you like birthday cards, because I needed to make 4 of them this week. February is a busy month for birthdays around here!


I had so much fun playing with Mellie from InStyle Stamps the other day, that I just had to use her again. She's just so cute!

My friend, Malaine, was over to work on projects the other night, and was sweet enough to lend me her Curved Rectangles Nestabilities. Wasn't that nice of her? Thank you, Malaine! I used them to cut the white and the gray paper. The pink pirouette layer was cut by hand since the next size up in the Nestablities was way too big to layer nicely. They need to come out with a second Curved Rectangles set to go in between the current ones.

Sorry for the short post, but I have 2 more birthday cards to make today. Stop back later to see them. :)

InStyle Stamps Sneak Peek #3

Are you ready for another sneak peek of the fabulous new Anime line by InStyle Stamps? Thought so!

Meet Mellie!

Isn't she sweet? And just look at this yummy birthday cake she made just for you! Chocolate, mmm.

Mellie was colored in with Copic Markers, and has diamond stickles added to the frosting for a little something extra. If you click on the image for a larger photo, you can see where I added little dots of white to the brown areas of her eyes with my white gel pen to mimic the effect of light reflecting from the eye. The solid papers are SU Summer Sun and Old Olive. The dp and pretty sparkly ribbon are from my scrap pile.

This card will be going to my grandfather, who is celebrating his 86th birthday tomorrow. Go Grandpa! Most of his daughters and granddaughters have dark hair and eyes, so I am hoping that Mellie will remind him that we are all sending him birthday wishes.

Mellie and the other adorable stamps in the Anime line will be released this Friday in the Instyle Stamps store. Be sure to check out fellow DT member, Shary, for another fabulous card featuring Mellie!

InStyle Stamps Sneak Peek #2 - meet Lilah!

So, are you ready for another sneak peek of the new InStyle Stamps Anime line? Well, judging from all the email I've been getting, someone certainly is! LOL! So without further ado, meet Lilah!



Isn't she fun? And oh, so polite! LOL! Do you think her boyfriend will comply with her request when she has asked so sweetly?

The gorgeous papers, ribbon slider, and brads are all part of the InStyle Stamps Love and Romance Inspiration kit#2. Get yours while supplies last!

I tried something a little bit different with Lilah. I've been hearing great things about using colored pencils and odorless turpenoid with copic markers to add extra depth, and decided to give it a go. I colored Lilah with my copic markers, but didn't use as many colors or do as much blending as I usually do. After I was finished with the copics, I colored right over the marker with my new Koh-i-noor pencils to add shading and depth. Then I dipped a paper stump (special blending tool that looks like a pencil but is made entirely of paper) into the odorless turpenoid to wet the tip and used it to blend and smooth out my pencil color. Repeat as needed. I need to practice a bit more, but I'm pretty happy with the way this turned out. The pencil lines just disappear, and it gives you a much richer color than you get with watercolor pencils.

Would you like a chance to work with Lilah and the other gorgeous stamps in the new Anime line? Then be sure to check out the InStyle Stamps design team call. We are taking applications until 2/16/09. Hope to hear from you!