Thursday, June 30, 2011

Lola

Ok, so the song by Barry Manilow runs through my brain everytime I think of this sweeties name.  She certainly doesn't look like a washed up show girl by any means.  Lola is just as wonderful as can be.  I especially love the flowers on her capris.

Lola is part of the new release Sweet Meets Sassy #2 drawn by Victoria Case for SCACD.  I also use the My Minds Eye Lime Twist paper pack to give it a great summer color combination.

Challenges:
Tuesday Trio #73 - Sketch
Crazy Challenges #73 - Beautiful Women


Get Inky!
Alex

Monday, June 27, 2011

Little Sweetheart

Some of my favorite 'cute' images available are the Little Sweethearts by Samantha Rawlings for Sweet Pea Stamps.  There are actually three different sheets and this cutie is on the most recent one, plate #125.


I can not remember which plate this sentiment is from, but it seems to fit perfectly with this Sweetheart.  As does the Bo Bunny paper and ribbon from my stash that I vividly remember picking up on one of my 'I'm just going with you, but not buying anything' trips with a friend.

Get Inky!
Alex

Sunday, June 26, 2011

My Favorite....

Simply Betty Stamps EMO!  I can not believe it has been a year since this store opened.  I vividly remember WAITING for it to do so and being super excited with her first release, the "EMOs"  I purchased 2 and still love them both.  Well, I love them ALL, but use and love these two I have.  Since the challenge was to show my favorite EMO, I thought it only fitting to go back to the beginning.


This is Betty and I think she is just FABULOUS!  I will be honest and admit that sometimes her buddy is a dog and sometimes a big mouse, depending on  how I color him, but she is always rockin'!~

Do you see that cool photo corner?  YEP, more Viva Decor Crystal Gel in the Lace mold then painted up.  I'll post close ups and 'how-to' later since I took pictures .

Happy Birthday Simply Betty Stamps!  Wishing you many, many more!!!


Challenges:
Simply Betty - Favorite EMO

Get Inky!
Alex

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Put me in a Burton Movie!

The challenge this week at Burtonesque Dolls is to 'Put me in a Burton Movie'.  Basically, take the image and put it in a Burton film.  I used the Zombie Christian image from Simply Betty and put him as a friend of Edward Scissorhands.  IF you have actually seen this movie, then the sentiment on the tag makes sense.  If you haven't- what are you waiting for?

Sentiment reads- Very Funny Edward, very funny.  Just a little off the top you say......

Challenges:
Burtonesque Dolls - Put me in a Burton movie
Gingersnap Creations #108- Color of Money
Belli Challenge #120 - the letter "G"- I used Glimmer Mist for the tag, the color Green & the character is a bit Grumpy :)


Get Inky!
Alex

Friday, June 24, 2011

THEY'RE HERE!!!


This is a fabulous  release of the Sweet Meets Sassy Collection #2 drawn by Victoria Case exclusively for SCACD!  You want them all, and you want the sentiments that come with getting them all!!!


Here is Rosie!  Isn't she a gem?  I love her retro look and couldn't help but go with the pink accessories and shoes.




I used paper from Prima's Madeline collection.  The sentiment "Live Love Laugh" is one of the other sentiment stamps that are part of this release.  They are only available if you purchase sets, so be certain you read the details so you can get them! 




I really wanted to include a paper rose with Rosie, but didn't have any that coordinated. What is that you say? Time to play? But of course!!!  This rose is actually on of the Kaisercraft flowers in Buttercream.  I sprayed it and then grabbed my Smooch Ink for the glimmer, shimmer and shine!


The new exclusive "Sweet Meets Sassy Collection #2" by artist Victoria Case is NOW available for purchase  at SCACD...and at Quixotic Paperie for our crafty friends in the UK.
Remember to check in at Follow Your Heart for the other stamps that you haven't yet seen this week!  Also, some of my other DT sisters have creations with the new set if you want to take a look.

Get Inky & Get Shopping!!!
Alex

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Victoria Case - New Release Day Four!!

Today is day FOUR of the showcase of the Victoria Case for SCACD - New Release.  Each day some of the design team for SCACD will be showcasing an image or two of the new release.  The Who, What, Where can be found daily at the SCACD store blog Follow Your Heart.  There is also the opportunity for you to WIN the release.  Don't miss out !~

Go to Follow Your Heart daily starting today!

Get Inky!
Alex

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sweet Meets Sassy Collection #2

Sweet Meets Sassy Collection #2 drawn by Victoria Case for SCACD is being released THIS Friday June 24.  This is another fabulous collection and I am excited to get to showcase for you today "Celebrate"!


Isn't she adorable?  Even better, that wonderful sentiment comes with her!  I know!  It IS awesome!  Celebrate is one of the cuties in the "Hearts and Hugs- The Fun Collection".  There is also another "The Retro Crew Collection" and together they are Sweet and Sassy!

 Don't forget that there are images from this new release being showcased by some of my DT sisters all week long and you do not want to miss any of them - or a chance to win!  For a complete list of Who, What, When and Where, check out the store blog Follow Your Heart.


***BLOG CANDY!!!*** Please make sure to leave comments for both Marti and I on our "Celebrate" posts to be eligible to win this gorgeous stamp!! The blog candy will be open until June 23, 2011 at 10:00 pm EST. Random.org will be used to draw a winner who will be announced on the store blog Follow Your Heart by 11:00 EST the same night. :)

The new exclusive "Sweet Meets Sassy Collection #2" by artist Victoria Case will be available for purchase this Friday at SCACD...and at Quixotic Paperie for our crafty friends in the UK. Remember to check in at Follow Your Heart each day leading up to the release for sneak peeks of the new stamps and more blog candy!! We hope you plan to join us for the release day blog hop this Friday.

Challenges:
Challenge Up Your Life #46 - Circles
 Speedy the Cat's Friends #60 - Buttons
Easy Craft Projects #40 - photo inspiration
Card Makin Mamas #22- With a child/for a child


Get Inky!
Alex

Monday, June 20, 2011

Kissing Butterflies

This gorgeous beauty is the image Kissing Butterflies from Delicious Doodles and meets the weekly challenge of  "Things that Flutter".


That fun background paper with the butterflies and summer colors is from my new MME-Lime Twist- Happy Go Lucky and let me tell you, there are some fun papers in it.  The lace is from my stash.

Challenges:
One Stitch at a time #67- Things with Wings
Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Things with Wings
Simply Create #46 - Fly With Us
Delicious Doodles #30 - Things that Flutter

Do not forget to check out the blog Follow Your Heart for the link to today's showcases images from the SCACD New Release and your chance to WIN!

Get Inky!
Alex

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Victoria Case for SCACD - New Release

Today is day ONE of the showcase of the Victoria Case for SCACD - New Release.  Each day some of the design team for SCACD will be showcasing an image or two of the new release.  The Who, What, Where can be found daily at the SCACD store blog Follow Your Heart.  There is also the opportunity for you to WIN the release.  Don't miss out on this super fun week we have planned!~

Go to Follow Your Heart daily starting today!

Get Inky!
Alex

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Transparent

I got a few minutes to actually play again and decided that pulling out the Viva Decor Crystal Gel and thinking Halloween (how could a person ever go wrong with Halloween?) would be a fabulous way to go.  I was not disappointed!

I had started out my glopping (isn't that a great technical word) some Crystal Gel on the bottom of a tag and letting it dry for some texture.  I then painted it first with brown and then, after it was dry, with green.  Originally I was going to have it be grass and place someone walking.  However, as I got ready to put things together I realized it would be a wonderful graveyard.  I used several different colors of in sponges on the top for the sky with a heavy layer of black on the edge and edging the sentiment.  The headstone and ghost are all made with Viva Decor Crystal Gel in a soft mold.  I painted them and then glued them down once they were dry.  I was going to do more to this, but everything else I started to add just seemed 'too much' so left it alone. 

Challenges:

HDH 93 - Kuriously Korroded
Simply Betty Stamps - anything Halloween
Halloween Cards #4 - Tags and/or tall - new to me challenge blog all about Halloween- WOOT WOOT!!!

Get Inky!
Alex

Friday, June 17, 2011

Miss Charlotte

I am soooooooooooooooo excited to get to share this FABULOUS image with you.  It is a Make It Crafty stamp from SCACD and she is called Miss CharlotteSCACD is the only store in the US to currently stock Make It Crafty stamps so I am even MORE excited to share her with you!!!

Now, just a bit about how I made this card.  The papers are from the Echo Park For the Record collection.  That fabulous scroll at the bottom?  Yep, more of the AWESOME Viva Decor Crystal Gel molded in my Lace mold, painted and then rubbed with some Viva Decor pearl pen in white on my finger tip to bring out the detail.  More about how to mold and paint these can be found in a previous post HERE.  The skull and crossbones was sprayed with Goosebumps texture spray, a must have product, and then ink lightly rubbed to give it that 'old bone' look so popular with skulls right now.  Miss Charlotte was stamped, colored and fussy cut so she could perch in such an elegant fashion.  Her jewelry was colored with Copic glitter pens to give them the appropriate gold sparkle.

There are several of my SCACD DT sisters also sharing some of the fabulous Make It Crafty stamps now in stock at SCACD.  You can find a complete list of them on the store blog Follow Your Heart.  I encourage you to give them a look, I know there are some amazing creations.

Challenges:
Cute Card Thursday #169 - Birthstones - see those ruby eyes :)
Going Grey with Scrap Creations- Anything Goes
TTT #38 - Anything Goes


Get Inky!
Alex

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Tag! You're it!

or not - I am just in a bit of a silly mood and couldn't resist the title.  Seriously though, I have two tags I would like to share with you today.

The first one is created using Naturally Styled drawn by Carmen Medlin exclusively for SCACD.

After stamping the image directly onto the tag, I also stamped onto some paper from Prima and paper pieced the dress.  Everything else I colored with markers.  The edges of the tage are stamped with the vine portion of the image using one of my favorite paints.  It is called Glamour Dust and has the sparkle built in!

Challenges:
Clear It Out - Paper Piecing
Crafty Hos- Blue, Green & Yellow


The second tag uses a similar item in the dress form, but this time it is a chipboard one from Maya Road.

The tag background is distress inks sponged on until I liked it.  The dress form and needle are both chipboard that have been painted with Viva Decor Precious Metals paint in silver.  I used some paper from Basic Grey on the dress form, put it all together and added the safety pins and stitching on the edges.

Challenges:
Smeared & Smudged - Junk Funk June

Time for you to get busy, get creative and ...
Get Inky!
Alex

Monday, June 13, 2011

A Touch of Sass



Isn't Love Lace drawn by Joanne Schempp just a touch sassy, but still so lovely?  I really love Joanne Schempp's artistic style and this is only one of many of her images I am enjoying playing with.  If you haven't added some of her designs to your Sweet Pea Stamps collection, you really should.

Get Inky!
Alex

Saturday, June 11, 2011

By the light of the moon

I had a complete and total BLAST making this tag.  I would have let Edgar tell you about it, but there is just so much I want to share with you and he would probably mess it up :).

Now- where to start?  How about that moon?  I created that using the Viva Decor Crystal Gel.  The official name of this color is orange gold.  However, my name for it is orangy gold goodness, much more accurate :)
First I used a paintbrush and put about an 1/4 inch layer of the Crystal Gel onto wax paper.
I then, immediately, pressed some gold beads into the gel and left it to dry.
Once it was dry, I peeled it of the wax paper and trimmed it to a circle shape.  EASY PEASY!!!

Now, this wonderful element at the bottom of the tag?  Also EASY PEASY!

First, using a paint brush I pressed the Crystal Gel into the silicone mold and then smoothed off the excess with a piece of cardstock.  Tap the mold lightly on the table to help eliminate air bubbles.






Let the gel dry several hours or overnight, then pop out the elements (btw, this is only HALF of the mini lace mold)

I then grabbed my acrylic paint in black and a sponge and covered up the orangy gold goodness color.


After letting it dry, I used the gold from the metallic rubons and rubbed it over the element to help bring out the detail.

Now honestly, would you EVER have guessed this was orange?  See, it doesn't really matter what color gel you purchase because it can become whatever color you would like!  So once, again, my finished tag:

Challenges:
Smeared and Smudged June - Oh the Horror

Get Inky!
Alex

Friday, June 10, 2011

Viva Crystal Gel - ROCKS!

Ok, first just let me say THIS STUFF FREAKIN' ROCKS!!  You absolutely must add this to your supplies.  Really, it is the BOMB!!  I will be posting some various things during the next few days with tons of different ways to use it.  In the meantime I have this to share with you and there are several more creations on the SCACD store blog Follow Your Heart so check them out.



First, I grabbed the FABULOUS Viva Decor Crystal Gel in orange gold and my silicone mold called Lace and created the elements above and below the image.  -more detail below.  I then stamped Fairy Queen and stamped her in black on kraft cardstock.  Some inking, some tearing and a lot more inking later, she was ready.  I also inked and shimmer sprayed the lace behind the image then added my completed embellishments.  They were truly the perfect finishing touch!

I won't go into a ton of detail about how to actually use the gel and molds to create these items because there are videos available on the store blog that will do a much better job.  However, I DO want you to know that there is a TON of stuff you can do with them.  The ones here I used the metallic rubons at SCACD on them to bring out the detail.


You can also...
paint them
use beads in them
punch them
texture with it
and all sorts of other fun things!  The sky is pretty much the limit!!  So, go watch the videos, check out the other creations, go shopping, and get ready to PLAY!!!  oh yeah- and watch this space for more examples, LOL!

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew - Wings
Little Red Wagon - Mist It
Everybody Art Challenge #145 - Distress It
Bunny Zoe's Crafts #12 - Lace
My Partner In Crime #28 - Uncolored Image
Wee Memories #59 - Anything Goes


Get Inky!
Alex

Thursday, June 09, 2011

2nd Anniversary Celebration for Quixotic Paperie

Some of the SCACD Design Team have the pleasure of joining Quixotic Paperie today to help celebrate their 2nd Anniversary, and also to throw the spotlight on SCACD Stamps, which are available in the UK at Quixotic Paperie!

Today designers from both the SCACD Stamps and Quixotic Paperie teams are showing off creations featuring some of the gorgeous images available through SCACD Stamps. 

It's not a hop, so feel free to dip in and out of the list of blogs however you please!

Here's the list of participants:

As you may be aware, SCACD Stamps is run by the lovely Susana of Susana's Custom Art & Card Design in the US.  The SCACD Stamps range is available in the UK exclusively at Quixotic Paperie.

There are three fantastic artists in the current range from SCACD Stamps - Carmen Medlin, Elisabeth Bell and Victoria Case, each with a different style.

  

As part of the celebrations and the spotlight today, there is a PRIZE GIVEAWAY!  Visit the Quixotic Inspirations blog for details and to enter!


I used the image Sweet Mischief Peeker because it just seemed perfect for a birthday celebration!  The pearls on top of the cake are made with the Viva Decor white pearl pen and the paper is from Bo Bunny

Thank you for joining us, we hope you enjoyed checking out SCACD Stamps with us today!

Get Inky!
Alex

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Fragile Spring

As my son and I were driving back from his Tae Kwon Do class last weekend we saw a wild bunny.  That is not something that we see often in this area and so a pleasant surprise.  He asked me "what would you do for a pet bunny?".  Like any mom all I could think of was cleaning cages and the not fun parts of having a pet.  I loved that, for my son, the idea was nothing but joy!

This image, Fragile Spring, is such a sweet and precious one drawn by Melissa Dawn for Sweet Pea Stamps.  She has a way with the adorable.  If you love cats, you really should check out her other designs as well.

Get Inky!
Alex

Monday, June 06, 2011

Chocolate you go batty for.....





This week for Burtonesque Dolls challenge it is to take inspiration from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, but monsterize it.  I have been itching to play with this cutey from Simply Betty Stamps and as I was looking at it yesterday morning the idea just came to me.  Super thrilled with the end result and my boys love that they get to eat the 'sample', lol!  Also happy to be playing in this challenge again!

Challenges:
The Burtonesque Dolls - Monster have taken over the factory

Get Inky!
Alex

Sunday, June 05, 2011

Get your stars on!

The challenge at SCACD Friends With Heart Challenges is to use an SCACD image and STARS.  I started with with a plan, and then ended up going an entirely different direction (not unusual for me) to get this fun birthday card.
I used the CELEBRATE image drawn by Victoria Case exclusively for SCACD.    After coloring I added Diamond Glaze to the entire image thinking it would give it not only some shine, but more of the fondant type look.  I used the Viva Decor glitter line in Peridot for the pearls around the bottom layer.  The patterned paper is from the Kaisercraft  Konstruct paper which has wonderful colors.


Challenges:
Midnight Madness # 106- sketch
SCACD Friends With Heart #9 - Stars

Get Inky!
Alex

I'm in love with these ....

Susana at SCACD is the ONLY store in the US right now that carries the Make It Crafty stamps and these are adorable!  Here is a sampling of just a couple, you need to run over there and not only see the rest of them, but BUY THEM ALL!  Quick, before they are gone!  :)  check out the amazing laser cut chipboard too.







What are you still doing here?  GO!

Get Inky!
Alex

OWH card

I was so excited to win the Karber challenge a couple of weeks ago.  I got to pick out a free image as a prize.  I had a TERRIBLY difficult time because there are so many cute ones.  I ended up selecting Jude Love because I think he is absolutely perfect for OWH cards.  The centers in the flowers are hearts!!!

Here is my first card with Jude Love-- and I am entering him into the latest Karber challenge as well :)


Challenges:
Karber challenge #33- Use your scraps & a Karber digi
CES Challenges #39- Clean and Simple
Card Makin' Mamas #12- Use your scraps
C.R.A.F.T. challenge #105 - Wedding / Love

Get Inky!
Alex

Saturday, June 04, 2011

Skull Appreciation Day! - with a BLOG HOP!

WELCOME!  I am Edgar Allen Crow and I am so happy you have stopped by for Skull Appreciation Day.  This all started on a blog called Skull A Day which Alex follows.  They announced June 4 to be Skull Appreciation Day.  Of course those silly people at the Smeared and Smudged forum Alex hangs out with jumped on it.  Any excuse for a Blog Hop on the dark side......



Anyway- there are prizes to be won as part of this hop as well.  If you start at the beginning at Terra's Blog you can see how YOU can win.  If you have already been there, then, hopefully, you are coming from Jane's blog and that you left her some love.  Now, on to what Alex created for you today.

It doesn't look it, but this project took her a long time to create.  Only because her mojo went on vacation and she had to push through.  However, once she started cutting the skulls and just getting busy, a smile appeared on her face and there was no stopping her.  In fact, she has been busy creating ever since.



Not the new creations, but since it IS skull appreciation day, I couldn't resist pulling out a couple of my personal favorites Alex has created.  Here are a couple of oldies but goodies.



I know this is a bit off track and there is a LOT to see today, but I simply MUST share with you this product that Alex used on her card.  It is called Goosebumps



Here is how it works, you spray it on something - in this case it was white paper, but it says it will work on all sorts of surfaces- and let it dry.  It dries clear.  She then grabbed some distress inks and sponges and added the color.  This is how Alex created the background and the very cool effect on the 'head skull'.  Here are some closeups so you can see it better.






Needless to say, Alex is now running around looking for more things to spray!!! Don't worry- after the 'glitter incident' I am staying out of her way!!!

Now- run along to the next stop on the hop, Judi's blog, and leave her some love while you are there.  If you get lost along the way, I have posted the entire list at the end of this post!

Happy Skull Appreciation Day!
Edgar



Friday, June 03, 2011

A Fairy Happy birthday

Fairy Knoll's challenge this week is 'Happy Birthday'.  This is the #53 challenge so the weekly challenge BIRTHDAY!!!  I selected what I consider to be the perfect image for a birthday card.  This is Amelia Cake.






I used some my Viva Decor pearl pen in red to create the pearls in the right hand corner.  Typically I use it for 'blood' on things, but it is multipurpose :).  The fairy's top is colored in with Smooch in Ocean Soul.  You may notice that on the original image, the top is strapless.  However, if you happen to smear the Smooch a bit before it is dry, the top is versatile enough to have straps.

Challenges:
Fairy Knoll #53- Happy Birthday


Get Inky!
Alex

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Sitting Pretty



This is another image from the gorgeous new release Natural Beauty collection drawn by Carmen Medlin for SCACD.  This release is so much fun to color.  I paired Sitting Pretty with paper from the Kaisercraft English Rose paper pack.  I used the Sew Easy to create the stitching holes.  I then grabbed a pen and created the faux stitching for a different look this time.  Add a couple of Bella Baubles and TA DA!  Finished!

Challenges:
Flutter By Wednesday #157 - open with a butterfly, fairy or angel


Get Inky!
Alex

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Falling Leaf and Friend

Artisit Renee Biertempfel has another new image, Falling Leaf and Friend, and full plate #153 available from Sweet Pea Stamps.  The entire plate is gorgeous, but this image is my favorite of the four (at least for today!).


As excited as I am for Summer, I really enjoy coloring and working with the richness and warmth of the fall colors. Of course, nothing says the leaves couldn't be done in green too.  The background paper is Basic Grey and the fabulous leaves are by Petaloo.  The assortment in the package is perfect for all kinds of creations.

Challenges:
Fab & Funky - What 'eva

Get Inky!
Alex

Lovely Lace

There is a challenge this week at Delicious Doodles to use LACE.  I couldn't help but reach for Tamed Dragon and work with the opposites to create this card. 

Challenges:
Delicious Doodles #27 - Lovely lace

Get Inky!
Alex