First Snowball of Winter

We got a very, very large amount of snow yesterday.  So much in fact, that the school declared a snow day.  My youngest was ecstatic!  He loves the snow and loves to play in it.  As he was throwing snowballs at his older brother who was shoveling the drive, I thought of this new image from exclusive to SCACD Winter Sampler drawn by Elisabeth Bell.  The image is called First Snowball of Winter.

I knew this card needed a touch of Viva.  I used the Viva Decor in opaque white to create the 'snowballs' in the scallops around the image.

Enjoy the weather were ever you are and whatever it is.  I am going to enjoy being in my warm house watching the kids play in the snow through the window!

Get Inky!

Alex

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

Hello all- Edgar Allen Crow here again.  Yep- that crazy lady did it.  She signed up for the 12 Days of Christmas Smeared and Smudged style.  However, wait until you see what she has up her sleeve for you all, I think you will be glad she did.
In keeping with the holiday I was meant to get an elf hat.  Do you see a hat?  Nope, me either.  Hrumph- the benefits of this job just keep getting better and better, I'm just sayin'....

 For the first day of Christmas, Alex created a fun tag.  First is the Glimmer Mist background.  Unfortunately you all can not see the nice shimmer and shine effect and since it is SNOWING here the lighting for the picture doesn't help.  Trust me though, it is there and it is gorgeous.  The happy girl image is from Stampotique and part of the Penny/Torrente collection which Alex loooooooooooooooves.
 She then hand wrote the sentiment, like you could find a stamp that said that!, and stamped the swirls using her Prima Jacquard stamps, because they have the best swirls ever, in burgundy ink.  She distressed the tag edges with the same burgundy ink and highlighted the party dress. 

I hope you have enjoyed Alex's creation for today.  Day 2 will be on Friday so we hope you will pop by for it, and anything else in between if you would like.  To visit the other participants of the 12 Days of Christmas Smeared and Smudged Style you can use the list at the top right of the blog -no your other right.....

Challenges:
Stampotique Designers #20 - Bling Bling (the shine from the Glimmer mist that you can't see)
DragonsDream Tag It On #59- Christmas Colors
Craft Critique- Holiday / Winter Craft Carnival
A Crafty Little Place #66- Anything Goes
Woodware USA #3 - Anything Goes
I Did It #31 - Surprise Me
Happy Holidays!
Edgar

Purple Woods

In July I had to say good-bye to my precious kitty of 16 years.  It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.  I miss her terribly.  The other day I was looking through all my wonderful Sweet Pea Stamp images and came across Purple Woods.  It struck me that the kitty was the one with wings in this picture.  I decided to color this to remind me of my sweet Angel Kitty.

Get Inky!

Alex

I Got Your Back

It is time to think Winter Fun!!!  Alex is not a big fan of the snow, unless she is looking at it through a window with a cup of cocoa in her hand.  However, she IS a fan of watching her son play in the snow since he loves it.

This fun winter image is part of the Mini Winter Hearts and Hugs set exclusive to SCACD. 

Alex stamped and colored the image.  The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey June Bug paper pack.  After assembling the card, she added some Viva Decor glitter liner in peridot to the headband and scarf on this little girl. 

Make certain you run to SCACD to take advantage of the After Black Friday sales!  There is more information on the Store Blog Follow Your Heart, or better yet, just start shopping!

Super stamp sale - Between the 27th thru the 4th Buy ANY SCACD Exclusive set OR 4 of ANY SCACD Exclusive stamps and get ONE free stamp from the Exclusive SCACD stamp line - Susana's CHOICE.

SCACD Exclusives stamps are those designed by Elisabeth Bell, Victoria Case, Carmen Medlin and Anki(in the US only).

Here is SCACD link to the Exclusive collections http://www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com/categories_scacd_stamps.php

Here is Elaine's link to the Exclusive collections http://www.quixoticpaperie.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12_104"

Ciao!

Auguste

Family

This week at Fairy Knoll the challenge is "Family".  Alex interpreted this by making a birthday card a member of her family.  There are 4000 December birthday's in Alex's family so she needs as many of these as she can make.

Alex used the image Birthday Balloon Girl and some very bright colors.  I am a bit partial to that lovely red ribbon down the side.  Just a stunning color selection in my opinion.   What are you going to make and enter in the challenge?

Also, Edgar and I would like to take a moment to remind you that Family is not defined by blood, but by the heart.

Ciao!

Auguste

Congratulations!

The winner of the Rudolph with Gift image I used and Delicious Doodles blog hop is.....

Dragonlady!!!

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!  Email me and I will get your image sent to you right away!!!

Fall Masquerade Fairy

Good Day!

I am very excite to show you this card.  It uses one of the newest images by Caron Vinson. The image is titled Fall Masquerade Fairy. It comes on a sheet with three other amazing images. It is so gorgeous that Alex swore to me it is a complete joy to color. I know she is very anxious to get to the other 3 images on this sheet as well. 

She used some of her different glitter Spica pens to color the wings and gold bracelets. It gives them a wonderful shimmer without overpowering the image.  It also meant I didn't have to run from the falling glitter.  Edgar warned me about Alex and the bling factor.

In order to be certain this card maintained the regal look of the image, Alex used the Kaisercraft paper pack After 5.  It has some absolutely delicious flocked and, as you see here, foil papers in it.

I hope you are enjoying all the new artists and stamps at Sweet Pea Stamps recently. I know that Alex certainly is LOVING them ALL!!!

Don't forget to enter the Christmas Gift Contest for your chance to win up to $25 gift card to Sweet Pea Stamps!!!

I also want to let you know that Edgar and I have been working on Alex, and she has agreed to participate in a 12 days of Christmas.  I saw her pulling out Glimmer Mist and tags so you are all in for a treat!

Ciao!
Auguste

Look Out Below!

So good to see you today!  I am excited to share a wonderful card made by Alex using one the new images from the Mini Winter Sampler drawn by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD.  This one is called Look Out Below.

Alex selected some paper from the Basic Grey June Bug paper pad and set out coloring the image to match.  She used some of the Flower Soft Polar White to create the snow.  This looks just like the real stuff currently sparkling out side.  However, it doesn't melt and isn't COLD!  That is a big plus in my book!

Such a fun card.  Personally, I like the snowflake look of the designs in the background paper.  What is your favorite part?  I am happy to pass the information on to Alex. 

Also, Alex asked me to let you know a couple of things about SCACD - beside the fact it has the BEST customer service of ANYPLACE.  Currently there is a Monday Special running (I KNOW it is Tuesday, I am following instructions people!).  Due to the holiday, SCACD will be closing between Nov 24 - Nov 27.  The Monday special is running until Sunday Nov 28!! and is all Petaloo products at 15% off!  YES- for real.  Even those gorgeous NEW Velvet Hydrangeas and Chantilly flowers.  It is limited to stock on hand though, so hurry and grab what you want!

Hope you have a wonderful day and remember- Black Friday, be safe and then shop at SCACD on Saturday after you have rested up, or better yet, shop there today and be first!

Ciao!

Auguste

Hello and welcome!

Hello!  Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Edgar's brother Auguste Dupin Crow.  I am visiting for the holidays and since Alex is not feeling well, she has given me permission to host her blog this week.  I figured if Edgar could do it it must not be that hard!  (the pay isn't all that great though)

I am going to take a few moments to tell you a bit about myself, but before you ask, no, Edgar and I are not twins, although we do get asked that alllllllllllllll the time!  If it isn't obvious, I got the looks in the family.  Of course, I got the brains too.  I would ask you not to mention it to Edgar as it might hurt his feelings, but since I already told him it wouldn't be news anyway.
I bet you are wondering what I have in store for you this week.  Alex and I are still in 'negotiations', but I have snuck out a few items to share that she isn't aware of and I think you will enjoy.   I hope to see you again later when I have some items to share.

Ciao!

Auguste

Ladybug, ladybug

One of the newer sheets at Sweet Pea Stamps by ching chou kuiks is very quickly becoming my favorite sheet yet! It is Plate #79 and has these fabulous images on it of a seahorse, dragonfly, hummingbird and

LADYBUG!

This image was fun to color and is just perfect to be the entire focus of the card.  I added Diamond Glaze to the top wings for a beetle shine and used my clear Spica pen on the under wings for the shimmer.    I kept trying to add ribbon to the card and had about six different ones out. I asked my son which and he said "Mom, I think you should just leave the ribbon off". He was right. I like it better just like this!!!

Get Inky!

Alex

Delicious Doodles- New Challenge Blog and Hop

I am so excited to share the news of a NEW challenge blog for Delicious Doodles with you!  To start things off we are having and 'Anything Goes' challenge, a blog hop, and the chance to win a BUNCH of wonderful Delicious Doodles images!!!!!  All of the details and a full list of the hop participants, if you get lost along the way, can be found on the Delicious Doodles challenge blog HERE.

Hopefully you are already hopping along and have arrived from Claire's Blog.   If not, do not miss any of these ladies lovely creations.  There is so much diversity and talent it amazes me constantly!!!

I am excited to share the card I made with Rudolph with a gift.  My son and I have decided he is the most adorable Rudolph we have ever seen!

Thank you for stopping by, now hop on to Darlene's Blog and leave here some love.  Then be sure to participate in our "Anything Goes" challenge this week!  I am looking forward to seeing what YOU create!

Thankful

This week at Fairy Knoll the challenge theme is Thankful.  This can mean many different things.  It can be a Thank You card or represent something you are thankful for or even a card to send a person who you are thankful is in your life.  I took the very easy way out and used the 'Thankful' image available from Fairy Knoll.  I think this image is very simple and understated making a beautiful card.

Come join us this week at the Fairy Knoll Challenge and share your Thankful creation!!!

Get Inky!

Alex

In The Moment

At SCACD there is a fabulous section under the artists Victoria Case and Elisabeth Bell.  They are "never before seen" stamps.  These are singles that periodically get released just because they are so awesome!  I got my hands on this one from Victoria Case and I LOVE it!  It is called "In The Moment".  I think the balloon with the happy face is wonderful and the bandaid one the girl's knee, perfect touch!

I stamped the image using Momento Tuxedo Black and colored it in.  I selected colors that coordinated with the Basic Grey paper I used that was picked because of the Cupcake Inspiration #85 challenge.  I SWEAR to you that the flowers on my screen are a dark poppy orange, not red.  Apparently they are meant to be red, but while picking papers I was thinking orange:) and of course chocolate.  Maybe it was thinking of chocolate that made me see strange colors!  I put it all together using the sketch from the Corrosive Challenge #90 This image was super fun to color and I can think of a BUNCH of occasions it will be perfect for! 

Challenges:
Corrosive Challenge #90 - sketch
Cupcake Inspiration #85 - chocolate, white and orange- in  my monitor, the red is orangy- that is how I ended up here :)

Get Inky!

Alex

Jingle Bells, Batman Smells....

WAIT- that isn't what this is!  This is the blog hop with Fairy Knoll!  No stinking here :).  I hope you started at the Fairy Knoll Challenge blog, but regardless of how you got here, WELCOME!

If you hop with us and comment on all the blogs, you will have the opportunity to win THIS:

The ENTIRE Winter/Holiday release! I know, pretty amazing isn't it!?!?!  Don't worry if you get lost along the way.  The list of all the blogs and full details are on the Fairy Knoll Challenge Blog if you need them.  But is that all? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, you have a chance to win here as well.  Someone who comments on my blog will win one digi from the release of their choice.  Winners will be posted on the Fairy Knoll Challenge Blog on Monday.

Today I get to share the Jingle Bells digi

I started by coloring the wonderful image with my markers and both my gold and green Spica pens for the fabulous shimmer and shine.

I ran the dark green cardstock through my cuttlebug for some dry embossing and then used my FAVORITE metallic rub on colors by Craft-T.  I use these a LOT and don't think I ever shared with you how FABULOUS they are.

Now I have another gorgeous Christmas card all ready to go!  

The next stop on your hop is Audrey's blog.  I know she had made something STUNNING to share, because she always does.  Hop along and leave her some love while you are there.

Get Inky!

Alex

Snow Fun!

There are two brand new winter releases available RIGHT NOW at SCACD.  They are Elisabeth Bell for SCACD Mini Winter Sampler and Victoria Case for SCACD Mini Winter Hearts and Hugs Set.  I hope that you arrived here to see another example of one of these images from Elaine's blog as part of the new release hop.  You can find the complete list on the SCACD store blog Follow Your Heart if not or if you get lost.

I am very pleased and honored to introduce you to Snow Fun by Victoria Case for SCACD. 

Snow Fun

Doesn't she look like she is having the most fun?  I love this and it reminds me of all the fun winters I had playing in the snow as a kid.  Lots of great memories!

SCACD has a couple of VERY exciting announcements as well.

1- SCACD is on Facebook!!!  Be certain to "Like" them right away! There will be special Facebook sales and prizes available.


2-BLOG CANDY & FACEBOOK CANDY!!- there will be two winners~ One will be selected from the comments on the store blog and the other from Facebook.  This is running from TODAY through Nov. 19.


3-Between the 15th thru the 19th if you purchase an Exclusive SCACD Stamp Set you will receive a FREE stamp of  Susana's choosing that could be from ANY of that Artist's released sets.  For example, if you purchase an Elisabeth Bell for SCACD Stamp Set you will receive ONE Elisabeth Bell for SCACD stamp of Susana’s choosing.  If you purchase multiple SCACD Stamp Sets you will receive  ONE free stamp for each set purchased. Since the Carmen for SCACD is just a single set if you purchase this set you will get ONE SCACD Stamp of Susana’s choosing as well.  This is at SCACD only, not the other exclusive international retailers of the SCACD stamps.

Speaking of which ---

Quixotic Paperie in Europe - 

Art Du Scrapbooking in Canada - 

for your SCACD stamping needs.

Now- I know what you really want to do is go shopping, and this is ok.  Just make certain that afterward you finish the hop to see all the fabulous DT creations.  From here, please visit Anki's Blog and while you are there, leave her some love.

Get Inky!

Alex

Let it Snow

Not really, unless I am inside with a cup of hot chocolate, blanket and a good book with absolutely no place to go!  However, it IS that time of year and my youngest LOVES the snow, loves it!

This week for the challenge at Stamp It Crazy we used a fun snow image.  I actually really enjoyed playing with this image and love the end result.  The Flower Soft polar white is the perfect snow, perfect!  Just a touch of diamond Stickles to highlight the snowballs and it is just right.

Looking forward to seeing your creation.  Enter HERE for a chance to win this image for yourself!

Get Inky!

Alex

The Bunny is Here!!

Nope, not the Easter Bunny, even better.  BO BUNNY!!!  SCACD is now carrying the 6x6 paper pacs from Bo Bunny.  Just look at this yumminess!

Changing Leaves

Fall is in the air here and what could be more fitting than a challenge with the theme of Changing Leaves?  Fairy Knoll this week has a challenge of just that.  Use the colors, or a leaf or whatever about Changing Leaves inspires YOU!

I used one of the newest images from Fairy Knoll Autumn Fairy.  Isn't she lovely?  See what else the Design Team has created with images from Fairy Knoll and this theme.   I can't wait to see what entries you come up with!

Get Inky!

Alex

TIOT in a box

For the TIOT this week we were challenged to make a favor or gift box or a type we had not made before.  Well, that left me in a bit of a bind because anything simple I have already done once, or twice and I did not feel like doing anything difficult and requiring math.  I went looking and found this popcorn box template.  The second I saw it I knew exactly what I wanted to do and got busy.  Even better, when I finished, it looked just like it had in my head.  That rarely happens and I am so pleased with this project.

After printing our and cutting around the template I cut some patterned paper from the After 5 Kaisercraft paper pad. This pad is yummylicious!  You must have it, MUST!

I grabbed my Viva Decor Precious Metal Paint in silver and sponged it around the edges of the box and the papers.  I will admit that I actually purchased this paint hesitantly.  I just couldn't imagine that it could be any different/better that anything else I might find.  Since I didn't currently have any metal paint, and wanted some silver for an altered book I am working on I decided to 'give it a go'.  I will tell you, this paint IS different.  It covers with a very thin coat and goes on like a DREAM!  I used a sponge, not a brush and I bet even if you picked it up and stared at it you couldn't tell.  Because it covers so well, it also doesn't take long to dry, but washes right up if (ok when for me) you make a mess.  It also came right off my hands with soap and water!

While that was drying I stamped and colored four of the peony flower images from the new Carmen Medlin  Reflections #1 stamp sheet exclusively from SCACD.  This image and a wonderful butterfly are bonus images that you only get when purchasing a full sheet.  Why you wouldn't purchase the full sheet is beyond me, but it is nice to have a bit extra for doing so.  After coloring I cut them out and a mat in black with my Nesties.  I edged the images with a bit more of the Viva Decor Precious Metal Paint.  (Did I mention this stuff ROCKS!)

I put everything all together, wrapped a felt flower ribbon in black around the top and bottom and accented it all with a Petaloo Chantilly flower in red/burgany.  Then I just sat backed and looked at it for a bit.  I love when a plan comes together.

Be certain you check out what the rest of the design team has done with this challenge at Follow Your Heart.  Each of them always amazes me with their creativity!

Challenges:
Creative Cottage #27 - For someone special at Christmas
Inktegrity #22 - Ribbon and flowers
Bunny Zoe #6- Christmas but not a card

Get Inky!

Alex

Christmas Sweet Pea Style

This is just one of the many different Holiday stamps available at Sweet Pea Stamps.

Holly Fairy is drawn by ching chou kuik and less complicated to color that most of her images.  I really enjoyed using only just a few colors for this image and they way she almost hides in the holly.  The berries have Diamond Glaze added to them for just a touch of shine.  The background paper is actually from the Kaisercraft pack called Hippy Girl, but the green was just what I wanted!  Be certain to see what else is available to play with for the holidays at Sweet Pea Stamps.  While you are there, make up a wish list and send it to those who need to know what you REALLY WANT for the holidays!  I promise, it beats getting a new toilet brush, LOL!