Enter The Darkside

Have you ever wanted to explore your dark side of crafting? Well I have, but just never really ventured that way more than once or twice. But, then, I came across a DT call for a new dark challenge blog..... I debated... and I debated..... and I debated, again..... Then I thought, what the heck - I should apply! What better time than the present, to try something new - So I applied for a DT spot on the new dark challenge blog, Forever Dark. I was so surprised, and thrilled, when Anna contacted me and offered me a spot on the team! Whoo Hoo! Can you believe it! I'm going to explore my dark side in crafting, as part of the DT at Forever Dark Challenge!

So, the time has come for the first ever challenge at the Forever Dark Challenge Blog! The first challenge is an easy one - Anything Goes! We are a monthly challenge blog, so you have plenty of time to play along and link up with us!  There are awesome prizes up for grabs! Our sponsors, for our first challenge, are Ike's Art and ArtiDoodles.

Now, let me tell you all about my first project for Forever Dark. I mostly do cards, but I would love to get more into doing other types of crafts, especially altered items.  For my first project, I decided to try altering a wooden frame, which I've painted black.  I have used the image, Coralyne, from ArtiDoodles, colored with Promarkers and Copics.  I used Copics for the hair and tried the "flicking" method - I think it turned out pretty good for a second attempt at this method!. I've used flowers at the top of the frame, to add a pop of color. The flowers were recycled from an old flower arrangement. I placed a black and gold spider in the center of the two flower sprigs. This was such a fun project and I love how it turned out.  What do you think of my first Forever Dark project?

I am entering this altered frame in the following challenges:

Texture at Moving Along With The Times
Challenge #35 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp Challenge
Challenge #33 Anything Goes at Art By Miran Challenge
HIMCR #201 Freestyle at Hiding In My Craftroom
Anything Goes at Delicious Doodles Challenge
Challenge #225 Anything Goes at Corrosive Challenge
Favorite Color Combo (Black and Purple) at Digi Sketch Challenge
Flowers at Melonheadz Friends Challenge
Challenge #80 Recycle (Flowers) at Left of Center Challenge
Altered Art (Picture Frame) at Rhedd's Creative Spirit
Challenge #20 Anything Goes at Not Just Cards Challenge
Challenge #126 Anything Goes at 613 Avenue Create
Challenge #139 Include An Animal (Skeletal Animal and Spider) at Glitter N Sparkle
Challenge #238 Flowers at One Stitch A Time
Challenge #71 Focus On Coloring at Pile It On Challenge
Challenge #62 Anything Goes at Crafting From The Heart
Challenge #264 Anything Goes at Craft Your Passion
Challenge #290 All Creatures Great And Small at Crafty Creations
Challenge #39 Lyrics (Witchy Woman) at Ike's World Challenge Blog
Royal (Queen of Darkness) at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
Anything Goes (Stash: Flowers) at Clear It Out
Challenge #154 Anything Goes at Loves Rubber Stamps
Anything Goes at Papertake Weekly
TTCRD 6/2 - 6/8 at Through The Craftroom Door
It's All About The Hair at Top Tip Tuesday
Anything Goes at Eclectic Ellapu
Challenge #4 Anything Goes at Crafting With Attitude
June-bugs (Spider), Gems and Gegaws at Haunted Design House
Anything Goes at Sugar and Betty's Challenge Blog
Challenge #39 Anything Goes at Paper Creator's Crafts
Anything Goes at Mema's Crafts
Anything Goes at Crafts Galore Encore
Anything With A Twist at Smudgy Antics
June Challenge at Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge
Anything Goes at Dream In Darkness Challenge
Girls, Girls, Girls at Crafty Time Challenges
Anything But A Card at Craft My Life: All Crafts Challenge

Boo! The Ghost Was Framed!

I know! I know! You are probably sick of seeing all of my Halloween projects, already! Sorry, but you will need to sit through this one and three more! LOL

This is project #9 for the 12 Days of Halloween at Simply Betty Stamps. The theme is 9 Ghosts A-Booing.

I found this cute stand up oval frame at Michael's in the $1 bin so I used it to create a cute Halloween decoration. The frame is so cool looking - I decided to keep the framed parts simple so the the frame adds to it, rather than takes away from it. I used this cute cut out ghost as well as this snow sign from Shelly's Images. I sponged the sign center with black ink and colored in the snow with a red Promarker so that it looks like a sign dripping with blood, instead of piled with snow. It turned out really creepy and I love it! I used a #9 on the sign to signify 9 Ghosts A-booing.


I am entering this altered frame decoration in the following challenge:


Day 9 of The 12 Days of Halloween at Simply Betty Stamps
Challenge #152 Clean and Simple at Crafty Ann's
GL27 Halloween at Gingerloft
Challenge #144 Halloween at The Crafty Pad
Challenge #21 No Sentiment at Heartsong Inspirations
Royal Digi Challenge #1 (Halloween) at The Scrapbooking Queen
Fall Or Halloween at One Crazy Stamper
Challenge #116 Spooky Goings On at Pollycraft
TSG127 Halloween or Autumn at There She Goes Clear Stamps
Halloween at Stamp-n-Doodle
Fall or Halloween at Crafty Boots
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp
FF#94 Spooky Fall at If The Shoe Fits
Challenge #80 Anything Goes at Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Challenge #22 Use A Digi at Paper Crafting Journey
Challenge #98 Spooky at Pixie Dust Studio
Challenge #10 Not Square at Little Darlings
Challenge #65 Halloween at Penny's Paper-Crafty
Challenge #158 Spooky or Whimsical at The Secret Crafter
Photo Inspiration (black and white) at Catch The Bug
Challenge #79 Use your Scraps at Speedy The Cat's Friends

Goblins Gobbling

Whoo Hoo! Another project for The 12 Days of Halloween at Simply Betty Stamps. I'm on a roll!



This is for Day 6 - Six Goblins. The papers and ribbon are all from my stash. The image is colored with Promarkers. I used chipboard to frame the image and added some orange bling around the frame. The round sentiment is from Echo Park.

My card layout uses the Sketch at Sunday Sketch and Stamp.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:


Day 6 of 12 Days of Halloween (Goblins) at Simply Betty Stamps
Challenge #78 Sketch at Sunday Sketch and Stamp
Challenge #117 Orange, Black and Purple at Incy Wincy
Challenge #116 Spooky Goings On at Pollycraft
Polka Dots at Jen's Digi Stamps
TSG127 Halloween or Autumn at There She Goes Clear Stamps
Black, Orange, Purple and Green at Paper Pretties
Fall or Halloween at Crafty Boots
Halloween at Stamp-n-Doodle
PWC177 Embellish It at Paper Pretties
GL27 Halloween at Gingerloft
Challenge #144 Halloween at The Crafty Pad
Royal Digi Challenge #1 (Halloween) at The Scrapbooking Queen
Fall Or Halloween at One Crazy Stamper
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp
Challenge #65 Halloween at Penny's Paper-Crafty
FF#94 Spooky Fall at If The Shoe Fits
Challenge #80 Anything Goes at Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Challenge #43 Halloween/Witches at Paper Play
Challenge #22 Use A Digi at Paper Crafting Journey
Challenge #98 Spooky at Pixie Dust Studio
Challenge #122 No Girls Allowed at Moving Along With The Times
Challenge #27 Sparkle (gems around frame) at Crafty Purple Frog

Three Black Cats

Hello, again! I'm back with another project for the 12 Days of Halloween at Simply Betty Stamps. This is my project for Day 3. We were asked to make a project with the theme of 3 Black Cats.


I used a scrap of fun polka dotted paper in halloween colors and a scrap of paper with these spooky spooks. The image is Skellington Betty, by Simply Betty Stamps. She is colored with Promarkers in shades of purple. I used a piece of chipboard in black and orange to frame the image. I used a 3d Black cat embellishment but only had one, so I put a #3 sticker on the cat, to fit the Three Black Cats theme.

My card layout uses Sketch #241 At Card Positioning Systems.


I am entering this card in the following Challenges:


On The Third Day of Halloween (3 Black Cats) at Simply Betty Stamps
Sketch #241 at Card Positioning Systems
Something Spooky at Hooked on Crafts
Challenge #11 Halloween at Paper Creations Ink
Fall or Halloween at Crafty Boots
Royal Digi Challenge #1 (Halloween) at The Scrapbooking Queen
Fall Or Halloween at One Crazy Stamper
Challenge #42 Use Black at Paper Play Challenge
Challenge #95 Halloween at Sassy Studio Designs
Challenge #89 Layer Upon Layer at Totally Paper Crafts
FF#94 Spooky Fall at If The Shoe Fits
Challenge #80 Orange and Black at Raise The Bar
Challenge #21 No Sentiment at Heartsong Inspirations
Challenge #133 Photo Inspiration (Halloween Colors-Black and Orange) at Cupcake Inspirations
Challenge #144 Halloween at The Crafty Pad
Costume Challenge at Jellypark Friends
Challenge #36 Black and Orange at Mami Doodles
Challenge #152 Clean and Simple at Crafty Ann's
GL27 Halloween at Gingerloft
Challenge #117 Orange, Black and Purple at Incy Wincy
Challenge #116 Spooky Goings On at Pollycraft
Challenge #22 Animals (Black Cat) at Cards For Men
TSG127 Halloween or Autumn at There She Goes Clear Stamps
Fancy Edges at Creative Craft Challenges
Black, Orange, Purple and Green at Paper Pretties
Polka Dots at Jen's Digi Stamps
Challenge #18 Spooky Scary at The Stamping Boutique
Halloween at Stamp-n-Doodle
Challenge #80 Anything Goes at Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp
Challenge #65 Halloween at Penny's Paper-Crafty
Purple, Orange, Green and Black at Delightful Sketches
IIC#30 Anything Goes at Inky Impressions

Halloween Is Coming! Don't Lose Your Head!

So, here I am, again, with another Halloween card! Halloween is my all time favorite holiday and I'm already playing with ghost, goblins, witches and.. Yes! Even zombies! I made this card for my hubby who's really into zombies! (I know, I know, it sounds kind of weird! But I have to admit.. I love them, too!)

My card layout follows the sketch at The Deconstructed Sketch. I've used this awesome zombie, Zombie Christian, from Simply Betty Stamps. Zombie Christian is perfect for Halloween! He's colored with Promarkers. I've used my new Apothecary Emporium papers from Echo Park. The "Haunted" sentiment is a sticker from Echo Park's Apothecary Emporium Elements sticker sheet. I matted the sticker with cardstock. The fibers are from my stash and seemed to be the perfect colors for this card! I attached Zombie Christian and the sentiment both with foam mounting tape, for dimension.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #117 Sketch at The Deconstructed Sketch
HDH104 I was Framed! At Haunted Design House
Challenge #131 Come To The Dark Side at Corrosive
Challenge #77 Halloween at One Stitch At A Time
ASC45 Halloween at Aly's Sunday Challenge
Challenge #18 G Is For (Ghoulish) at Cards For Men
Anything Goes at Creative Card Crew
Favorite Image at Whimsie Doodles
PTT#31 Anything Goes at party Time Tuesdays
Boo To you! At Delightful Sketches
Challenge #115 Anything Goes at Passion For Promarkers
1,2,3 It's Easy As.... (1 image, 2 designer papers, 3 strings of fibers) at My Mum's Craft Shop
Getting Sketchy With It at Simply Betty Challenges
Challenge #15 Holidays (Halloween) at Stampin For The Weekend
Challenge #60 Inspired By A Book (Daddy Lost His Head) at Prairie Fairy
Digi Days at Stamp Something
Repeat Impressions DCC831 Designer’s Choice Challenge
Challenge #7 Halloween at Floweret
Spooky at Squiggles and Giggles

Happy Birthday, Sexy!

Are you ready to see a rootin' tootin' birthday card?!

I made this card for my friend for his birthday, using the Mae Western image, from KennyK. I colored this sexy vixen with my Promarkers. The metal frame is Hodgepodge Hardware from Stampin Up. I used two patterned papers, star shaped buttons and sheer blue ribbon from my stash

Don't you just love all the layers?! And the pink and blue color combo is perfect for a masculine card.

A teen boy would probably love this card!

This is my first time making a center step card, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

I did have a slight mishap, though. The darn ribbon came loose on one side when I took the pic and I didn't notice it till I went to watermark the pic. I've since fixed the loose ribbon, but didn't take a new pic, sorry.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:


Challenge #57 Layers at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz
Challenge #35 Anything Goes at Aud Sentiments
Challenge #18 One For The Boys at Sparkles Forum
Challenge #53 Anything Goes at Paper Playtime
Challenge #117 You've Been Framed at All Sorts
Anything Goes at AI Factory
Challenge #2 Non-Standard Fold Cards at Jen's Digi Stamps
PCJ Challenge #17 Anything Goes at Paper Crafting Journey
Challenge #17 Anything Goes at Cards For Men
Challenge #162 Happy Birthday at Spoonful Of Sugar
Challenge #88 Tween Teen's Dream at Pixie Dust Studio
Challenge #72 Recipe (1 ribbon, 2 Papers, 3 buttons - 3 on each side) at Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Month Long Celebration Challenge at Fussy and Fancy
Challenge #15 Buttons at Cardmad Fairy's Challenge
Challenge #7 Birthday at The Emerald Faerie Garden
Add Some Layers at Ellephantastic
HSC7 Pantone's Fall Colors at The Hotspot
Challenge #45 Make It Masculine at Lollipop Crafts
Challenge #36 Girly Girl (Cowgirl) at Happileigh Scrappin'
Blue, Brown, Plus Choice at Paper Pretties
Challenge #156 Brown and Blue at Everybody-Art
Challenge #63 Dimension and Texture at Tuesday Throwdown
Challenge #48 Masculine at Top Tip Tuesday
Challenge #84 Summer Nights (Stars) at The Pixie Cottage
Anything Goes at Whimsie Doodles
Challenge #28 Die Cuts and Punches (Die Cut In Frame) at The Paper Shelter
Challenge #3 Anything Goes With A Sentiment at Whimsy Inspirations
Challenge #30 Keep It Clean at Really Reasonable Ribbon

Sending Happy Thoughts

It's another funtabulous Tableau Tuesday, today at Daisy's Doodles. You're going to want to make sure you check out the wonderful creations from the DT over at Daisy's Doodles for some gorgeous eye candy!

My project today was so much fun to make! I went with a gorgeous flowery shaped card, this time. The image is from the Floral Frames set, by Daisy's Doodles. This set is so fun and versatile and comes with several image choices, all in one set! Check it out! You're going to want this one for your collection! You can find this fun flowery set here, in the Daisy Doodles Store.

The image is colored with Promarkers. I cut out the blank center of the image to make it a true frame, then attached it to a circle card with foam mounting tape, for dimension. The sentiment is from the oh so wonderful Lynne, at Sentiments 4 You. I added glitter and sparkle to the card with my Clearstar Gelly Roll pen, and then finished off with some colored pearls for the flower centers.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:


HSC7 Pantone's Fall Colors at The Hotspot
Anything Goes at AI Factory
Challenge #15 Glitter and Glitz at Crafter's Companion Monthly
Hot Colors at Crafty Calendar
Challenge #53 Anything Goes at Paper Playtime
Challenge #7 Show Us Your Flowers at Paper Creations Ink
Glitter It at Clear It Out
Challenge #17 Bring On The Bling at Bearly Mine Designs
Challenge #49 Fruit Inspiration (Pink Grapefruit) at Your Next Stamp
Challenge #35 Anything Goes at Aud Sentiments
Color Wheel (Shades of Red/Green) at Some Odd Girl
Challenge #15 Anything Goes at Craft Us Crazy
Challenge #166 Your Song Choice (Daisy Jane) at Rainbow Lady's
Challenge #86 More Than One Diecut (Circles - Sentiment with mat around it) at Sassy Studio Designs
PCJ Challenge #17 Anything Goes at Paper Crafting Journey
Anything Goes at Poodles Parlour
Challenge #117 You've Been Framed at All Sorts
Challenge #145 Bold and Bright at One Stop Crafts
Challenge #130 Girlie at Corrosive
Challenge #76 Bling It Up at One Stitch At A Time
Time For Some Bling at Scrappy Frogs
Challenge #124 Photo Inspiration (Colors: Pink and Green) at Cupcake Inspirations
Clean and Simple at Creative Inspirations Paint
Challenge #125 Summer (Colors) at Stamp With Fun
Challenge #76 Pink, Green, Peach and Neutral at The Shabby Tea Room
Challenge #32 Shaped Cards at Mami Doodles
Challenge #27 Circle Shaped Cards at Celebrate The Occasion
HSI#12 Pearls at Heartsong Inspirations
Challenge #5 Digi + The Color Green at Kich N Bleus

She's Been Framed!

Well, here we are, again. Challenge time at Craft Your Passion. This week,we are challenging you to use crumpled paper on your project. This was my first time trying this technique, and I have to admit--It was really fun! Of course, I won't admit how much ink I had all over me by the time I was done creating my project! We'd love for you to get out your paper, crumple it up, create something fabulous with it, and then join us in our Challenge. Come on over to Craft Your Passion and link up your new crumpled paper project! Just a reminder of the standard rules--No backlinking of projects, please. Your creation must be new, created on or after the challenge date, and before the challenge ends. Any backlinked projects will not be in the prize drawing. You don't want to miss out on your chance to win images of your choice from CocoDingo and Lauretta's Digital Stamps, so please please please don't backlink. We really don't like to have to exclude anyone from winning.

Now that the formalities are out of the way, here is my project for this week's crumpled paper challenge.

I've used an image by Lauretta's Digital Stamps, and created a frame with chipboard. I'm hanging this on the wall in my scraproom. (I plan to create another later, for use on another project!) The image is colored with Promarkers then cut out and mounted on crumpled paper that I distressed with ink. I used foam mounting tape to mount the image to the crumpled paper, to give it a 3D effect. The flower at the bottom is from Recollections. I used red stickles to highlight the flower and add sparkle and bling.

I am entering this frame in the following challenges:

What A Glamour Puss at Creative Craft Challenges
Bloomin Marvelous at Creative Card Crew
Challenge #14 Something For A Teenager at Crafts And Me
Challenge #42 Is It Black or Is It White at Fab N Funky
Challenge #24 Bling It On at The Creative Cottage
Week #71 Vintage at Passion For Promarkers
Challenge #70 Fancy Floral at C.R.A.F.T
Challenge #27 3D It at Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Anything Goes at Sew Many Challenges
Challenge #069 Grid (DP) at Treehouse Stamps
Anything Goes at Stamp N Doodle
Challenge #24 Anything But A Card
Challenge #8 Go Digital at Karber Weekly Challenge
Challenge #64 Anything Goes at Pollycraft
Challenge #62 Sparkly Glitter at Incy Wincy
Anything Goes at Catch The Bug
Open theme at Stamp, Scrap & Doodle
Anything But A Card at Whimsical Ink Sorority
Challenge #6 Get Ahead, Get A hat at Crafty Emma's
Vintage at Lots To Do
Anything Goes at Cowgirl Up
Challenge #3 All That Glitters at Gingerloft

Let's Harvest Some Pumpkins at Shelly's Images

It's Marvelous Monday, again, at Images. This week, we are featuring Pumpkins as the featured image. Perfect for fall and harvest time. There are so many possibilities with this image. It would also make a nice Thanksgiving card. This image is available for a special price, today only, in the Shelly's Images store. While you are there getting this one, pick up some of the other wonderful images Shelly has to offer.

Also, check out the Shelly's Images blog for some wonderful eye candy by the DT, using the Pumpkins image. You may want to stop back there, too, on Tuesdays for the wonderful tutorials and on Thursdays for the new challenges!

My card featuring the pumpkins image is simple, but I love the way it turned out. I love this image and thought it would be a fantastic to use as a big focal point for a card. I colored the image with Promarkers and framed it with a chipboard frame. (New purchase I made this week, at Michael's) Once I attached it to the card, I felt it was perfect and didn't want to add anything, for fear of taking away from the image. I rarely make a card that doesnt use patterned paper, and I generally don't like chipboard, but I'm glad I did, with this image. I think it is perfect just the way it is.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #20 Autumn at Cards For Men
Here Comes Autumn at Tuesday Taggers
It's Autumn at Simon Says Stamp
Fall at For Fun Challenges
Challenge #16 Hump Day Inspiration at Inktegrity DT Challenges
Challenge #42 Swirly Swirls (on Frame) at Pixie Dust Studio
Challenge #27 3D It at Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Anything Goes at Sew Many Challenges
Challenge #8 Go Digital at Karber Weekly Challenge
Anything Goes at Stamp N Doodle
Challenge #6 All Natural at Stamps R Us
Challenge #64 Anything Goes at Pollycraft
Challenge #9 Orange and Brown at Creative Stamp Friends
Challenge #36 The Great Outdoors at Totally Paper Crafts
Open theme at Stamp, Scrap & Doodle
Challenge #49 Orange at If The Shoe Fits
Challenge #48 Autumn Inspiration
Anything Goes at Catch The Bug
Challenge #12 Autumn Colors at Timbroscrapmania
Anything Goes at Cowgirl Up
Challenge #79 Photo Inspiration at Cupcake Inspirations
Challenge #1 Halloween/Fall at Baby Bud Designs