Paint The World With Your Beauty - Growing In Unity Day 5

Wow, the time has sure flown by! I can't believe This the last day of my GIU week for Unity Stamps! It's been an awesome week and I've had so much fun! So many wonderful comments and so much support from everyone! Thank you, Unity Stamp Company, for the opportunity to be a GIU girl this week! It has truly been a thrill and an honor! One day I'd love to be able to create with and for you all the time!

I saved my most unusual and fun "first time" project, for last!  I've decided I wanted to try altering a paint brush.  I've seen them on Pinterest and it's an idea that has intrigued me for a long time.  Being that I've devoted my GIU week for Unity Stamps to trying new things. I thought this would be the first time! Not to mention that I was motivated and inspired by this gorgeous Faceless Beauty stamp set from Unity Stamps. I fell in love with this awesome stamp when I first seen it and when I decided to alter my first paint brush, I knew this set would be perfect!

I started with a basic paint brush from Michaels and added color to the wooden handle, as well as the metal tab holding the brush (Cant really see it in the pic) with alcohol inks, then left it to dry. For this project, my hot glue gun was my friend - and also my enemy, because the hot little sucker kept oozing and burning my fingers! (Yes, yes, I know what you are thinking - Then why did you touch the oozing hotness you fool - You knew you'd get burned?! So true, that thought, but, somehow, I couldn't help myself - Guess it's my own fault I have no fingerprints left! LOL!) Once the alcohol inks were dry, I used the evil glue gun of hotness to adhere a layer of white lace over the metal part of the paint brush. Once that was in place, I added a layer of pink ruffled tulle trim, then, over that, a layer of beaded trim.  I especially love this trim, because of the tear drop shaped pearls. It just seems to fit perfectly with the white lace and pink ruffled tulle. doesn't it?  After  adding my trims, I added my stamped image, Faceless Beauty, from Unity Stamp Company, colored with markers and fussy cut.  Next, I added some leaves I cut off a swag bought at Hobby Lobby (Aka "The Lob!). Once my leaves were placed, I added in my flowers, from Petaloo.  I finished off my cluster of flowers by adding two sprigs of crystal pearls that jumped in my cart during a past shopping trip, again, to Hobby Lobby (The Lob - OMG I so LOVE that place!). I finished off the paint brush by added the sentiment, from Faceless Beauty, which i fussy cut.

This project was so much fun and I'm sure I'll definitely be doing more in the future!

This brings my GIU week for Unity Stamps, to a close. I've loved each and every minute of my GIU week and hope you've enjoyed my posts as much as I've enjoyed doing them. I hope I was able to bring you some inspiration and motivation to try new things.

A quick reminder, be sure to each of my GIU posts this week, for your chance to win a grab bag of stamps from Unity Stamp Company. (Thier grab bags rock, too!) I'll be drawing two commentors, who've commented on every one of my GIU post this week, as my lucky winners! But, hurry, you are running out of time to get your comments in! I'll be drawing my winners by Monday night at the latest! So, if you haven't, already, get busy commenting!

Also stop by Teresa's blog this week, Purple Bunny Paper Crafts, and comment each day, there, on her GIU post, for two more chances to win! That's right, she has two Unity Stamp grab bags to giveaway, as well!

Thank you, again, everyone for your support this week and for your lovely comments.  Thank you, also, Unity Stamp Company, for this awesome opportunity!

I am entering this altered paintbrush in the following challenges:

Challenge #276-277 Anything Goes at Word Art Wednesday
Challenge # 187 Photo Inspiration at PINspirational Challenge
Shabby Chic at Eclectic Ellapu April Challenge
Challenge #38 Anything Goes at Lemon Shortbread Challenge
Show Us Your Lace at The Sisterhood of Crafters
Challenge #338 Anything Goes at Crafty Creations Challenge
Challenge #125 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination

All Tied Up On Your Birthday

I'm back, from vacation! Did you all miss my postings?! LOL!  Well, maybe you didn't, but I'm back, anyway! This time, I have a birthday card to show you.  This one is a bit on the sexy smexy side. I made this card for my  friend in Florida, who always appreciates my cards.  So, of course, I had to make a special card just for him.

For this card, I used the image, 50 Shades of Smexy, from The Stamping Chef, colored with Promarkers. I just love Tamara's images - She is so talented.  This image reminds me of the book, Fifty Shades of Grey, and seemed perfect for a male birthday card!  This also was my first attempt at doing a criss cross pocket card. I think it turned out pretty good for my first try!  I loved doing the fancy fold that made the  criss cross pocket! I used a mix of black and white patterned papers from my stash, with black tulle stretched across the front packet and tied in a not at the center. The center insert is my take on the sketches at Inky Impressions and Crafty Creations Challenge, but I have my lace across the bottom and side, rather than the top and side, like at Inky Impressions. (I used sexy  black lace) I used purple gemstones to add some bling, sparkle and shine. The sentiment is punched with circle and scalloped circle punches. I used black scalloped edge ribbon through a punched hole at the top of the insert, to make a ribbon loop for pulling the card insert out of the pocket. (Sorry you cant see the ribbon well, but I had a hard time getting a close up pic of the entire card, so most of the ribbon is cut off in the pic).


I am entering this card in the following Challenges:

Challenge #51 Anything Goes at Fan-Tastic Tuesday
Anything Goes at Clear It Out
Challenge #227 Use A Digi at Robyn's Fetish
Challenge #207 Let's Hear It For The Boys at Corrosive Challenge
Challenge #100 Show Us Some Sass a Glitter N Sparkle Challenge
Anything Goes at 613 Avenue Create
Challenge #34 Anything Goes at Crafting From The Heart
Anything Goes at Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge
Anything Goes at Papertake Weekly
Challenge #9 Make A Card at Crafts Galore Encore Challenge
Challenge #45 Anything Goes at The Stamping Chef
Challenge #156 Anything Goes at Paper Make Up Stamps
Challenge #124 Sparkle and Shine at Lexi's Creations
Challenge #18 Anything Goes at The Paper Nest Dolls
Anything Goes at Crafty Sentiments
TTCRD Sept 2 - Sept 8 Anything Goes at Through The Craft Room Door
Challenge #96 Anything Goes at Let's Craft and Create
IIC#175 Card With Sketch at Inky Impressions
Challenge #271 Sketch at Crafty Creations Challenge
Challenge #193 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty
Fancy Fold at The Sisterhood of Crafters
Challenge #100 Celebration at Digistamps4Joy
September Anything Goes at Crafting By Designs
Birthday at Crafty Ribbons
Challenge #204 Special Card Form (Criss Cross Card) at Hanna and Friends
CHallenge #26 Anything Goes at Crafty Girls Challenges
Challenge #69 Show Us Something New (New Fold/Card TYpe - Criss Cross Pocket) at Simply Create Too
Anything Goes at Crafty Blogger's Network

Let's Bring Out The Vintage

Welcome to our Vintage Challenge at Hobbycutz. I'm ashamed to say, this theme is a bit out of my comfort zone. I've only done a Vintage card one other time, so this was a real challenge for me! Oh, but that just goes to show you - Never be afraid to try something new and step out of your comfort zone! You just may surprise yourself! You have two weeks to step out of your comfort zone with us this time, and play along! We are so excited to see all your vintage creations, so come play along with us!

My card uses the image Britanny 1920's Flapper, from Artbymiran, I used a wood cut frame from Hobbycutz. I covered the frame in white tulle and added the fussy cut image to the center. Around the frame, I added pearls, for vintage appeal. I used pealrs, also in the upper right and lower left corners of the center panel. The top left and bottom right corners are adorned with a paper flower and punched greenery. The punch is the Branch Punch, By Martha Stewart.

Have a Happy Halloween, Big Boy!

Can you believe how fast Halloween is approaching?! Wow! It'll be here before you know it! In honor of Halloween, I have a fun, sexy Halloween card to show you. How's that, for a masculine card?! Perfect for that special guy in your life.  This card is for a friend, for Halloween.  I'm sure he's going to love it!

For my card, I've used the image, Bite Me, by The Stamping Chef, colored with Promarkers. My card layout uses the sketch at Feeling Sketchy. This black, white and gray chevron paper is the perfect background. I've used a scrap of black fabric tulle that has a fun purple foil spiderweb pattern on it. I've used two thin strips of green and black bat patterned paper on each side of the tulle, to highlight the tulle.  A clear star gelly roll pen was used to highlight the web on the image and add sparkle. Three spider buttons in purple and black add the finishing touch. All papers are scraps from my stash, as is the piece of tulle.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:


Colors of Halloween at Di's Digi Designs
Challenge #165 Anything Goes at 2 Sisters Challenge Blog
Halloween at Sweet Stampin
Challenge #232 Black, Green and White at Cupcake Inspirations 
Inspired By: Halloween at Creative Inspirations Paint
Challenge #67 Buttons (Spiders) at Dream Valley Challenges
CHallenge #41 Pile It on (Spider Buttons) at 613 Avenue Create
Challenge #31 Anything Goes at Challenges 4 Everybody
RCC 86 Halloween + Spooled item (Spiderweb tulle) at Ribbon Carousel
Anything With Glitter (On Spiderweb) at Sparkle N Sprinkle Challenge Blog
Challenge #48 Sparkle (On Spiderweb) at Emerald Faeries
CCH#156 Halloween at The Crazy Challenge
Halloween at Incy Wincy
TPE221 Photo Inspiration (Halloween) at The Pink Elephant
Halloween at Crafty Boots
Challenge #110 Clean and Simple at Paper Make Up Stamps
Challenge #101 Halloween at Lexi's Creations
Challenge #162 Anything Goes at Make It Monday
Challenge #63 Anything Goes at Artistic Inspirations
Challenge #8 Halloween at C Is For Challenge
Challenge #15 Halloween with Buttons at Get Inky
Texture (Spiderweb Tulle) at Make My Monday
PYC#6 Halloween at Parade Your Crafts
Challenge #23 Anything Goes + Layers at Scrapbook Stamp Society
PNDC#15 Halloween at The Paper Nest Dolls
Halloween at Crafty Sentiments
Challenge #108 Anything Goes at Bearly Mine Challenges
Happy Halloween Hues at Papertake Weekly
Challenge #75 Celebrate at LEJ Designs
Challenge #101 Out With The Girls at Anything Goes Challenge
Challenge #79 Anything Goes at PINspirational
Challenge #65 Scraps, Pieces, Odds and Ends at Use It Tuesday
TTCRD October 15-22 At Through The Craft Room Door
Challenge #22 Spooky at Passion For Promarkers
Challenge #91 Funny Halloween at Aud Sentiments
Use Halloween Colors at Paper Crafting Journey
Challenge #182 Halloween at Hanna and Friends
October Linky Challenge at D.L Art
Anything Goes at The Crafting Cafe
Challenge #21 Anything Goes at Creative Craft Challenges
Spooky at Oldie But A Goodie Challenge
PWC280 Embellish Everything at Paper Pretties
Let's See your Sparkle (on Spiderweb) and Shine at Crafty Creations
Challenge #133 use Two Colors Only (Purple And Green) at The Paper Shelter
Challenge #149 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty
Frame It at Delightful Challenges
Anything Goes at Crafting By Designs
Challenge #164 Layers at 4 Crafty Chicks
CMM #75 Hallowen at Card Makin' Mamas
Halloween at Stamp And Create
Challenge #72 Sketch at Feeling Sketchy
Challenge #185 Dress Me Up (Schoolgirl) at Corrosive Challenge
Challenge #63 Too Cute To Spook at Crafting For All Seasons
Happy Halloween at Crafty Calender

Let's See Some Spring Flowers

Hey hey hey! Happy Friday, everyone!

Are you aware that its Freebie Friday at
Bugaboo Stamps?! If you're not, you should be! Spring is here and definitely in the air, with the fabulous warm temps we've been having! So, what a perfect way to celebrate spring, than with flowers, and this week's freebie, Flowerpot1, from Bugaboo Stamps! There are also several other new flower images in the store, starting now, that are perfect for spring! Slide yourself on over to Bugaboo Stamps to pick up your Flowerpot1 freebie, and check out the other new images in the store, as well! For some fabulous inspiration using this week's freebie, Flowerpot1 check out the creative works of the DT at Catch The Bug!


For your inspiration today, I have this pretty spring card, featuring Flowerpot1, from Bugaboo Stamps. The coordinating papers are by Stampin Up. Flowered tulle trim is by Maya Road. I used pearls from Want 2 Scrap, for embellishing. My sentiment is by Sentiments 4 You, and is punched with oval and scalloped oval punches.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:


Challenge #95 Easter Or Spring at Sentimental Sundays
Challenge #75 Spring Fling at Prairie Fairy
Challenge #40 Anything Goes at Pattie's Creations
Challenge #21 Spring at Crafter's Companion Monthly
Challenge #124 Easter and Spring at MyGrafico
Challenge #112 Add A Sentiment at The Crazy Challenge
Challenge #112 Circles and Squares at Kaboodle Doodles
Challenge #56 Spring at Daisy's Doodles
PTT#61 Anything Goes at Party Time Tuesdays
Challenge #45 Thank You at Celebrate The Occasion
Challenge #153 Favorite Color (Burgandy) at Digital Tuesday
Challenge #73 Anything Goes at Lollipop Crafts
Linky Party #82 at Make It Monday
Challenge #7 Spring at Creative Card Crew
PWC199 Bling (Pearls) at Paper Pretties
Challenge #110 Bead It at I Love Promarkers
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp
Challenge #37 Anything Goes at The Crafty Purple Frog
Challenge #38 Anything Goes at Fairy Tale Challenge
Spring at Stamping With The Dragon
Challenge #30 Say It With Flowers at Wags 'n Whiskers
Spring or Easter and Paper and Such Online
Challenge #37 Anything Goes at The Crafty Purple Frog

Clip It Together at Tuesday Throwdown

Hi everyone! It is week 2 of my guest designer spot at Tuesday Throwdown and we have a fun theme for you, this time! The theme is "Clip It Together." We want to see projects made using a clip of some kind. Awwww, now no moaning and groaning! It's not as difficult as it sounds! (Although I admit - When I first heard the theme, I thought to myself, "What Am I Ever Going to do with a theme like this?!" LOL!) Beleive me here, its easier than you think! C'mon and take us up on the challenge and play along! You can do it! You really can! And we want to see it! Ther is a great prize up for grabs, from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, so that should give you even more incentive to play along! Come see us at Tuesday Throwdown and link up your creation, for your chance to win! While you're there, check out the DT projects for some added inspiration, too!

Now, onto the details of my project. I found that once I had my image ready to go, and chose what kind of "clip" I wanted to use, it was just a matter of choosing papers. Once I did that and got started it all came together pretty quickly and I was very happy with the results! Especially for a theme that I had no clue what to do with! LOL

My card layout uses the sketch at Seems A Little Sketchy. I used the image, Feathered Friends, from Sweet N Sassy Stamps. The image is colored with Promarkers. The papers are all from my stash. One was punched with a scalloped circle punch by Paper Shapers, and one punched by a frame punch from EK Success. (Gotta love punches and shapes! And, I admit, I'm a punch fanatic - There, I Said it!) I love the glittered details on the scalloped circle. I used a recycled blue funky shaped paperclip on the funkily punched piece of paper, and it gave it such a cool, even funkier, look! Love it! The buttons are also recycled, from old clothes that have long went to the trash. Baker's twine added to the buttons give them just the right added touch. I used some white tulle and made a bow, to add the finishing touch. (I know its a bit difficult to see in the pic - Its in the bottom left corner - A big bow, too! Be sure you don't miss it!)


Challenges:


Challenge #8 Sketch at Seems A Little Sketchy
You Make Me Smile With Unusual Supplies (Paper Clip) at Clear It Out
Challenge #40 Buttons and Bows (Tulle Bow) at Let's Craft And Create
Challenge #47 Spring is Springing at My Mum's Craft Shop
Challenge #74 Things With Wings (Birds) at Crafts And Me
Challenge #22 Photo Inspiration (Colors) at Craft Us Crazy
Challenge #111 Things With Wings (Birds) at The Pixie Cottage
Challenge #25 Favorite Things (Recycled Items - Paper Clip and Buttons) at Divas By Design
Anything Goes at The Paper Shelter
Challenge #104 Nature at I Love Promarkers
Challenge #36 Pink and Girly at The Crafty Purple Frog
Cute As A Button at Moving Along With The Times
Mother's Day/Special Girl at Simon Says Stamp
Challenge #4 Anything Goes at Paper Crafting Journey
Challenge #98 Animals at Digi Doodle Shop's Best
Challenge #145 Inspired By A Song (Hummingbird Heartbeat) at C.R.A.F.T
Challenge #10 Recycle It (Paper Clip and Buttons) at Paper Play
Challenge #8 Feathers and Fur at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards
Challenge #122 Anything Goes With A Button at Totally Gorjuss
Challenge #107 Favorite Things (Twine, Buttons, Recycled Items) at Totally Paper Crafts
Challenge #82 Spring Colors at 2 Sisters
Challenge #145 Say It With Flowers (On Image) at All Sorts
Spring Cleaning at Just Some Lines
Let's See Those Layers at Sweet Stampin
Challenge #78 Black Jack (8: Punched shapes x 2 = 16 + 5: stamp for a total of 21) at Alota Rubber Stamps
Glitter (On DP cut into scalloped circle) at Crafty Boots
Linky Party #80 at Make It Monday
Challenge #3 Anything Goes at Always Crafting
Challenge #100 Something Special at Karen's Doodles
Challenge #54 Any Occasion Using Metal at Celebrate The Occasion
Challenge #151 Think Spring at Digital Tuesday
Challenge #21 Spring at Crafter's Companion Monthly

Wishing You Brighter Days

Happy Saturday, folks! The team at Catch The Bug has some fabulous Bugaboo Stamp creations to show off, AND a new challenge for you! How's that for a double does of fun?!

Our new challenge at Catch The Bug is one of everyone's favorites! The theme is anything goes! Create anything your little heart desires and join in the fun with us by linking up your projects for your chance to win one of three prize packs from Bugaboo Stamps! You may link up to 3 projects for our challenges, using stamps/images from any company! Remember, though, you must use an image from Bugaboo Stamps to be eligible for the top prize! Either way you go, everyone has a chance to win! So hurry over to Catch The Bug and link up for your chance to win! While you're there, feast your eyes on the fabulous creations by the DT!


I've chosen a lovely but simple layout today for my project. I used the Repeat Impressions sketch at House That Stamps Built but changed the size proportions of the top and bottom panels a little, to add some variety. Image is Skye Pencil Pics - Rose, by Bugaboo Stamps and colored with Promarkers. The background is created by hand, using a background stamp by Hero Arts, stamped with Versarmark champagne ink and embossed with Sea Foam embossing powder. (I Love the extra texture this powder gives!) Once the panel was embossed, I used Tim Holtz Distress stains and an h2O pen to watercolor the flowers and stems in the background. The tulle and flower border is by Maya Road. The sentiment is by Hero Arts and is punched with circle and scalloped circle punches. Both the image and the sentiment are attached with foam mounting tape, for dimension.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:


Repeat Impressions Sketch F2212 at House That Stamps Built
Challenge #57 Anything Goes at Party Time Tuesdays
Challenge #2 Anything Goes at Always Crafting
Royal Digi Challenge #6 Use A Bit of Green at The Scrapbooking Queen
Gilli Goes Green at House Of Gilli
Challenge #15 Spring at Crafty Bloggers Network
Linky Party #78 at Make It Monday
Challenge #122 Flowers at MyGrafico
Embossing at Stamp-n-Doodle
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp
Challenge #74 Blues And Cream at Crafty Emma's
Challenge #110 Anything Goes at The Pixie Cottage
Challenge #3 Spring Flowers at Scrapbook Sisters
PSC21: Anything Goes With A Die Cut at The Perfect Sentiment
Challenge #4 Anything Goes at paper Crafting Journey
Challenge #9 Something Old (Tulle), Something New (Image) at Paper Play
Oscars (Blue Lagoon) Challenge at Jellypark Friends
Challenge #61 Digital Delights at Crafts4Eternity
Use Some Green at Card Makin' Mamas
Challenge #74 Spring Break at Wags 'n Whiskers
Challenge #75 Flower Frenzy at Crafty Emma's
Challenge #19 Embossing at Emerald Faerie Garden
Challenge #78 Black Jack (6: Embossing, 2: Flower Image, 8: Punch/Die Cut, 5: Background Stamp = 21 points) at Alota Rubber Stamps