Happy Father's Day Pappa Bear!

Today's card is a combination of many weaknesses - a fabulous new image by Melissa Jenkin's, amazing new papers by Three Bugs in a Rug, my new Pentax digital SLR camera, and my hubby!  This sadly is my last post as guest designer for Meljen's Designs.  I have enjoyed my time playing with her images and managed to resist acquiring any new digis by MJ until I saw Pappa Bear:

You may notice that my image looks slightly different from the linked digi.  That my friends is the benefit of digital images!  I wanted the second bear to be standing closer to his Pappa, so I just used my PhotoShop Elements 7 to bring him closer.  I followed the more simple option of the two sketchs at Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week. 

On the inside of the card I used another of Meljen's Designs latest release, Number One Dad Stitched:

I wanted to feature both stamps and still enable myself to use more of the gorgeous patterned paper and provide the kids with room to sign their names.  On the other side I typed a sentiment on the computer - one that the kids will love!  The joke in our family is how it has taken a tent trailer to get Mommy to go camping (what can I say except that I demand a dry bed and a table inside so that I can play with my copics if it rains!).

Each bear was coloured with a different shade of brown and gently dabbed with an old cloth soaked in blending solution.

Copic Details

Pappa Bear: E31/E33/E35

Bear cheeks: R21

Bear paws: E30

Standing Bear: E41/E42/E44

Climbing Bear: E53/E55/E57

Tie: BG10/BG72  YR16/YR18

Pappa Bear will be entered into the following challenges:

Midnight Madness - Sketch

Shopping Our Stash - Ribbon Rewind (that ribbon is Stampin' Up!  from days gone by when I used to make SU! cards - at least two years ago now!)

Crazy 4 Challenges - Favorite Vacation Spot or Activity (camping!)

Secret Crafter Saturday - Clean and Simple (the front  is a single layer with a mat and a matted image in the center - for me, that is simple!)

Craft Your Day Away - Father's Day/Special Man

Thank you for looking!  I hope to see you back again tomorrow!

Seaside Escape

When Kathy at Scrap & Bean emailed that the new Beach Babe collection from Little Yellow Bicycle had arrived, I knew those papers were perfect for Brooke at the Beach:

Brooke will be entered into the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Let's get Krafty

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - sketch

Thanks for looking!

Sunny Happy Skies

When I saw the name of Bella Blvd's delicious summer paper, Sunny Happy Skies, I just had to "have" it!  Combine the bright paper with Meljen Design's cute Summer Time Sandals and I have a beautiful, bright summer card:

I followed this week's layout on Sketch Saturday.  I fought my impulse to stitch the card and aimed for a more clean and simple look.

I kept the inside simple without a sentiment - just waiting for the right occasion!  It might end up being a welcome back card for my Mom and Dad who have been off sailing the blue ocean the past three weeks.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:

Everybody Art Challenge - Flowers

Papertake Weekly - Fancy a Punch?

Creative Inspiration - Decorate the inside of your card

Thank you for looking!  Be sure to check out my blog tomorrow for the details for your chance to win one of two $20 gift certificates!

Kimono Bear

Meljen's Designs in conjunction with other artists and Whimsy Stamps, is raising funds for Japan. All proceeds from their Help for Japan digi set will be donated to American Red Cross disaster release fund. This set is currently 50% off and features this gorgeous Kimono Bear by the talented Melissa Jenkins:

Today is the last day to help raise funds for Japan!

Thank you for looking!

Happy 39 plus one!

Last year I fell in love with the artistic talent of Melissa Jenkins and actually had the honour of being a member of Meljen's Designs DT.  One of the first images to catch my eye was this beauty, A Girl and Her Overalls:

This layout is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp which requires stamping on your creation and while the image is a digi, the sentiment is from Stampin' Up!

Isn't this image the cutest?  I paired her up with Sunny Happy Skies patterned paper collection from Bella Blvd.

The inside of the card is a quote I found on the internet that is perfect for my friend's fortieth birthday.  Like most of us women, forty is not an age we appreciate.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Let's Celebrate

Stampavie and More - Birthday

Charisma Cardz - Jokes & Laughter

If you're looking for something sweet, check out my blog candy details here.  Thank you for looking!

Sundae with Meljen's Designs - A Recipe for Fun!

Happy Sundae!  (Well actually I'm posting Saturday night to make PWCO challenge deadline!)  The challenge this week on Paper Sundaes will be a recipe - however my lips are sealed until tomorrow!  I'll edit the post in the morning to add the recipe details.

I can tell you we have the wonderful Meljen's Designs back again this week to sponsor Paper Sundaes.  I am using Little Girl Bear Hugs available on Whimsy Stamps.

Thank you for looking!  I look forward to seeing your creations on Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog!

Have a Beary Nice Day!

This week's challenge at Meljen's Designs Challenges and Inspiration Blog is to create a LONG or TALL card!  Business size = 4in x 9-1/4in  I have to admit in my cutting I mixed up my measurements and actually created a card which is 4-1/4in x 9in.

I love Melissa's little bears and her new Apple Beary Fairy is no exception!

The paper was actually purchased for an upcoming Back to School card I have planned, but when I saw this little bear with her apple I knew it would be perfect!

Please check out the rest of the design team's creations here along with the other four new release images!

Apple Beary Fairy will be entered into the "Let's Get Fruity" challenge at Simon Says Stamp! Challenge Blog.

Thank you for looking!  I look forward to seeing your long or tall creations!

Three Little Piggies Went Dancing

Some of my absolute favorite Meljen's Designs images are from the Fairytale Collection first launched with Whimsy Stamps.  Now that all of Melissa's amazing images are on Whimsy, you can find all of her fabulous images in one place - including Three Pigs:

I kept this card fairly simple to focus on the image and to create a more masculine card.  I did add some dimension with the bow.

You have four days left to enter the Circles Galore challenge at Meljen's Designs Challenges & Inspiration Blog for your chance to win three digis and the chance to be chosen as one of the top five!

Thank you for looking!  I look forward to seeing your circle creation!

Let the Festivities Begin!

As I enjoy a day off in celebration of Canada Day, our neighbours to the south get ready to celebrate their Independence Day on July 4th.  In honour of the glorious US holiday, Melissa designed a mini pack of Independence Day images, including this one "Picnic Pie":

Along with the new release at Meljen's Designs is also a new challenge - Red, White, and Blue! - and an announcement.  Meljen's Designs images - every single one - can be found at their new home at Whimsy Stamps! 

Thank you for looking.  I look forward to seeing your Red, White, and Blue creations on Meljen's Designs Challenges and Inspiration Blog!

Details
Image: Meljen's Designs "Picnic Pie"
Paper: Stampin' Up!
Embellishments: Kaiser Pearls, unknown ribbon, Spellbinders Nestabilities, sewing machine, copic markers

Back to the Sea with Meljen's!

One more day left to enter the bookmarks and/or tags challenge at Meljen's Designs Challenges and Inspiration Blog!  My darling daughter loves Joyful Jellyfish and wanted a bookmark made with some striped paper and fibers.  I decided to colour Cutie Crab and Seahorse Love and create a card to hold Taryn's new bookmark.

The bookmark is tucked on the inside of the card:

Thank you for looking!  I hope to see your bookmark and/or tag creation entered in this week's challenge!

Enjoying a Summer Treat with Meljen's

This week's challenge at Meljen's Designs Challenges and Inspiration blog is fibers, ribbon, or lace.  I decided to use some ribbon to tie close the front of the card and attach a bit of fiber to the inside of the card as well.  As for the image, well, I chose the new Double Scoop Ice Cream available on-line today. 

Not only is ice cream my darling daughter's number one favorite treat and we're all anxiously awaiting summer in our house - but the two scoops were perfect for a card for my husband.  As Chris and I deal with the issues at hand currently, I wanted to express my appreciation for the support my husband provides to me and our household.  We're as different as night and day - hence the chocolate and strawberry - but together we make the perfect pair!

I used Crystal Effects on the two scoops of ice cream:

I finished the sentiment on the inside with a cardstock sticker from Bo Bunny:

Thank you for looking!  Check out the rest of the new releases and all the challenge details here!

Getting a little wet with Meljen's!

As we're packing up to head on our first ever family camping adventure this weekend, I wanted to share with you a card featuring one of my favorite Meljen's Designs images - Little Mermaid:

My copics and pencils are coming camping of course!  I can't play outside all day, and at night, I figure hubby can watch a movie and I'll listen as I colour my heart out! 

Thank you for all your patience as I've been a tad MIA lately.  We all have those times where family needs to come first, and as my son is currently dealing with some issues, the family as a whole has to learn and change to meet his needs.

Check in on me Monday, as I share another card! 

A Pair of Carnations for Dad

With Father's Day fast approaching, I need to turn my attention to more masculine cards.  Meljen's Designs latest release includes a beautiful pair of carnations - great for a feminine card, or in this case, a more masculine card.

I dipped into my Stampin' Up papers to create a more neutral, manly card.  Can you spot the challenge this week for Meljen's Designs Challenges?  If you guessed dry embossing you are ready take the challenge!  I look forward to seeing your creation!

Things That Make Me Smile All Over!

This post is a celebration of a few of the things that make me smile - card making, the amazingly cute things kids' say, cats, colouring, Meljen's Designs, and even sketch challenges!  It also celebrates the fact that even I can learn a new trick or two - I'm posting a card BEFORE the last minute!  Wow. 

This card features the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches and the image A Girl and Her Kitty.

These sentiments from Inkadinkado make me smile!  I popped up the image with foam squares to add dimension.

Remember to check out Meljen's DT blog on Thursday to see this week's challenge for your chance to win!

Thank you for looking!

Meljen's Gone to the Dogs!

This week Meljen's Designs has released a series of eleven amazing images based on man's best friend.  As I celebrate one week of being a "dog" household after five years of no fur pets - this release really tugs at my heart strings.  In memory of Spotz, my parent's dalmation who recently moved on, I coloured Melissa's Darling Dalmation. 

To create the desired texture and dimension, I used stitching, buttons, and foam squares.

Spotz will be entered into the Everybody Art Challenge - sketch.

Poofy Pom playfully holding a dandelion inspired me to design the following card:

Poofy Pom will be entered into the challenges:

Cupcake Craft - Blooming Charming

Papertake Weekly - Say it with Flowers (punched flower and flower charm)

Secret Crafter Saturday - Metal (flower charm)

Please join us at Meljen's Designs Challenge Blog this week with your cards themed "Seeing Spots".  I look forward to seeing your creations!

Thank you for looking!

 

Meljen's gets Whimsy with Riding Hood

Meljen's Designs has signed up with Whimsy Stamps to design fairy tales, bedtime stories, and nursery rhymes digi stamps to be sold exclusively by Whimsy Stamps.  Three are currently available for purchase including this little cutie, Riding Hood:

The sentiment is completed on the inside:

The other two images are Granny Wolf and Three Pigs.  My daughter recently received three stuffed pigs from a young lady who had outgrown them so expect to see a scrapbook layout in the near future featuring Melissa's beautiful piggies!

There are three more days left to enter the "Flowers & Blooms" challenge on the Meljen's Designs Challenges and Inspiration Blog!  Thursday brings a new challenge and a new release - check out Melissa's own blog for a sneak peek here!

Riding Hood will be entered into the following challenges:
Cupcake Craft - buttons
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Recipe: 3 DPs (2 featured on the front and one inside) and 3 buttons (flower centers)
Lili of the Valley - sketch
Basic Grey Challenge - punches (buttons are from Basic Grey Kioshi line)

Thank you for looking!

Mermaids and their Sea Creature Friends

A late welcome to Thursday!  Sorry for the long delay to post, it was kinda a sticky situation - ha ha ha.  I have to laugh otherwise I might cry.  Imagine three days into a project, final stage, and you grab the wrong polymer.  Instead of drying transparent, it dries opaque and waxy.  Wanna see?

So, not one to admit defeat, I scraped off all the polymer and most of the paint, lost both images, but managed to salvage the frame and shells.  So after re-painting, colouring, and re-adhering everything, we have a modified project completed.  (I think I'll do some research before I blindly try the technique I was trying to use again.) 

In celebration of this week's release at Meljen's Designs, I made a mermaid frame for my daughter using Little Mermaid and Seahorse Ride:

Please remember to join us this week at Meljen's Designs DT blog with your creation featuring a Sea Creature Friend!

I'll fill in the details later, right now I'm off to work!  Thanks for looking!

A Fancy Butterfly AND a Winner from Meljen's Designs?!

***Click HERE if you are hopping along with Spesch Designer Stamps***

I've been working on my Meljen's Designs card for this week, trying hard to stay on track because I am just itching to create my "thing" for next week - the upcoming new release is fantastical!  Still, have to focus so I finally found a sketch and some papers I love and coloured the beautiful Fancy Butterfly from an earlier release.

This line from Crate Paper has to be one of my favorites.  In fact, I've been hording it for a long time waiting for just the right inspiration - and Melissa's butterfly was my muse!  Fancy Butterfly will be entered into the following challenges:

Flutter By Wednesday: Open

Deidrich Dare: Spring

Lili of the Valley: Summer

Charisma Cardz: Girly Cards with Flowers

Sketch Saturday: Sketch

Everybody Art Challenge: Song Lyrics (Butterfly Fly Away by Miley Cyrus)

Now that my card was finished and loaded, I zipped over to Random.org to draw the winner for my blog candy for the Paper Sundaes Sponsor Celebration Blog Hop.  Out of 49 possible entrants, it drew number 40 aka Cheryl, a member of Meljen's Designs DT!!  Congratulations Cheryl - I hope you enjoy Bonnie!

Thank you for looking!  See you all tomorrow!

A Treasured Friend

Today marks the launch of Meljen's Designs latest release - Stuffed with Love.  My favorite from the collection is Dolly who reminds me of a much loved Marigold from the Polka Dot Door when I was a young child.

I followed the sketch at Lili of the Valley Challenge Blog and the colours from the Copic Colour Challenge.  YG00 - dolly's collar, shorts, and pocket; V91 - dolly's shirt; RV13 - the hearts in the air.  Dolly is also entered at Fab 'n' Funky (Get It All Out - I can't remember when I bought that sentiment! Maybe 6 years ago?), The Belli Challenge (Die cut shapes), Magical Crafts (Something for the Girls), and Allsorts (In Stitches).

Please join us at Meljen's Designs Challenge Blog this week with your cards themed "For the Little Ones". 

Customer Appreciation Store Wide Sale!!!  Check out Meljen's Designs new and improved on-line store - and use your 25% off code to stock up on her digis.

Thank you for looking!

Unicorn Box for a Little Princess - Meljen's Designs DT post

Welcome to Saturday!  In just a few hours I am head to Calgary for copic certification with two friends - can you say EXCITED?!!!  An overnight girls' trip and copic markers - is there anything better?  Perhaps going knowing that in the morning my little girl is going to go absolutely crazy - complete with her trademark silly/happy dance - over the little box I finished at my friend's house tonight.  A couple week's ago I created a special frame for her room which is now part of a set.  I have used Unicorn's Rest from Meljen's Designs latest release featuring dragons, unicorns, and fairies!!!  Being mom to a three year old girl I can't imagine so exciting...until I saw the upcoming release - but hey, that's hush-hush for now.  So without further rambling, I present Unicorn's Rest:

For the copic happy crowd out there I used:

Unicorn: C0, C1, C3, R81, R83, R85, R20

Grass: G40, G12, G14

Butterflies: BG10, BG13, BV11, BV01, RV04, V09

Flowers: Y11, Y00, Y02, Y17, YG00, R81, R83, B21, B23, B24

Atyou purple glitter pen for butterfly flight paths

I carefully cut the striped paper to fit around the side of the box.  I used sequin strips from the fabric store to give it the shimmer my three year old loves!

The botton row of flowers is an embellishment I picked up at the scrapbook store.  On the inside of the lid I placed a picture of her favorite princess (red hair like my princess) and a little message.

This is another piece of my daughter's fairytale set for her room.  Not sure what I'll create next for the set, feel free to offer suggestions!  The Unicorn box will be entered into the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant (image/2 dies/3 of your favorite embellishments - ribbon on top and bottom of box and row of flowers below fairies)

Papertake Weekly (cutie pie)

Cute Card Thursday (touchy feely)

Remember to enter Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog Sponsor Celebration and Blog Hop for your chance to win some fabulous prizes!  You have until midnight tonight to enter PSC13.  Next week's sponsor on Paper Sundaes is Meljen's Designs - join me Sunday to meet Sick Little Bear!